PREPARING FOR THE SERMON

July 21, 2024

Jonah 1-2

Context:

            The book of Jonah is an historical narrative. Skeptics claim that a man living inside a giant fish for three days would be impossible. In part, Jonah illustrates the importance of a Christian worldview. It is not a cop-out to say, “but God.” The feasibility of surviving being swallowed by a large marine animal is ultimately asking the wrong question. Rather than does this regularly happen, a better inquiry is “could God make this happen?” In short, if a person disbelieves in miracles, they write Jonah off as fictional. While God chooses to work in normative patterns, the only true limitation to God is that He never works contrary to His own nature. In many ways, Jonah himself was wrestling with this very thing, that God works in ways consistent with His character.         

           

Structure:

            Jonah divides into two macro sections according to linguistic markers. In the first half of the book, Jonah goes down or away or falls, etc. In the second half of the book, the language speaks of rising or going up, or other ascending language. 

 

Theology:    running from God, responsibility, repentance

 

Some things to think about:

  • What would you not want God to ask you to do?
  • Who do you not like enough that you don’t want God to bless them?
  • How do you attempt to run away from God?

 

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP

Call to Worship

1 John 3:11

Praise

Theme: Adoration

Why sing it? To give God glory for who He is, reminding ourselves that we should have this mindset in every season of our lives, knowing that He is faithful with His promises.

Plead the Blood

Theme: Jesus, Sacrifice, Atonement

Why sing it? To declare Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and confess what we believe He’s done for us.

Scripture Reading

Colossians 1:15-20

Good Ground

Theme: Sanctification, Supplication

Why sing it? As a prayer for growing in our relationship with Jesus according to Scripture.

What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Theme: Provision, Help

Why sing it? To remind ourselves who Jesus is for us and give Him glory for never leaving or forsaking us.