Sermon Notes

This week Pastor Robins continued the series on Jonah - with a sermon entitled Who Prays to God Anyway?

- Men don't pray a prepared prayer in time of crisis.
- When he landed in the belly of the fish god had prepared he knew there was absolutely no more running away from God. It was then that he prayed. The prayer is recorded AFTER this event - it was prayed DURING this event.

Who Prays to God Anyway?
1. Those in Trouble. Jonah's Plight. Jonah 2:2 Psalm 18:6
2. Those who know God hears. Jonah knew God would hear. Jonah 2:2 Psalm 30:2
3. Those who experience God's chastening. Jonah knew it was God who had done this. Jonah 2:3 Psalm 42:7
4. Those who hope in God. Jonah declared his hope 3 times vs.2,4,6. Jonah 2:4 Isa. 43:2
5. Those who know they have no solution for their adversity. Jonah 2:5-6 Psalm 69:1-2
6. Those who turn to God when nothing else could help. Jonah knew God could help. Jonah 2:7 Psalm 120:1

- Salvation is God;s work for us.
- Salvation is never man's work for God.

- Chapter 2 Jonah finally prayed. Up until now even when everyone else did he did not . God finally got his attention in the fish.
- 1:17 - 2:1 - Int he fish he finally realized he was going to die and figured he better pray to God. Jonah was in trouble - he cried out to God.
- When things are fine and going well you may not feel the need to pray, but when you are in trouble, with no out - you'll pray.
- Jonah knew his plight was the consequence of disobeying God. No one's fault but his. He provoked God.
- Are you running away from God? Are you a believer who is heading down a path that brings you farther from God not closer?
- Who prays to God? Those in trouble. If you cry out to God He will hear your voice. If you are a Christian trying to avoid God - if you call out to Him, He will hear you.
- If you haven't begun a personal relationship maybe you never thought God would hear you. He will hear you.
- Up until the fish Jonah thought he was in control then he realized God was pursuing him - He could not run from God. It was because of lack of obedience he was chastened. He knew it was God and not just coincidence.
- up to a point people think they can run from God. They feel they can do what they like and disobey and they act like they think God doesn't care. We create all kinds of problems for ourselves when we do that.
- If you have tried to run from God you will realize you are experiencing troubles because God is chastening you. How long are you going to do that?
- If you take one step toward the Saviour you will find His arms opened wide. when you decide what you need to do he isn't going to jerk the offer off the table. He doesn't want any to perish. He is full of mercy and grace and slow to anger.
- Like the prodigal son we will be welcomed home.
- Jonah was without hope without God. Imagine what it was like in the belly of the fish - weeds, water and whatever else it ate would be in there.
- There is no other solution - God is the only solution.
- You can't help yourself when God is on your trail.
- As long as we think we can help ourselves we'll stumble along in our misery. When we call out to God with a humble heart He hears.
- God never turns away those who come in real repentance.
- When we remember God, He remembers us.
- Have you fallen on your face before God and repented.
- If you follow after any other god you forsake your own mercy. Some have no hope.
- As long as you choose to reject the voice of God or think I don't need to do this -there is no mercy.
- When we turn to God in our distress - thanksgiving fills our lives. Lev. 7:12 Sam. 2:24
- Fulfill your vow before God.
- Salvation is of the Lord - most important phrase in the book of Jonah.
- Gen. 1:3,6,9 Every time God said something it happened. God spoke to the fish and it spit Jonah out on dry land.

Happy Sunday!
Blessings,
Liisa