22-Dec-2019 - Come Out of The Fish's Belly - Charles Banna & John Pereira
22nd Dec 2019 - Christian Fellowship Meeting - Bangalore. For more sermons please visit https://www.cfcindia.com/
Summary
The sermon uses the story of Jonah fleeing to Tarshish to illustrate humanity's tendency to run from God's presence and calling. The speaker warns that running from God's will, whether through sin or poor life choices like unequally yoked marriages or clinging to parents, leads to spiritual slumber and disobedience. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to remain connected to God's presence and obey His commandments.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why did Jonah run away from God?God commanded Jonah to go and preach against the wickedness of Nineveh, but Jonah instead boarded a ship to flee in the opposite direction.
Sleeping through the storm of disobedienceWhile God hurled a great wind on the sea and sailors panicked, Jonah went down into the hold of the ship and fell fast asleep.
Confronted by the sailorsThe pagan sailors woke Jonah up and cast lots to find out who brought the calamity, leading Jonah to confess that he was running from the God of heaven.
Swallowed by a great fishAfter the sailors threw Jonah into the sea, the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow him, keeping him in its stomach for three days and three nights.
Remembering the Lord from the depthsWhen Jonah reached the absolute end of his strength inside the fish's belly, he remembered the Lord, offered thanksgiving, and acknowledged that salvation belongs to God.
Vomited onto dry landOnce Jonah recognized that salvation comes from the Lord, God commanded the fish to vomit him onto dry land to receive his second chance.
Preaching to NinevehJonah went to the massive city of Nineveh and proclaimed that it would be overthrown in forty days, prompting the king and people to humble themselves in sackcloth and ashes.
Jonah displeased by Gods mercyBecause God relented from bringing the disaster after Nineveh repented, Jonah became deeply angry and asked God to take his life, caring more about his own reputation than people's souls.
Comparing Jonah to Moses and PaulUnlike Jonah who resented mercy for others, Moses and the Apostle Paul displayed the true heart of Christ by being willing to be blotted out or accursed for the sake of their brethren.Exodus 32:32
Learning life lessons from JonahBelievers are warned not to harden their hearts when hearing Gods voice, noting how easily anyone can become spiritually stuck in the belly of a fish through unyielding pride.
The sacrifice of true surrenderTrue Thanksgiving is not mere repetition of words but an attitude of complete surrender, placing one's entire life into God's hands without setting personal conditions.
A call to deny self and repentConcluding with a time of prayer, the speaker calls stagnant believers to examine their ways, ask God for a heart of flesh, and deny self-will to follow Christ daily.
