Sermon Preview – Week of March 6

This Sunday we will begin an expositional series through the book of Jonah. It is our practice to preach through both the New Testament and Old Testament so as to be faithful in “declaring the whole counsel of God”. If you grew up in a protestant evangelical environment, one of the first Bible stories you probably remember learning is about Jonah. Now, if you are like me, you will remember that Jonah had to share the title line of his life story with…..a whale. It was never just “Jonah’s story”, it was always, “Jonah and the Whale”.  Now, there are a few things we need to clear up about that title line. One, the book of Jonah never mentions a “whale”, it is simply a “great fish”. Two, Jonah isn’t the central figure in the book of Jonah. In other words, when we walk away from the book of Jonah we aren’t meant to have only and primarily learned something about Jonah. Three, God is the central figure in the book of Jonah. When we walk away from the book of Jonah we are meant to see God as the supreme figure. We are intended to know the character and nature of God more fully. We are intended to see the heart and purposes of God more clearly. Jonah and his circumstances (yes even the great fish) are means by which we come into knowledge of God. The point is, there is so much more to the book of Jonah than a story about a guy getting swallowed by a big fish. Maybe we have heard the story of Jonah and the circumstances surrounding his life twenty five thousand times and think there isn’t much else there for us to learn. That way of thinking could not be more inaccurate! In our time in Jonah we will encounter the living God. His character and nature. His heart and purposes. His glory in saving sinners through Jesus Christ!

Sermon Title: “Jonah: An Introduction And Overview”

Sermon Text: Jonah 1-4

Meditation Passage: Matthew 12:38-41

Call To Worship: Psalm 97:9-12

Benediction: Romans 11:33-36


Songs For Sunday:

He Is Exalted

Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

How Sweet And Aweful Is The Place

Hallelujah What A Savior

Christ Is Mine Forevermore

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross


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