Ever wanted a do-over? We all want second chances but sometimes struggle to offer them. What if that reluctance is hindering our own fresh start? Discover how one man found his second chance in the most unexpected way in our series, Jonah.
Series: JONAH
Message 1: God’s Plans Are Wrecking Mine
Text: Jonah 1:1-16
Pastor Tom Cogle
Sunday, July 13, 2025
The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” Jonah 1:1-2 NIV
But Jonah ran away from the and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the . Jonah 1:3 NIV
V
If you want to run from God, the devil will always offer you a ride.
rationalizing sin: when our mind makes an excuse for what our spirit knows is wrong.
Delayed obedience is the same as disobedience.
spiritual maturity: a short time between God’s command and our obedience
Jonah went down to Joppa.(Jonah 1:3)
Jonah went down to the bottom of the ship. (Jonah 1:5)
Jonah was thrown down to the bottom of the sea. (Jonah 2:3)
Then the sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. Jonah 1:4-5 NIV
So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? …” 9[Jonah] answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” Jonah 1:8-9 NIV
Where in your life are you rationalizing sin and running from God?
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked [Jonah], “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 12“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Jonah 1:11-12 NIV
Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.16Jonah 1:15-16 NIV
TALK IT OVER
Read Jonah 1:3. Why do you think Jonah chose to run from God? What are some reasons you might run from God?
Pastor Cogle said, “If you want to run from God, the devil will always offer you a ride.” What do you think about this? Has there been a time in your life where this has been true?
Where in your life are you rationalizing sin and running from God? What is God calling you to do about it?
CONSIDER
Make plans now to attend this Wednesday’s Bible Study where we are going to explore today’s message in greater detail!