Jonah and the Whale

By Pastor Peter Linnecar

As soon as Jonah decided to set his will against God he went down, as far as the depths of the sea. But, after he had been in the belly of the whale for three days and nights, he cried out to the Lord in his distress and the Lord heard him. God is a merciful God, He answers prayers. If you cry out to God and realise that you are totally dependent on Him, He will hear you and He will answer.

Jonah was a prophet, he had been faithful to deliver the word of God in the type of Jeroboam the 11. But when God spoke to him again, he did not obey but when in completely the opposite direction from Nineveh, where God had sent him.

Jon 4:2

Jonah knew the character of God and he didn't want to deliver God's message because he didn't think God would treat the Ninevites as he thought they should be treated. We saw last weekend how he had crossed the sea, in order to go the opposite way to Nineveh, but during their journey on the sea a storm had arisen, and it had only stopped when Jonah had been cast into the sea. When the lots were taken Jonah knew that he had to be thrown over the side for the sake of the sailors. It is strange that he was not willing to go to Nineveh, but he was willing to be thrown overboard and risk his life for the sailors.

It is interesting to note that since chapter 2 he went 'down', eventually going 'down' to the depths of the sea.

We are going to see how God answers the problems in our lives at the right time for His purposes to be fulfilled.

Jon 1:17

There are examples of other people who had been swallowed by a large fish. One species of fish, the Seadog, is found in all warm seas and in 1578 a sailor was swallowed by one. The captain of the vessel ordered a canon to be fired at the fish, once this was done the fish vomited up the sailor and he was unharmed. Again, another sailor was swallowed by another fish for 48 hours. The whale was harpooned and brought back to the ship and the sailor was retrieved from the whale; after two weeks he recovered fully. These are a few examples of what happened without God. We are talking about what happened to Jonah according to God's purposes.

I wanted to show these examples to make the point that this is a historical story, not just an allegory as some theologians argue. I want to look at what Jesus said about this:

Lk 11:29-36

There's Jesus specifically referring to the story of Jonah and to the fact that what happened to him with Nineveh were true. Elsewhere it refers to 'as he was three days and three nights in the great whale'. The last part of what I just read is to do with a lighted candle not being in a secret place. When Jonah was in the whale it was God that had caused the storm and that he prepared the whale. It was God all the way through who was preparing the way for His purposes to be fulfilled; His purposes were of mercy. God wanted to give Nineveh the chance to repent, even though they did not deserve it. Jonah was the man to go to Nineveh in order that they might repent, and so, God prepared the way for him.

Jesus says here that there is a greater than Jonah here, His name is Jesus. The three days from the cross to the resurrection is greater than the sign of Jonah. Don't be in a secret place as Christian, or someone who has a compromised position about the way you go about things as a Christian.

"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light."

Some people have asked me this week 'what is God doing?'. He is shaking things so that we might all go together, growing in our relationship with God. You can't be a Christian in a dark room, you're a light, and a light it to provide the means for those who are in the darkness that they can be different. When Jesus died on the cross and three days later rose from the dead, the reason was because you can't keep a light in the grave. Death, where is your victory?

I just want to be briefly look at the prayer that Jonah prayed:

Jon 2:1-2

Everything had gone wrong for Jonah. It might be your sitting here thinking that you don't know how you're going to sort through the circumstances you are in. Jesus Christ is in control, God knows what He is doing in your life, even if you can't see the solution. What matters is the attitude you take to circumstances. Don't be bitter, just have complete dependency on God. God loves it when you realise that you have nothing else, only total dependency on Him.

Jon 2:3-4

It doesn't matter how guilty you might feel, God answers in spite of your guilt. It doesn't matter what judgement you think God should give you, if you cry out to God and turn to Him in your heart, He will answer. He has made a way for you. Why is it those things have happened to you? Because God wants to get hold of you, because He loves you. Each stage is carefully orchestrated. Jonah realised this. He had gone down to Joppa, down to the ship, down to the depths.

Jon 2:5-6

God answers in the most impossible of circumstances. If you don't respond to what God is speaking to you about He has every right not to continue with you. There is a day of judgement. So why aren't you responding? I know there are a few here to night to whom God is speaking specifically through this story. He went down, yet 'has thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.'

Jon 2:7

Rom 5:6

This sign of Jonah was nothing compared to Jesus. Those three days between Calvary and the resurrection was for you. This is not a theory, or some vague idea, it is for you. It is the difference between darkness and light.

Jon 2:8

If you trust in anything else but God you are forsaking the mercy that He has for you.

Jon 2:8-9

The moment Jonah said that, in verse 10, the Lord spoke to the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. God answers, in stages sometimes, but He answers. He answers to win our undivided loyalty and thanks. God helps us to make us become merciful like Him. Where are we at in our lives tonight? What are the circumstances of our lives like? The end result for each one of us is that God, a God of love and of grace, has a heart to redeem mankind; that is why Jesus came. We don't need to live in the hell of sin, we can live in the glory of the holiness, the righteousness, of Christ.

Jonah, why are you going to Tarshish? Well, actually I'm running away from God. But why would you want to do that? I can't be bothered, if He wants to do what He wants that is fine, but I have done my bit already. What a change when he says: "I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."

Jon 3:1

An Active Faith

Ours is to be an active faith. And in 1 Peter 3, the writer shows us two vital aspects of this. We are to give the Lord His rightful place in our hearts; and we are to be ready always to give a reason for the hope which is in us.

External Links:Listen to the online sermon (Podcast) »

What I have to share will help all of us in such a way that we are aware more than ever of what God is doing in your life and who He is.

The background to Peter’s thinking in the bit of His letter we will look at this morning comes partly from Psalms 34:

Psalms 34:1-21

Peter’s letter is to do with how to live right in the face of difficulty, how to address circumstances which are contrary and which seemingly don’t make sense. Chapters 1 and 2 looked at the persecution which was coming. Peter was very conscious that he wanted the recipients of the letter to get it right as to how they should live their lives. There are two specific things we can do to prevent fear dominating our hearts and how to avoid terror generating fear.

1 Peter 3:8-9

No cliques – I have brothers and sisters in the Lord. If someone new comes into the church, you’re welcome – you won’t have to fight to get into my group. You need to be courteous and open.

1 Peter 3:10-12

“You don’t need to worry, recipients of this letter” – God hears your prayers, and when pressure comes, the eyes of the Lord are over the righteousness and His ears open to their prayers.

1 Peter 3:13

They needed to be sure of their foundation, to know for sure that God heard their prayers. And now we come to specifics.

1 Peter 3:14-16

There are two things here we need to do.

First, there is the aspect of not being afraid of anything. Often in Peter’s letters you hear echoes of his experiences with the Lord.

Matthew 14:26-30

“It is I; be not afraid.” There are probably five or six occasions in Peter’s life where the words of Christ became indelibly written in his heart. They were afraid, and Jesus’ words came across the water – “It is I, be not afraid.” And now in his letter, he tells them not to be afraid of their terror, nor to be troubled. He knew that when Jesus Christ is involved, there is no fear.

“Yes, but what if I face things I didn’t expect?” “It is I – be not afraid.” And Peter is writing to these people telling them not to be afraid or troubled. At the time it was people saying things to put them in fear, but you can widen it. If you’re a Christian and are afraid, Jesus Christ knows what He is doing in your life. He gave His life for you. Next weekend (Easter) we’ll particularly remember that.

The enemy of our souls thrives on fear, that little comment which comes to your mind – “You see ... do you think He loves you? Why has that happened?” “Be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.”

I’m sure Peter recalled when Jesus talked to them intimately.

Now in v15, Peter comes to two active things we need to do.

1 Peter 3:15

What does it mean to sanctify God in our hearts? In one translation, it says, “Sanctify God as lord in your hearts.” This is an active thing we need to do. It’s a similar word to “hallowed” in the Lord’s prayer. When I’m involved, when I’m a Christian, a son of God as a result of what He has done for me, I need to maintain His position in my heart, right in the core. I keep Him in that position, and reverence Him and bow down to Him. He is Lord of my life. And right in the kernel of me is Jesus Christ, recognised as Lord, and I believe everything He says.

“Jesus Christ the habitual thought, the central emotion, the all-dominant impulse.” That’s not just words – it’s us, keeping, actively keeping Jesus Christ in the position of who He is. He is Lord. So when I’m trying to sort things out, looking to the future ... “In my life, I want You to be number one.”

In your life, sanctify the Lord God in your heart. So it does matter each day how much I talk to God, how much I open up my heart to God. That’s not being religious or spiritual. Sanctify the Lord in your hearts. When you get up in the morning, it’s not immediate Radio 4, Radio 2, or whatever. That’s not the way to start a day. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. It’s an active things which we can do.

The second things is part two of the verse :-

1 Peter 3:15

Be ready always – not just when you feel like it. It could be anyone at any time. I have to be able to give a reason for the hope that is in me, and I have to do it with meekness and reverence. So what is the reason for the hope which is in me? I need to know what I’m going to share. What are you hoping for? What does it mean?

I’m going to broaden this out. The picture will be a solid ground of our faith which can actively share with another person who asks us. “My personality is not such as to speak,” you may say. But this is for all of us. I’m talking here about the core of you. You’ve sanctified the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart, and now you are ready to give an answer always. You can do this ... and you must do it. It’s part of what we’re about. It’s not an option.

What is our hope? Because when you are facing certain situations, you have to be sure. What is our hope?

Romans 5:1-2

We’re justified by faith through what Jesus Christ has done for us. We have that peace within. We have peace with God, access by faith into this grace. There’s a forward-looking sense of this hope.

Philippians 1:6

The work that God has started, He will complete. That’s my hope. And it’s not something vague – it’s the assurance that that is what is going on. I’m justified by faith and confident in Him.

1 John 3:2

Each month that goes by, God is working on me. I’m justified by faith, and He is working on me, perfecting me, shaping me so that at some point in time, He will call me to Himself, and when I see Him I shall be like Him. That’s the surety, the confidence inside.

1 Corinthians 15:53

At some point will come a time when our time here is up and God has perfected His work in us.

Romans 8:23

We aren’t made into robots, but we’re made free not to sin. Before we’re a Christian we automatically sin, but now He gives us the power to live right. At some point we will leave this body and get a new one.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Hebrews 12:22

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

What is this life? What is the hope inside me? I’ve sanctified the Lord in my heart. Now I’m ready to give a reason for the hope in me.

What does it mean to be a Christian? I’ve been set free from the power of sin, the penalty sin (the penalty has been paid). I used to please myself, and I tried to fill up the vacuum inside me, but there was always an emptiness before I became a Christian. I was lonely. But the hope in me is a faith that God has given me, and I now live a life or a timespan allocated by God, and at some point I will step out of this body and be with the Lord. Death presents no fear. I enjoy life. But I know the progression of my life and the way God is sorting things out serves merely to prove His love for me. Those circumstances are there to prove His love for me, not to do me in.

Philippians 3:20-21

“This world is not my home – I’m just passing through.” That’s the truth. Our home is in heaven. I’m sanctifying the Lord God in my heart, keeping Him in that place with Him as Lord and God. And now I’m ready to share what God has done inside me. I’ll give a person a reason why I’m a Christian. The foundation is as secure as anything you care to mention. I’m totally confident because of what God has done inside me. He’s set me free from my past life and I’m walking each day pleasing Him, knowing that the circumstances of life which I will face ... no matter what they are ... I know my God, I know what He has done inside me and I love Him.

And a time will come when I’ll step out of this body and into His presence.

Titus 2:12-14

We’re looking for that blessed hope.

What is it like in the week if someone out of the blue asks you what it means to be a Christian? Or someone asks your opinion? Peter says there will come people who will ask you, because they will see the difference. When the persecution comes (in the context of this letter), people will see your reaction is different. Always be ready to give a reason for why you react the way you do. Be ready to speak up for the one you have sanctified in your heart. Be ready.

Those are two active things that God is pointing out to you and me this morning. Keeping sanctifying the Lord God in our heart. Keeping the right perspective. Keeping Him central. And secondly being always ready to give an answer.

Proverbs 4:23

There are some here this morning who didn’t know why they were here. Some have been brought here for a reason, and it’s time that reason became true for you. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer for the hope in you.

It’s not a passive life. I’m an open book. I’m open about what God has done in my life. And I can identify with anyone that God has us in the palm of His had. And the whole point of this life is to prepare us so that when we see Him we will be like Him. It’s great because you know that the Author and Finisher of your faith is God… There will come a point when we will step out of this body and be with Him.

Treasure the work of God in your life., If He’s been working in your life to point out to you your need of Him, that’s Him at work.

1 Peter 3:15-16

Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice

As Christians we need to be open to the moving of God’s spirit in our lives, presenting ourselves to God and trusting Him.

What is God communicating to you at this time? Before Jesus went to heaven after His resurrection, He communicated things directly to the disciples and I want to look at the end of each Gospel, at what Jesus said when He spoke to different people after He had risen from the dead.

External Links
Listen to the online sermon (Podcast) »

Matthew 28:18

All power. So it doesn’t matter how anyone tries to achieve power, “All power is given unto me, Jesus said, in heaven and in earth.”

Matthew 28:19 – 20

‘I am with you always’

Mark 16:15 – 18

Luke 24:45 - 48

All nations: there it is again. Mark, “Go ye into the world.” Luke, “Among all nations.”

Acts 1:7 – 8

The uttermost part of the earth

You are of value to God. What God has done in your life is unique. The faith He has given you is from above and He Himself is working through you by His Spirit. There is no one who cannot and will not be used of God by His Holy Spirit to reach other people. Every single person here, God is going to speak through you. You might say, “I’m not an extrovert.” But I’m talking about the supernatural, as you go about our normal daily life, God will speak through you. There are some people who have written themselves off for whatever reason. I want to pick up on that in Romans 12.

Romans 12:1

It doesn’t matter how old you are in life, you are of value.

Present your bodies as a living sacrifice

A verb is a doing word. Here the verb is ‘present.’ What does that mean? “Present your bodies a living sacrifice.” It means that you’re always open to the moving of God’s Spirit in your life. You’re open for what He wants to do through you. You are just presenting yourself. You haven’t got a closed mind. You know God is guiding you and working out your future. But you are presenting yourself as a living sacrifice. You know that He is the one who saved you and took you out. Now it is a case of being a living sacrifice. “Whatever it is you want me to do, whatever it is you want me to say and be, Lord, I know that I am trusting you in every way in my life.”

Romans 12:2

We’ve got the verb ‘prove’ here. How do you prove out what God is doing in your life. Well, you keep God conscious in your life. You make the effort to keep those lines of communication with God open, via prayer and communicating to other people about what God has done.

I often wonder what Paul thought when he wrote this sentence, “...that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” It’s good, it’s not bad. It’s not something you would shun, it’s perfect.

He has the answer for you sorted out already. You’ve just got to prove it out. So don’t get tied up in the wrong things. Be a Christian that you might prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:3

God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith

“Hath dealt to every man.” Not the elite. To every man. And that includes you. So if I’m thinking, “I can’t be right with God; that hasn’t happened in my life,” think soberly, according as God has dealt, not will deal, has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

You are a believer because of the faith God has given you to believe. Each of us has the measure of faith but, obviously, we are all different. We aren’t all the same personality. Each one of us is unique to God. “Think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Romans 12:4 – 5

Are you more valuable than another person in your church? No. What is the common denominator between you: the measure of faith. God inside you and inside that person.

Where is all this leading? It’s leading to this phrase: “Present your bodies, a living sacrifice.”

We are outward looking, loving each other. If we are inward looking we devour.

It’s God who initiates the faith. He works things to His glory. Everything He has done through the gift of His Son, raising Him from the dead, meeting the disciples who would be witnesses throughout the world. Jesus said to the disciples, “Of one accord,” the mindset being Jesus and what He is doing through you and me. We are going to fulfil what God told the disciples after He had risen from the dead. “Freely you receive, freely you give.” If there’s ever a need for people to find an answer, it’s now.

We want to be open to what God is doing in our midst. I know that you will be able to prove what God is doing in your life. Whatever situation you are in, He is the answer, and He will prove what is good and acceptable and perfect in your life.

He has not been deaf to your prayers: He’s heard. Make a note of what you have shared with God. And then when the answer comes, you can see it links in. God is the answer for you.

Changed on the Inside

Pastor Peter Linnecar shares from John 9, from the story of the man born blind, where we see that Jesus is interested in all our lives, and knows what we need. He is the one who seeks us out, even when we are in our darkest moment, and changes everything.

As we look at scriptures today, you’ll see that God is interested in your life, and wants to change you on the inside for the better. Sometimes when we think about God, we forget His ways aren’t our ways, and that His thoughts aren’t our thoughts. He’s good and He loves us – God is love.

External Links
Watch the sermon online (YouTube) »
Listen to the online sermon (Podcast)»

Isaiah 55:8 - 11

Whenever God speaks, the word has a purpose which will be fulfilled. He never says something He regrets. He will always work out His purposes.

Mark 10:27 says things impossible with man are possible with God. He works out things in His way in His time.

Who sinned?

John 9:1 – 2

Jesus and the disciples saw the same thing but reacted differently. To the disciples, it was a blind man, and they wanted an answer as to why he was blind. Sometimes we can’t work out why certain things happen. I don’t claim to have the answer to everything. But as far as God is concerned, we may be trying to get answers to questions we shouldn’t be asking, because Jesus’ answer was completely the opposite of what they expected.

John 9:3

There are circumstances happening in your life because God wants to get your attention and reveal more of Himself than you have ever known before. He’s interested in your life. He was so interested that He came to this earth to seek and save that which was lost. He wanted to change you on the inside. The way you started off in life was wrong. We are sinners, and we know we are.

I am the light of the world

John 9:4 – 5

Jesus Himself is the light of the world, and He’s come to dispel the darkness and sin within us. The disciples couldn’t figure it out. There was a situation and something must have caused it, because things shouldn’t have been that way. But Jesus said the works of God would be manifest in the blind man.

John 9:6 – 7

It didn’t happen there and then. The clay was put on his eyes and he was told to go and wash and when he did, his eyesight was given.

John 9:8 – 12

Jesus made the clay, touched his eyes, sent him off, and while he was away, Jesus went on His way. The man returned having had his miracle, able to see for the first time in his life – and he didn’t know where Jesus was.

John 9:13 – 34

“And they cast him out.”

What a reaction. The Pharisees doubted the man who claimed that he was born blind and that Jesus had healed him. Those five words, “And they cast him out,” struck me, because our sin has shut God out. When we start off in life, we’re against God, and we do not want Him. We want to do our own thing. But we try and try, and it doesn’t work. It’s as if we’ve cast ourselves out – our sin has brought a shutter down between us and God.

Romans 5:6

At the right time God sorted things out, to break through the shutter and get hold of us. He wants to change the sin and wrong thought life with His life inside you.
This man who was given sight for the first time in his life, was asked about Jesus and was trying to work it out – He must be of God because look at what’s happened to my eyes.

When you were at your wits’ end, Jesus heard you when you prayed. God is organising things to increase that relationship with Him - He is your heavenly Father. He loves you and provides for you.

I wonder who told Jesus what had happened to the man.

John 9:35 – 38

“Lord I believe.” The reason you can say that is as a result of Jesus finding you. Through the Cross of Calvary, you were on His mind, and at that point He took in Himself your first life, your sin. It was then a case of God’s Holy Spirit speaking to you and drawing you. He’s brought you to this point in time where He says, “Do you believe on the Son of God?” What do you say?

Romans 10:8 – 10

Lord, I believe

All Jesus asked was, “Do you believe on the Son of God?” The man answered, “Who is He?” I am the one who healed you and the one who is speaking to you now. “Lord, I believe. I’ve been trying to sort things out on my own, and I’ve made a mess.”

Is it fair that some people come across this truth and others don’t? Don’t think like that. I’m talking about God in relation to you. Why did things start out as they did in Israel all those years ago? Why am I preaching like this there in England? I don’t know. But it’s how God speaks to you, how you realise that He gave His son so that you could be born again. You could be thinking, I know I need that. I try to lead a good life, and time and again I fail. There are some things I’ve given up on because I can’t overcome them. Jesus knows that, and He wants to point out you can’t do it on your own. Your sin is preventing the life you want to live. The only way to live that life is when Jesus Christ comes inside and causes you to start again with His life inside you.

This man, born blind, got his sight back and by the end of this encounter with Jesus, he could also see spiritually.

John 9:39 – 41

God loves an honest heart. I know some of you are being honest with yourselves, and realise inside right now that God is speaking to you. Respond to that voice. Say “Lord I believe. Sort me out. Change me from the inside.” And He will.

God has already made provision for what you need. He loves you and He will reveal Himself to you through His provision.

Jesus gets very personal because He loves you.