Sermon Notes

Speaker John Bonacorsi Title: Self-Inflicted Stress Series: Overcoming Stress Date: March 4, 2012
Jonah 1:17-3:3a (NIV) But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. 1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.' 5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God. 7 "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. 9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." 10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. 1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." 3 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh.

1. JONAH CALLED TO THE LORD (vs. 2)

Lam. 3:22-23 (NLT) The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. Eph. 2:4-5 (NIV) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.

2. GOD WAS BEHIND THE CALAMITY (vs. 3-6a) Remember, God doesnt want to pay us back, He wants to bring us back

Heb 12:11 (NIV) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Ps. 11:7 (NIV) For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.

Rebellion leads to pain (discipline is thorough) - Heb. 12:11 (NIV) 3. BROKENNESS CAN BRING CLARITY (vs. 6b-8) You choose: receive grace or forfeit grace (vs. 8) In our despair we see the worthless
Ps. 51:17 (NIV) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

4.

MAKE YOUR VOW TO GOD (vs. 2:93:3a) Salvation comes from the Lord Deliverance comes from the Lord Second chances (do over's) come from the Lord
Num. 30:2 (NIV) When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate break his word but must do everything he said. himself by a pledge, he must not