6/1/25 - Jonah: The Relentless Love of God - Pastor Josh Stelly

Central Idea of Jonah 1-4: When we understand the depth of God's grace toward us, we become willing vessels of that grace to others.

Chapter 1: Running From Love

Jonah 1:1–3 NIV- The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
But Jonah ran away from the Lord 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 Lord.

The Storm That Reveals Truth 

Jonah 1:4–16 Grace in the Deep

Jonah 1:17 NIV- Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Key Truth: God's love is relentless—it pursues us even when we run.

Chapter 2: Praying in the Darkness

Jonah 2:1–2

Jonah 2:7–10

The Elements of Jonah's Prayer:

1. Honest acknowledgment
2. Desperate faith
3. Grateful worship
4. Clear declaration

Key Truth: God hears the prayers of desperate hearts and responds with deliverance.

Chapter 3: Second Chances and Amazing Grace

Jonah 3:1–3

The Greatest Revival in History 

Jonah 3:4–10
Key Truth: God's grace is available to anyone who genuinely repents, no matter how far they've fallen.

Chapter 4: The Heart of the Matter

Jonah 4:1–3

The lesson learned

Jonah 4:6–11

Key Truth: God's heart breaks for people who don't know Him, and He wants our hearts to break for them too.

Living the Message Today

• Three Life-Changing Questions:
• What is your Nineveh? 
• What fish belly experience has God used to get your attention and drive you to prayer?
• How do you respond when God shows grace to people you think don't deserve it?