Jonah - Part 2

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Title: Obedience is better than sacrifice…

 

Text: Jonah 1:17 - 2

 

Introduction: God doesn’t want our sacrifices only – he wants our obedience

 

Proposition or Thesis: What can we offer God that he doesn’t already have?

 

Interrogative: If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, what can we give?

 

Transition: Jonah

 

II. Jonah disobeyed God and did what he thought was right

 

  1. Jonah tried to sacrifice himself instead of doing what God had commanded
  2. Jonah repented in obedience (Jonah 2 (focus verse:9)
  3. God delivered Jonah from the fish

 

Transition: God does delight in our sacrifices, but he demands our obedience.

 

I. Saul tried to do things his own way

 

  1. 1 Sam 15
  2. Saul rejected what God told him to do and paid a dear price
  3. He was influenced by MAN and allow his direction to be changed (1 Sam 15:18-14)
  4. We allow people to change what we know is right into what is wrong in God’s sight

 

Transition: Its not the things that we WANT to give to God, but the things that He ASKS of us!!

 

III. Rich young man

 

  1. Matthew 19:16-22
  2. The ruler gave all that he thought was required – the things he could part with and do without
  3. When God asked more of him – the things that God truly wanted – he went away sad

 

Conclusion: God demands obedience from ALL of us!

 

  1. God doesn’t want what we can do without (Widows mite – Mark 12:44 They gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on)
  2. God doesn’t necessarily want anything special from us
  3. He wants our Obedience
  4. What God wants from me may be different than what He wants from you

 

Invitation:

Are you here today in Disobedience to God?

Has he asked you for something that you haven’t surrendered yet?

Are you willing – like Jonah – to recognize that your situation is so desperate, that Only GOD can save you from it?

Are you willing to allow God to Bless you for your obedience?

 

Many think that by giving things (Time, money, work, whatever) that they are pleasing God. This is only true if you are certain that is what He is ASKING you for!

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