Our God is clearly in control
Opening Prayer
God, you are worthy of all the honor, all the praise, all the glory that we could possibly give to you in this lifetime. More than worthy, in fact. More worthy than we could ever express in one single lifetime, which is why it is such good news that we do not just have this lifetime to do it. We will spend the rest of eternity in your presence, worshiping, glorifying you in perfect harmony with you and with your people. How we long for that day, God, where your justice has been perfectly accomplished, your victory finally fulfilled over death, sin, Satan, and your plans of redemption perfectly accomplished. Lord, we thank you for the new nature that you've blessed us with, that allows us and motivates us to proclaim your praise and glory as we have done this morning. We pray, Lord, that you would be glorified in this time. And now, as we turn our attention to your word, explained and preached to us through your servant, Jason, I pray that you would bless him, spirit, use him to do your will, to do your work that you intend for these people here this morning. Grow us and sanctify us, use us to accomplish whatever it is that you would intend to accomplish through us, Lord. Thank you for this time. Be glorified in it. We love you. It is in the name of the son, Jesus, that we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen.
The Big Idea
“Our God is clearly in control.”
“In Jonah chapter 1, we see a thread that runs throughout all of Scripture. That our God is in control. He is sovereign over all things. He is clearly and completely in control.”
Pastor’s Key Points in the Sermon
This book is all about God.
“It’s not primarily about the great fish… not primarily about the city of Nineveh… it’s really not even primarily about the man that is named Jonah… This book is all about God. It’s all about Yahweh…”
Our God is clearly in control.
“Here’s the big idea that sits over this text for us… Our God is clearly in control… He is sovereign over all things.”
God shows His control in Jonah’s calling.
God calls Jonah, a prophet of Israel, to go to Nineveh—the brutal, enemy capital of Assyria—and preach against its evil.
Jonah’s calling is specific (person, place, purpose) and not Jonah’s idea.
Application: God still calls His people to salvation and mission—to glorify Him through the Great Commission and Great Commandment.
God shows His control in Jonah’s downfall.
Jonah flees “from the presence of the Lord” toward Tarshish, but God hurls a storm to confront his rebellion.
Jonah’s sin endangers everyone on the ship; the sailors fear for their lives while Jonah sleeps below deck.
Application: Sin deceives, never stays hidden, and never only affects us; our disobedience doesn’t cancel God’s purposes—it costs us the joy of participating in them.
God shows His control in Jonah’s outcome.
Jonah would rather die than obey; he tells the sailors to throw him into the sea.
The sailors first try to row to shore, then finally toss him overboard, praying for mercy. The sea immediately calms.
The sailors fear the Lord exceedingly, offer sacrifices, and make vows.
God appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, showing that even Jonah’s apparent “end” is under God’s sovereign hand.
Key Bible Verses Used
Jonah 1:1–17 – Jonah’s call, flight, storm, sailors, and great fish.
Jonah 1:17 – “And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah…”
Background / cross-references explicitly mentioned or clearly quoted:
2 Kings 14:25 – Jonah as a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II.
Matthew 12:40 – “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Matthew 28:19–20 – The Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Matthew 22:37–39 – The Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and… love your neighbor as yourself.”
John 10:10 – “I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (alluded to: “I came to give you life and give you life more abundantly.”)
1 John 1:8–9 – “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…” and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive…”
Key Takeaways
“This book is all about God. It’s all about Yahweh… Jonah is first and foremost about who God is and what we learn of His character.”
“Our God is clearly in control. He is sovereign over all things. He is clearly and completely in control.”
“God called a specific person, Jonah, to a specific place, Nineveh, for a specific purpose, to call the Ninevites to repentance.”
“We exist to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.”
“Jonah didn’t misunderstand God’s call. He resisted it. Does that sound familiar?”
“Our disobedience does not cancel God’s purposes. It just costs us the joy of participating in them.”
“Sin never stays hidden.”
“God will not let His children sin successfully.” (Spurgeon, quoted)
“Spiritual rebellion is costly… Either way, spiritual rebellion will cost you. And… the cost is never worth it.”
“Even in Jonah’s rebellion, God’s purposes were not thwarted.”
“These pagan sailors responded to God in the way that God’s prophet should have… with fear, reverence, and worship.”
“Despite Jonah’s continued rebellion, God wasn’t done with Jonah.”
“Our God is clearly in control.”
Ending Prayer
Father, Thank You for the real historical account of Jonah. It happened many, many, many years ago. But it is so applicable to our life today. So God, I pray this morning and over the next three weeks as we work our way through this book, may we look at all the details, dig in, but realize this book is not about the fish. It's not about Nineveh. It's not even really about Jonah. It's about You and how You relate to us, Your character. Today from chapter 1, we very clearly see that You are completely and clearly in control. So Would You help us as Your people to live that truth, to not seek to run from Your presence, not hide sin, but to live in proper fear of you, and when sin does happen, confess it. And then Father, I pray now if there are some here that have never placed faith and trust in your Son and His finished work on the cross, Holy Spirit, I pray that you would do the work that only you can do in the hearts of men and women. Would you draw those to yourself, and help them respond in faith and repentance to the glorious news of the gospel, in Jesus' name, Amen.