“Thy Mercy is more than a match for my heart
Which wonders to feel it’s own hardness depart.
Dissolved by thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.”
—John Stocker, Thy Mercy My God
Salvation Belongs to the Lord (Jonah 2:8-9)
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will cures, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
—Genesis 12:1-3
The Psalm of Jonah (Jonah 2:1-10)
“There’s a wideness in God’s mercy I cannot find in my own,
And He keeps His fire burning, to melt this heart of stone;
Keeps me aching with a yearning, keeps me glad to have been caught,
In the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God.”
—Rich Mullins
A Revelation of Affection (Jonah 1:17)
“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps on the sea, and rides upon the storm. Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, the clouds you so much dread, are big with mercy and shall break, with blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace. Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan his work in vain. God is his own interpreter, and He will make it plain.”
—William Cowper, God Moves in a Mysterious Way
Within the Storms of Life (Jonah 1:11-16)
“When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down;
When I was sinking down, sinking down
When I was sinking down, beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown, for my soul, for my soul!
Christ laid aside his crown, for my soul!”
—What Wondrous Love is This
An Unexpected Response (Jonah 1:7-10)
“When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress.”
—How Firm a Foundation
God's Exposing Wind (Jonah 1:4-6)
“The dismaying news is the every act of disobedience to God has a storm attached to it…The Bible does not say that every difficulty is the result of sin—but it does teach that every sin will bring you into difficulty.”
—Timothy Keller, The Prodigal Prophet
[Unfortunately, sermon audio is not available for this week. Please check back for the next sermon in our series.]
Setting the Stage (Jonah 1:1-3)
“At odds with God, Jonah typifies those who see the divine attributes of justice and mercy as functioning for their own convenience; mercy for themselves, but justice for their enemies. Fortunately, however, these attributes are not directed by human motives or desires. As the book of Jonah makes plainly obvious, God is sovereign, his justice is totally impartial, and his mercy may extend to anyone.”
—Desmond Alexander
The Definition of True Love (1 John 4:7-21)
“O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.”
—George Matheson, O Love that Will Not Let Me Go
Beloved, Empowered Children (1 John 4:1-6)
“God’s purpose was not only to secure our sonship by His Son, but to assure us of it by His Spirit. He sent His Son that we might have the status of sonship, and He sent His Spirit that we might have the experience of it.“
—John Stott, The Message of Galatians