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Running From God

Table Talk
Sarah Blount
Sarah Blount

Have you ever struggled to trust God when things don’t make sense? Jonah did. When God called him to go to Nineveh, Jonah ran the other way—not because he didn’t believe in God, but because he didn’t trust Him.

Jonah 1:1-3

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, “Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah.. saying, “Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.”

Jonah ran because he did not trust God.

No Good Reason Seasons: Since I can’t think of a good reason for what God has commanded or what he allows, then God must not be good therefore I can’t trust him.

Just because you can’t see or imagine a good reason why God might allow something to happen doesn’t mean there can’t be one. - Tim Keller

Confidence in God is more precious than clarity.

Those who trust the Lord don’t thrive because they always have clarity but because they deem the One who holds the future worthy of their soul’s deepest rest. If you learn to trust God even in unclear seasons, your efforts will bear sweet fruit for the rest of your life and for all eternity. - Blake Glosson

Jonah ran because of mistrust.  We run because of mistrust.

Confidence in God isn’t cultivated on the run.

Jonah ran from God’s Word & God’s Presence.

Psalm 139:7, 9-10
Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.

When you go through a trial the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your head.  - Spurgeon

If you see Jesus trusting God in the dark in order to save you, you will be able to trust him when things are confusing and difficult. - Tim Keller

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Jonathan David & Melissa Helser

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You Deserve It All

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Isn't He Worthy

New Song Worship

Media

Listen & Watch

Worship

We Make Space

We Make Space

Jonathan David & Melissa Helser

You Deserve It All

You Deserve It All

Josh Baldwin

Isn't He Worthy

Isn't He Worthy

New Song Worship

Table Talk

Sermon Series || Jonah - Running from God || Jonah 1:1-3 “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, ‘Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.”


Jonah could not think of a good reason to obey God, so he ran away instead of obeying the word of the Lord. 

No Good Reason Seasons: Since I can’t think of a good reason for what God has commanded or what he allows, then God must not be good therefore I can’t trust him. 

  1. How do you respond to “no good reason seasons”?  Do you run away from God? Do you run to God?
    Discuss why confidence in God is more precious than clarity.

  2. Jonah ran from God’s Word.  Are you running from God’s Word in any way?

  3. Jonah ran from God’s felt presence.  Are you running from God’s Presence in any way?

Table Talk

Sermon Series || Jonah - Running from God || Jonah 1:1-3 “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, ‘Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.”


Jonah could not think of a good reason to obey God, so he ran away instead of obeying the word of the Lord. 

No Good Reason Seasons: Since I can’t think of a good reason for what God has commanded or what he allows, then God must not be good therefore I can’t trust him. 

  1. How do you respond to “no good reason seasons”?  Do you run away from God? Do you run to God?
    Discuss why confidence in God is more precious than clarity.

  2. Jonah ran from God’s Word.  Are you running from God’s Word in any way?

  3. Jonah ran from God’s felt presence.  Are you running from God’s Presence in any way?