God Never Gives Up! Lesson in Grace from the Book of

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God Never Gives Up! Lesson in Grace from the Book of Jonah A Fish Called Grace Jonah 2 Dr. Stephen N. Rummage, Senior Pastor Bell Shoals Baptist Church October 16, 2016 Jonah 2:1 (ESV) Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, Jonah 2:2 (ESV) saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and He answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. Jonah 2:3 (ESV) For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all Your waves and Your billows passed over me. Jonah 2:4 (ESV) Then I said, ‘I am driven away from Your sight; yet I shall again look upon Your holy temple.’ Jonah 2:5 (ESV) The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head Jonah 2:6 (ESV) at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet You brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. Jonah 2:7 (ESV) When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Jonah 2:8 (ESV) Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. Jonah 2:9 (ESV) But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to You; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” Jonah 2:10 (ESV) And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. By His grace ... 1. God hears us because we cry out to Him.

Jonah 2:1 (ESV) Then Jonah prayed to the Lord His God from the belly of the fish, Jonah 2:2 (ESV) saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and He answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. Psalm 86:5 (ESV) For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You. 1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 2. God disciplines us because we belong to Him. Jonah 2:3 (ESV) For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all Your waves and Your billows passed over me. Jonah 2:4 (ESV) Then I said, ‘I am driven away from Your sight; yet I shall again look upon Your holy temple.’ Jonah 2:5 (ESV) The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head Jonah 2:6 (ESV) at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet You brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. Psalm 119:67 (ESV) Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. Revelation 3:19 (ESV) Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 3. God rescues us because we matter to Him. Jonah 2:7 (ESV) When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple. Jonah 2:8 (ESV) Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. Jonah 2:9 (ESV)

But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to You; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” Jonah 2:10 (ESV) And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.