Jonah 1:12-13 And he said to them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm to you… Trace an analogy between the experience of these ancient mariners and that of those who are "led by the Spirit of God" to accept salvation through the death of Christ. "Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows." It will be interesting to trace the steps by which this consummation was reached. I. True spiritual religion is DIVINE IN ITS ORIGIN. Some of us began life very much as these sailors commenced their voyage. Every prospect seemed bright. So easily we persuaded ourselves to rest. Jonah learned in the belly of the fish that "salvation is of the Lord." This at a stroke removes — 1. Inherent goodness. 2. Inherited grace. 3. Imparted sanctity.As this spiritual religion is Divine in its origin, so it is — II. IRRESISTIBLE IN ITS OPERATION. When God said, "Let light be!" light was, and nothing could resist His decree. And so it is in the new creation. What could these sailors do against the "mighty tempest" which threatened to dash their ship in pieces? Men may encase themselves in pride, carnal reason, prejudice, unbelief, but the Word of God is "quick and powerful." III. ABSOLUTE ITS REQUIREMENTS. "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea." That was God's way of giving calm and rest. See the ways the mariners tried. 1. They began to be religious. 2. They tried to lighten the vessel. 3. They rowed hard to get to land.By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of your selves: it is the gift of God. Accept God's method. IV. BLESSED IN ITS RESULTS. This is precisely the way in which God works in grace. 1. Peace through faith. 2. Piety with peace. 3. Profession with piety. (W. H. Burton.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. |
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