The Storm (Week Two - Ky)

The Storm - Week Two
Ky Allen

Jonah's Storm:
“Arise, and go to Nineveh” 1:2
Ninevah was a large city filled with wickedness
“But Jonah arose and fled to Tarshish and away from the presence of the Lord” 1:3 
Jonah found a boat headed to Tarshish. Did not know about God.
“But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea” 1:4
Jonah was caught in a storm!
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea” 1:12
Jonah admitted to the men that he was the reason for the storm
“The Lord prepared a large fish to swallow Jonah and Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights” 1:17
Jonah was swallowed by the whale
“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the whale” 2:1
Jonah cried out to God admitting how powerful He was for putting him in the storm and into the whale and he came to realize that running from God’s presence was wrong and was asking for salvation from God
“So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land” 2:10

My story:
I chose to talk about Jonah tonight because I share a similar story with Jonah
I grew up as a PK (pastors kid) and in a Christian home
I knew who God was from a very young age
I was baptized at the age of 7 and always told that I was going to be a great leader for God
I lived in Michigan and Kentucky and now live in Washington
I went to a high school that had a aviation program and because I wanted to become a pilot - I had loved planes since I was a kid and I wanted to make money
During my senior year of high school I felt caught in a storm
College application due dates were coming soon and I did not know where I wanted to go, but all I knew was that I wanted to make money in the future and that a pilot makes a lot
Applied to the same college as my girlfriend and then we broke up shortly after
All my friends had decided where they were going, but not me
I felt lost and that everything was over my head
Did not know why I didn’t know where I wanted to go, didn’t know why my girlfriend broke up with me.  I had no clue
Went to a conference called "Generation Unleashed" and there I called out to God just like Jonah did.
God told me that He wants me to be like my father
At the same time a man from Africa prophesied that I was going to go to a Christian college that was far away.
Remember that Eastern University lacrosse coach was interested in me.
Applied, went on a visit and LOVED it!

1. Storms may be an indication that we are heading in the wrong direction
Isaiah 53:6 “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way”
Jonah 1:3-4: Jonah flees
Is it your group of friends, a relationship or are you ignoring God’s call on your life?
Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”

2. Storms may seem bad, but are actually good for us
Jonah 2:1-6: swallowed by the fish
The fish saved Jonah from drowning (just like yucky vegetables keep us healthy!)
God sends storms at us to save us from ourselves
Jonah wanted to do what HE wanted to do, not what God wanted him to do.
Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” 
All things work together for good, even storms
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” 
God knows about these storms, he put them there, but he put them there for GOOD not evil.

3. Storms take time
Jonah 1:17: “And Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights”
Might take three days like Jonah, may take weeks, months or even years
Jonah 2:10: “And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land”
After the storm and time has passed, God will place us on dry land.
He isn’t going to throw us back into a storm
He wants us to see what has changed
1 Peter 5:10: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you”
We will suffer a little, but God himself will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you!