From the Belly of the Fish

From the Belly of the Fish 7/31/10

INTRO:

I. TEXT: Jonah Chapters 1 and 2 II. URBAN LEGEND OF JAMES BARTLEY SWALLOWED BY SPERM WHALE IN 1891 A. The ship mentioned (Star of the East) was not a whaling ship B. The ships records to not record a James Bartley ever having sailed C. The medical records in London do not record such a case D. The captains wife (Mrs. John Killam) says is was a great sea yarn E. Probably started from a 30-foot whale run aground in Gorleston in 1891 III. TWO EXPLANATIONS BARRING A FISH THAT CAN DO THIS: A. It was a miracle—another unknown creature which is now extinct B. It was an allegory—such as the prodigal son or the good Samaritan C. The power of the story is more important than its scientific explanation IV. “Rescue Me”—How God makes a difference at the low points in our lives

I. No matter how bad things get, they can always get worse.

A. There is always someone better off, and someone worse off. “Seaweed was wrapped around my head.” (Jonah 2:5) 1) Job 2:7-8 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. NKJV 2) GUY SCRAPING THE GUNK OFF THE ROOF IN BREMERTON

B. Running from our problems does not make them go away. “But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.” (Jonah 1:3) 1) TRYING TO SAVE A MARRIAGE BY CHANGING SCENERY 2) Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

II. Not everyone who swallows you whole is your enemy.

A. Most of us don’t change until we experience serious pain. “Pick me up and throw me into the sea.” (Jonah 1:12) 1) Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. ESV (A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.) 2) Jacob walked with a limp, Paul dealt with a thorn in his flesh JAMES BARTLEY PALE, HAIRLESS AND BLIND REST OF HIS LIFE

B. God can even use tragedy to bring about positive change in us. “But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah.” (Jonah 1:17) 1) A “Jonah” is sailing superstition is someone who brings bad luck But it was God who provided the big fish 2) Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. NKJV 3) BEING CRUSHED IN BREMERTON

III. If your warm and safe in a situation that stinks, be thankful and enjoy the ride.

A. God can do amazing things in us from the belly of a fish. “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.” (Jonah 2:1) 1) NOT READY TO COME BACK FROM VACATION 2) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. a) Do you live in Haiti? b) Are you a shrimp fisherman in Louisiana? c) Are you Mel Gibson?

B. Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond “And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” (Jonah 2:10) 1) THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS TO COME OUT 2) John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” OTHER SCRIPTURES:

Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Hebrews 12:3-5 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.