Jonah: Lessons in Compassion

The epic of Jonah is timeless. Throughout history people from all walks of life have been drawn to this story, but we believe the message of Jonah is prefect fit our present moment. Jonah’s exaggerated expressions and larger than life swings in mood will resonate with you. Jonah’s association with religion yet spiritual and racial bigotry will sound all too familiar to you. Jonah’s journey to the depths and the display of the LORD’s grace will invite you under the waters — the place where many of us still need to go.

What should be made of this fishy tale? The story of Jonah has been the subject of scientific skepticism, moral derision, and simplistic application through the ages. In reflection on the epic of Jonah, Pastor Trent offers four lessons in compassion and the portrait of Jonah as a true prophet of the Lord God.

Jonah: Compassion and Critique

The epic of Jonah is timeless. Throughout history people from all walks of life have been drawn to this story, but we believe the message of Jonah is prefect fit our present moment. Jonah’s exaggerated expressions and larger than life swings in mood will resonate with you. Jonah’s association with religion yet spiritual and racial bigotry will sound all too familiar to you. Jonah’s journey to the depths and the display of the LORD’s grace will invite you under the waters — the place where many of us still need to go.

In the final chapter of Jonah, the Lord appoints all things necessary to provoke Jonah to honesty. The radical mercy of God is beyond what the prophet can stomach. Pastor Trent helps us see that the compassion of the Lord God is strong enough to weather critique, complaint, and coldness.

Jonah: Character and Compassion

The epic of Jonah is timeless. Throughout history people from all walks of life have been drawn to this story, but we believe the message of Jonah is prefect fit our present moment. Jonah’s exaggerated expressions and larger than life swings in mood will resonate with you. Jonah’s association with religion yet spiritual and racial bigotry will sound all too familiar to you. Jonah’s journey to the depths and the display of the LORD’s grace will invite you under the waters — the place where many of us still need to go.

In this sermon, Pastor Trent asks, “Can God... does God change His mind?” As widespread praise breaks out in Nineveh, Jonah makes an angry protest against the character of the Lord. Chapters 3 and 4 make room for age old questions and make clear biblical truth: God is unchanging, but he changes his mind. In contrast to fallen human authorities, God is wonderfully dynamic, present, and benevolent in his sovereignty.

Jonah: Let Revival Come

The epic of Jonah is timeless. Throughout history people from all walks of life have been drawn to this story, but we believe the message of Jonah is prefect fit our present moment. Jonah’s exaggerated expressions and larger than life swings in mood will resonate with you. Jonah’s association with religion yet spiritual and racial bigotry will sound all too familiar to you. Jonah’s journey to the depths and the display of the LORD’s grace will invite you under the waters — the place where many of us still need to go.

"Revival" means different things to different people, but what did it mean in Nineveh? The people of Nineveh from the "least to the greatest" turned from their evil ways to fear the Lord. In this sermon, Pastor Trent defines revival, describes its effects, and challenges us to desire that the living God would visit us with surprising mercy.

Jonah: Below the Waters

The epic of Jonah is timeless. Throughout history people from all walks of life have been drawn to this story, but we believe the message of Jonah is prefect fit our present moment. Jonah’s exaggerated expressions and larger than life swings in mood will resonate with you. Jonah’s association with religion yet spiritual and racial bigotry will sound all too familiar to you. Jonah’s journey to the depths and the display of the LORD’s grace will invite you under the waters — the place where many of us still need to go.

In chapter two, Jonah sinks "down, down, down" to the bottom of sea. The runaway prophet is as good as dead. He has reached the point of no return. But because God’s mercy is more, new life is possible for Jonah— and for us.

Jonah: Running from God

The epic of Jonah is timeless. Throughout history people from all walks of life have been drawn to this story, but we believe the message of Jonah is prefect fit our present moment. Jonah’s exaggerated expressions and larger than life swings in mood will resonate with you. Jonah’s association with religion yet spiritual and racial bigotry will sound all too familiar to you. Jonah’s journey to the depths and the display of the LORD’s grace will invite you under the waters — the place where many of us still need to go.

In the first chapter of Jonah, the runaway prophet tries to flees the presence of the Lord by catching a ship to Tarshish. Pastor Trent opens the epic of Jonah and shares how the gospel is good news for those of us who have run from God.