Brief Summary
Derek Prince uses the story of Jonah to illustrate the consequences of disobeying God's call and the spiritual apathy that can result. He highlights how turning away from God leads to a downward spiral and emphasizes the importance of answering God's call. The message serves as a wake-up call, urging listeners to confront their reluctance and embrace their divine purpose, lest they remain asleep while the world cries out for help.
- Disobeying God leads to a downward spiral.
- Spiritual apathy and a bad conscience can cause people to avoid reality.
- Christians must answer God's call and not remain passive while the world needs their help.
Jonah’s Reluctance and God’s Call
Derek Prince introduces the story of Jonah, who was called by God to preach in Nineveh. Jonah, however, chose to go in the opposite direction because he didn't want to help Nineveh, a political enemy of Israel. Despite Jonah's initial reluctance, God eventually accomplished His purpose through him, leading to the conversion of an entire city of approximately six hundred thousand people.
Consequences of Disobedience: The Storm at Sea
When Jonah turned his back on God, he went from the mountains to the plains, then to the harbor, and finally onto a ship. This illustrates that turning away from God leads to a downward spiral. God sent a storm upon the sea, causing the pagan mariners to cry out to their gods for help.
Spiritual Apathy: Jonah Asleep Amid Crisis
Amidst the storm, while the pagan mariners were praying for deliverance, Jonah, the only one who knew the true God, was asleep in the lowest parts of the ship. This is because he had a bad conscience and was trying to escape from reality. The captain, an unbeliever, urged Jonah to call on his God, hoping for divine intervention.
Escaping Reality: Sleep as Avoidance
Jonah's sleep is presented as a form of escape from the reality he didn't want to face. Some people take refuge in sleep as a way to avoid dealing with difficult situations. This avoidance is linked to a bad conscience and an unwillingness to confront life's challenges.
Modern-Day Jonahs: Ignoring God’s Call
Many people today are like Jonah, having received a call from God but choosing to ignore it because it doesn't suit them. As a result, while the world is in turmoil, they remain passive and inactive, much like Jonah asleep in the ship. This is described as a tragic situation, highlighting the disconnect between God's call and people's actions.
The Church Asleep While the World Prays
Prince points out that many Christians today are like Jonah, asleep and unwilling to face reality. While non-believers are earnestly seeking help, these Christians are disengaged and inactive. He extends an opportunity to those who have turned away from God to change their minds and embrace their calling.
