Running From God

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
May 24, 2026

Jonah 1:3

“But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” Jonah 1:3 (ESV)

Running From God Involves…

1. Neglecting the HEART

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

Jonah’s Heart Drifted Because…
-> His preferences trumped God’s purposes. 
-> His familiarity with God replaced his intimacy with God.

“I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger…” Jonah 4:2 (ESV)

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1 (ESV)

The heart you neglect TODAY will lead the direction you follow TOMORROW.

2. Following the FLESH

“But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” Jonah 1:3a (ESV)

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit…” Galatians 5:17 (ESV)

“He WENT DOWN to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and WENT DOWN into it, to go with them to Tarshish…” Jonah 1:3b (ESV)

Every step away from God takes you LOWER than you intended to go.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

“Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Romans 13:14 (ESV)

3. Believing the LIE

“…from the presence of the Lord…away from the presence of the Lord.” Jonah 1:3 (ESV)

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139:7 (ESV)

Behind every act of REBELLION is a lie we’ve started believing.

“…that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 (ESV)

“…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)

4. Feeling the STORM

“But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea…” Jonah 1:4a (ESV)

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves…No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:6, 11 (ESV)

The storm was not for REVENGE; it was for RESCUE.