The God Who Sends

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
May 17, 2026

Jonah 1:1-2

“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40 (ESV)

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”” Jonah 1:1-2 (ESV)

1. God Speaks With AUTHORITY.

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah…” Jonah 1:1a (ESV)

“He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher.” 2 Kings 14:25 (ESV)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God…” 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (ESV)

2. God Sends With PURPOSE.

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it…” Jonah 1:2a (ESV)

Judgment DELAYED is mercy EXTENDED.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you…and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2a, 3b (NIV)

“Let the nations be glad and sing for joy…” Psalm 67:4 (ESV)

“…a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9 (ESV)

God doesn’t save people to SPOIL them; He saves people to SEND them.

“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21 (ESV)

3. God Sees With COMPASSION.

“…for their evil has come up before me.” Jonah 1:2b (ESV)

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty…” Isaiah 6:3 (ESV)

The same God who sees all SIN still pursues SINNERS.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103:8 (NIV)