Lesson 4

“Salvation Sought; Salvation Found”

Jonah 1:11-16 - Acts.16:30-34

   The mighty tempest did beat upon the ship tossing it to and fro in the sea.  There was something about this tempest that the mariners did note which caused them to be afraid.  And so they turn to another for salvation:

1)     Called on their false gods:  Vv.5—but this was to no avail.

2)     Sought to save themselves:  Vv.5—they sought salvation by their own works hoping that this would be good enough; they did cast forth the wares or tackle that were in the ship to lighten the ship. 

But these two things were futile and of no use.  And we are well aware that not one single thing that we do ourselves can add unto the salvation of Jesus Christ so that it is all of God or there is no salvation whatsoever (1Cor.1:29-31).  And so it was revealed to them by lot (God disposing the sinner) that the storm had come upon them for his sake.  They interrogate Jonah and find that he was fleeing from Jehovah: the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.  And these men became exceedingly afraid.  Now let us note what did transpire:

I)               They sought for salvation, yet again:  (Vv.11)  They desired greatly for the sea to be calm; for they did fear for their lives.  Note a few things herein:

                                 i.      They took note of sin in their midst:  Vv.7.  They acknowledged that something was wrong.

                             ii.      They enquired at the right source:  Vv.11—They asked the man of God what they should do about it.  Though it was because of him that God’s wrath abode on them; though he was out of the will of God for his own life; they still came to the right source.  They didn’t look within or to someone who had no idea, but they went to the right man; God’s man.

                        iii.      They asked the right question:  Vv.11—“What shall WE do…?”  They realized that something must be done. 

                             iv.      Their condition remained the same:  Vv.11—Though they were ‘moving in the right direction’ yet they had not received their salvation.  There are a great many who have come close to being saved, but never did believe (Mk.12:28-34; Matt.19:19-22). 

II)           The Gospel Message: Vv.12—This was the only way they could be saved from the wrath abiding on them.  They must remove that sinful thing from them.  Sin must be put off.  They were not to cast forth any tackle into the sea; they were not to escape into any other devices of flotation; they were to obey what Jonah told them to do and that was cast HIM into the sea. 

                                 i.      Sureness of Salvation:  “so SHALL the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.” It was guaranteed to work.  It would not fail, for it could not fail.  It came from God through Jonah and thus it would more than suffice; it was a surety. 

III)      The Gospel Message Rejected:  Vv.13—“Nevertheless…” or “inspite of that” the men rowed.  This teaches us further:

                                 i.      The Depravity of Man:  When told how they can be saved, they still strive to have some part in their salvation. 

                             ii.      Actions of Man:  Man will always try to save himself.  It is his nature; for he is full of pride.  Why give honor to someone else when I can do it myself and uplift my name. 

1.   Personal experience:  I know that for years after coming under the conviction of the Holy Spirit of God at the preaching of the word I did still try to save myself.  Though I knew I could not there were periods of moral correctness and living my life as right as I could and presenting that unto God, but that self-righteousness was no better than filthy rags (Isa.64:6) and my best sacrifice was no better than Cain’s which was rejected by God (Gen.4:3,5). 

Now maybe some of you didn’t go through that, but more than nought; most are not saved the very first time they hear the gospel preached.

                                                iii.      Note the men’s work:  “The men rowed hard…” They meant it.  There was no slackness in their rowing; no lack of sincerity.  It was the best they could row; with all their strength

                                                     iv.      Note the results: “but they could not”.  Their position did not grow one iota better, but if anything it grew worse…for they had used up time of God’s Longsuffering. 

1.   Why couldn’t they get closer:   “For the sea wrought and was tempestuous against them”—also that it grew more and more in tempestuousness.  God’s Wrath was abiding on them; and nothing, but the sacrifice of Jonah could save them.  They had not believed at the preaching of Jonah (Jn.3:18). They could not approach safety and security: salvation unless they did it the way God told them to through His prophet.  And you never could get close to God except you came by way of Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jn.14:6.  They sought to come by their own works and it does not work, it cannot work and it shall not work.   

IV)           Faith in God’s Word:  Vv.14—“Wherefore” or “On account of which previously took place”…because they could not bring themselves to shore and safety they did cry unto Jehovah.  No more to their false gods, but to the One and True God whose hand they did see and His Almighty power and displeasure with His own. 

                                                         i.      They prayed to God:  They cried out unto God, “Forgive us!”  There was nothing good in them.  They were weary of casting Jonah into the sea because it was not of them to kill him.  If God was displeased with Jonah than God it was of God to do such.  And so they plead that Jonah’s death would not be laid upon their hands. 

1.   Their awareness:  Perhaps they were aware of the murders that were taking place at the hand of Jezebel unto the prophets of God (1Kgs.18:4). 

a.   Or perhaps they had been made aware that no harm was to be done unto any of the Lord’s anointed people (1Sam.26:9).  Mk.9:42—says the same for the people of God today. 

Their Prayer (Cont.):  “For thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.”  That is a good way to pray.  They sought not for Jonah’s blood to be on their own hands and so they returned unto the throne of grace that which God had them to do.  They were saying…this is what you wanted us to do and so we are being obedient unto you Lord…lay not your servants blood on our hands.  They said, “It pleases you, LORD, that your servant should be slain so that we and others might live.”  And so it was done (in this we see Jesus). 

V)               Their faith shown by works: Vv.15—“So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea:”  They believed God and did what he told them to do [cast Jonah into the sea] and they were saved:  Jas.2:23,24; Gal.3:6.  They did take him up or lift him up and sent him into the sea for the purpose of fulfilling the Word of God and saving their lives. 

                                                         i.      The results of their faith: Salvation! Nothing less. Vv.15—“and the sea ceased from her raging.” Beloved, it was no coincidence, it was not luck, and I believe it was instantaneous.  Just as Jonah’s body did plunge into the water the sea did cease from her raging.  Just like you, who are saved, and those of you who desire to be saved; if you will trust on the Lord Jesus Christ, asking forgiveness of your sins, having faith in God, you will be saved and it will be instantaneous.  It shall not occur a moment later; but at that moment.  Some say it takes place in the time it takes to snap your fingers, but I believe it is quicker than that…instantaneous. 

                                                     ii.      NOTE—God had been there all along.  Waiting for them to believe and put Jonah out of the ship.  Yet they sought to do their own works yet again (Vv.13).  This was futile and the Lord did bring them to the end of their wits, to the lowest place where they had no where else to go.  And He will do that to you as well; He will make you to know that you have no one, nothing else to turn to but Him.  God was ever ready to receive them into the fold for He had been drawing them all along. 

VI)           Results of Jehovah’s Salvation: Vv.16—“Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly…”

                                                         i.      They feared God:  If you don’t fear God, you should.  He is an awesomely powerful God.  Your life is in His hands.  If you are saved, then your life is doubly in His hands; for He owns you through the payment of redemption—the precious blood of Jesus. 

1.   They feared Him exceedingly:  “exceedingly”—a great degree; extraordinarily.  I believe we are to fear the LORD exceedingly as well for the purpose that we might render service acceptable unto Him.  When you are gainfully employed you don’t just do the work any old way or sloppily.  Why not?  You are afraid of being fired, losing your job and money.  And yet, children of God, who are benefited by God, more than by their secular employment will render shotty and half-hearted service to the LORD and say, “That’s good enough.”  You see there is no fear of God, but you need fear to serve the Lord (Heb.12:28,29).  We all have rendered shotty service to God at one time or another…but let it cease from this moment on.  Jesus did not give us that example.  He served the Lord and so ought we. 

                                                     ii.      Offered a sacrifice unto the LORD:  I don’t know what the sacrifice was.  Maybe they had some things still on the ship…lamb, bullocks, goats, two-turtledoves; whatever that it was they offered unto the LORD a sacrifice and I believe it was a sacrifice of thanksgiving.  They were thankful that the Lord did save them; that they had found God to be true to His words (and He always is). 

1.   You have a sacrifice to give too:  Rom.12:1,2—Your sacrifice is to be your life.  Let it be lived for the Lord.  Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ…” Phil.1:21.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they might see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven” Matt.5:16.  Some say, “I give to God on Sunday.”  Well, you need to give God His: Sunday to Sunday; and just so you know…it’s all His!

                                                iii.      And Made Vows:  They were not required to do this, but they did it.  I don’t know what they were, but they were now beholden to do it.  Just like those who are married: you made vows.  Nobody held a gun to your head.  You were not required to marry, but you did.  And you made those vows and now you are beholden unto those vows, to him/her whom you made those vows to, and to the Lord as witness and He who put the two of you together.  Eccl.5:4,5. 

Closing:  Acts.16:30-34  We read this at the off-set of the message and now we see how it does tie in.  The Philippian jailor sought for salvation.  He asked the right question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved.”  So many want to tell you what they are willing to do to be saved.  Note, he asked the right people: Paul and Silas, men of God.  They preached unto him the gospel message: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”  And that message has not, nor will it ever change.  And he believed, he rejoiced; in fact he took Paul and Silas with him to his house so that they might hear the Word of God and He and all His believed and rejoiced and were baptized.  They believed God.  They feared God and were further obedient to the Lord in that they were baptized, and he did good works [washing the stripes of Paul and Silas] and setting meat before them.  And I believe this jailor and his household along with Lydia were some of the first members of the church that was organized at Philippi. 

Salvation sought; Salvation Found:  Jn.5:39,40; Matt.7:7,8; Isa.55:6;

But the Lord has always been nigh unto them: Rom.10:8

—“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation” (Heb.3:15). 

“…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2Cor.6:2