Comparing Jonah And Jesus

     THE WIND WAS CONTRARY BECAUSE OF JONAH

THE WIND CEASED BECAUSE OF JESUS

     For today's lesson let's compare Jonah and Jesus. Jesus is greater than Jonah. Matthew 12:41 tells us The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold, a greater than Jonas (Jesus) is here. The people of Nineveh will condemn unbelievers who did not get saved and failed to repent, stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for them on the cross, was buried, and rose again. The Ninevites will tell condemned unbelievers going to hell at the great white throne judgment, we believed the preaching of Jonah who hated us and you failed to believe the preaching of Jesus who loved you and is greater than Jonah. 

     Friend reading this anywhere, don't let a Ninevite tell you some day Why didn't you get saved like us and repent at the loving preaching of Jesus that was greater than the hateful preaching of Jonah? Every Ninevite from the king to the poorest beggar got saved after they heard a hateful 8 word sermon from Jonah (Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown); Why can't you get saved, repent, stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again after you hear the loving preaching of a greater one named Jesus who says Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)?

     Alright, let's look at the many ways that Jesus is greater than Jonah. There is no excuse for anyone today not to be saved because Jesus is greater than Jonah. First pictured above notice that the wind was contrary because of Jonah; but the wind ceased because of Jesus. Jonah hated the Ninevites and refused to preach salvation to them; Jonah 1:3 tells us But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea (the wind was contrary because Jonah disobeyed God's command to preach to Nineveh), and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

       Unlike Jonah, the wind ceased because of Jesus. Mark 4:39 says And He (Jesus) arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Friends, when we get saved, Jesus lives in our bodies that are the temples of God and says to any storm Peace be still, giving us a great calm. Get saved today friends; Jesus is so much greater than Jonah and wants to calm your storms and give you peace that passeth all understanding. Jesus promised at John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  

  

     JONAH DISOBEYED AND REFUSED TO PREACH SALVATION

JESUS OBEYED AND DIED ON THE CROSS TO SAVE LOST SINNERS

     Jonah disobeyed God's command to preach salvation to the Ninevites; Jesus is greater and obeyed God's command to die on the cross to save lost sinners. Jonah disobeyed; Jesus obeyed. Jesus told us at John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.  And Philippians 2:8 tells us that Jesus fully obeyed this commandment from the Father for Him to die on the cross to save lost sinners saying And being found in fashion as a man, He (Jesus) humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

     Jonah did his own will and refused to preach to the Ninevites; Jesus was greater and didn't do his own will, but the will of the Father. Jesus said at John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. (Rejoice when you read John 6:39 and the Father's will that Jesus did for you my friends all over this earth) And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 

    JONAH PREACHED CONDEMNATION, JUDGMENT'S COMING

JESUS PREACHED REDEMPTION, SALVATION'S COMING

     After Jonah disobeyed and refused to preach to the Ninevites, a great whale swallowed him up. Jonah repented in the belly of the whale saying at Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. Because Jonah repented, the whale released Jonah who went to Nineveh preaching 8 words Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown. Jonah hated the Ninevites and wanted them to be destroyed in judgment. Jonah sat on a hill waiting for God to destroy Nineveh. 

     But the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's 8 word hateful sermon. And God blessed every Ninevite for repenting and did not destroy Nineveh. Therefore note the following summary of the book of Jonah: Jonah 1 is about a disobedient prophet running from God. Jonah 2 is about a disciplined prophet running towards God. Jonah 3 is about a dynamic prophet running with God. Finally Jonah 4 is about a disappointed prophet running ahead of God.

     Jonah preached condemnation, judgment's coming; But Jesus is greater and preached redemption, salvation's coming. Jesus said at John 3:17 pictured above For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. Jonah hated the sinners that got saved in Nineveh and grumbled; Jesus loves sinners that get saved and rejoices with the angels in heaven over one lost sinner that repents. Jesus said at Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God (Jesus rejoices) over one sinner that repenteth. 

JONAH HAD NO COMPASSION

JESUS HAD COMPASSION

     Jonah had no compassion and wanted to see God destroy his Ninevite enemies. Jonah was more concerned about a gourd giving him shade on a hill than the 120000 Ninevites that God saved and blessed. Because Jonah grumbled Jonah 4:7 says But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered, And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

     Wow, God prepared four things; a great fish, a gourd, a worm, and a vehement east wind to try to straighten Jonah out. But Jonah remained hateful and did not rejoice that the Ninevites got saved and blessed. Jonah chose to be a pouter instead of a shouter. Today in most churches there are also two powder or pouter rooms (one for the ladies and one for the crybabies). But friends rejoice and don't worry about your enemies like Jonah who don't want God to bless you; Jesus will make your enemies see you blessed and prevent them from harming you. Neighbor, God promises you that with Jesus your enemies will be your footstool; Psalm 23:5 promises that God preparest a (blessed) table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 

     But, Jesus unlike Jonah is greater and has compassion on lost sinners. Matthew 14:14 tells us And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick. Jonah suffered for his own sins; Jesus suffered for our sins. 1 Peter 3:18 says For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. Truly Jesus is greater than Jonah and we all need to repent at the preaching of Jesus and get saved today. Remember the words of 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

     I pray in Jesus name that this sermon blesses multitudes all over this earth with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name. 

Biblical Doors

CHOOSE

A LEAN BLESSED BIRD OR A FAT CAGED BIRD

It's better to be the lean blessed bird flying free in the first picture

than the fat caged bird in the second picture

Many preachers today prefer to feather their nests

in comfortable parishes with plenty of security

WARNING

A caged eagle is a sad sight but sadder still is a caged preacher

I was born in a field; don't put me in a flowerpot

REMEMBER

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith
than an house full of sacrifices and strife

It's better to live in a peaceful little apartment with Jesus 

than in an extravagent palace with hatred and strife

     Today's message will look at the many doors of the bible. First, we see the door of salvation pictured above who is Jesus. Jesus said at John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Friend reading this anywhere, salvation's not in a plan, water, works, or wafers; salvation's in a person named Jesus. Enter the door of salvation (Jesus) now. Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again. 

     Hebrews 7:25 tells us Wherefore He (the Father) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him (note to be saved you can only come to God the Father by Him Jesus; salvation's in a person Jesus and not anything else), seeing He (Jesus) ever liveth to make intercession for them. Jesus also said at John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Not blood plus water, works, or wafers; It's the blood of Jesus plus nothing.

     Also note that gate is another name for door. Friends, there are twelve gates to the kingdom of God. You must go through one of these gates to enter the kingdom of God. Each gate is a door who is Jesus. And there's a pearl in each gate. Oysters make pearls when they are irritated by dirty sand in their shells, causing them to change the sand into a beautiful pearl. Jesus was irritated by our dirty sins on the cross of Calvary and created twelve beautiful pearls in the gates or doors of the kingdom of God.

     Also note that the names of the twelve tribes appear on the twelve gates of heaven; Each of the twelve tribes' Hebrew names represent Jesus. Reuben-Behold a Son Jesus, Simeon-God hears with Jesus, Levi-Joint heirs with Jesus, Judah-Praise with Jesus, Dan-Judge Jesus, Gad-Troop with Jesus who is the Captain General of the host angels, Asher-Happiness with Jesus, Naphtali-Wrestling by Jesus at the cross, Zebulun-Exalted Jesus at the right hand of God, Issacher-Reward with Jesus, Joseph-Jehovah has added a blessing with Jesus, Benjamin, Son of the right hand; Jesus is at the right hand of God, Manasseh-Causing to Forget; Jesus forgets our sins, and Ephraim-Doubly Fruitful blessings with Jesus. Note that Revelation 7 says Dan and Ephraim will not be named with the twelve tribes because of their sins.

     Alright, next we see the door of service pictured above. Jesus said at Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Friends, Jesus remembers our works and service for Him when we witness and win souls to the Lord Jesus.

     Let's all enter this open door of soul winning service and be like the Samaritan woman at the well who met Jesus. This little woman went to the city without any soul winning classes and said at John 4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did; is not this the Christ? Because of this blessed woman's witnessing for our Lord Jesus, many men in the city believed on the Lord Jesus and were saved.

     Today, christians are too quiet about Jesus. Most churches today are either wild fire or no fire. But we all need the real Holy Ghost fire and be like the woman of Samaria and go through the open door of service by witnessing to a lost world about Jesus.

     Next is the door of prayer. Jesus said at Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to the Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

     When you enter this door of prayer, keep praying until you receive your blessing. Luke 18:1 says And He (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. God promised at Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. It's better to be praying in the upper room than dining in the supper room.

     Notice that between the two parables about prayer in Luke 18 (one about a widow who was blessed for persistent prayer to a judge and another of a pharisee and publican praying), Jesus said at Luke 18:8 Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on earth? Friends, Jesus wants us to be faithful and keep praying daily. It's no sin to constantly repeat your prayers. It shows Jesus that you have faith and will not stop asking a request until you receive your blessing. Jesus Himself prayed the same exact prayer and words three times in the garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:44 says And He (Jesus) left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

     Next we see the door of sweet fellowship pictured above. Jesus said at Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. If we're looking around it's bad; if we're looking down it's worse; but if we're looking up to this door of sweet fellowship with our Lord Jesus, things are looking pretty good. The outlooks bad, the downlooks worse, but the uplook is looking pretty good. And if you have the right uplook, you'll have the right outlook and win souls to our Lord Jesus.

     Jesus said at Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption (Jesus) draweth nigh. Friends, you can get right with God and live for Jesus when no one else around you does. Enoch walked with God 300 years even though he was surrounded by gloom, wickedness, and trouble. God blessed Enoch for his faithfulness with our Lord Jesus at the door of sweet fellowship; Genesis 5:24 tells us And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

      God said hey Enoch you want to come up to heaven and enjoy the day? Enoch answered and said sure I'd love to God and did not return to earth because there is no night in heaven. Enoch enjoyed the day forever because Revelation 22:5 says And there shall be no night there (in the kingdom of God); and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God (Jesus) giveth them light (shines like the light of seven days according to Isaiah 30:26): and they shall reign for ever and ever.

     Now notice the two open doors in the book of Revelation pictured above. Somebody (the church) goes up to the first door at Revelation 4:1 to be with Jesus in heaven and somebody comes down (Jesus and the saved saints on white horses) from the second door at Revelation 19:11 to fight the beast antichrist and the false prophet. No where between Revelation 4:1 and Revelation 19:11 is the church mentioned in the book of Revelation. Friends, saved saints are not going to be on this earth for one second during the seven year tribulation.

     The first door of Revelation is seen at Revelation 4:1 that says After this I (John whose name means beloved and represents the beloved saved church saints) looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. This represents when Jesus descends from heaven with a shout where his voice like a trumpet says to the saved saints Come up hither, when the dead in Christ and the living saints are caught up to the clouds to be with the Lord Jesus in the air forever.

     The second door of Revelation is seen at Revelation 19:11 that says And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him (Jesus) was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.  Revelation 19:14 says And the armies which were in heaven (saved saints who are in heaven with Jesus and not for one second on the earth during the tribulation) followed Him (Jesus) upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Note that Revelation 19:8 says that the fine linen is the righteousness of saints).

      Finally, we see a shut door. Luke 13:25 tells us When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know ye not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets. But He shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

     I pray in Jesus name no person ever reading these teachings will have to hear the words written above. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says For He (Jesus) saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Friends tomorrow is not promised; Get saved, repent, stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again. You might not be in a right state of mind to accept Jesus tomorrow. Now is the day of salvation.

     The five foolish virgins pictured above waited too long to get saved and found a shut door that was not opened for salvation by the Lord Jesus. Matthew 25:11 tells us Afterward came also the other (foolish) virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He (Jesus) answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Hebrews 2:3 warns us How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.

     Get saved today friend reading this anywhere and avoid the shut door denying salvation that the five foolish virgins found. People that deny the Lord Jesus will be sent a strong delusion during the seven year tribulation that they should believe a lie that they might be damned. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 tells us And for this cause (because people denied that the Truth Jesus is God) God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Also heed the warning of 1 Corinthians 16:22: If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ (Anyone that denies that Jesus is God), let him be Anathema Maranatha (cursed when Jesus returns to this earth).

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N. Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.