Sermon Note 2025/10/04,05

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English

2025/10/04,05

Trying to Avoid God ― Jonah 1:1-4

Big Idea

The outcome of a life that turns away from God, and the mercy of God that is still poured out

Introduction

When a mother scolds her child saying, “Why don’t you listen to me!”, the child may respond,“I’m listening. I just don’t want to obey.”

The words reach the ears, but the heart does not move. We can take the same attitude toward God. We do hear His voice. We do read His Word. Yet in our hearts we refuse, saying, “I don’t want to obey.”

Perhaps you’ve experienced this too: “That person I just can’t forgive.” “That person I just cannot love.” Even though we know it in our minds, we cannot follow. This is where Jonah’s story overlaps with ours.

We often pray, “Lord, what should I do?” when facing decisions. But the answers usually differ from our plans. If it goes according to our desires, no resolve is needed. But God’s answers are often “the unimaginable path.” That’s why it requires resolve.

Scripture Reading“Arise, go to that great city Nineveh and cry against it” (Jonah 1:2)

Jonah was a prophet of Israel (2 Kings 14:25). God commanded him to go to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Nineveh was the most feared city of its time—not only because of its military strength but also because of its cruelty, notorious for barbaric acts such as flaying enemies and plastering their skins on the city walls.

For Jonah, Nineveh was “the one place he absolutely did not want to go.” Surely his heart cried out,“I heard You, but anything but that!”

We too sometimes think, “I don’t want to do this,” or “I cannot forgive that person.” We hear God’s words, yet our hearts refuse. Jonah’s story is a mirror reflecting ourselves.

1. God’s plan differs from ours

God’s guidance often works beyond the plans we imagine.

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

One example is the testimony of Dr. Dibey, whom I met in America. As a young woman, she aspired to mission in China. She studied the language and prepared diligently. But in the midst of the Cultural Revolution, missionaries were expelled, and the doors to China were firmly shut. All her dreams and plans collapsed.

In disappointment, she was led to Japan. Yet in Japan she influenced many young people. Through the ministry of pastors influenced by her, I myself was eventually led to salvation.

What if she had gone to China? Perhaps I would not be standing here today. Later she herself said,“I was trying to go to China. But God had another plan. Now seeing Ayumi who came from Japan, it is truly a great joy.”

God’s plans often confuse us and seem meaningless. But looking back later, we realize His best was surely there.

2. A life that turns away from God

Jonah refused the command and fled to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). He tried to go as far as possible—an act of “avoiding God.”

We too want to avoid God when we sin or resist obedience. Satan cunningly works there, arranging an easy path of escape. He sets traps that make us think, “This much is fine,” or “Just a little won’t hurt.”

One pastor described Jonah’s walk as “Down”:He went down to Joppa, down into the ship, and down to the sea—down, down, down.

The path away from God is always downhill. Jonah’s disobedience brought a storm that involved everyone on the ship. When we knowingly reject God’s will, the impact extends not only to ourselves but also to our families and those around us.

Conversely, obedience brings blessing to others. Because Jonah eventually obeyed, more than 120,000 people in Nineveh were saved.

Here lies both a warning and hope: our choices affect not only ourselves but also the lives of those around us.

3. A chance to start again

The storm that came upon Jonah was not to destroy him but to give him a chance to live again. Though Jonah despaired, saying, “Throw me into the sea,” God did not abandon him. He prepared a great fish to give him another chance to rise.

If it were a company, saying “No” once would get you fired. But God does not give up. He continues to be involved, calling, “Return.” This is God’s mercy.

The words of pitcher Yu Darvish

Yu Darvish, from Habikino City, once said in an interview,“If God said, ‘I’ll give you a chance to return to when you were 20, but live with all your strength,’ anyone would go back. I believe now is that chance, and I live that way.”

This is exactly the Christian way of life.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:19-20)

We should have sunk because of our sin. But through the cross of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and given another chance to live again.

God’s relentless mercy

Jonah threw himself away, saying, “It’s over.” But God did not give up. He continued to give him another chance.

The Book of Jonah speaks of “the outcome of a life that turns away from God” and the “mercy of God that is still poured out.”God does not give up on us. Even if we give up on ourselves, He continues to be involved, preparing opportunities to start again.

Therefore, we can begin anew even after any failure. Even from situations that seem like “the end,” we can take a new step forward.

Reflections / Decisions

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中文（繁體字）

2025/10/04,05

試圖逃避神 ― 約拿書1:1-4

大意

背向神的人生最終的歸宿，以及仍不斷傾注的神的憐憫

導入

母親責備孩子說：「為什麼你不聽話！」孩子有時會回答：「我有聽啊，只是不想順服而已。」

耳朵聽見了，但心沒有動。我們對神也常常有這樣的態度。確實聽見了祂的聲音，也讀了祂的話語，但心裡卻拒絕：「我不想順服。」

大家也都有過這樣的經驗吧？「那個人我無法饒恕」、「那個人我真的無法喜歡」。頭腦明白，但就是做不到。這正是約拿的寫照。

我們也常在決定前禱告：「神啊，我該怎麼辦？」但神的回答往往與我們的計劃不同。如果合乎我們的心意，就不需要覺悟。但神的回答大多是「未曾想過的道路」，因此需要決心。

聖經朗讀「起來，往那大城尼尼微去，向其中呼喊」 （約拿書1:2）

約拿是以色列的先知（列王紀下14:25）。神命令他前往亞述帝國的首都尼尼微。尼尼微是當時世上最令人畏懼的城市，不僅因其軍事強大，更因殘酷惡名昭彰，甚至有剝敵軍皮膚貼在城牆上的記錄。

對約拿來說，尼尼微是「絕對不想去的地方」。他的心一定在呼喊：「我聽見了，但唯獨這件事不行！」

我們也會這樣想：「這事我不想做」、「唯獨那個人我無法饒恕」。明明聽見神的話，卻心裡拒絕。約拿的身影就是我們的鏡子。

一、神的計劃與我們不同

神的帶領常常超越我們的想像。

「神為愛祂的人所預備的，就是眼睛未曾看見，耳朵未曾聽見，人心未曾想到的」 （哥林多前書2:9）

我在美國遇見的迪貝伊博士的見證就是例子。她年輕時立志去中國宣教，學習語言，努力預備。然而正值文化大革命，宣教士被驅逐，中國的門緊閉。她的夢想和計劃全都破滅。

失意之下，她來到日本。但在日本影響了許多年輕人，透過受她影響的牧師，後來我自己也得救。

若是她去了中國呢？或許我今天就不會站在這裡。她後來也說：「我本想去中國，但神有不同的計劃。如今能看見從日本來的步（あゆみ），真是極大的喜樂。」

神的計劃常使我們困惑、難以理解，但回頭看，卻發現其中確實有神的美意。

二、背向神的人生

約拿拒絕命令，往相反的他施去（約拿書1:3）。他盡可能逃遠，這就是「逃避神」。

我們犯罪或不願順服時，也會想逃避神。撒但就在其中巧妙安排，設下容易逃跑的環境，讓我們以為「沒關係」、「只是一點點」。

有位牧師用「Down」來形容約拿的道路：下到約帕，下到船艙，最後下到海底——Down, down, down。

離開神的路必然是下坡路。約拿的不順服引發風暴，使整船的人受牽連。我們明知神的心意卻拒絕時，影響不僅是自己，也波及家人和周圍的人。

相反，順服會帶來祝福。因約拿的順服，尼尼微十二萬多人得救。

這裡有警告也有盼望：我們的選擇不僅改變自己，也改變他人的生命。

三、重新活的機會

臨到約拿的風暴不是要毀滅他，而是要使他重新開始。他自暴自棄地說「把我拋在海裡吧」，但神沒有丟棄他，預備了一條大魚，給他再次站起來的機會。

若是在公司裡，一句「不要」早就被解僱。但神不放棄，仍不斷呼召：「回轉吧」。這就是神的憐憫。

達比修有的話

羽曳野市出身的達比修有選手在訪談中說：「如果神說：‘給你回到20歲的機會，但要全力去活’，誰都會回去。我覺得現在就是那個機會，所以這樣生活。」

這正是基督徒的生活方式。

「我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的不再是我，乃是基督在我裡面活著」 （加拉太書2:19-20）

我們本該因罪沉淪，但因耶穌基督的十字架得赦免，被賜予再次活的機會。

神不放棄的憐憫

約拿說「已經不行了」而放棄自己，但神沒有放棄。祂一直給他機會。

約拿書所說的，是「背向神的人生的歸宿」以及「仍然傾注的神的憐憫」。神不會放棄我們，即便我們放棄自己，祂仍繼續介入，預備重新開始的機會。

因此，我們即使在失敗之後也能重新開始。即便在看似「結束」的情況下，也能邁出新的腳步。

所思所決

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Tagalog

2025/10/04,05

Pagtakas sa Diyos ― Jonas 1:1-4

Pangunahing Kaisipan

Ang hantungan ng buhay na tumatalikod sa Diyos, at ang awa ng Diyos na patuloy na ibinubuhos

Panimula

Kapag pinapagalitan ng isang ina ang anak: “Bakit hindi ka nakikinig!”, minsan sasagot ang bata,“Nakikinig ako, pero ayokong sumunod.”

Naririnig ng tainga ngunit hindi gumagalaw ang puso. Ganoon din tayo sa Diyos. Naririnig natin ang Kanyang tinig, binabasa natin ang Kanyang Salita, ngunit tinatanggihan natin sa ating puso: “Ayokong sumunod.”

Marahil naranasan mo na rin ito: “Hindi ko mapatawad ang taong iyon,” “Hindi ko kayang mahalin ang taong iyon.” Alam natin sa isip, ngunit hindi magawa. Ganito rin si Jonas.

At kapag nagdadalawang-isip tayo, nananalangin tayo: “Panginoon, ano ang dapat kong gawin?” Ngunit madalas iba ang sagot kaysa sa plano natin. Kung ayon sa kagustuhan natin, hindi kailangan ng tapang. Ngunit ang sagot ng Diyos ay madalas “ang hindi natin inaasahan,” kaya kailangan ng pagtatalaga.

Pagbasa ng Kasulatan“Tumindig ka, pumunta ka sa malaking lungsod ng Nineve, at sumigaw ka laban dito” (Jonas 1:2)

Si Jonas ay isang propeta ng Israel (2 Hari 14:25). Inutusan siya ng Diyos na pumunta sa Nineve, kabisera ng Imperyong Asirio. Ang Nineve ay kinatatakutan dahil hindi lamang sa lakas militar kundi pati sa kalupitan—may tala pa ng pagbabalat ng mga kaaway at pagdidikit ng kanilang balat sa pader ng lungsod.

Para kay Jonas, ang Nineve ay “ang lugar na ayaw niyang puntahan.” Tiyak na sigaw ng kanyang puso:“Narinig ko, pero huwag ito!”

Ganoon din tayo: “Ayokong gawin ito,” “Hindi ko kayang patawarin ang taong iyon.” Naririnig natin ang salita ng Diyos ngunit tumatanggi ang ating puso. Ang larawan ni Jonas ay repleksyon natin.

1. Iba ang plano ng Diyos kaysa sa atin

Kadalasan, ang patnubay ng Diyos ay lampas sa ating mga plano.

“Ang mga bagay na hindi nakita ng mata, hindi narinig ng tainga, hindi naisip ng puso ng tao, iyon ang mga bagay na inihanda ng Diyos para sa mga umiibig sa Kanya” (1 Corinto 2:9)

Isang halimbawa ang patotoo ni Dr. Dibey na nakilala ko sa Amerika. Binalak niyang magmisyon sa Tsina, nag-aral ng wika, naghanda nang mabuti. Ngunit sa panahon ng Cultural Revolution, pinalayas ang mga misyonero at tuluyang nagsara ang pintuan ng Tsina. Gumuho ang lahat ng kanyang pangarap.

Sa kanyang pagkadismaya, siya’y nakarating sa Japan. Ngunit doon nakaimpluwensya siya ng maraming kabataan. At sa pamamagitan ng mga pastor na naimpluwensyahan niya, kalaunan ako’y nadala sa kaligtasan.

Paano kung siya’y nakapunta sa Tsina? Marahil hindi ako narito ngayon. Sinabi rin niya kalaunan:“Plano ko ang pumunta sa Tsina, pero may ibang plano ang Diyos. Ngayon, makitang nandito si Ayumi mula sa Japan, napakalaking kagalakan.”

Madalas nakakalito at mahirap intindihin ang plano ng Diyos. Ngunit kapag lumingon tayo, makikita natin na nandoon ang Kanyang pinakamabuti.

2. Buhay na tumatalikod sa Diyos

Tinanggihan ni Jonas ang utos at tumakas patungong Tarsis (Jonas 1:3). Hangga’t maaari’y malayo—ito’y “pagtakas sa Diyos.”

Tulad din natin, kapag nagkakasala o ayaw sumunod, gusto nating umiwas sa Diyos. Doon gumagawa si Satanas, nagbibigay ng madaling paraan ng pagtakas. Ipinapaniwala niya tayo: “Wala namang masama,” “Konti lang naman.”

May pastor na naglarawan sa paglakad ni Jonas bilang “Down”:Bumaba sa Jopa, bumaba sa barko, at bumaba sa dagat—down, down, down.

Ang paglayo sa Diyos ay palaging pababa. Ang pagsuway ni Jonas ang nagdulot ng bagyo na nakaapekto sa lahat ng nasa barko. Kapag alam nating tinatanggihan natin ang kalooban ng Diyos, apektado hindi lamang tayo kundi pati pamilya at kapaligiran.

Sa kabilang banda, ang pagsunod ay nagdudulot ng pagpapala. Nang sumunod si Jonas, naligtas ang mahigit 120,000 sa Nineve.

Dito may babala at pag-asa: ang ating mga desisyon ay hindi lang sa atin, kundi pati sa buhay ng iba.

3. Pagkakataong mamuhay muli

Ang bagyong dumating kay Jonas ay hindi para wasakin siya kundi bigyan siya ng pagkakataong magsimulang muli. Nais niyang sumuko: “Itapon ninyo ako sa dagat,” ngunit hindi siya iniwan ng Diyos. Naghanda Siya ng malaking isda upang bigyan siya ng bagong pagkakataon.

Kung

kumpanya iyon, tanggal na agad siya. Ngunit ang Diyos ay hindi sumusuko. Patuloy Siyang nakikibahagi, patuloy Siyang tumatawag: “Magbalik-loob ka.” Ito ang awa ng Diyos.

Mga salita ni Yu Darvish

Si Yu Darvish, na ipinanganak sa Habikino City, ay nagsabi sa isang panayam:“Kung sabihin ng Diyos: ‘Bibigyan kita ng pagkakataong bumalik sa edad na 20, pero mamuhay ka nang buong lakas,’ siguradong babalik ang lahat. Para sa akin, ang ngayon ang pagkakataong iyon, at ganoon ako namumuhay.”

Ito mismo ang paraan ng pamumuhay ng isang Kristiyano.

“Ako’y napako sa krus na kasama ni Cristo. Hindi na ako ang nabubuhay, kundi si Cristo ang nabubuhay sa akin” (Galacia 2:19-20)

Dapat sana’y nalunod tayo dahil sa kasalanan, ngunit sa pamamagitan ng krus ni Jesu-Cristo, tayo’y pinatawad at binigyan ng pagkakataong mamuhay muli.

Ang walang sawang awa ng Diyos

Itinakwil ni Jonas ang kanyang sarili at sinabing, “Tapos na.” Ngunit hindi siya sinukuan ng Diyos. Patuloy Siyang nagbigay ng isa pang pagkakataon.

Ang Aklat ni Jonas ay nagsasalita tungkol sa “hantungan ng buhay na tumatalikod sa Diyos” at sa “awa ng Diyos na patuloy na ibinubuhos.”Hindi tayo sinusukuan ng Diyos. Kahit tayo mismo ay sumuko na sa ating sarili, patuloy Siyang nakikibahagi at naghahanda ng panibagong simula.

Kaya maaari tayong magsimulang muli kahit pagkatapos ng kabiguan. Kahit sa sitwasyong tila “wakas na,” maaari tayong makagawa ng bagong hakbang.

Mga Napag-isipan / Mga Desisyon