From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Philemon 1:1-7 (NET)

What are marks of effective ministers? In Philemon 1:1-7, we see the introduction of Paul’s letter to Philemon. Word of Philemon’s faith in Christ and love for all saints had reached Paul’s prison cell in Rome; therefore, Paul thanked God for him all the time (v. 4). Philemon was a wealthy landowner in the Colossian church. In fact, his house was so big one of the Colossian churches met there (v. 2). Because of Philemon’s generosity and ministry to others, Paul said this in verse 7: “I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” Obviously, Philemon’s home was like an oasis in the desert where people came to be refreshed. Philemon was a faithful and effective minister of Christ. From Paul’s words about Philemon, we can discern characteristics of an effective minister. However, they are discerned not only from Philemon but also from Paul who was at this time imprisoned in Rome for his witness for Christ.

Intro To Philemon

What is the letter of Philemon about? The letter to Philemon is very unique amongst Paul’s letters to churches and individuals. Paul wrote thirteen of the twenty-seven New Testament epistles, and in all but four of them, Paul begins those letters declaring his apostleship (Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon).¹ This was a means of establishing his authority to say what he was about to say in those letters. However, with Philemon, Paul does not do that. This was a very personal letter between two friends. Paul calls Philemon his “dear friend and colaborer” (v. 1). Paul had never been to the church in Colosse (cf. Col 2:1); however, he had met many of its members during his missionary journeys. In fact, it is believed that people who accepted Christ during those journeys, and maybe specifically at Ephesus, founded the church (cf. Acts 19:10, 20, 26, Col 1:6-8). More than likely, Philemon was a convert from Paul’s ministry at Ephesus as well. Maybe referring to this, in Philemon 1:19, Paul said that Philemon owed him his very life. Probably soon after his conversion, Philemon returned to Colosse and helped establish and minister to the church, along with Epaphras, one of the main pastors there (Col 1:7, 4:12, Phile 1:23). Paul’s purpose in writing this letter was to petition on behalf of a runaway slave named Onesimus. Onesimus means “useful” or “profitable.” He at some point ran away from his master Philemon. We don’t know why he ran, but maybe there was some type of conflict between them. Onesimus ran to Rome, probably to disappear in the great crowds there, and he might have stolen some of Philemon’s money to do so (cf. v. 18). While in Rome, he somehow, in God’s providence, ran into Paul. Maybe, he heard about the great crowds that were gathering to hear the apostle preach from his rented house while he was under house arrest. He had heard of Paul through his master and decided to visit. While hearing the gospel, he was convicted, repented of his sins, and became a follower of Christ. He then became indispensable to Paul by serving him and meeting his needs (v. 11-13). Though Onesimus was a tremendous help to Paul, Paul knew that Onesimus had committed a crime by running away from his master. Paul wrote the letter to Philemon to ask him to take Onesimus back but not only as a servant but a Christian brother in the faith (v. 16). Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus as if he were Paul and if he had stolen anything to charge it to Paul’s account (v. 17-18). Paul was confident, because of Philemon’s character, that he would fulfill his request and even more so (v. 20). Some speculate that after Onesimus returned, he was eventually set free from being a slave and many years later became the bishop of the Church of Ephesus, as the bishop there shared the same name.²

Slavery In The Rome

As a note on slavery, though slavery is an injustice against humanity and is often based on prejudice and racial discrimination, that was not necessarily true of slavery in the Roman world. There were slaves of every race. Because of the tremendous differences in wealth between the rich and the poor, slavery was at times preferred over being a free person. Slaves typically were more comfortable than day workers who lived off what they earned in a day. Slaves had housing and food provided. Often, they were educated to make them better workers, and some even received wages. Certainly, they were commonly mistreated and abused by their masters, but many had good relationships with them and preferred to stay with them. With that said, one of the radical changes that came with Christianity in the ancient world was the teaching that all people were equal, including slaves and masters. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Because of this teaching, people might visit churches and find that a slave was the primary teaching elder there and that slaves, masters, and other free persons intermingled as family. Therefore, though Christianity never tried to overthrow slavery as an institution, it taught principles that eventually led to its demise. All people are equal before God, and we should treat people the way we want to be treated (Matt 7:12). It also regulated the institution by teaching that masters were accountable before God for how they treated their slaves, that slaves should honor their masters, and that they should work heartily as unto the Lord who would reward them (Col 3:22-4:1). Because of these teachings, Christian slaves began to go for higher prices on the slave market because of their submission to masters as a way to honor God.³ Their witness demonstrated the beauty of the Christian message and helped spread the gospel throughout the empire (Tit 2:9-10).

As mentioned, as we consider Philemon 1:1-7, we can discern marks of effective ministers not only from Philemon, whom Paul praises in the introduction for his character and good works, but also from the apostle Paul himself. We must give deep thought to them and implement them in our lives, so we can be more effective in our ministry to Christ and others.

Big Question: What marks of effective ministers can be discerned from considering Philemon 1:1-7?

Effective Ministers Are Willing To Suffer For Christ And Others

From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer,

Philemon 1:1

In verse 1, Paul calls himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus. He was at this time imprisoned in Rome because of his ministry to Gentiles. Though imprisoned because of the Jews’ anger at his message, Paul did not see himself as their prisoner or the Roman Emperor’s. He was Christ’s prisoner. In fact, Paul suffered throughout his ministry for Christ. When Christ originally appeared to Paul in a vision to call him to apostleship, he specifically showed Paul how much he would suffer for his name. Christ said this to Ananias about Paul in Acts 9:15-16:

But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.

Likewise, in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul described much of the sufferings he experienced throughout his ministry. He said,

Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with a rod. Once I received a stoning. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent adrift in the open sea. I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers from false brothers, in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing. Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches.

This is the reality of following Christ. In following him, there will always be a cost. In Luke 14:26-27, Christ said:

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

There will always be difficulties in following Christ, and we must bear them willingly. It’s a characteristic of an effective minister. Faithfulness has a cost, and every true servant bears it. Sometimes it means being considered weird or different because of our beliefs in an antagonistic society. Sometimes it even results in physical suffering. First Peter 4:3-4 says,

For the time that has passed was sufficient for you to do what the non-Christians desire. You lived then in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts, and wanton idolatries. So they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you.

Effective ministers will experience some form of suffering—some form of our Lord’s cross—and Jesus promises blessings to those who do. He says,

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Matthew 5:11-12

Effective ministers willingly suffer for Christ and others. Practically, that may mean staying up late to care for someone hurting, getting up early to serve those in need, or simply bearing the emotional pain of caring for somebody who is hurting or making bad decisions. It may mean being away from family and comfort and serving the Lord in a foreign culture. There is a cost to ministry. Paul’s cost meant being in jail for four years, two in Caesarea and two in Rome. Are we willing to bear the cost of ministering to others? Effective ministers bear the cross willingly.

Application Question: Would you say that persecution towards Christians is growing or lessening? In what ways have you experienced suffering for your faith or in caring for others? How does God use Christian suffering for the good?

Effective Ministers Submit To God’s Sovereignty In All Situations

From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer,

Philemon 1:1

As mentioned, Paul calls himself a prisoner of Christ, not the Jews or the Romans. He was in prison because Christ allowed it—Christ was his captor. Paul saw Christ as in total control of his circumstances and persecutors.

We see this attitude in many of God’s faithful servants. When Job’s flocks and camels were kidnapped by raiders, he didn’t blame them. He saw God as in control. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!”(Job 1:21). When Joseph’s brothers begged for mercy for selling him into slavery, he said, “What you meant for bad, God meant for good” (Gen 50:20, paraphrase).

These servants saw God as sovereign over everything, even the workings of evil men and Satan himself. This is important because if God’s servants don’t see him as sovereign, they often become bitter when bad things happen. They focus on their own failures, the evil works of men, or the evil works of the enemy, and lose focus on God.

Hebrews 12:15 says, “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled.” Bitterness in the heart causes people to miss God’s grace in their circumstances, and it also causes trouble and defiles many. Instead of being bitter, faithful servants see God’s sovereignty over everything and can even rejoice in their trials. In Philippians 4:4, Paul called the suffering saints in Philippi to, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul said, “in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do we see God as in control of all things? Our God holds the king’s heart in his hand like a watercourse (Prov 21:1). Even the roll of the dice is of him (Prov 16:33). Our God is sovereign, and he works all things for the good of those who love him and according to the counsel of his will (Rom 8:28, Eph 1:11). Apart from seeing God as in control of our trials and submitting to him, trials will typically cause bitterness in our hearts towards God or others and hinder our ministry. Effective ministers submit to God’s sovereignty in all situations, including trials, because they see him in control of all things, and they trust him. Again, Paul saw Christ, not the Romans or the Jews, as his captor because Paul believed God was in control of them.

Application Questions: How can God be in control of all things including evil and yet creatures make free choices (cf. Eph 1:11, Is 45:7)? Do you find God’s sovereignty over all things, including evil comforting or disturbing (cf. Rom 8:28-29)? Why or why not?

Effective Ministers Develop Strategic Ministry Partnerships And Friendships

From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.

Philemon 1:1-2

One of the things that is clear about Paul’s ministry is that he was no lone ranger. Though extremely gifted, he partnered with others to complete the tasks God called him to. At the beginning and end of his letters, he commonly greeted friends in the cities he wrote to and mentioned those with him. In fact, at the end of Romans, he mentioned thirty-three people by name.⁴ Likewise, here at the beginning of Philemon, he mentions some of his partners: Timothy was with Paul in Rome. Though mentioned in the introduction, Timothy was not in prison, nor did he write the letter. Throughout the letter, Paul writes in the first person, as the sole author. Timothy was with Paul in Rome, encouraging him and supporting him in ministry. Paul calls Timothy “our brother” because Philemon and the others at Colosse knew him. Timothy was with Paul in Ephesus when they probably all met.⁵ Philemon was a colaborer with Paul, serving the churches in Colosse. His name means “affectionate,” and apparently that was an appropriate name for him since he was such a caring servant.⁶ Apphia was probably Philemon’s wife, and Archippus was a fellow soldier in building God’s kingdom. Some believe that Archippus was Philemon’s son; however, though possible, we can’t be certain about it. He was most likely one of the elders in Colosse. While Epaphras was visiting Paul in prison to get counsel about how to respond to the false teaching and teachers in the Colossian churches (Col 1:7), Archippus may have been the primary elder in the church in his absence. Maybe, because of these circumstances, Paul said this about Archippus at the end of Colossians: “And tell Archippus, ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord’” (Col 4:17). These were some of Paul’s ministry partners.

Likewise, to perform effective ministry, we must realize our weaknesses and partner with fellow believers to do God’s work. Even Christ chose not to do ministry alone; he raised up many disciples, including the Twelve (Lk 9) and the Seventy-two (Lk 10) to partner with.

Hindrances To Christian Partnerships

Because of the importance of Christian partnerships in ministry, we must be careful of negative tendencies that might hinder these relationships and the abundant fruit that comes from them. For example:

1. We must avoid the temptation of attempting to do things alone apart from Christ’s body.

Doing things by ourselves will at times be easier, but for most ministries, it’s not a sustainable model. We’ll eventually burn out, and it leaves other church members unequipped because they’re never trained and entrusted to perform ministry. As mentioned, as gifted as Paul was, he didn’t try to do things alone, and neither did Christ. We must learn to rely on others in the body of Christ, especially those with gifts and experiences we don’t have. Solomon, one of the wisest people to ever live, said this:

Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor. For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Good friends and ministry partners are necessary to have an effective ministry. There is more productivity from the labor of a few than one. Also, good friends are necessary for protection. If one falls by himself, the other can help him up. Ministry, and life in general, are fraught with discouragements and difficulties. We need people to help us get through them. Therefore, we must avoid the temptation of trying to navigate life and ministry alone. God never meant us to do so. In fact, like Paul, we must not only seek to have a multitude of good friends and ministry partners, but we must also invest in others to raise them up for future ministry. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul said this to Timothy: “And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.”

2. We must avoid the temptation of becoming discouraged because we look down on our gifts and role in Christ’s body.

In 1 Corinthians 12:15, Paul rebuked some members who were doing this. He said, “If the foot says, ‘Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,’ it does not lose its membership in the body because of that.” God has made all believers different with different roles in the body. First Corinthians 12:18 says, “… God has placed each of the members in the body just as he decided.” God has ordered the body perfectly, including our role in it. Therefore, we should be careful of overly exalting others and looking down on ourselves. God has only called us to be faithful with our gifts and the ministry he has given us. If we are discouraged, we will fail at what God has called us to, including partnering with others. We’ll often not volunteer or get involved in ministries because of our insecurities.

3. We must avoid the temptation of pride where we exalt ourselves and look down on others in Christ’s body.

In 1 Corinthians 12:21-22, Paul said, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you,’ nor in turn can the head say to the foot, ‘I do not need you.’ On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential.” This person was prideful of how God was using him and therefore despised others. Maybe, like the Pharisees, he took every opportunity to use his gifts in public so others would admire him. And like them, he despised others, maybe because of their lack of education, giftedness, work ethic, or commitment. Like the older brother in the story of the Prodigal Son, he despised those God had accepted because he saw himself as better. We must be careful of this judgmental attitude as it will hinder working with other believers.

4. We must avoid the temptation of unforgiveness.

Certainly, it must be known that our Christian friends and church members will fail us. They are not perfect, and Satan always seeks to use these imperfections to cause division and hinder God’s work. Paul and Barnabas argued over Mark’s inclusion on a missionary journey and went different ways (Acts 15). Though they split, they still forgave each other and partnered in other situations. However, that argument could have hindered their spiritual growth and God’s ministry in general if they weren’t careful. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity.” Also, Psalm 133:1-3 says,

Look! How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together! It is like fine oil poured on the head which flows down the beard—Aaron’s beard, and then flows down his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, which flows down upon the hills of Zion. Indeed that is where the Lord has decreed a blessing will be available—eternal life.

Dwelling in unity brings God’s blessing, and walking in discord and unforgiveness opens a door for Satan to attack us and others. Therefore, we must avoid this negative tendency in ministry relationships and Christian friendships in general. It’s not uncommon to find worship teams, children’s ministers, youth workers, and elders fighting amongst themselves in a church. Satan is always looking to cause discord to open a door for himself in the church and hinder its ministry. Therefore, we must be quick to forgive and seek reconciliation to close the door to Satan’s work.

No doubt, Paul avoided all of these negative tendencies as best as possible. He didn’t try to work alone. He recognized his role in the body and didn’t look down on it. He also didn’t exalt himself and look down on others but instead tried to build others up and equip them for greater service. He also strove, as much as depended on him, to walk in unity with others by forgiving quickly and seeking reconciliation (Rom 12:18). We must do the same. Effective ministers develop strategic relationships and Christian friendships to do ministry and receive it.

Application Question: Which potential hindrances to Christian relationships stood out most and why? Why are Christian relationships so important for our spiritual life and ministry in general? How have you benefited from them? What steps do we need to take to better foster them?

Effective Ministers Prioritize Family

to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.

Philemon 1:2

As previously said, when Paul mentioned Apphia and Archippus along with Philemon, many believe they were Philemon’s family. Apphia was his wife, and Archippus may have been his son who had become one of the pastors in Colosse. What makes Bible students come to this conclusion? Primarily, because the focus of the letter is domestic—Philemon receiving his slave back as a Christian brother. In those days, the wives often oversaw the slaves in the house. That’s clear even from the description of the Proverbs 31 woman. Proverbs 31:15 says, “She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.” Therefore, Paul addressed Apphia since the decision of receiving Onesimus back would have been her decision as well. The same reasoning is used for assuming Archippus is part of Philemon’s family. If they were not part of the family, then there doesn’t seem to be much reasoning for mentioning them along with Philemon in a domestic matter, when they were already included in the church that was separately mentioned (v. 2). With that said, if Archippus was an elder in the church (and not also his son), then maybe mentioning him was an extra form of accountability.

Either way, it seems clear that Philemon made his family his first ministry. He led his family in opening their home to the church weekly (and maybe daily). This was certainly more than simply having people over. Hosting means cleaning and probably preparing food, such as with the Lord’s Supper, which was a fellowship meal back then. They might have eaten it every time they met. If Archippus was indeed Philemon’s son, when Archippus felt a call to ministry, Philemon didn’t squash his dreams and tell him to pursue something that would better pay the bills. He encouraged and supported him. Philemon built his family up spiritually, which allowed them to serve the church as a family.

The need to put our family first in ministry is taught throughout the New Testament. In 1 Timothy 3:4-5, Paul taught this as a requirement for anybody being considered for the position of elder. He said,

He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity. But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?

A person who neglects their family is disqualified from serving in other ministries. Also, in 1 Timothy 5:4 and 8 (NIV), Paul said this to people about caring for their mothers and grandmothers when their husbands died:

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God… Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Our religion should start first with caring for our families. As Ephesians 5:25-27 says, husbands must wash their wives with the Word even as Christ does the church. They do this by involving their family in a Bible-preaching church, so they can hear God’s Word faithfully explained. They also do this by having regular times of reading and praying God’s Word together at home. Ephesians 6:4 says “fathers,” which can also be translated as “parents,” should raise their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This no doubt includes reading Scripture with them, helping them memorize it, understand it, and apply it to their lives. Discipling children also includes praying with them and teaching them to pray. Parents are the first disciplers of their children before children’s workers and youth pastors. And by doing this, like Philemon, they can partner with their spouses and children in serving the Lord. Otherwise, the family will all be going in different directions, which hinders their unity and God’s blessing.

Are we making our family our first ministry? Sadly, many neglect and destroy their family by putting the church or work first. If our family members don’t know the Lord, we should pray for them diligently and ask others to do the same. We must show them by our lifestyle that God changed us, which beautifies the gospel before them (cf. Tit 2:5, 10). We must patiently and wisely look for opportunities to share the gospel with them, trusting that only God can open eyes and bring the new birth in their lives. We plant seeds and water them, but God makes them grow (1 Cor 3:6-7). Therefore, we must rely on God and trust his timing as he transforms our family members in his time.

Is our family our first ministry? Effective ministers focus on their families before others. Ministers who don’t lose their right to minister (cf. 1 Tim 3:4-5). In Joshua 24:15, Joshua declared this to Israel:

If you have no desire to worship the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the Lord!

Let us make sure that our families are worshiping the Lord and not the gods of this world as well. Amen!

Application Question: What are some ways to prioritize our families as our first ministry? How have you seen or experienced families who did this well and those who didn’t? What was the difference? How is God calling you to better prioritize ministering to your family?

Effective Ministers Excel In Serving Others And Consequently Experience A Deeper Knowledge Of God

I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.

Philemon 1:6

In verse 6, when Paul says, “I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ,” this is the most difficult verse in Philemon to translate and interpret. Much of the controversy is over the word “share.” It is the Greek word koinonia, which means “to have in common with.” It is often translated “fellowship.” However, in an active sense, it means “participating in or share in.”⁷ Because of this, the verse has been interpreted in several senses, as referring to (1) the fellowship of believers with each other as far as having a common faith, (2) the sharing of the gospel with unbelievers, or (3) the sharing of good things with others.⁸ Consider different translations that represent these interpretations:

Philemon 1:6 (NET) I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. [fellowship]

Philemon 1:6 (ESV) and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. [evangelism]

Philemon 1:6 (NLT) And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. [hospitality]

Because in verse 5, Paul talks about how he heard of Philemon’s “love for all the saints,” and in verse 7, he says, “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother,” I believe Paul is referring to Philemon’s generous ministry to other believers in verse 6, including his excelling in hospitality. He had opened his home for the church to gather and was generous in other ways as he cared for the saints (v. 2). The word “refreshed” in verse 7 is a military term. It was used of an army taking a rest after a long march.⁹ As is clear from the Colossian letter, there were false teachers causing discord in the church (Col 2:8, 16-23), some members had fallen victim to this cult, and no doubt, many were experiencing the regular problems of life like sickness and financial and family struggles. However, in the midst of this, Philemon encouraged those who were hurting, built them up through prayer and the Word, and opened his home to refresh people physically. He was an effective minister, and because of that reality, God was going to bless him. Paul prayed that his sharing of his faith may “deepen” his “understanding of every blessing” that belonged to him “in Christ.”

This is a reality for all maturing believers. One of the greatest ways we grow in the knowledge of God and his calling on our lives is simply through serving others and receiving reciprocal grace. Certainly, we must read Scripture and learn doctrine; however, doctrine without practice is of little benefit. They must both be happening in our lives. When we are learning God’s Word and living it out by loving the saints, sharing the gospel, and serving others, we grow in our knowledge of God and his blessings. Consider how Christ taught this in Mark 4:24-25:

And he said to them, “Take care about what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive, and more will be added to you. For whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

If we obey God’s Word, he gives us more—including a deeper knowledge of God and his Word and favor over our ministry. And if we hear God’s Word and do nothing, there will be a taking away, a hardening of our hearts. We will find ourselves more spiritually dull and apathetic to the things of God and ministry.

This is the reality of every local church—some are putting their faith into practice and therefore growing quickly as God reveals more of himself to them, while others in the church aren’t putting their faith into practice and therefore are becoming more spiritually dull and inclined to sin and its consequences. We must ask ourselves which one are we?

William Barclay explained this great principle of ministry this way:

There is a great thought here ... It means that we learn about Christ by giving to others. It means that by emptying ourselves we are filled with Christ. It means that to be open-handed and generous-hearted is the surest way to learn more and more of the wealth of Christ. The one who knows most of Christ is not the intellectual scholar, not even the saint who spends all day in prayer, but the one who moves among others in loving generosity.¹⁰

Are we putting our faith into action by generously serving God, his church, and others in need? If so, we’ll experience God’s tremendous blessing. Effective ministers generously serve God, and God generously blesses them and deepens their faith. Proverbs 11:25 (NIV) says, “whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.” In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul said this as a promise to those who were generous in their giving to God and others: “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.”

Are we generously serving others? Galatians 6:10 says, “So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.” First Corinthians 15:58 (ESV) says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” A deeper knowledge of God and his blessings await those who abound in serving God and others.

For many effective ministers, this is the fuel of their ministry. Serving others is primarily a chase after a deeper knowledge of God and his blessings. Let us chase a deeper knowledge of God by serving others and building God’s kingdom on this earth! In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen!

Application Question: How have you experienced this reciprocal blessing of experiencing and knowing God more as you serve others generously? In addition, how have you experienced spiritual dullness and apathy when neglecting serving God and others?

Effective Ministers Are Encouragers

From Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our dear friend and colaborer, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

Philemon 1:1-7

Observation Question: In Philemon 1:1-7, in what ways does Paul encourage Philemon?

Finally, as we consider Paul’s introduction to Philemon in totality, we must recognize how great of an encourager Paul was. Effective ministers are great encouragers. They do this in many ways: (1) They encourage people simply by greeting them at church or work by remembering and saying their names instead of ignoring them and being self or task-focused. Paul greeted Philemon and other believers in Colosse in the introduction of the letter. (2) They check in on how people’s families are doing and greet them as well. They not only care about individuals but also groups of people. Paul not only mentioned Philemon but also the members of his family and the church as a whole. (3) They give thanks to people privately, and at times publicly, for their good works. Paul gave thanks to Philemon for his acts of service and his thanksgiving would have been read before his family and the church. (4) They spend time in prayer for others and also humbly share their prayer requests for mutual encouragement. Paul shared about how he was praying for Philemon’s acts of service to lead to a greater knowledge of God and his blessings. In this letter, Paul doesn’t specifically share his prayer requests as in other letters (cf. Eph 6:19-20, Col 4:3-4), but he does ask for a room and say that he believes he will be restored to them because of their prayers in verse 22. Therefore, it’s clear that Philemon and the Colossians knew Paul’s prayer requests and were faithfully bringing them before the Father.

Paul, as an effective minister, was a great encourager. He knew that because of people’s sins and living in a sinful, cursed world, people are prone to get depressed and discouraged, so he sought to lift them up.

As we consider all the ways Paul encouraged Philemon, we must ask ourselves: Who is God calling us to remember by name and greet as a way of encouragement? Who is God calling us to check in on and see how they and their family are doing? Who is God calling us to thank both privately and publicly? Who is God calling us to pray for and maybe share our prayer requests with?

Effective ministers are encouragers. May God help us encourage and refresh others every day. Lord, help us! In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen!

Application Question: What are some of the primary ways that you experience and appreciate encouragement from others? How is God calling you to grow in encouraging others? Is there a specific person God is calling you to encourage and how?

Conclusion

What are marks of effective ministers?

1. Effective Ministers Are Willing to Suffer for Christ and Others
2. Effective Ministers Submit to God’s Sovereignty in All Situations
3. Effective Ministers Develop Strategic Ministry Partnerships and Friendships
4. Effective Ministers Prioritize Family
5. Effective Ministers Excel in Serving Others and Consequently Experience a Deeper Knowledge of God
6. Effective Ministers Are Encouragers

Application Question: What stood out most in the study and why? What questions or applications did you take from it?

Prayer Prompts

• Pray for God to equip us to suffer for Christ and others. Pray that as we suffer, God’s grace may be made perfect in our weakness and that we would trust God’s sovereignty over our circumstances.
• Pray for God to increase our fellowship and partnership with other believers. Pray that God would protect these relationships from the enemy and that they would help us grow in Christ and build God’s kingdom.
• Pray for God to bless our families, that they would be unified, protected, and spiritually prosperous.
• Pray for God to enable us to excel at serving the church and others and that in serving we would know God more deeply and experience his blessing.
• Pray for God to encourage us and help us encourage others. Pray that God would set us and others free from discouragement and depression and that we would have the Lord’s supernatural joy.

Copyright © 2023 Gregory Brown

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Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish and said, “I called out to the Lord from my distress, and he answered me; from the belly of Sheol I cried out for help, and you heard my prayer. You threw me into the deep waters, into the middle of the sea; the ocean current engulfed me; all the mighty waves you sent swept over me. I thought I had been banished from your sight, that I would never again see your holy temple! Water engulfed me up to my neck; the deep ocean surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. I went down to the very bottoms of the mountains; the gates of the netherworld barred me in forever, but you brought me up from the Pit, O Lord, my God. When my life was ebbing away, I called out to the Lord, and my prayer came to you, to your holy temple. Those who worship worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs. But as for me, I promise to offer a sacrifice to you with a public declaration of praise; I will surely do what I have promised. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” Then the Lord commanded the fish and it vomited Jonah out onto dry land.

Jonah 2 (NET)

How should we respond to distress which comes from various trials? In the story of Jonah, God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach a coming judgment with the hope that the Ninevites might repent. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria, and since the Assyrians were the chief enemy of the Jews at that time, Jonah essentially said, “No.” Instead of traveling northeast towards Nineveh, he went south to Joppa to get on a boat to head to Tarshish, which was in Spain. While traveling from Joppa, God brought a terrible storm that almost destroyed the boat and all the sailors in it. Since Jonah was identified as the reason God sent the storm, the sailors tossed him off the boat into the raging sea. While Jonah was drowning in the sea, he prays, and God saves him from death by allowing him to be swallowed by a big fish.

In Jonah Chapter 2, Jonah recounts his deliverance from the sea and demonstrates hope for a future deliverance, as he prays to God from within the fish. From this narrative, we learn principles about how we should respond to distress. It’s commonly been said that we are either in a trial or headed into one shortly. Trials are a part of life, and they can either build us up and make us stronger spiritually or harm us—pushing us farther from God and others. Therefore, it behooves us to learn from Jonah’s narrative how to respond to distress.

Fact Or Fiction

With that said, before we discern principles from Jonah’s prayer, we must address the clear difficulties in this text. Can a large fish, including a whale, swallow a person whole, and can that person survive temporarily in its belly? Some have considered this book a parable with spiritual principles instead of a historical account because of difficulty accepting the fish story. In considering this claim, first, it must be said that Scripture speaks about Jonah as a historical person. Second Kings 14:25 mentions a prophet named Jonah prophesying during the reign of Jeroboam II. Most believe this is the same Jonah. In addition, Christ spoke about Jonah as a historical person. Christ said that Jonah being in the belly of a fish for three days and nights was a typology of his future death, burial, and resurrection. In Matthew 12:39-41, Christ said this:

… An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented when Jonah preached to them—and now, something greater than Jonah is here!

Christ spoke of Jonah being a real person, him being swallowed by a large fish as an actual event, and his ministry in Nineveh as being real. If it was not real, it couldn’t have truly reflected Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, which historically happened. Scripture teaches that the book of Jonah is a true story, including his being swallowed by a fish.

With that said, it’s worth asking, “Is Jonah being swallowed by a fish and being preserved alive possible?” For those who believe in a God who does miracles and who is the author of the Bible, this is not a hard reality to accept. It is either physically possible, or it was a miracle where God suspended his natural laws for a greater purpose. However, many believe there is good evidence that this event could have happened apart from God’s miraculous intervention. For example, some studies of sperm whales demonstrate that a man can be swallowed alive, live for a few days in the whale, and subsequently be vomited up.¹ A sperm whale’s mouth is typically 20 feet long, 15 feet high, and 9 feet wide, which is larger than most rooms in an average house.² In addition, sperm whales feed on squid which is often much larger than a human. Whalers have found a whole sized squid in a dead whale’s stomach, which supports the fact that one could swallow a human whole.³ There is also the biography of a man named James Bartley who claimed to be swallowed by a whale in 1891 and survived for at least a day in the whale’s belly. James Boice shared this story in his Minor Prophets commentary. He said:

One case concerns a voyage of the whaling ship Star of the East, which in February 1891, spotted a large sperm whale in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands. Two boats were launched, and in a short while one of the harpooners was able to spear the whale. Those in the second boat attempted to attach a second harpoon, but the boat capsized in the process and one man was drowned. A second sailor, James Bartley, disappeared and could not be found. In time the whale was killed and drawn to the side of the ship where it was made fast and the blubber removed. The next day the stomach was hoisted on deck. When it was opened, the missing sailor was found inside. He was unconscious but alive. Eventually he was revived by sea water and after a time resumed his duties on board the whaling vessel.⁴

Furthermore, there have also been rare modern incidents of people being swallowed at least briefly by whales and then spit out. For instance, a lobster diver in Cape Cod, Massachusetts was swallowed by a humpback whale for a brief period and then spit out in June 2021.⁵

Finally, some believe that Jonah being vomited out by a large fish is supported by Nineveh’s repentance. Many have questioned why the Ninevites repented at the preaching of a Jewish prophet. The Ninevites didn’t even worship Yahweh. However, they did worship the fish-god Dagon. If witnesses saw Jonah vomited up from a large fish, which represented the Ninevites’ deity, and shared it, his preaching would indeed be a “sign” to them (Matt 12:39-41). The bleaching of Jonah’s skin from the fish’s stomach acid would have only confirmed any potential witness reports. Therefore, there is certainly evidence within the text and outside of it for the possibility of a person being swallowed by a large fish—possibly a whale—and surviving.

With that said, the text spends little time focusing on the event of Jonah being swallowed by a large fish and surviving because the author, probably Jonah, expected his Jewish audience to believe in miracles since God had historically done them on their behalf. The focus in Chapter 2 is Jonah’s prayer in the whale which teaches us principles about how we should respond to distress, especially when circumstances seem hopeless. Though in much of Jonah’s narrative he is an example of what not to do, in Jonah 2, he demonstrates many aspects that should be modeled.

Big Question: In Jonah 2, what principles can be discerned about responding well to distress?

To Respond Well To Distress, We Must Consistently Pray

Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish and said, “I called out to the Lord from my distress, and he answered me; from the belly of Sheol I cried out for help, and you heard my prayer.

Jonah 2:1-2

Though Jonah had been in rebellion, while drowning in the sea, he cried out to God for help, and God saved him through a large fish. Then, while in the fish, he prayed again. Likewise, whether we are dealing with a family, health, or financial crisis, we should cry out to the Lord continually because he cares for us. Many Scriptures teach this reality: First Peter 5:7 (NIV) says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” James 5:13 says, “Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray.” Pray is in the present tense, meaning we need to continually pray, even as Jonah did. Likewise, in the context of trials, James 1:5 says, “But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.” God promises to give us wisdom for our trials if we, in faith, cry out to him. The word “ask” is also in the present tense, having the sense of continually asking God for wisdom and persevering in prayer. Sometimes, one prayer is not enough. When Peter was sinking in the sea after walking on water, he only had to cry out to Jesus once to be delivered (Matt 14:22-33). Likewise, Elijah only prayed once for God to send fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice (1 Kgs 18). However, in many situations, God calls us to pray often and repeatedly for deliverance. We need to persevere in prayer not because God needs our prayers to act, but because God’s first priority in our trials is for us to know him and be changed by him. Jonah had been running from God; however, the trial made him give up his self-dependence and pride and cry out to God. God wants the same for us. Prayers not only commonly change our circumstances, but they also change our hearts as we draw near God and start to trust his will for our lives.

To some, it might seem unnecessary to emphasize the need to pray when in distress. They might question, “Doesn’t everybody pray in trials?” Certainly, we are more prone to it than when experiencing prosperity. However, it often isn’t our first response, nor is it our continual practice. Often, the first thing we do in distress is worry, get frustrated, or even get angry. Then, we quickly try to fix the problem without prayer. We commonly go to the medical doctor before crying out to the great physician. We go to the counselor before going to THE Counselor. Again, James says, “Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray.” He says that because we often neglect prayer or don’t pray enough.

When Jonah was thrown off the boat into the raging water, while waves were crashing over him and it was hard to breathe, he cried out to God in prayer, and God heard him. God delivered him from death through a great fish. He also continued to pray while in the fish. Are we crying out to God in prayer? Are we asking him for wisdom, strength, open doors, grace to persevere, and relief? No matter how daunting our circumstances, we must constantly run to God in prayer and not give up hope. Prayer will either change the circumstance or change us, which is most important to God.

Application Question: Why is persevering in prayer during trials so important? Why is this at times hard to do? What are other things that people commonly do when in distress, instead of praying? In what ways have you seen God provide grace during trials when consistently crying out in prayer (both individually and corporately)?

To Respond Well To Distress, We Must Meditate On God’s Word

and said, “I called out to the Lord from my distress, and he answered me; from the belly of Sheol I cried out for help, and you heard my prayer. You threw me into the deep waters, into the middle of the sea; the ocean current engulfed me; all the mighty waves you sent swept over me. I thought I had been banished from your sight, that I would never again see your holy temple! Water engulfed me up to my neck; the deep ocean surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head…

Jonah 2:2-9

As we consider Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the fish, it must stand out that this prayer contained various parts of the Psalms. Mark Yarbrough, the President of Dallas Theological Seminary, said this about Jonah’s prayer: “Every word in the text of Jonah 2—some paraphrased, some summarized, some verbatim—was taken from the Psalms, Jonah’s hymnbook of faith.” ⁶ This is clear in many ways. For example, Jonah 2:2 reflects Psalm 18:6, “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried out to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.” Jonah 2:3 reflects Psalm 42:7, “One deep stream calls out to another at the sound of your waterfalls; all your billows and waves overwhelm me.” Jonah 2:4 reflects Psalm 32:22, “I jumped to conclusions and said, ‘I am cut off from your presence!’ But you heard my plea for mercy when I cried out to you for help.” Jonah 2:8 reflects Psalm 31:6, “I hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.” Again, each sentence in Jonah 2 is either a paraphrase, summary, or the exact words of a Psalm (cf. Jonah 2:2 and Ps 120:1, Jonah 2:3 and Ps 69:1–2, Jonah 2:4 and Ps 5:7, Jonah 2:5 and Ps 69:1–2, Jonah 2:8 and Ps 31:6, Jonah 2:9 and Ps 3:8).⁷ It’s clear that Jonah had the Word of God hidden in his heart since there were obviously no Bible scrolls in the large fish, and he certainly didn’t have a candle.

Likewise, if we’re going to respond well to distress, we must also consistently meditate on God’s Word. We must read it daily, study it, sing it, and hide it in our hearts so we can respond to difficulty at work, with family and friends, or nationally in a way that honors the Lord. In Psalm 119:105, David said this: “Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.” If we are going to be able to see in dark times and walk in the right direction, we must turn on the light of God’s Word. David also said in Psalm 1:2-3 that the person who meditates on God’s Word day and night bears fruit in season and his leaf does not wither. In waiting seasons, by God’s grace, the meditator bears the fruit of patience. In depressing seasons, God gives him the ability to have joy in Christ. In confusing seasons, God gives him wisdom. Whatever fruit he needs, God produces in the person as he abides in the Word. If we do not abide in his Word, we spiritually impoverish ourselves and hinder God’s purposes for our lives.

Are we abiding in God’s Word? Are we reading it, memorizing it, studying it, singing it, and praying it, even as Jonah prayed it in the belly of the fish? Lord, draw us to your Word and bear much fruit in us and through us!

Application Question: Why is abiding in God’s Word so important in trials? In what ways have you experienced special grace by abiding in God’s Word during distressful seasons? How is God calling you to more faithfully draw near his Word in this season?

To Respond Well In Distress, We Must Reflect On God’s Sovereignty

You threw me into the deep waters, into the middle of the sea; the ocean current engulfed me; all the mighty waves you sent swept over me.

Jonah 2:3

God’s sovereignty is one of the major themes of the book of Jonah. In Jonah 1:4, God sent a storm when Jonah rebelled against God. When Jonah was thrown off the ship into the sea, God appointed a fish (1:17). In Jonah 4:6, when it was hot outside, God appointed a plant that provided shade for Jonah. Then, God caused a worm to attack the plant, and it shriveled up (4:7). After, God caused a hot wind to beat against Jonah’s head (4:8). Jonah, the author of this book, clearly saw God in control of all circumstances. That’s also true as he prays this prayer. In verse 3, Jonah said, “You threw me into the deep waters … all the mighty waves you sent swept over me.” The sailors were not in control and nor were natural events that might cause a storm. God was. This is an important reality for us to accept if we are going to respond well to trials.

We see this reality throughout Scripture. When Moses asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go and Pharaoh said, “No,” Moses taught two seemingly conflicting truths in the book of Exodus about Pharaoh’s response. He said Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Ex 8:32), but he also said God hardened his heart (Ex 9:12). Only focusing on Pharaoh might have made Moses angry, frustrated, anxious, or even made him quit the mission. However, understanding that God was in control of Pharaoh and that God had a good plan, no doubt, gave Moses more peace and perseverance in the trial. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.” God is in control of kings, the ocean, dry land, and the storms that come upon them all.

With Job, even though Scripture says that Satan caused all of Job’s trials, Job saw God as in control of them. In Job 1:21, Job said this in considering his losses, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!” Likewise, in Job 13:15, he said this about God, “Even if he slays me, I will hope in him.” Though there is an aspect of mystery in considering God’s sovereignty, the free will of humans, Satan and demons, and events in the natural world, the mystery is in our minds, not God’s. Ephesians 1:11 says God “accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will.” There is not one thing on this earth that is not conforming to God’s sovereign will. This may be confusing for us or even frightening, especially when considering evil in the world, but if we despise this truth that Scripture teaches, we neglect one of our greatest comforts in trials. Satan is not in control; terrorists are not in control; our boss is not in control, and neither are we. God is, and God uses his sovereignty over events to work them all for the good of those who love the Lord (Rom 8:28). It’s our promise that we must always cling to when in distress, when confused, angry, and feeling like giving up. While Jonah was drowning, he prayed because he believed God was in control of the wind that caused the storm, the men who threw him overboard, and the waves that were drowning him. Therefore, since he trusted God’s character, he had hope.

If we don’t see God as in control of all circumstances, we will spend a lot of our time mad at the government, our boss, spouse, or children, instead of seeing God using them for a purpose. That doesn’t mean people or demons are free from responsibility. They are not; however, even with their evil works or failings, God is in control, orchestrating them for a greater purpose. Therefore, we must trust him. This reality will enable us to respond to our trials well and be built up through them instead of destroyed by them.

Another classic example of God’s sovereignty over the evil works of people is seen in Joseph’s story. His brothers sold him into slavery. As a slave in Egypt, his master’s wife falsely accused him of sexual assault; therefore, he was imprisoned. However, in the prison cell, God used him to minister to Pharaoh’s former cupbearer. After the cupbearer was restored to his position, he eventually told Pharaoh about Joseph’s wisdom and ability to interpret dreams. This led to Joseph becoming second in command over Egypt and being able to save his family and many nations during a global famine. At the end of the story when his brothers begged for forgiveness, in Genesis 50:20-21, Joseph said this: “As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day. So now, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children.” Instead of seeking vengeance, he cared for their families. Recognizing God’s sovereignty over their evil enabled him to forgive, instead of returning evil for evil.

If we do not recognize God’s sovereignty over our trials, we will constantly struggle with anxiety, anger, depression, and even unforgiveness towards others. We’ll respond negatively instead of positively because we don’t see the evil done to us as working for our good.

In addition, it must be noticed that when God saved Jonah through a fish, Jonah saw the fish as appointed by God (1:17). If we don’t recognize God’s sovereignty over the bad (in the context, the sailors throwing Jonah in the water and the waves drowning him), we often won’t recognize it over the good (in the context, the fish saving him). Consequently, we’ll be prone to take credit for the good or give credit to someone else other than God.

Are we recognizing God’s sovereignty over our trials and stressors (and our successes and blessings)? Again, Jonah saw the wind causing the storm, the sailors throwing him over the boat, and the waves drowning him as under God’s control—so much so, he could essentially pray, “God you allowed this, please help me!”

Application Question: Why is it so hard to accept the fact of God’s sovereignty over evil events and trials? Why is it important to accept God’s sovereignty over all things, especially evil things, and how does Scripture teach this truth? In what ways has God’s sovereignty over difficulties been a comfort to you?

To Respond Well To Distress, We Must Guard Our Hearts Against Irrational, Evil Thoughts And Emotions

I thought I had been banished from your sight, that I would never again see your holy temple!

Jonah 2:4

When Jonah said, “I thought I had been banished from your sight, that I would never again see your holy temple,” it could be that Jonah was simply saying that he thought was going to die, which was a very real possibility. But it also could represent a very negative view of God, including his judgment and plan. Before the storm, Jonah was already upset with God’s desire to warn Nineveh and potentially save them, so it makes sense that his thought of God banishing him came from a wrong heart as well. This is not uncommon when people rebel against God or make some unwise decision that leads them into a trial. Though they made the unwise decision, they commonly get mad at God. I heard the story of a Christian who married an unbeliever even though she knew Scripture taught otherwise. After her marriage ended in divorce, she became angry at God and turned away from the church for a period of time because she blamed God for letting it all happen. This might have been how Jonah was thinking. His rebellion led to judgment, and now he is blaming God for banishing him in the sense of allowing him to die. As a Jew, he knew very well that God was just, and that sin deserved death. That was the point of the Jewish sacrificial system. It was only because of God’s mercy that he chose to judge a substitute, represented by an innocent sacrificial lamb, instead of the original offender. The sacrifice prefigured Christ eventually being judged for our sins. God is a just God, and sin deserves discipline, which God brought for Jonah’s rebellion.

Likewise, one of the temptations we must be very careful of when going through trials is the temptation to become angry at God or think irrational, negative thoughts about ourselves or others. When Satan was allowed in God’s sovereignty to bring trials in Job’s life, his purpose was for Job to eventually curse God and turn away from him (Job 1:11, 2:5). This happens all the time in the church. A pastor makes an immoral decision, church members have conflict, and soon after those hurt by these events are now mad at the church and God. We must understand that this is the very temptation that Satan brings in trials. He wants us to doubt God’s goodness, become angry at him, and turn away from him. And if he can’t get us mad at God, he wants us to get mad at ourselves or others. He’ll take what he can get.

After some type of failure or trial, it’s common for people to accept the devil’s lies and specifically condemn themselves. They say to themselves, “I’m not good enough. God can never use me. Maybe, I’m not even a real Christian.” Or, they spend all their time condemning and blaming others. Some, unfortunately, start thinking, “Life’s not worth living. Maybe, I should end it!” None of these are right responses.

The title “devil” simply means “accuser.” In trials, including our moral failures, Satan will come to our ears to accuse God, us, or others. As mentioned, he does all the above to push us away from God and his people and to gain a stronghold in our lives. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity.” Satan wants a foothold in our lives through our wrong responses to trials, so he can attack us and others.

Therefore, when going through trials, we must earnestly guard our hearts against wrong thoughts and emotions, including accusing and condemning ones. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.” In considering spiritual warfare, 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.” Also, Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.” The Philippians were being persecuted for their faith (Phil 1:29) and going through various communal difficulties (Phil 3:2, 4:2). No doubt, there were many temptations to be anxious, but instead of worrying and entertaining irrational, negative thoughts, they should pray to God with thanksgiving. In addition, Paul said this to them in Philippians 4:8-9:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

To protect their minds from anxiety and wrong thinking, they needed to not only pray but also choose to think about godly things, like God’s Word and how God could use the evil against them for good. Because of commonly entertaining wrong thoughts during trials, we are more tempted to fall into lust, lie, or hurt someone including ourselves and our family. Thoughts always eventually lead to actions. Instead of thinking and acting negatively, Paul says, we must choose to not be anxious by praying, choosing to think about godly things, and practicing righteousness which brings God’s blessing.

Are we protecting our thoughts during trials, or are we entertaining negative thoughts about God—that he doesn’t love us or have good plans for us—and also entertaining negative thoughts about ourselves and others? Again, when Jonah said he thought God had banished him (v. 4), this may have reflected a negative, accusing view of God and/or himself, which we are all prone to during trials. Therefore, to respond well to our trials, we must guard our hearts against irrational and evil thinking, including any accusations of the devil against us, others, and God. We must learn to take our thoughts and emotions captive and make them obey Christ (2 Cor 10:5).

Application Question: Why is it so important to protect our thoughts and emotions during trials? What types of irrational and evil thinking are you prone to in trials? How do you overcome them?

To Respond Well To Distress, We Must Discern What God Is Teaching Us And Apply It, Including Repenting Of Any Sins

Those who worship worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs. But as for me, I promise to offer a sacrifice to you with a public declaration of praise; I will surely do what I have promised. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

Jonah 2:9

When Jonah says, “Those who worship worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs,” he does not only seem to be referring to a general truth. This referred to his disobeying God. This is why he promised to offer sacrifices and fulfill his promises after saying it. Though Jonah did not worship physical idols like pagans, he did place his nationalism as an Israelite and dislike for the Ninevites before God (cf. Col 3:5). Through God’s discipline, Jonah saw his sin and repented, at least partially. We know he repented because, in Chapter 3, Jonah indeed went to the Ninevites and preached to them. However, in Chapter 4, we see that it was only partial because he still held unforgiveness and hate in his heart towards them and was angry when God forgave them. Nevertheless, there was indeed some aspect of recognizing his sin and idolatry, which is what led him to preach to them after initially refusing. Repentance is a continual process for all of us. God reveals a sin, we repent, and at times, fall back into that sin, only to be rebuked by God again, and Lord willing, repent. We all have idols God wants to get rid of in our lives and also virtues he wants to develop in us. This is part of the reason God brings various trials.

In Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV), God said this about the Israelites in the wilderness:

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

God led the Israelites into the wilderness to show them that they still had pride in their hearts, lust, idolatry, and unbelief. He brought them through difficulties to show them their sin and help them repent. Likewise, God does the same with us. Trials often show our pride, unforgiveness, lack of trust for God, lust, anger, idols, and many other sins which tend to show up when under distress.

For this reason, in James 1:2-4, James said:

My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

Our trials are tests of our faith. Tests demonstrate both our strengths and weaknesses. They also help us grow. James says as we faithfully endure our trials, we become more mature in the faith. That’s what the word “perfect” refers to. God does not want us to stay immature children who fall into sin, unbelief, and discord every time a trial comes. He wants us to develop and mature through trials so he can use us more.

For that reason, when going through trials, we must ask ourselves:

What is God teaching us? Are there certain sinful tendencies he is revealing in our hearts, like impatience, complaining, anger, bitterness, or unbelief? Are there certain virtues he is trying to develop in us, like love for our enemies (which Jonah was supposed to learn), perseverance (not complaining or wanting to always quit during hard times), and faith (trust in God regardless of our situation)?

This is probably in part what James 1:5 means by challenging us to pray for wisdom in our trials. We need wisdom to pass the tests that trials present and to grow through them.

While praying in the belly of the whale, it seems that Jonah recognized some aspect of the idolatry in his heart. His nationalism and hate for his enemies kept him from obeying God’s command to preach to the Ninevites. He will indeed fulfill his promises by obeying God in the next chapter, but not according to the heart. God still had more work to do on his heart through trials, just as he has to do with us (cf. Phil 1:6, Jonah 4:7-8).

Application Question: How do we find out what God is aiming to teach us in our trials? What sinful tendencies are you prone to during trials? What type of virtues has God been developing in you through recent trials?

To Respond Well To Distress, We Must Hope In God’s Mercy And Grace

I went down to the very bottoms of the mountains; the gates of the netherworld barred me in forever, but you brought me up from the Pit, O Lord, my God… But as for me, I promise to offer a sacrifice to you with a public declaration of praise; I will surely do what I have promised. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

Jonah 2:6, 9

As Jonah prayed in the belly of the fish, he described how God heard his prayer while drowning and saved him from death. He said, “you brought me up from the Pit, O Lord, my God” (v. 6). However, while in the belly of the large fish, Jonah was still going through a trial. It was probably hard to breathe in there, it stunk, and he was surrounded by stomach tissue and acid that was bleaching his skin and clothes. However, he was happy just to be alive and had faith that God would deliver him again. This is clear because he declares: “I promise to offer a sacrifice to you with a public declaration of praise; I will surely do what I have promised. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” (v. 9). He believed God would deliver him again so that he could offer sacrifices at the temple and fulfill his vows of being a prophet for the Lord.

Interpretation Question: Why did Jonah believe that God would eventually deliver him from the belly of the fish?

Jonah’s hope was not unfounded wishful thinking. (1) It was based on God’s past faithfulness in delivering Jonah from drowning, but (2) no doubt, it also was based on God’s character. He declared, “Salvation belongs to the Lord”—meaning that God is merciful and gracious and therefore often saves us from our sins and distress.

Likewise, part of the reason God allows us to go through trials is to develop our hope in him. In Romans 5:3-4, Paul says, “Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope.” God allows us to go through trials not to discourage us but to increase our hope in God. Even when considering those who had lost relatives to death, Paul said this to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, “Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.” Even death, including the loss of loved ones, should not be a hopeless state for believers because of their trust in God. We grieve, but we grieve in hope because of God’s character and promises.

(1.) Therefore, like Jonah when going through trials, we must hope in God because we remember God’s past faithfulness. Has he previously delivered us from a difficult situation? Did he heal our hearts when we went through a difficult relationship? Did he open a door when there was no door? Did he make some horrible situation an indispensable growth experience? If we are going to hope in God like Jonah did while in the belly of a fish, we must remember God’s past faithfulness. (2.) However, we must also know God’s character. He is the God of salvation (v. 9). He does not simply let us die in our sins. He sent his Son to die for us so we could be saved. He takes bad situations and uses them for our good (Rom 8:28). He is a God of mercy and grace; therefore, we can hope when there is no hope. Even death is no obstacle for him, he can even use that for the good.

Jonah’s belief that God would set him free from the belly of the fish to make sacrifices to God is reminiscent of Daniel’s friends’ declaration to Nebuchadnezzar when they wouldn’t bow down and worship his statue. In Daniel 3:17-18, they replied to the king:

If our God whom we are serving exists, he is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he will rescue us, O king, from your power as well. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we don’t serve your gods, and we will not pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected.”

In the face of death, they believed God would rescue them. This no doubt came from their past experiences with God, as he delivered them previously when they wouldn’t eat the king’s meat (Dan 1). It also came from their understanding of his character. It also may have come from their deep and abiding relationship with God. As they prayed, worshiped, and lived in his Word, faith and hope arose in their spirits. However, they also recognized that even if God didn’t deliver them, they would trust God. Similarly, the same thing happened to Paul while facing a death sentence in a Roman prison. While talking to the Philippians, he recognized the possibilities of dying, which was a gain, or continuing to live and serve God. In Philippians 1:23-25, he said this:

I feel torn between the two because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more vital for your sake that I remain in the body. And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith,

Because of Paul’s biblical reasoning that it was more vital for him to live and bless the Philippians and possibly because God gave him a settled peace in his spirit that he would live, Paul had a sure hope that God would deliver him from death.

Likewise, when encountering trials, we must also have hope. Again, even in death, we can have hope if we take a biblical mindset. Paul believed death was better by far because it brought him into Christ’s presence. No doubt, he believed that if God took him, God would provide for those left behind. However, his faith ultimately led him to believe that God would preserve his life so he could bless others.

Either way, in trials, God’s desire is for us to increase our hope in him. As Paul said, trials create perseverance in us, develop our character, and create hope in our hearts (Rom 5:3-4). More than hoping in temporary things like wealth and health, trials help us hope in God and his eternal promises.

Are your trials causing you to doubt God’s goodness and wise plans? Or, are trials making you put your hope in the only one who can deliver you and whose plans are eternal—covering more than our short time on earth? To respond well in trials, we must hope in God’s mercy and grace. Like Daniel’s friends, we must say, “God can deliver us, and he will. But even if he doesn’t, we will still trust him!” Like Jonah in a trial, we can declare, “Surely I will meet with God and offer sacrifices to him at the temple.” We must trust that God’s plans are good, both for our time on earth and in the coming kingdom. God is faithful. Are we hoping in him?

Application Question: Why is hope in God so important when encountering trials? How can we increase our hope and help others do the same?

To Respond Well In Distress, We Must Recognize That Trials Are Temporary

Then the Lord commanded the fish and it vomited Jonah out onto dry land.

Jonah 2:10

Eventually, after three days and nights in the belly of the fish, God commanded the fish to vomit Jonah on dry land. Again, this demonstrates God’s sovereignty over trials. God used the fish to deliver Jonah from drowning, however, being stuck in a fish’s belly was still a trial. Possibly, it took the whole three days for Jonah to repent while in the fish. It seems that right after he prayed, God delivered him (v. 9-10). It took not only Jonah almost dying in the storm and then drowning in the sea but it also took him being confined for three days to give God thanks for saving him and at least partially repent for his rebellion.

With that said, this teaches us another truth we must remember if we are going to respond well while under distress: trials are temporary. They don’t last forever. They are short because God is teaching us something through them. If we learn the lesson, often they are removed. Sometimes, when we don’t repent, they get extended. Because of the unbelief of the Israelites, they had to return to the wilderness for forty years. Sin can extend our time in a trial. Also, trials are always temporary when compared to eternity. Either way, to respond well in trials, we must remember their temporary nature. In 1 Peter 5:10, Peter said this to believers suffering persecution in the Roman Empire: “And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

The trials they were suffering through were “for a little while,” and then God would restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish them. For most, this would probably happen through the sanctification process of the trial, as they repented and trusted in God. He would develop perseverance, character, and hope in them. He would also get rid of various sins in the process. For others, God by his grace would glorify them as he took them home through those trials, especially as the Roman Christians were suffering for their faith. As Paul said, for believers, death is ultimately a gain as we will be made into the image of Christ and have perfect communion with him and other saints (cf. Phil 1:21, 2 Cor 5:8).

As we go through trials, we must remember that they only last for a little while. They are temporary experiences that God uses to make us more into his image by creating his character in us. Even death for believers is just a passageway into eternity where they will fully know and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen!

Application Question: Why is it important to remember that our trials are temporary and not eternal (1 Pet 1:6, 5:10)? How can we remember this reality while going through trials that seem to have no expiration date?

To Respond Well In Distress, We Must Seek To Be Like Christ

Then the Lord commanded the fish and it vomited Jonah out onto dry land.

Jonah 2:10

As mentioned previously, in Matthew 12:39-40, Christ taught that Jonah being swallowed by a fish for three days and then being vomited up on the land was an Old Testament picture of Christ who would die, be buried, and rise again for the sins of the world. Though Jonah was unaware of it, God was using his failure and subsequent trial to present a picture of Christ to those around him and to us, as we read the Old Testament book.

Likewise, to respond well to distress, we must seek to be like Christ in them. First Peter 2:21-23 says this to suffering saints:

For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.

Christ gave us an example of how to suffer. Are we being tempted in our suffering to fall away from God, be angry with him, or enjoy the pleasures of sin? Like Christ, we must not commit any sins, nor lie with our mouths. Have we been hurt by those we love? Like Christ, we must pray for our enemies and ask God to forgive them. Are we being accused and lied about as the Pharisees and Sadducees did with Christ? Like Christ, most times we should not defend ourselves but leave our defense in God’s hands. Are we struggling in a waiting season for God to open a door or use us in a different capacity? Like Christ, we must wait patiently, even if the Lord only opens the door after thirty years to serve him in a greater capacity with our last three. Are we struggling with the cross the Lord has called us to carry in our family, workplace, or physical body? Then, like Christ, let us plead for God to remove the cup of suffering but, at the same time, declare, “Yet not my will but yours be done” (Lk 22:42). We must at all times and in all ways seek to picture Christ when going through our trials. He is our example. Isaiah 53:3 says this about Christ, “He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him.” Because he was a man of suffering, he understands, can relate to and empower us to be like him as we suffer. Hebrews 4:15-16 says,

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

As Jonah pictured Christ while confined in the large fish for three days, we must always aim to demonstrate Christ in our trials. May others see Christ through our obedience, prayer, faith, perseverance, trust in God, and service to others in our trials. Lord, let it be so, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Application Question: Apart from the cross, what are other ways Christ suffered and therefore can model for us how to suffer well? How can you better model Christ specifically amid sufferings?

Conclusion

As we consider Jonah’s prayer in the belly of the fish after God saved him from drowning, we can discern general principles about responding well to distress. When the storm initially came, Jonah did not respond well. He didn’t pray to God and was even willing to die rather than obey God’s call to go to Nineveh. However, as he was drowning, his heart changed and continued to change while in the belly of the fish. Though Jonah, in general, is an example of what not to do, in Jonah 2, he responds well to distress and is an example for us in seeking to do the same.

1. To Respond Well to Distress, We Must Consistently Pray
2. To Respond Well to Distress, We Must Meditate on God’s Word
3. To Respond Well in Distress, We Must Reflect on God’s Sovereignty
4. To Respond Well to Distress, We Must Guard Our Hearts Against Irrational, Evil Thoughts and Emotions
5. To Respond Well to Distress, We Must Discern What God Is Teaching Us and Apply It, Including Repenting of Any Sins
6. To Respond Well to Distress, We Must Hope in God’s Mercy and Grace
7. To Respond Well in Distress, We Must Recognize that Trials Are Temporary
8. To Respond Well in Distress, We Must Seek to Be Like Christ

Application Question: Which principle(s) about responding well to distress stood out most and why?

Prayer Prompts

• Pray for God to draw us to greater prayer and meditation on God’s Word to empower us through our trials.
• Pray for God to give us great trust in his sovereignty over our trials, believing that he is truly working all circumstances out for our good.
• Pray for God to protect our hearts from negative thoughts and emotions, which often come from the devil, our flesh, and the world.
• Pray for God to transform us into his image through trials, including developing perseverance, character, and hope in us.
• Pray for God to enable us to display Christ to others through our trials so that they may repent, come to know Christ, and obey him more.

Copyright © 2023 Gregory Brown

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This displeased Jonah terribly and he became very angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, “Oh, Lord, this is just what I thought would happen when I was in my own country. This is what I tried to prevent by attempting to escape to Tarshish!—because I knew that you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and one who relents concerning threatened judgment. So now, Lord, kill me instead, because I would rather die than live!” The Lord said, “Are you really so very angry?” Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. He made a shelter for himself there and sat down under it in the shade to see what would happen to the city. The Lord God appointed a little plant and caused it to grow up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to rescue him from his misery. Now Jonah was very delighted about the little plant. So God sent a worm at dawn the next day, and it attacked the little plant so that it dried up. When the sun began to shine, God sent a hot east wind. So the sun beat down on Jonah’s head, and he grew faint. So he despaired of life, and said, “I would rather die than live!” God said to Jonah, “Are you really so very angry about the little plant?” And he said, “I am as angry as I could possibly be!” The Lord said, “You were upset about this little plant, something for which you did not work, nor did you do anything to make it grow. It grew up overnight and died the next day. Should I not be even more concerned about Nineveh, this enormous city? There are more than 120,000 people in it who do not know right from wrong, as well as many animals.”

Jonah 4 (NET)

What are hindrances to faithful ministry—serving God and others with our whole hearts? In this story, God commissioned Jonah to preach to the Ninevites, who were an ungodly nation about to experience God’s judgment. Instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah initially rebelled against God and went in the opposite direction towards Tarshish (in Spain). It seems that the primary reason Jonah disobeyed God was because the Ninevites were a ruthless, terrorist state and the Jews’ enemies. The national interests of Israel, possibly racism, and a perverted view of justice without mercy ruled in Jonah’s heart more than simple obedience to God’s Word. While he was running from God, he entered a ship headed toward Tarshish, and God allowed a storm that threatened to destroy the ship and the lives on it. To save their lives, the sailors threw Jonah off the ship into the sea and the storm subsided. While Jonah was sinking to his death, God saved his life by allowing him to be swallowed by a large fish. While in the fish for three days, Jonah repented and then was vomited onto dry land. Soon after, God commissioned Jonah again to preach judgment to the Ninevites—declaring that in forty days God would judge the nation. Jonah preached to them, but not with the right heart. When the Ninevites repented and God relented from sending disaster, he became very upset with God because of his graciousness.

This is where we find Jonah in Chapter 4. After accusing God of being too gracious, he left the city and built a fort to watch from afar to see if God would change his mind and destroy them. Though Jonah had completed the letter of God’s command to preach judgment to the Ninevites, he had not completed the spirit of God’s command. Jonah declared judgment with no desire to help the Ninevites repent and come to a saving knowledge of Yahweh. Instead of being angry at their repentance, he should have been discipling the Ninevites and helping them mature in following the Lord. Instead, he rebuked the Lord for his mercy and asked God to take his life. Jonah was an immature prophet—double-minded in all his ways.

Jonah’s attitude and actions in this narrative were meant to warn Israel against the same (and us with them). At the beginning of Israel’s history, God promised to bless Abraham and that he and his descendants would be a blessing to the world. Israel’s job was to proclaim Yahweh to the nations. It was not to simply be an isolated worshiping community in the world. Therefore, when the Jews read the book of Jonah, and Jonah 4 specifically, it was meant to rebuke them. Not only had Jonah become self-centered and self-focused to the neglect of his commission, but so had the Israelites. Likewise, this commonly happens with the church who Christ has commissioned to be a blessing to the world (Matt 28:18-20). Instead of loving and witnessing to the world, often the church simply isolates itself, sits in judgment of the world, and/or is apathetic towards it. We lack the mercy—the compassion in action—that God has towards unbelievers. Consequently, as we consider Jonah, we can discern common hindrances to faithful ministry to the Lord and others.

Big Question: As found in Jonah 4, what are common hindrances to faithful ministry both to God and others?

A Hindrance To Faithful Ministry Is Uncontrolled Negative Emotions, Including Anger, Self-Pity, And A Hopeless Spirit

This displeased Jonah terribly and he became very angry... So now, Lord, kill me instead, because I would rather die than live!” … When the sun began to shine, God sent a hot east wind. So the sun beat down on Jonah’s head, and he grew faint. So he despaired of life, and said, “I would rather die than live!”

Jonah 4:1, 3, 8

When the text says that Jonah became “very angry” (v. 1), it literally has the sense of burning like a fire. Jonah was enraged that the Ninevites repented and that God forgave them. He even asked for the Lord to kill him because of it (v. 3). With Moses, he prayed to die because of the difficulty in ministering to unrepentant Israelites (Num 11:15). Elijah prayed to die for the same reason (1 Kgs 19:4). The Israelites were killing prophets and tried to kill him. However, in contrast, Jonah prayed to die because the Ninevites repented, which doesn’t make sense. Later in the narrative when God removed a plant that was providing him with shade from the sun, he declared that he wanted to die again (v. 8).

Here we see one of Jonah’s major hindrances to ministry and ours as well, uncontrolled negative emotions. He was angry at God because he didn’t agree with what God was doing. He was so angry he wanted to die—quit ministry and life. But Jonah also had a lot of self-pity. When the weather was extremely hot, he despaired of his life (v. 8). He was hopeless. Jonah’s emotions were unbalanced and out of control. They hindered his ability to faithfully serve God and others.

God’s Emotions

This is a common hindrance to any good work. God has given us emotions, as he is an emotional being. God is loving and at times angry. He gets grieved and even jealous. However, God’s emotions are always perfect—they are righteous and appropriate. We were made in his image, and therefore have emotions like him. However, our emotions are infected by sin and therefore are commonly self-focused, instead of God-focused and others-focused. That’s why the greatest commandments are to love God and others (Matt 22:36-40). God commands these because they are not natural to our sinful nature. We naturally love ourselves more than God and others (2 Tim 3:1-2). This is why we get mad at God if we don’t get our way or things don’t work out the way we would prefer. In addition, we get mad at others when they get in the way of our happiness or what we think is wise or best.

When things don’t happen the way we think they should, like Jonah, we often struggle with negative emotions, sometimes out-of-control emotions towards God, others, or ourselves. These negative emotions hinder ministry, as they are often self-focused. This is, in part, why Scripture commonly commands us to control our emotions. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.” Mark 6:31 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger.” We are called to control our emotions, as it’s a mark of spiritual maturity, even as uncontrolled emotions are a mark of immaturity. Anxiety and anger will lead us into sin if unchecked. Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.” Uncontrolled emotions don’t only lead to an ineffective and unfaithful ministry but also to destruction, personally and corporately.

With Jonah, his uncontrolled emotions were fueled by his wrong views about God and people. Therefore, God aimed to help him control his emotions and thoughts by asking him pointed questions like, “Are you really so very angry?” (v. 4), “Are you really so very angry about the little plant?” (v. 9), and “Should I not be even more concerned about Nineveh, this enormous city?” (v. 11). Sometimes, the best thing we can do when a person is struggling with uncontrolled emotions is to calmly ask them questions and allow them to think about their out of balance responses. God also helped Jonah control his emotions by allowing him to go through a purposefully, manufactured trial to teach him about God’s love for creation, including children and animals, and show Jonah how unreasonable he was being.

Are we controlling our emotions? Or are anxiety, worry, anger, unforgiveness, and other negative emotions controlling us? Unchecked negative emotions will make us unstable and unsuitable for ministry (cf. 1 Tim 3:3, Tit 1:8). We see this throughout Jonah’s narrative. One moment Jonah was asking to be killed by being thrown into the ocean (Jonah 1); the next he was praying for God to save him from drowning (Jonah 2). Then he praised God for salvation and recommitted to him while in the fish (Jonah 2). One moment he was preaching to the Ninevites (Jonah 3); the next he was pouting and asking to die because God saved them (Jonah 4). One moment he was happy about a new plant that provided him with shade (Jonah 4); the next he was sad because it shriveled up and wanted to die again (Jonah 4). Jonah was a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (Jam 1:8). Many Christians are like this and, therefore, ineffective and unfaithful in serving God and others. Their emotions, and therefore their faith, are out of control and unpredictable.

Breastplate Of Righteousness

We may get a sense of the importance of guarding our hearts in Paul’s command to the Ephesians to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Many believe that it is, at least in part, a command to protect our thoughts and emotions (Eph 6:14). The breastplate protected the heart, lungs, loins, and other vital organs. Symbolically, these were commonly used to refer to one’s thoughts and emotions. The heart often referred to the mind, will, and emotions. The stomach is where a person gets butterflies when they are really excited. It’s a place affected by our emotions and therefore was commonly used symbolically to refer to them (cf. Phil 1:8 KJV). If Satan can get our emotions all over the place, he can distract us from God and his will and sometimes even destroy us and others. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.” Our family, work, church relationships, and everything else are affected by our mind, will, and emotions.

Application Question: How should we control our negative emotions?

1. To control our negative emotions, we must bring them honestly before the Lord in prayer.

As seen with Jonah, God can handle our wrong emotions and help us work through them. We should never condemn God or become angry at him (cf. Job 1:22), but we should be honest with him about our struggles. This commonly happens in the Psalms, as the Psalmist pours out his fears, worries, negative circumstances, and wrong thoughts before the Lord and yet hopes in God’s saving grace.

2. To control our negative emotions, we must evaluate them biblically, often with the help of others.

We do this by considering them against Scripture’s teachings. We are all called to not be anxious, prideful, jealous, selfishly angry, or vengeful. We also evaluate our emotions by having honest conversations with people. Again, when God asked Jonah questions, it was meant to help him evaluate his thoughts and emotions (cf. Gen 3:9, 11, 4:6). Were they justified, righteous, and like God’s thoughts and emotions? Sometimes, it helps to have conversations with godly, wise believers and allow them to challenge and encourage us biblically.

3. To control our negative emotions, we should act in line with Scripture regardless of how we feel.

We should love an enemy by acting in a loving way towards them, even though we struggle with despising them in our hearts (Rom 12:18-21). We should pray and give thanks when we’re anxious, asking for peace and God’s sovereignty over a situation (Phil 4:6-7). Often when acting in accordance with righteousness instead of our negative emotions, our emotions soon follow. For example, when reading God’s Word, praying, or going to church, though we don’t feel like it, we soon find that doing so was good for us and we feel better. Likewise, by acting in a loving manner towards someone we previously despised or cared nothing about, we may soon find ourselves truly loving that person.

4. To control our negative emotions, we must live in the Spirit by practicing spiritual disciplines.

According to Galatians 5:22-23, “self-control” (including that of our thoughts and emotions) is a fruit of the Spirit grown through living “in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.” The works of the flesh are anger, jealousy, fits of rage, etc. (cf. Gal 5:19-20). However, when we live in the Spirit through prayer, worship, Bible study, obedience, and service, God will birth self-control in us. The problem is most of us visit the Spirit instead of making him our home. We are tourists or temporary residents at best, instead of citizens who live there. As we grow in spiritual disciplines, the Spirit of God empowers us to control our negative emotions and thoughts that hinder our ministry to God and others, as it did with Jonah. Paul said this to Timothy who apparently was timid and considering leaving the ministry, “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7). Certainly, this is true for us as well. God has given us a Spirit to empower us to do ministry and control our thoughts and emotions that might be hindering us. In fact, “self-control” in 2 Timothy 1:7 can also be translated as “sound mind” (KJV) or “sound judgment” (HCSB). Through God’s Spirit, we can have a sound mind to serve him and not live in fear, anger, depression, or anxiety.

By practicing all these things, we are not denying our emotions, but we are not letting them rule over us and hinder our worship and obedience to God. As mentioned, when we act in obedience to God, our emotions will often follow.

In this narrative, Jonah’s emotions were ruling him instead of God. He was double-minded and unstable in all his ways. His example of unfaithfulness was documented as a warning for Israel and us.

Application Question: How can negative emotions hinder our ministry to God and others? Why is it so important to always evaluate our emotions and thoughts biblically and submit them to God’s will? What negative emotions do you commonly struggle with, and how do you seek to control them biblically (2 Cor 10:4-5)?

A Hindrance To Faithful Ministry Is A Selective And Twisted View Of Scripture

He prayed to the Lord and said, “Oh, Lord, this is just what I thought would happen when I was in my own country. This is what I tried to prevent by attempting to escape to Tarshish!—because I knew that you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and one who relents concerning threatened judgment.

Jonah 4:2

In verse 2, Jonah rebuked God for his kindness, as though he never brought justice. He paraphrased a familiar theological statement about God seen throughout the Old Testament. The first time it is mentioned is in Exodus 34:6-7, when God revealed his glory to Moses. It says,

The Lord passed by before him and proclaimed: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.”

As one can see, Jonah only mentioned the section about God’s compassion and grace in verse 6, while leaving off the last part about God’s justice in verse 7. It says, “But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished.” Essentially, Jonah was saying, “I ran from your command because you’re so gracious and forgiving that you never hold anybody accountable!” What’s so ridiculous about Jonah’s accusation is that God had both judged him and forgiven him not too long ago. For running from God’s command, God sent a storm that almost killed Jonah and a group of innocent sailors. It was while Jonah was sinking into the sea that he prayed, and God saved him through a large fish. And it wasn’t until Jonah repented while in the fish that God had him spewed onto dry land (Jonah 2:9-10). The fish was both in a sense his lifeboat and his jail until he repented. It’s not that Jonah disliked God’s graciousness on sinners; it’s that he selfishly didn’t feel others should experience it, especially the enemies of the Jews and maybe Gentiles in general.

As we consider God being both just and merciful at the same time, we must recognize that this has always been perplexing for believers. Old Testament saints would often cry out, “Why do the wicked prosper, while the righteous suffer?” (Jer 12:1-2, Job 21:7, Ps 72:3, 13). This is perplexing when looking at the world. However, the confusion is somewhat taken away when we understand God’s patience—him being slow to anger. Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” God waits to bring justice, sometimes for an entire lifetime or several generations, because he is patient and desires that none will perish. Consequently, when looking at the world now, it will often be confusing. Why do the wicked prosper? Why do they get their own TV shows, have nice houses, and get away with so many crimes while the righteous often struggle? It’s because God is patient. He is patient with us and patient with others. In fact, we see God’s patience not only with the Ninevites in this narrative but also with Jonah. Initially, when Jonah ran, God’s justice and mercy came after him, seeking to change him more into God’s image. Then, in this narrative, Jonah selfishly complains, but God graciously and patiently teaches him. Because of God’s patience, there will at times be great and prolonged injustice in the world; and yet, because of his patience (and mercy), there will also be great salvation and revivals.

With that said, the major hindrance to worship and service that we see in this text is Jonah’s twisting of Scripture. His sinful misunderstanding of God caused him to falsely accuse God and perpetuated Jonah’s own anger. As mentioned, he selectively left off God’s justice from the same passage to focus only on God’s compassion and grace. We saw Satan do something similar when tempting Jesus in the wilderness (Matt 4). He misused Scripture to tempt Christ to disobey God. Likewise, a selective, twisted view of Scripture is a common hindrance to ministry. For some, God is a God that prospers and blesses but who does not judge. He is a God who heals but does not bring or allow sickness, as he did with Pharaoh and the Egyptians during the Exodus or with the Corinthians when they mistook the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11 (as some were sick, weak, and some even died). If we have a selective view of Scripture instead of a balanced view, we will worship a caricature of God (an unhealthy exaggeration of him)—a God of blessing but not a God of wrath, or a God of wrath and not a God of blessing. He is both. Those who only see a God of blessing are often undisciplined Christians with no fear of God’s discipline. They often get mad at God, like Jonah did, because he doesn’t do what they want. On the other hand, those who only see a God of wrath or justice, often have an unhealthy fear of God and tend to struggle with depression every time they fall into sin. They feel like God doesn’t love them and won’t forgive them. Satan can easily harm them with condemnation when they fall, which pushes them away from God and his people. In contrast, the Holy Spirit only brings conviction, which turns us away from sin and back to God and his people.

If we are going to be faithful ministers to God and others, we must have a balanced view of Scripture instead of a selective, twisted view. A wrong view will hurt us and others, as we share it with them. Satan is the one who twists Scripture to lead us away from God and his people to sin. We must be especially careful of becoming one of his mouthpieces, even if only into our own ears.

Application Question: How should we respond to the danger of a selective, twisted view of Scripture?

1. Because of the dangers of a selective, twisted view of Scripture, we must diligently study God’s Word because God will hold us accountable for our lack of knowledge and our acting upon it.

Second Timothy 2:15 (ESV) says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” Also, in Matthew 5:19, Christ said:

So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

2. Because of the dangers of a selective, twisted view of Scripture, ministers must teach the whole counsel of God and not just choose their favorite passages or doctrines.

In Acts 20:26-27, Paul said: “Therefore I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of you all. For I did not hold back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God.” Those who sit under half-truths of God’s Word are prone to deception and idolatry, as they can’t discern error mixed with truth. They will make caricatures of God that do not fit Scripture’s full counsel. By teaching the full counsel of Scripture, ministers raise up mature Christians who will be less vulnerable to deception and more able to minister to others (cf. Eph 4:11-15).

Jonah had a selective, twisted view of Scripture which hindered his ministry to the Ninevites and God. It will do the same for us.

How do we view God? Does it match what Scripture says, or is it a perversion that will hinder our worship of God and ministry to others? Is God overly harsh, overly merciful, or even apathetic? The God of Scripture is perfect, and we must know him correctly to properly worship and serve him.

Application Question: Why is a selective, twisted view of Scripture such a hindrance to worship and service? How do you view God? Do you tend more towards his grace or justice, and what are the consequences of your view of him? Have you seen church members with selective, twisted views of Scripture and how should it be remedied?

A Hindrance To Faithful Ministry Is An Idolatrous Focus On Comfort (And Wealth)

The Lord God appointed a little plant and caused it to grow up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to rescue him from his misery. Now Jonah was very delighted about the little plant. So God sent a worm at dawn the next day, and it attacked the little plant so that it dried up. When the sun began to shine, God sent a hot east wind. So the sun beat down on Jonah’s head, and he grew faint. So he despaired of life, and said, “I would rather die than live!” God said to Jonah, “Are you really so very angry about the little plant?” And he said, “I am as angry as I could possibly be!” The Lord said, “You were upset about this little plant, something for which you did not work, nor did you do anything to make it grow. It grew up overnight and died the next day. Should I not be even more concerned about Nineveh, this enormous city? There are more than 120,000 people in it who do not know right from wrong, as well as many animals.”

Jonah 4:6-11

While Jonah was outside the city waiting for God to judge it, God began to work on Jonah’s attitude and misplaced priorities. God called for a plant to quickly spring up and provide shade for Jonah’s head. This delighted Jonah since it was a hot and sunny day. Then, surprisingly, God sent a worm to destroy the plant and a hot east wind to blow. The sun and hot wind beat down on Jonah’s head, and he despaired of life, saying that he would rather die than live (v. 8). God used the gift of the plant and its removal to teach Jonah a lesson. God often does the same with us. He gives us a friend who is a tremendous comfort and encouragement, and then out of nowhere, he moves, or the relationship ends. He provides a job that meets all of our needs but then takes it away. With these blessings and the removal of them, God encourages us for a season but also reveals sinful attitudes in our hearts or idols that God would like to remove. This is how God uses all trials in our lives. They challenge us and test our faith, and if we submit to God in them, he reveals our weaknesses, helps us get rid of them, and equips us for more ministry (Jam 1:2-4).

After the plant dies and Jonah is in despair because of it, God asked him, “Are you really so very angry about the little plant?” (v. 9). Jonah confirms his desperation. It’s not so much that Jonah cared about the plant. It was more the loss of comfort the plant provided. Then, God demonstrated the folly of Jonah’s anger. He said if Jonah was angry over the loss of comfort from a random plant that died, should not God be more concerned about 120,000 people who don’t know right and wrong and the many animals in Nineveh as well? When God referred to the 120,000 people who didn’t know right from wrong, some believe he was referring to children. If so, Nineveh probably had around 600,000 people altogether in the city (and possibly its metro area). If this is correct, the logic behind the question was though the parents deserved judgment, how about their innocent children? Shouldn’t God have mercy on them? Others believe God is simply referring to people who lack spiritual discernment. In their culture, what was wrong was right, and what was right was wrong. Everything was backwards, as it is in many cultures today (cf. Rom 1:32). When God referred to the animals, he was probably demonstrating how even they had more value than the plants, as they were beings. The implication was, “Shouldn’t Jonah be more concerned about the potential destruction of innocent children and animals than the loss of comfort from a shriveled plant?”

This is a hindrance for many believers: God has given us all the Great Commission to go and preach the gospel to all nations (Matt 28:18-20). However, for many, their greatest hindrance is their comfort. It’s uncomfortable being around people who speak a different language and have different cultural expectations. It’s hard to buy food and clothes, eat, and navigate society. Consequently, they feel no compulsion to go to these places, and if they are already there, they want to leave quickly. But the souls of those people are more important than our comforts. Many can’t do ministry to the needy because they can’t leave the comforts of home, family, and country. Though Jonah seems tone-deaf and hardened in this narrative, he represents much of the evangelical church. Comfort and materialism are more important to us than souls and God’s mission.

Likewise, there was a man in Luke 9:57 who approached Christ and said, “I will follow you wherever you go.” The parallel passage in Matthew 8:19 tells us he was a scribe (or teacher of the law). He was a devoted follower of Yahweh who meticulously copied Scripture and taught at the synagogues. In many ways, he was the ideal potential disciple; however, he had a major flaw. In response to the man, Christ, who knew his heart, simply said, “Foxes have dens and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (v. 58). Christ knew comfort and luxury were this man’s idols, which would hinder his desire to do the ministry. Essentially, Christ said to him, “Foxes have better homes than I do, and birds are more comfortable than me. Are you sure you want to be my disciple?” Likewise, we must recognize that the desire for comfort and luxuries can be a major hindrance to our ministry as well. It can keep us from doing God’s will, loving others, and serving them. When Abraham was called, he had no guarantee things would be more comfortable in Canaan after leaving his home in Mesopotamia. In fact, it wasn’t. There was a famine right when he got to the land (Gen 12). This caused him to leave the promised land and head to Egypt where he almost lost his wife to Pharaoh. His life in Mesopotamia and Egypt was more comfortable, but that wasn’t where God wanted Abraham to be. Canaan was. Likewise, we must be careful of our desires for comfort and luxuries. They are often hindrances to the work of ministry. In Luke 14:26-27, Christ said if we were going to be his disciples, we must hate our father, mother, wife, children, brother, sister, and even our own lives. We must be willing to take up our crosses—bearing all types of pain and discomfort—to be his disciples and do the ministries God calls us to.

Even though as disciples, we have all committed to take up our cross and offer our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord (Rom 12:1), including at times being inconvenienced and uncomfortable, we often jump off the cross and the altar. We are often shocked when following him leads us into a famine or removes our comfort. Like Abraham, we at times flee to Egypt, get mad at God, or doggedly cling to our comforts, rather than submit to God’s will. Often, God needs to rebuke us like Jonah and say, “Does your comfort matter more than the souls of all these people?”

We are not told how Jonah responded. The author leaves us with a cliff-hanger, which is probably meant to not only make us wonder about Jonah’s response but also look at our hearts. Do our comforts matter more to us than lost souls? Will we leave home, family, job, and comfort to reach people if God calls us to?

The good thing about this cliff-hanger is that if Jonah’s the author, which most believe, that implies he repented of his nationalistic pride which caused him to despise the Ninevites. He repented of his love of comfort more than the restoration of God’s creation. He repented, and so can we. God’s kingdom must be more important than our comfort and luxuries.

Application Question: Why are comfort and luxuries such hindrances to faithful ministry? How do you struggle with this temptation? How should we overcome it in order to fulfill God’s call on our lives?

Conclusion

The story of Jonah was meant to challenge the nation of Israel. They were called to be lights to the Gentiles, including those who hated and mistreated them as the Assyrians did. They were not called to simply have a holy huddle where they cared for themselves and looked down on others. They were called to reach out to the nations, so they could know Yahweh as well.

The church has the same mission, as it was given by Christ before he ascended into heaven. As mentioned, in Matthew 28:18-20, Christ said:

…All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Will we complete our mission? What are our hindrances to faithfully completing it? Jonah ministered to the Ninevites, but he was not faithful. He might be called effective because of the great revival, but he was not faithful. He preached but didn’t even desire for them to repent. When they started changing, he didn’t stay to disciple them. He became mad at God for forgiving them and hoped that God would change his mind and judge them. His ministry was effective, but it was not faithful. It was not pleasing to God, and certainly, God couldn’t use Jonah as much as he would have liked until he got rid of the hindrances in his heart like pride, selfishness, anger, love of comfort, and nationalism.

What are hindrances to faithful ministry that we must be careful of?

1. A Hindrance to Faithful Ministry Is Uncontrolled Negative Emotions, Including Anger, Self-pity, and a Hopeless Spirit
2. A Hindrance to Faithful Ministry Is a Selective and Twisted View of Scripture
3. A Hindrance to Faithful Ministry Is an Idolatrous Focus on Comfort (and Wealth)

Application Question: What hindrance to faithful ministry stood out most and why? What are other hindrances to ministry? What hindrance (or hindrances) do you struggle with most and how is God calling you to work on them?

Prayer Prompts

• Pray for God to give us a sound mind through his Spirit and deliver us from uncontrolled thoughts and emotions—anger, self-pity, hopelessness, depression, lust, etc.—which hinder our ministry to God and others.
• Pray for God to teach us his Word and deliver us from unbiblical views about him, others, and ourselves.
• Pray for God to increase our love for him and others so we can do the work of evangelism and discipleship, and also pray that God will forgive us for not loving him and others as we should.
• Pray for God to teach us contentment and deliver us from the idols of wealth and comfort so we can serve him and others better.

Copyright © 2023 Gregory Brown

Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the NET Bible ® copyright © 1996-2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

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Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added.

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Writing is one of the best ways to learn. In class, we take notes and write papers, and all these methods are used to help us learn and retain the material. The same is true with the Word of God. Obviously, all of the authors of Scripture were writers. This helped them better learn the Scriptures and also enabled them to more effectively teach it. In studying God’s Word with the Bible Teacher’s Guide, take time to write so you can similarly grow both in your learning and teaching.

1. How would you summarize the main points of the text/chapter? Write a brief summary.
2. What stood out to you most in the reading? Did any of the contents trigger any memories or experiences? If so, please share them.
3. What follow–up questions do you have about the reading? Are there parts you do not fully agree with?
4. What applications did you take from the reading, and how do you plan to implement them in your life?
5. Write several goals: As a result of my time studying God’s Word, I aspire to . . .
6. What are some practical ways to pray as a result of studying the text? Spend some time in prayer.

Copyright © 2023 Gregory Brown

BTG Publishing all rights reserved.