Grace to Wake Up (Jonah 1:5-6)

1. When Storms Come, Where Do We Turn?“They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.” (Psalm 107:27)When life spins out of control, do we first cry out in panic, or do we trust the God who controls the storm?2. What “Natural Religions” Compete for Our Worship?“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them… so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19, 20)Have we replaced the worship of the true God with idols like career, sports, money, or entertainment?3. Are We Relying on a God Who Cannot Save?“They have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.” (Isaiah 45:20)Are there areas in our lives where we are putting our hope in powerless substitutes instead of the living God?4. Do We Only Pray Out of Fear, or Also Out of Faith?“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)When we pray, is it only when we are afraid—or is prayer a consistent expression of trust in our loving Father?5. Has Our Conscience Become Dull or Seared?“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:2)Are we sensitive to the Spirit’s conviction, or have we become comfortable with sin and spiritually asleep like Jonah?6. Are We Spiritually Asleep While Others Perish?“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34)Do we ignore the lostness and needs around us while remaining indifferent to their eternal destiny?7. Do We Live With a Sense of Urgency?“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11)Are we awake to the reality that Christ’s return is nearer than ever, or are we wasting our lives in distractions?8. Have Unbelievers Put Us to Shame by Their Urgency?“So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.” (Jonah 1:6)Have non-Christians ever shown more desperation for truth or prayer than we have in our walk with God?9. Are We Using the Resources of Our Faith to Help Others?“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.” (1 Peter 4:17)Instead of complaining about culture, are we actively praying, witnessing, and serving in ways that point people to Christ?10. How Will We Wake Up Spiritually This Week?“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:12)What specific step can we take this week to move from spiritual slumber to active faith and prayer—so God’s grace will be displayed through us?