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Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet

What comes to mind when you think of the story of Jonah?

Most imagine a big whale swallowing a wayward prophet, but there’s so much more. Jonah single-handedly ignited the greatest revival in history with what may be the shortest sermon in history . . . and then he pouted about it!

Hatred had blurred Jonah’s vision of his enemies so that he couldn’t see them as God saw them. He knew God’s words, but he didn’t know God’s heart.

In this nine-part series, Chuck Swindoll will shine a light on Jonah’s prejudices, teaching life-changing lessons about God’s compassion for all people. From Jonah, we learn that to see the world as God sees it, we need more than good eyesight. We need divine heart-sight.

Series Title: Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet
Total Messages: 9
Preacher: Chuck Swindoll

Message 1: Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet

  • Scripture References: Jonah 1:1–3 (Series Introduction)
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • Introduction to Jonah: Sets the stage for the book, introducing Jonah not just as a prophet but as a complex man with deep prejudices.
    • The Impossible Run: Explores the theological impossibility of running from God versus the discovery of running with God.
    • Context: Provides a “bird’s-eye view” of the book, establishing the themes of God’s sovereignty, mercy, and the reluctance of His messenger.
    • Application: Challenges listeners to examine their own willingness to obey God’s difficult commands.

Message 2: Resistance of a Racist Rebel

  • Scripture References: Jonah 1:1–12
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • The Call: God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, a brutal enemy of Israel.
    • The Rebellion: Jonah immediately flees in the opposite direction to Tarshish (modern-day Spain), driven by his hatred and racism toward the Ninevites.
    • The Pursuit: God sends a violent storm to intercept the ship.
    • The Revelation: Jonah is identified as the cause of the storm; his disobedience endangers the lives of the pagan sailors, highlighting the consequences of rebelling against God.

Message 3: Prayers Onboard—Prophet Overboard

  • Scripture References: Jonah 1:9–17
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • The Sailors’ Fear: The pagan sailors pray to their gods while Jonah sleeps; eventually, they are forced to confront the reality of Jonah’s God.
    • Jonah’s Admission: Jonah confesses he is a Hebrew who fears the Lord, the God of heaven, yet he is running from Him.
    • The Sacrifice: At Jonah’s own suggestion, the sailors throw him overboard to calm the sea.
    • Divine Rescue: The storm ceases immediately, leading the sailors to fear the Lord. God appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, preserving his life.

Message 4: Finally . . . Jonah Connects the Dots

  • Scripture References: Jonah 2:1–10
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • The Prayer from the Deep: From the belly of the fish, Jonah offers a prayer of thanksgiving and acknowledgement of God’s power.
    • Repentance (Sort of): Jonah recognizes that “salvation is from the Lord” but focuses largely on his own deliverance rather than the Ninevites’ need.
    • The Release: After three days and three nights, God commands the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land.
    • Lesson: Teaches that God answers prayer even from the most desperate and distant places.

Message 5: God of the Second Chance

  • Scripture References: Jonah 3:1–4
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • The Re-Commission: “The word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time.” God graciously gives Jonah another opportunity to obey.
    • Obedience: Jonah goes to Nineveh, a massive city, and delivers God’s message.
    • The Message: It is a short, stark sermon of judgment: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”
    • Theme: Highlights God’s patience with His servants and His persistence in accomplishing His will.

Message 6: Proclamation, Transformation, Compassion

  • Scripture References: Jonah 3:5–10
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • The Revival: The people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, believe God and repent.
    • National Repentance: The King of Nineveh issues a decree for fasting and wearing sackcloth, calling for everyone to turn from their evil and violence.
    • God’s Response: Seeing their genuine repentance, God relents and does not bring the threatened destruction.
    • Miracle: Describes the greatest revival in history, sparked by a reluctant prophet’s brief sermon.

Message 7: The Grumblings of an Angry Prophet

  • Scripture References: Jonah 3:10–4:5
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • Jonah’s Anger: Instead of rejoicing at the city’s salvation, Jonah is furious that God showed mercy to Israel’s enemies.
    • The Prayer of Complaint: Jonah prays again, admitting he fled originally because he knew God was “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
    • The Pout: Jonah goes out of the city, builds a shelter, and waits to see if God will destroy the city after all.
    • Contrast: Contrasts God’s heart of compassion with Jonah’s heart of prejudice.

Message 8: Ticked Off to the Bitter End

  • Scripture References: Jonah 4:6–11
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • The Object Lesson: God appoints a plant to provide shade for Jonah (comfort), then a worm to kill it (discomfort), and a scorching wind (distress).
    • Jonah’s Rage: Jonah becomes angry enough to die over the loss of the plant.
    • God’s Rebuke: God questions Jonah’s right to be angry about a plant he didn’t grow, while having no pity for Nineveh, a city with 120,000 people who “do not know their right hand from their left.”
    • Ending: The book ends abruptly with God’s question, leaving Jonah (and the reader) to ponder the depth of God’s mercy.

Message 9: Lessons Learned from a Stubborn Preacher

  • Scripture References: Jonah (Book Overview/Conclusion)
  • Key Facts & Overview:
    • Review: A retrospective on the entire journey of Jonah, summarizing the major lessons of the series.
    • God’s Sovereignty: Reaffirms that God is in control of the storm, the fish, the plant, the worm, and the hearts of men.
    • Prejudice vs. Grace: Confronts the lingering issue of racism and exclusivity in the hearts of believers.
    • Final Challenge: Encourages listeners to align their hearts with God’s, showing compassion to those they might naturally despise or avoid.

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The Best of 2019

Messages that inspire you to keep going are the ones that settle into your soul and resonate. Five of Chuck Swindoll’s most impactful messages in 2019 surely fit the bill. These five popular Insight for Living titles from this year will:

  • Spark an attitude of fortitude during tough times
  • Convince you that God’s grace provides a brand-new start after failure
  • Renew your commitment to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission

. . . and more! If you missed these teachings the first time around, give your walk with God a boost by taking them in now.


The messages that truly resonate are those that settle into the soul and inspire a believer to keep moving forward. The Best of 2019 is a compilation of five of Chuck Swindoll’s most popular and impactful teachings from the broadcast year. This series is designed to give your walk with God a boost by addressing the “messy” realities of life with biblical clarity. From finding the courage to persevere during trials to embracing the beauty of a second chance after failure, these messages represent the heart of Insight for Living’s mission: to communicate God’s truth in a practical, life-changing way.

The Charming Joy of Grace Giving

Sermon Summary While most Christians understand the value of living by grace, many struggle to apply that same grace to their finances. This message explores the “bountiful freedom” that arises when grace prompts our giving. Chuck explains that true generosity is not a result of legalistic pressure but a joyful response to the grace we have already received. When grace is cultivated in our hearts, our giving becomes a “charming joy” rather than a chore.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Bountiful Abundance: Understanding that grace-driven giving leads to spiritual fruitfulness.
  • Relationship Focus: How grace in giving strengthens our connection with God and others.

Primary Scripture Reference

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6–15

The Secret: An Attitude of Fortitude

Sermon Summary What is the “secret” to standing strong when the walls are closing in? This message identifies the essential quality of fortitude. Chuck discusses the mental and spiritual toughness required to stay the course when trials become intense. We learn that fortitude is not about our own strength, but about a stubborn reliance on God’s promises. This attitude allows a believer to remain steady and courageous even when others are giving up.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Spiritual Toughness: Developing the internal strength to endure long-term trials.
  • Fortitude over Fear: How a different spirit allows us to see opportunities where others see obstacles.

God of the Second Chance

Sermon Summary Failure often feels final, but in God’s economy, it is frequently the threshold of a new beginning. This message explores the heart of a God who specializes in restorations. Whether the failure was public or private, Chuck reminds us that grace provides a brand-new start. By looking at biblical examples of those who failed and were reinstated, we find the courage to get back up and press on, knowing our past does not disqualify us from God’s future.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Restorative Grace: Why God is more interested in our future than our past failures.
  • New Beginnings: Overcoming the shame that hinders spiritual progress.

Hanging Tough Together . . . and Loving It

Sermon Summary Faith was never meant to be a solo sport. This message highlights the vital importance of community and mutual encouragement. Chuck discusses the joy and strength found in “hanging tough” with fellow believers during difficult seasons. We learn that when we share each other’s burdens and celebrate each other’s victories, we don’t just survive the race—we actually enjoy the journey.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Power of Community: Why isolation is the enemy of perseverance.
  • Mutual Encouragement: Finding joy in the shared struggle of the Christian walk.

Renewing Your Commitment to the Great Commission

Sermon Summary The series concludes with a call to look outward. Fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission is the ultimate purpose of the church. Chuck encourages us to renew our commitment to reaching the lost, whether that means going across the world or across the street. We are reminded that every believer has a role to play in God’s global plan, and there is no greater thrill than seeing another soul come to know Jesus.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Mission Mandate: Re-centering our lives around Christ’s final command.
  • Personal Evangelism: Finding your unique part in spreading the Good News.

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God Knows What He’s About

When we consider the vastness of the universe, much less the seven billion souls inhabiting our planet, we can struggle to believe that God cares about our circumstances.

We can trust that God knows us, and His plans are woven in the fabric of our everyday lives. By studying the prophet Jonah and Saul of Tarsus,  we will learn that even when we doubt, rebel, and display our weakness of pride, God knows what He’s about. His plans will not be thwarted.


In this five-part holiday series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the unshakable certainty of God’s sovereignty. Whether through the precise fulfillment of ancient prophecies or the dramatic transformation of a stubborn heart, these messages demonstrate that God is never surprised and never sidelined. By looking at the lives of Mary, Jonah, and Saul of Tarsus, we see that God’s plans are woven into the fabric of history and our individual lives, reminding us that even in chaos, He knows exactly what He is about.

1. God Keeps His Promises (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Micah 5:2)

  • Overview: Examines the staggering accuracy of Messianic prophecies. It establishes that if God kept His word regarding the first coming of Christ, we can be certain He will keep every other promise in Scripture.
  • Key Fact: Prophecies about Christ’s birth were given hundreds of years in advance, pinpointing the lineage, the nature of the birth, and the specific location (Bethlehem).
  • Scripture: Micah 5:2 – “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.”

2. God Chooses His Servants (Luke 1:26–38)

  • Overview: Focuses on the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary. It highlights God’s tendency to choose the obscure and the humble to fulfill His greatest purposes.
  • Key Fact: Mary’s response (“Behold, the bondslave of the Lord”) is the ultimate model of availability and trust in God’s sovereign plan.
  • Scripture: Luke 1:38 – “And Mary said, ‘Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.'”

3. God Sends His Son (Luke 2:1–20)

  • Overview: A Christmas message detailing the “quiet entry” of the Savior. It explores how God used a Roman census and a pagan emperor to ensure the Messiah was born exactly where prophecy predicted.
  • Key Fact: The “fullness of time” included the perfect political and social conditions for the arrival of the King of kings.
  • Scripture: Luke 2:7 – “And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger.”

4. God Bends a Stubborn Will (Jonah 1–4)

  • Overview: Traces the reluctant journey of Jonah. It illustrates that while we can run from God’s call, we cannot outrun His reach or His determination to accomplish His mission.
  • Key Fact: God is more interested in the transformation of His servant than just the delivery of a message to Nineveh.
  • Scripture: Jonah 2:9 – “Salvation is from the Lord.”

5. God Humbles a Proud Heart (Acts 9:1–19)

  • Overview: The dramatic conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. This message proves that no heart is too hard for God to break and no past is too dark for God to redeem.
  • Key Fact: Saul went from “breathing threats and murder” to being a “chosen instrument” to carry God’s name before kings and Gentiles.
  • Scripture: Acts 9:15 – “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings.”

Common Questions: God Knows What He’s About

1. How can I trust God’s plan when my life feels out of control? As Pastor Chuck explains in “God Keeps His Promises,” our trust is based on God’s track record. When we see how He managed the complex details of Christ’s birth through multiple world empires and centuries of time, we can rest knowing He is equally capable of managing the details of our lives today.

2. Why does God often choose “ordinary” people for extraordinary tasks? In “God Chooses His Servants,” it is noted that God chooses the humble so that His power—not human talent—gets the glory. Like Mary, our greatest “qualification” is our willingness to be available for whatever He asks.

3. Does God still “bend” wills like He did with Jonah? Yes. In “God Bends a Stubborn Will,” the series teaches that God’s “severe mercy” often involves allowing us to reach the end of ourselves (the “belly of the whale”) so that we finally look to Him. His “bending” is always an act of love to bring us back to His purpose.

4. What can the conversion of Saul teach us about difficult people in our lives? The message “God Humbles a Proud Heart” reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. If God could transform the church’s greatest persecutor into its greatest apostle, He can reach the most “impossible” person in your life.

5. How does the “sovereignty of God” help with New Year’s anxiety? The series conclusion emphasizes that because “God knows what He’s about,” we don’t have to know every detail of the future. We can enter a new year with confidence, not because we know what the year holds, but because we know who holds the year.

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God’s Masterwork, Volume Four

It’s time to open a section of your Bible that rarely sees the light of day.

Many people who read the Old Testament finish Daniel and skip over the next twelve books on their way to the New Testament. What a loss! The Minor Prophets deal with some major life issues: adultery, grudges, pride, disobedience, and injustice—just to name a few! When sin clouds your vision and you’re in need of a clear perspective, these lesser-known prophets offer a wealth of wisdom. In this fourth volume of the God’s Masterwork Series, Chuck Swindoll explains the practical, and often overlooked, applications found in the Minor Prophets.


In this fourth volume of the God’s Masterwork series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll guides us through the twelve “Minor Prophets” (Hosea through Malachi). While these books are shorter in length than the Major Prophets, their messages are of major importance. They address a spectrum of human struggle—from betrayal and pride to injustice and spiritual apathy—all while extending God’s persistent invitation for His people to return to Him.

1. Hosea: Love That Never Dies

  • Overview: The heartbreaking story of Hosea’s marriage to an unfaithful wife serves as a living illustration of God’s relentless love for His wayward people.
  • Key Fact: Hosea’s message demonstrates that God’s love is not based on our performance, but on His own character and covenant.
  • Scripture: Hosea 3:1 – “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel.”

2. Joel: Preparing for the Day of the Lord

  • Overview: Uses a devastating locust plague to warn of the coming “Day of the Lord,” calling for a sincere, internal repentance rather than mere outward ritual.
  • Key Fact: Joel provides a glimpse of the future outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which was later quoted by Peter on the Day of Pentecost.
  • Scripture: Joel 2:13 – “And rend your heart and not your garments. Now return to the Lord your God.”

3. Amos: From Fig-Picker to Prophet-Preacher

  • Overview: A rugged shepherd from Judah travels north to confront the wealthy and powerful in Israel who were exploiting the poor and maintaining a hollow religious life.
  • Key Fact: Amos teaches that true worship is inseparable from social justice and personal integrity.
  • Scripture: Amos 5:24 – “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

4. Obadiah: Strong Warning to the Proud

  • Overview: The shortest book in the Old Testament, delivering a focused message of judgment against Edom for their pride and their mistreatment of their “brother” Israel.
  • Key Fact: Obadiah warns that God will not overlook those who gloat over the misfortune of others or rely on their own perceived security.
  • Scripture: Obadiah 1:3 – “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you… you who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the earth?'”

5. Jonah: The Prodigal Prophet

  • Overview: The famous account of a reluctant missionary who tried to run from God’s call, illustrating God’s vast mercy toward even the most “unworthy” nations.
  • Key Fact: Jonah’s story shows that God is more interested in the heart of His messenger than just the completion of the mission.
  • Scripture: Jonah 4:2 – “I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness.”

6. Micah: Advocate for the Poor

  • Overview: Contrasts the corruption of the leadership in Jerusalem with God’s simple requirements for a life well-lived.
  • Key Fact: Micah contains the specific prophecy that the Messiah would be born in the obscure town of Bethlehem.
  • Scripture: Micah 6:8 – “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

7. Nahum: The Consequences of Negligence

  • Overview: A “sequel” to Jonah, written 150 years later, announcing the final judgment on Nineveh after they returned to their cruel and wicked ways.
  • Key Fact: Nahum reminds us that while God is slow to anger, He will not leave the guilty unpunished if they persistently reject His mercy.
  • Scripture: Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.”

8. Habakkuk: Wrestling, Waiting, Praying, Praising

  • Overview: A unique dialogue where a prophet questions God’s use of a wicked nation to discipline His people, eventually moving from doubt to a song of absolute trust.
  • Key Fact: Habakkuk teaches that even when we don’t understand God’s methods, we can rest in His character.
  • Scripture: Habakkuk 2:4 – “But the righteous will live by his faith.”

9. Zephaniah: Bright Light in a Dark Day

  • Overview: A sobering announcement of universal judgment that concludes with a beautiful promise of God’s presence and a song of restoration.
  • Key Fact: Zephaniah reveals a God who not only judges sin but also “exults over” His redeemed people with joy and singing.
  • Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17 – “The Lord your God is in your midst… He will exult over you with joy… He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

10. Haggai: Persuasive Prophet of Priorities

  • Overview: A practical, direct challenge to the returned exiles who had prioritized their own paneled houses while the Temple of God lay in ruins.
  • Key Fact: Haggai shows that a lack of spiritual priority leads to a life of “dissatisfaction” and missed blessings.
  • Scripture: Haggai 1:5 – “Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Consider your ways!'”

11. Zechariah: Man of Vision and Faith

  • Overview: Uses a series of eight complex visions to encourage the remnant to finish the work of the Temple, pointing toward the future coming of the Messiah-King.
  • Key Fact: Zechariah contains more specific prophecies about Christ’s first and second comings than any other Minor Prophet.
  • Scripture: Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

12. Malachi: Last Call before Silence

  • Overview: The final message before 400 years of prophetic silence, confronting a people who had become bored with God and casual with their worship and relationships.
  • Key Fact: Malachi warns that God keeps a “book of remembrance” for those who fear Him and esteem His name.
  • Scripture: Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me.”

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