Sermon: Jonah versus God

Sermon for Romsey/Lancefield

Epiphany 3, 22^nd of January, 2012

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Normally, on days when we have a baptism, I preach a sermon that says something about what we believe happens in baptism. I’m not going to do that today. Later this morning, we’re going to commission Jay Brooks as a lay preacher, so I could take this time to say something about the ministries to which all Christians are called, of which preaching is one. I’m not going to do that either. Because today the lectionary gives us what I think is the only reading from the Book of Jonah that we get in the entire three year cycle, and the Book of Jonah is so awesome, and so hilarious, that I want to talk about it. We’re only given six verses in the lectionary, but I’m going to take you through the entire book. So, sit back and relax.