Sermon Series Blog: Fight the Right Fight
Fight: Finding God's Purpose in the Story of Jonah
Introduction: Running Away and the Wrong Fights
Have you ever found yourself fighting the wrong battle? Maybe it's a cause that seemed important in the moment, or a struggle that felt significant but led nowhere. We've all been there—facing situations where we realized we were expending our energy in the wrong direction.
Today, I want to talk about fighting the right fight. It's a lesson I learned growing up, often the hard way, as I tussled with my older siblings, Joel and Samara. With Joel, it was usually an annoying little brother move that led to a classic showdown—his line was always the same: “Do that one more time and see what happens.” Inevitably, I did, and just as inevitably, I lost. With Samara, it was a battle of wits, and she always had the sharper words. I was fighting the wrong fights.
And that’s what I see when I read the story of Jonah—a man who also fought the wrong fight.
The Wrong Fight: Jonah's Story
Jonah was a prophet called by God to preach to Nineveh, a city notorious for its wickedness. Jonah’s mission was clear: deliver a message of warning to a people he believed didn’t deserve a second chance. Rather than obey, he fled in the opposite direction, boarding a ship to escape God’s command. Jonah wasn't afraid—he was angry. He didn't want Nineveh to repent; he wanted them to face judgment. In his eyes, they didn’t deserve mercy.
Jonah wasn’t just running away; he was fighting God. And when you’re battling the wrong enemy, things usually get worse. In Jonah’s case, it meant a violent storm and, ultimately, being thrown overboard and swallowed by a giant fish. It was only then, in the belly of the fish, that Jonah realized he had been fighting the wrong fight.
God’s Call: Fighting the Right Fight
Jonah’s story is about more than disobedience; it’s about realigning our hearts to fight the battles God wants us to fight. Jonah thought he was fighting for justice, but his version of justice was limited by his own understanding. God’s justice is rooted in grace and mercy—even for those who seem least deserving.
Like Jonah, we’re often tempted to focus on our own sense of right and wrong, fighting for causes that might look good on the outside but don’t align with God’s purpose for our lives. It’s easy to get caught up in cultural battles, politics, or personal agendas and lose sight of God’s greater calling. The challenge is to fight the right fight—to prioritize God’s call over everything else.
What Does It Mean to Fight the Right Fight?
Here are a few key takeaways from Jonah’s journey that can help us realign our lives with God’s purpose:
1. Obey God’s Call Even When It’s Hard
Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh because it was uncomfortable, even unthinkable, to offer grace to people he saw as enemies. Sometimes, God’s call pushes us beyond our comfort zones, asking us to extend love and mercy where we’d rather not. The right fight isn’t always the easy one, but it’s the one God is leading us to.
2. Put God's Purpose Above Personal Agendas
In our world, we’re encouraged to chase success, comfort, and personal fulfillment. Jonah had his own agenda—he wanted Nineveh to face consequences, not redemption. But God’s call was about salvation, not destruction. Are we willing to set aside our preferences, plans, and pride to follow what God has for us?
3. God’s Grace Is for Everyone
The story of Jonah reminds us that God’s grace knows no bounds. Nineveh’s repentance shows that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love. It’s a challenge for us to extend grace and forgiveness to those who might seem undeserving in our eyes. Fighting the right fight means advocating for God’s love and mercy, not holding onto grudges or our own sense of justice.
God’s Miraculous Power: A Reminder to Keep Trusting
The book of Jonah is also a testament to God’s miraculous power:
God sent a storm to get Jonah’s attention.
He calmed the sea once Jonah was thrown overboard.
He provided a fish to save Jonah’s life.
He moved the hearts of an entire city to repentance.
When we align with God’s purpose, He can work through us in extraordinary ways. His power is greater than any obstacle or personal limitation we face. Jonah's story shows that it's not about our abilities—it's about our willingness to be faithful.
Conclusion: Fight the Right Fight
So, what battle are you fighting today? Are you struggling against God’s call, or are you willing to surrender to His purpose? Are you putting culture, personal agendas, or comfort ahead of what God is asking you to do?
Let’s Commit to the Right Fight:
Follow God’s call, even when it’s challenging.
Trust in God’s justice and mercy, even when it doesn’t make sense.
Believe in the power of God’s grace to transform lives—even those we might see as unworthy.
Remember, Church: It’s Not About Us
It's not about our power or abilities; it's about being faithful. It's about trusting that God’s plan is bigger and better than our own. Let’s fight the right fight, and allow God to use us in ways we never thought possible.
