Jonah Ran | Pastor Mark Pearce

What happens when God’s mercy collides with our prejudice?

In this message, we walk through all four chapters of the Book of Jonah and uncover a story far deeper than a man and a fish. Jonah is not a children’s tale—it’s a gritty, uncomfortable account of a prophet whose heart was out of sync with God’s compassion.

At its core, Jonah reveals the tension between human judgment and God’s relentless grace. Jonah didn’t run because he doubted God—he ran because he knew God would forgive the people he believed deserved judgment. Through storms, a great fish, and a second chance, God exposes Jonah’s heart while showing us the radical nature of the Gospel.

This sermon challenges us to ask a difficult question: Who is your Nineveh? The person, group, or situation you believe is beyond redemption may be the very place God wants to display His mercy.

From Jonah’s rebellion to Nineveh’s repentance, and ultimately to Jesus—the greater Jonah—we see that God’s grace is not earned, negotiated, or deserved. It is freely given, even to those we least expect.

In this message, you’ll discover:

Why God’s grace often offends our sense of fairness

How God uses storms and detours as acts of mercy

What it means to serve a God of second chances

The difference between natural human logic and Gospel logic

Why the Gospel moves us from justice for others to mercy at the cross

If you’ve ever struggled to love difficult people, wrestled with obedience, or felt disqualified by failure, this message is for you. God’s mercy reaches deeper than our rebellion—and His grace is more relentless than our resistance.

Scripture references include:

Jonah 1–4 • Matthew 12:40 • Romans 5:8 • Ephesians 2 • Colossians 2 • 1 Corinthians 1:18