Meltdown: Running from Your Nineveh

Running From Your Nineveh

Meltdown: God’s Response When We Lose It

February 9, 2025

Dr. Clayton Chisum

1. Regardless of your , you can’t .

Isaiah 53:6 NLT

We run from God because we think we’re right. We have great plans for both our lives and for God to support our self-seeking efforts.

Acts 17:27 NLT

Luke 19:10 NLT

Maybe today is the beginning of your fish story – God’s rescue from your running.

John 3:4 NLT

2. When you give him , God does the .

God wants your empty hands, but he won’t leave you empty-handed. God will do the work.

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

This is your Nineveh. It may be across the world or across your living room, but there’s a clear and undeniable call to go.

As a church, we must have the attitude of being sent, not served. This moment is not about us, but rather mobilizing for the mission of God on our lives.

Romans 1:16 NLT

Jonah 4:1-2 NLT

Jonah 4:8-9 NLT

This was Jonah’s meltdown. He thought he was better, smarter, and more righteous than God. And the sad reality is, sometimes we do too.

Jonah 4:10 NLT

Jonah 4:11 NLT

3. Even when you can’t see , you can trust .

Matthew 28:20 NLT

The story of Jonah isn’t just a fairy tale. It’s a melted mirror revealing our own selfish character.

What has God called you to do that you’ve been running from?

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways have you experienced running from your own “Nineveh”? Can you share a specific instance where you felt resistant to God’s calling?
2. The sermon mentions that regardless of our head start, we can’t outrun God. How does this concept encourage or challenge you in your spiritual life?
3. What does it mean for you to offer God “open hands”? How can embracing this idea of being obediently available change the way you approach God’s calls in your life?
4. The sermon discusses the fear of evangelism and the challenges some face in sharing their faith. What fears have you encountered in sharing your faith, and how can you overcome them?
5. Reflect on the statement about God’s heart for the people in spiritual darkness (Jonah 4:11). How can we develop a similar compassion for those around us who may not know Christ?
6. Jonah experienced disappointment when God spared Nineveh. Have you ever felt similarly when God’s actions didn’t align with your expectations? How did you navigate that experience?
7. How can we learn to trust God’s heart, especially during times when we don’t understand His reasons for our circumstances?
8. Considering the message to “go and make disciples,” what are some practical ways you can respond to God’s call in your daily life this week?
9. How can your small group support each other in being sent, rather than served?