Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 0021B recorded on February 11, 1979 teaching from Jonah 1 – How Does God Speak? – Minor Prophets.
Pastor Cyril A. Stevens explores the divine communication and inescapable sovereignty of God through the narrative of the first chapter of Jonah. He emphasizes that while God speaks through diverse means—including circumstances and the influence of others—His commands inherently demand immediate action and provide the necessary enabling grace for obedience. Stevens contrasts Jonah’s attempt to flee toward Tarshish with the futility of human resistance, suggesting that God uses external storms and internal nudges to direct individuals back to His path. Ultimately, Pastor Stevens rejects the notion of a “permissive will,” arguing instead that there is only a perfect will which believers must embrace by setting aside their own prideful deviations. Through the illustration of the prepared great fish, the text highlights that God has already equipped every step of a person’s journey, inviting a life of responsive submission to His gentle guidance.