The God Of Second Chances Series

Jonah 3:1 (NLT)

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time:

Not Disqualified

• Jonah was invited to participate in God’s work

– Even though he had run

– Even though he had been disobedient

• Serving God is not based on our past achievements or failures

– Based on God’s grace

– Our repentance

– Our willingness to obey

Jonah 3:2 (NLT)

"Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message of judgment I have given you."

Delivering God’s Message

• Jonah was called to preach a specific message

– God’s message...not Jonah’s

• The message was judgment

– Not easy to preach

– Not popular

• The truth is not always popular

Jonah 3:3 (NLT)

This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.

A “God-Sized” Task

• The walls of the city of Nineveh would have held a population of approximately 175,000 people

– How would one man reach that many people?

• It would take 3 days to see the entire city

– Where would he even begin?

Jonah 3:4 (NLT)

On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: "Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!"

Nobody is Excluded

• Jonah proclaimed God’s message

– With boldness

– With passion

• Jonah was not audience selective

– Everyone he encountered heard

– No one was left out

• God’s message is for all people

Jonah 3:5 (NLT)

The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they decided to go without food and wear sackcloth to show their sorrow.

Ready to Receive

• The people of Nineveh were receptive to Jonah’s message and responded

– The timing of the message was perfect

– The hearts of the people were ready

• God is constantly preparing the hearts of people

– When we proclaim God’s message, we have to trust that the timing is right

Jonah 3:6-8 (NLT)

When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in sackcloth and sat on a heap of ashes. [7] Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: "No one, not even the animals, may eat or drink anything at all. [8] Everyone is required to wear sackcloth and pray earnestly to God. Everyone must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence.

People of Influence

• Jonah’s message reached the King

– His heart was stirred

– He influenced his leaders

– The city was called to repentance

• God may use you to reach those who will reach multitudes

– Never view your calling as insignificant or futile

Jonah 3:9 (NLT)

Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will have pity on us and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us."

The Hope of Repentance

• The “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a)

– Sin comes with a price

– Repentance is the only hope

• Acknowledgment of sin

• Turning from sin towards God

Jonah 3:10 (NLT)

When God saw that they had put a stop to their evil ways, he had mercy on them and didn’t carry out the destruction he had threatened.

God is Merciful

• God is not out for revenge

– He seeks repentance and correction

• God promised mercy to any nation that would repent

– Jeremiah 18:7-8

Jeremiah 18:7-8 (NLT)

If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, [8] but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned.

Key Truths

• God can use you in spite of your past failures

• Your faithfulness to God’s call will impact people, who in turn impact the lives of others

• Just as God forgave Jonah and the people of Nineveh, He will forgive you

**Powerpoint available on request