A Fresh Start

A Fresh Start

Jonah 3:1-4

I. You Must Be Willing to Accept Responsibility for Your Previous Actions (Jonah 1:7-12)

a. Acknowledge the wrong you have done (v. 10; 1 John 1:8-10)

b. Understand the consequences of your sin (v. 12; Luke 12:47-48)

II. You Must Be Willing to Humble Yourself (Jonah 2:1-10)

a. Go to God only (v. 2-4; Mark 10:18; Isaiah 37:15-16; Luke 5:21; Psalm 62:1)

b. Renew your commitment to Him (v. 7-9)

i. Complete return to prayer (v. 7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

ii. Complete return to worship of God (v. 8-9)

1. Forsaking all other “gods” (v. 8; Jeremiah 25:6)

2. Thankfully praising God (v. 9; 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

III. You Must Be Willing to Obey God’s Command (Jonah 3:1-4)

a. Move when He commands (v. 2-3)

b. Go to where He tells you (v. 3)

c. Do what He commands you (v. 4; 1 Samuel 15:22)

REFERENCE

1 John 1:8-10—8(A)If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the (B)truth is not in us. 9(C)If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and (D)to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10(E)If we say that we have not sinned, we (F)make Him a liar and (G)His word is not in us.

Luke 12:47-48—47"And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will (A)receive many lashes, 48but the one who did not (B)know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few (C)From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Mark 10:18—18And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

Isaiah 37:15-16—15Hezekiah prayed to the LORD saying, 16"O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, (A)who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the (B)God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth (C)You have made heaven and earth.

Luke 5:21—21The scribes and the Pharisees (A)began to reason, saying, "(B)Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? (C)Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

Psalm 62:1—1(A)My soul waits in silence for God only;

From Him (B)is my salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:17—17(A)pray without ceasing;

Jeremiah 25:6—6and (A)do not go after other gods to serve them and to worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands, and I will do you no harm.’

1 Thessalonians 5:18—18in everything (A)give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Samuel 15:22—22Samuel said,

"(A)Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

As in obeying the voice of the LORD?

Behold, (B)to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to heed than the fat of rams.