Jonah 3:1-10

The Gift of Preaching (vv. 1-2)

The preaching of the word of God is a precious gift that God has given to humanity, but all the effectiveness is of God alone - this is not just some thing we do for tradition’s sake

The frailty of the messenger - Jonah was deeply flawed, as is everyone sent to preach the Word of God (Jon. 1:7-10; 4:1-4, 8-9) -> This is not where the effectiveness lies

The frailty of the audience - Nineveh is used synonymous with evil in scripture (known to impale, dismember, decapitate, and disfigure defeated people; also made Judaean slaves attack their kinsmen)

God’s greatest enemy, yet they were extended the mercy of that very God

The sovereignty of the message - the message of the gospel delivered through something so foolish (1 Cor. 1:17-25) -> listen up!

The sanctity of the message (2 Cor. 2:14-17) - in sincerity, from God and in the sight of God in Christ

The power of the message (Rom. 5:1-11) - from enemies to friends by faith through grace

The Message (vv. 3-4)

Urgency of the message - Judgement was coming fast and on God’s schedule, not Nineveh’s -> we march to the beat of God’s drum, not ours (Is. 55:6-7)

Goal of the message - not a prediction, but a warning -> God seeks to humiliate you, that he may draw you to himself (Hosea 2:9-15)

Nineveh's and God’s Response (vv. 5-10)

Nineveh’s response

Believe God - the message is not up for debate, but a matter of fact -> don’t be confused, believe (Jn. 3:7-8, 14-18)

Repent - genuine faith produces repentance (obviously seen in the example of Nineveh) -> this is an urgently serious matter

God’s response

Mercy - beautiful circle in v. 10 showing that God delight’s in mercy (Mic. 7:18-20)