Rise Again - Aug. 6th, 2023

Text:Jonah 3:1-3 (KJV): 1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.

Central Idea of the Text (CIT): God gives Jonah a second chance, commanding him to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach the message the Lord has given him.

Proposition: God's call to repentance and second chances demands our obedience and urgency in proclaiming His message to those who need to hear it.

Statement of Purpose:

(1) Major Objective (MO): Evangelistic

(2) Specific Objective (SO): I want my hearers to respond to God's call for repentance in their lives and actively share His message of love, grace, and salvation with others.

Title (Topic/Name): “Rise Again: The God of Reinstatement” or, "Embracing God's Second Chance"

Pre-Introduction:

Good morning, beloved First Baptist Church family! What a wonderful privilege it is to gather together on this first Sunday morning of August, reflecting on the incredible summer we've had. We've experienced countless blessings, from the enriching fellowships, Bible camps, and moments of planning and dreaming for the future of our ministry. Our hearts have been stirred by the powerful testimonies from the field during missions reports and the uplifting music that edifies our spirits.

As we come together today, let's take a moment to praise God for His faithfulness through both joyful and challenging times. He has been our constant anchor, guiding us through moments of sorrow, grief, illnesses, and various challenges. Through it all, His unwavering love has sustained us, reminding us of His promise never to leave us nor forsake us.

Today, we have an exciting opportunity to dive into God's Word together. I invite you to take out your Bibles and turn to the passage we will explore today. We encourage you to follow along and engage with the Scriptures, allowing God's truth to penetrate our hearts and minds.

Parents, with your permission, we have an incredible Children's Ministry team prepared to welcome our young ones for a special Children's service. They will enjoy a time of learning and fun while we continue our study. If you'd like your children to participate, simply encourage them to join our Children's Ministry leaders in the back of the auditorium as we begin.

Let’s seek God's wisdom and guidance through His Word with open our hearts to what God has in store for us today.

Introduction:

Jonah 2:10–3:3 KJV 1900

10 And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. 1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.

Heavenly Father, as we stand before Your presence this morning, we humbly seek Your cleansing touch. Purify our hearts and minds, washing away any sin or hindrance that may stand in the way of Your Word. Empty us of self and fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit, that as we deliver this message, it may be Your voice speaking through us. May Your truth resonate in every heart and transform lives for Your glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

In the heart of the great Assyrian city of Nineveh, the prophet Jonah delivered a powerful message to its inhabitants.

Their problem was that the extreme wickedness and sinfulness that had reached a critical point, prompting God's judgment and warning through the His prophet Jonah.

The Ninevites faced imminent destruction due to their sinful ways, and in this dire situation, Jonah was urgently sent to deliver God's warning and offer them a chance to repent and turn to God.

The Ninevites' reputation for cruelty and wickedness had brought suffering to surrounding nations, and their culture steeped in idolatry and violence had led to hardened hearts and spiritual blindness.

Hence, a potent and immediate call to repentance was essential.

The emotional responses that rang throughout Nineveh would have ranged from fear and uncertainty to hope and relief at the prospect of being spared from destruction.

Some may have been convicted and moved to repentance, while others could have initially rejected the message.

This passage carries timeless relevance as it reveals the compassionate nature of God, who extends a second chance not only to a rebellious and sinful people like the Ninevites, but also to a wayward and chastened servant of the Lord.

Through Jonah's story, we encounter the God of Reinstatement, who calls for repentance and offers salvation to those who turn to Him wholeheartedly.

In contrast to Jonah's actions, the fish demonstrated obedience to God and regurgitated him onto the shore (Jon. 2:10).

The exact location of his landing remains uncertain, with possibilities including near Joppa or perhaps closer to Nineveh.

Following his ordeal in the fish's belly, it is reasonable to assume that Jonah sought to refresh himself with a much-needed bath.

Afterward, he might have considered going to Jerusalem to fulfill his vows.

The phrase "arise" and go could imply that Jonah had settled into a state of uncertainty or stagnation (as suggested by Pusey), awaiting further direction from God.

During this phase of his life, Jonah grappled with confusion, unsure if God had finished with him (1 Corinthians 9:27).

1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV 1900

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

However, contrary to such doubts, Jonah was about to encounter the grace of "the God of the second chance."

I. The Mighty Mercy of God

God's forgiveness and forgetting of our sins (Jon. 4:2; Heb. 8:12) demonstrate His immense mercy.

Jonah 4:2 KJV 1900

2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Hebrews 8:12 KJV 1900

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

However, this mercy is not weak, for it does not encourage us to continue in sin.

The Bible emphasizes that forgiveness is granted by God so that we may revere Him (Psalm 130:4).

Psalm 130:4 KJV 1900

4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared.

The forgiveness of God operates in three significant aspects:

A. Judicial Forgiveness deals with our righteousness before God.

As Christians, the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:9), ensuring we do not lose our salvation (John 10:28).

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:7 KJV 1900

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

John 10:28 KJV 1900

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Nonetheless, it calls us to recognize the gravity of sin, considering it as if we were crucifying the Son of God afresh (Hebrews 6:6), leading us to hate sin and turn away from it.

Hebrews 6:6 KJV 1900

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

B. Paternal (Fatherly) Forgiveness concerns our relationship with God.

Sin does not sever our status as God's children after salvation, but it does disrupt our fellowship with Him. When a Christian is forgiven, it does not mean he gains salvation again; instead, he experiences the joy of restoration (Psalm 51:12).

Psalm 51:12 KJV 1900

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.

C. Official Forgiveness involves the reinstatement of our role as children of God and servants in His kingdom.

Full restoration signifies that God trusts us once more with His work.

We are not merely meant to enjoy the blessings of forgiveness but also to actively engage in God's service.

Thus, forgiven individuals like David declare their commitment to teach transgressors God's ways (Psalm 51:13), while Peter, after being forgiven, receives the call to "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17).

Psalm 51:13 KJV 1900

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.

John 21:17 KJV 1900

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

II. The Precise Directive of God

God's forgiveness and reinstatement are not general or vague, but they are targeted and focused like an arrow hitting the exact point of our departure and return.

Jonah received a specific mandate from God, which also holds relevance for the Church today:

A. The Same Method: "Go."

Just as God's command to Jonah was to go, the Church is still commissioned with the same directive: "Go ye" (Matthew 28:18–20).

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Church is instructed to "go and tell."

Like when Jesus told Andrew, “Come and see,” Andrew went and shared the gospel with his brother, Peter, and “brought him unto Jesus.”

And when He, Jesus called to Philip, “Follow Me,” the very next thing Philip did was go find Nathanael, and shared the good news with him, and when he was skeptical about any good thing coming out of Nazareth, Philip urged him toward Jesus and said, “Come and see.”

John 1:35–49 KJV 1900

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. 43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

We are to “Go and tell” so they will “Come and see.”

In this digital age, personal interaction and visits still hold unparalleled value.

Revival within the Church is marked by the proclamation,

Luke 14:23 KJV 1900

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

B. The Same Mission: "Go ... to Nineveh."

The point of our departure is the same point of our return.

The place or situation where we deviated or strayed away is the exact place we need to come back to or return to.

The path to restoration and reconciliation often begins at the very point where we initially went astray or made a mistake.

In other words, to find our way back to the right path, we must retrace our steps to where we first went wrong.

You will need to acknowledge and address your sins directly, rather than avoiding or bypassing them, in order to experience true transformation and restoration.

Just as the young preacher was instructed to retrieve the ax head where it fell (2 Kings 6:6), we must acknowledge specific points of departure, confess specific sins, and resume specific tasks.

2 Kings 6:6 KJV 1900

6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.

C. The Same Motive: "Go to Nineveh ... THE GREAT CITY."

Nineveh's greatness in God's sight did not stem from its architecture, politics, or culture; rather, it lay in its sinful state and thus its great need.

In a demanding and challenging ministry, the only motive that sustains us is the love of Christ working through us (2 Corinthians 5:14).

2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV 1900

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Unlike human love, which fluctuates with circumstances, the love of God remains unwavering like the sun.

D. The Same Message: Jonah's message to cry against Nineveh's sins remained consistent (Jon. 1:1, 3:2, 3:4).

Jonah 1:1 KJV 1900

1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Jonah 3:2 KJV 1900

2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

Jonah 3:4 KJV 1900

4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

His preaching embodied two vital aspects: first,

1. Righteous preaching, which proclaimed God's love and mercy (Jon. 4:2) while not neglecting His wrath and judgment (Jon. 3:4).

Jonah 4:2 KJV 1900

2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Jonah 3:4 KJV 1900

4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

Today, there is a pressing need for more preaching about righteousness, retribution, and the necessity of repentance, countering the modern heresy that distorts the concept of God's love.

Second, Jonah's message was revealed preaching, presenting the message God had given him (Jon. 3:2).

Jonah 3:2 KJV 1900

2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

True Biblical preaching relies on the "thus saith the Lord" proclamation, just as Moses, Jeremiah, Paul, and Jesus exemplified.

Illustrations, knowledge, and experiences may tire or falter, but the Bible remains a source of perpetual freshness and beauty, capable of inspiring preachers like Spurgeon to proclaim its truths forever.

III. The Transformed Servant of God

Jonah's character underwent a refining process in the crucible of his "fishy furnace" (1 Peter 1:7).

1 Peter 1:7 KJV 1900

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Like Job who had suffered, and David who had sinned, Jonah, having been submerged, emerged but changed forever.

Through this transformation, Jonah became:

A. A Strengthened Servant: He Cultivated a Deep and Unwavering Faith in God.

Having experienced the tumultuous waves and the belly of a fish, he fearlessly walked into the heart of heathenism to proclaim divine judgment.

He did not fear those who could harm the body but revered the One who held power over both body and soul, even in hell (Matthew 10:28).

Matthew 10:28 KJV 1900

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Jonah realized that all things, even his sins, work together for good (Romans 8:28).

B. A Submissive Servant: Jonah now obedient, without hesitation.

Like Jeremiah found out when he had a fire in his bones, Jonah was not about to try to even protest or complain.

Jonah obeyed without hesitation, going where, when, and how he was directed.

He learned the hard lesson that true obedience to God benefits everyone involved—God, oneself, and others.

Nevertheless, Jonah remained:

C. A Fallible Servant: His Character Still Bore Blemishes.

He went to Nineveh out of obligation, lacking enthusiasm and emotion in his preaching (Jon. 3:4).

Jonah 3:4 KJV 1900

4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

His ministry seemed like a mechanical duty, rather than a heartfelt proclamation of the gospel.

Evangelism should be about one sinner guiding another to find spiritual nourishment and help.

God's transformative power works through imperfect vessels, such as clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:7).

2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV 1900

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Even those who preach should humbly acknowledge their own sinfulness, as Jonah did when he claimed the title of "chief of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV 1900

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Nevertheless, these experiences made Jonah:

D. An Experienced Servant, Seasoned and Prepared for the Master's Service.

While some preachers may pray to be hidden behind the cross, Jonah understood that the cross should be seen through him.

Truth cannot be copied mechanically; it must pass through individuals like light through a prism.

Jonah's life of sin, forgiveness, suffering, and deliverance equipped him to be a powerful preacher, capable of reaching minds, hearts, and souls.

His experiences gave weight and authenticity to his message.

Conclusion:

The message of Jonah 3:1-3 resonates powerfully, revealing God's compassionate and merciful nature.

As the Ninevites' wickedness and rebellion were met with impending judgment, God, in His love, provided an opportunity for repentance through Jonah's proclamation.

This passage teaches us that no one is beyond God's reach, and He desires reconciliation with even the most sinful and rebellious hearts.

The call to repentance is as urgent today as it was for the Ninevites, reminding us of God's relentless pursuit of humanity.

As we contemplate the story of Jonah and the compassionate God of Reinstatement, we are invited to examine our own lives, recognizing our fallen condition and the need for repentance.

Just as God offered the Ninevites a second chance, He extends the same grace and mercy to us.

May we respond wholeheartedly, turning away from our sinful ways and embracing God's offer of forgiveness and restoration.

Through the timeless truth of God's compassionate call to repentance, we find hope, transformation, and the promise of a renewed relationship with our loving Creator.

As we draw this sermon to a close, I want to invite you to respond to God's Word in a tangible way. The message we've heard today may have touched your heart, and you might be feeling the need to take a step of faith, seeking God's guidance, or finding comfort and healing in His Word.

Altar Call

As we come to the conclusion of our service, I want to remind you of what we explored today. We have heard how God offers us a second chance through His compassionate call to repentance and transformation.

Now, I encourage each one of you to take a moment and reflect on how this truth resonates in your heart. If you feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit, urging you to respond to God's call, we invite you to come forward when the piano is playing softly. Our trained staff will be here at the front, ready to pray with you or offer personal counseling, from God's Word together. Men will be available to counsel with men, and ladies with ladies, in a safe and supportive environment for every person that would seek the Lord right now.

Whether you desire to surrender your life to Christ for the first time, seek forgiveness for a specific sin, or simply yearn for spiritual growth and renewal, know that this altar is open for you. Don't let this moment pass you by. God's loving arms are ready to embrace you as you take this step of faith.

As the piano begins to play softly, please feel free to come forward and let us journey together in prayer and the Word of God. Claim His grace and love to overflowing right now. You sir, there, come. You dear Ma’am, do not wait. Come now. Come now. Get saved today. Follow Christ in Baptism today. Bind your heart together with our loving church family today.