Jonah 3

FBC Baxley

March 30, 2025

1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,

2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.”

3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.

4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.

7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying,

Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.

8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.

9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

-Pray

SERMON: "A Second Chance God"

Text: Jonah 3:1-10

Introduction: The Power of a Second Chance

In 2001, a man named Darrell Scott stood before Congress. His daughter, Rachel Scott, was one of the first victims of the Columbine High School shooting.

Instead of responding with anger, Darrell Scott used his second chance at life to spread a message of hope and forgiveness. Many expected him to be filled with rage, but he chose to make a difference.

Jonah, too, was given a second chance—not just for himself, but to proclaim God’s message of mercy to a wicked city.

Jonah 3 reminds us that our God is a God of second chances, renewed purposes, and unexpected grace.

I. THE CALL REPEATED (Jonah 3:1-2) – A God of Second Chances

"Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.'"

A. The Lord’s Patience – The phrase “the second time” is key.

Jonah had run from God, but God did not give up on him.

The Hebrew word for "came" (וַיְהִי, wayĕhî) suggests continuity—God wasn’t finished with Jonah.

God doesn’t discard His servants when they fail.

He restores and recommissions.

B. The Same Command – God's instructions did not change just because Jonah resisted the first time.

God’s will is not up for negotiation.

He calls us to obedience, not convenience.

Application:

Have you failed God?

Failure is not final when God is involved! He is the God of second chances.

II. THE CITY WARNED (Jonah 3:3-4) – A Message of Urgency

"So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD… And Jonah began to enter the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!'"

A. Immediate Obedience – This time, Jonah obeyed “according to the word of the Lord.”

Delayed obedience is disobedience.

True repentance leads to immediate action.

B. The Power of God’s Word – Jonah’s message was simple: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

The Hebrew word hapak (הָפַךְ) for “overthrown” can mean destroyed or transformed.

The people could either be destroyed by judgment or transformed by repentance.

C. A Sense of Urgency – The number 40 in the Bible represents testing and judgment (Noah’s flood, Israel’s wilderness journey, Jesus’ temptation).

Time was running out for Nineveh.

Time is running out for those who reject God’s call today.

Application:

What if you had 40 days left to live?

Would you delay in obeying God?

III. THE PEOPLE REPENT (Jonah 3:5-9) – A Response of Humility

"And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them."

A. Faith Before Works – They believed God (he’eminū bā’ĕlōhîm - הֶאֱמִינוּ בָּאֱלֹהִים).

The verb suggests deep, genuine trust, not just fear.

True faith precedes genuine repentance.

A. A King’s Humility – The king of Nineveh stepped down from his throne, removed his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth.

A sign of complete surrender to God.

Repentance is not just sorrow for sin but turning from sin (v. 8).

God’s Mercy is Conditional on Repentance (v. 9) – The people hoped for mercy:

"Who knows? God may turn and relent..."

This phrase echoes Joel 2:13-14, showing that God delights in mercy over judgment.

Application:

God’s mercy is available—but it must be received through repentance!

IV. THE COMPASSION OF GOD (Jonah 3:10) – A God Who Relents

"When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it."

A. God Saw Their Actions – Repentance is more than words; it involves a transformed life.

James 2:17 – Faith without works is dead.

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If My people… turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven…

God’s Nature is Mercy

The word relented (נִחָם, niḥam) means "to change course out of compassion."

God is unchanging in character but responds to human repentance.

Application:

If God can forgive the wicked Ninevites, who are you refusing to forgive?

Conclusion: Three Life Applications

Jonah 3 teaches us three powerful truths:

1. Obey God Immediately

Jonah had to learn obedience the hard way.

What is God calling you to do today that you’ve been running from?

2. Repentance is More Than Words

Nineveh didn’t just say, “We’re sorry.”

They changed their ways.

Is there sin in your life that you need to turn from completely?

3. Extend God’s Mercy to Others

If God can forgive Nineveh, He can forgive anyone.

Who in your life needs the same mercy you’ve received from God?

Challenge: Today, will you be like Jonah, who obeyed late—or Nineveh, who repented quickly?

Let’s not wait for a second chance to get right with God!

-Pray

-Invitation