Preaching for Your Life (Pt. 3)

Intro

Recap:

Chapter 1: “Running away from God only brings you right back to Him.”

Chapter 2: “When we cry out, God hears!”

Body

Jonah 3:1-4 — Jonah’s Message

Verses 1-2

Jonah 3:1–2 ESV

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”

The author of Jonah brilliantly repeats the same message of God in Jonah 1. It’s like Jonah is having a “new beginning” or “second chance”.

The Wickedness of Nineveh

National enemies of Israel

Conquered Israel in 722 BCE

Verses 3-4

Jonah 3:3–4 ESV

So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

Significance of 40

“

Jonah 3:5-9 — Nineveh’s Response

Verse 5 — General Public

Jonah 3:5 ESV

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.

Notice, “the people of Nineveh believed God”

Wait a second… Jonah didn’t even mention God?

How do you know Nineveh actually believed in God?

They believed God, and they practiced!!

Practices of Belief

Belief

Internal Acceptance

Outward Work

Sin city participating in spiritual practices?!

Verses 6-9 — Kingly decree

Jonah 3:10 — God’s Mercy

God saw

God relented

Closing

AFTER CLOSING SONG:

Read Jonah 4:1

Jonah 4:1 ESV

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.