Jonah’s Second Chance, and Yours | Sunday Message

Have you stumbled in your faith? Jonah did, too. But today, uncover the power of God’s grace and mercy in your life with an encouraging message from Pastor Greg Laurie.

Notes:

Focus verses: Jonah 3–4
 
The real story is about how God used a flawed man to bring a revival.
 
Jonah was called to preach to Ninevah, which God described as a great city (Jonah1:2).
Jonah refused, and the Lord sent a great wind on the sea. (Jonah 1:4).
Jonah was thrown overboard and was swallowed by a great fish (Jonah 1:17).
 
The ultimate story of Jonah is of the great God who showed great love.
 
#1 Jonah had a great message.
 
Jonah’s preaching brought revival.
 
Jonah 3:1–2 (NKJV)
Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you."
 
Nothing happens through you until it has happened to you.
 
Read Jonah 3:2–4
 
Jonah’s message was very simple, yet these eight words were important to God.
 
Romans 1:16 (NKJV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation
for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
 
The bible says, “Christ died for our sin” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
He did this to bridge the gap between us and a holy God.
 
Jonah delivered his simple message as we must deliver ours.
 
Our message must be delivered with urgency.
(Jonah 3:4)
 
Jonah 2:1–2 NKJV
Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly.
And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction,
and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.”
God had delivered Jonah from a hopeless situation.
 
There was an urgency and a passion to what Jonah was doing,
 
Romans 9:3 (NLT)
For my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—
cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.
 
Remember how Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem and wept.
Luke 19:41–42
 
“Winners of Souls must first be weepers of souls.”
—D. L. Moody
  
Our message must be clear and definite.
 
Mark 12:37 (NKJV)
And the common people heard Him gladly.
 
Our message is not simplistic, but it must be simple.
 
Our message should be authoritative.
 
Jonah’s message was an unapologetic biblical directive from God Almighty.
 
#2 There was a great response.
 
Jonah 3:5 (NKJV)
So the people of Nineveh believed God.
 
The greatest revival in the history of the world came to Nineveh because
Jonah preached God’s message and not what the people wanted to hear.
 
There was hope in Jonah’s message.
 
John 3:16
 
If God could bring a mighty revival in Nineveh,
He surely can do the same thing for America.
 
Read Jonah 3:4–10 (NLT)
 
This is a stunning spiritual awakening!  An entire city turning to God.
 
It was a great message.
It was a great response.
Now, we come to a great contrast.
 
Read Jonah 4:1–4 (NLT)
 
Jonah 4:4 (NLT)
The LORD replied, "Is it right for you to be angry about this?"
 
Sometimes people worry about new believers not changing quickly enough.
 
Some believers have just stalled and stagnated.
 
Sometimes people will wonder why a good God would allow bad things.
Jonah wonders why a good God would allow good things—especially for bad people.
 
Read Jonah 4:5–7 (NLT)
 
Jonah missed the miracle because he was too worried about his own comfort.
 
#4 The great commission today is
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15 NKJV).
 
There is nothing like seeing thousands of people coming to Christ.
It truly is a taste of Heaven.
 
Luke 15:7 (NKJV)
"I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
 
If God would open the window to Heaven for a brief glimpse, how we would change.
If he opened the window for a glimpse of Hell, we would change even more!
 
Jonah 4:10–11
Then the LORD said, "You feel sorry about the plant,
though you did nothing to put it there. And a plant is only, at best, short lived.
But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness,
not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a Great City?"
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