8 of the most gracious words:

8 of the most gracious words:

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time…

Jonah 3:1 (NLT)

God speaks to us:

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he

has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he

created the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 (NLT)

The message reissued:

Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.

V. 2

The message the first time:

Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.

-Jonah 1:2 (NLT)

Two major problems

1. Out of fear, we don’t “get up and go.”

Two major problems

1. Out of fear, we don’t “get up and go.”

2. Out of pride, we are more than happy to.

Be careful!

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you

judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be

measured to you.

-Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)

God wants us to lovingly share His truth in our “Ninevehs”:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be

prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

-2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)

When we get a second chance:This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s

command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he

shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”

-Jonah 3:3-4 (NLT)

An important truth:

God’s offer of salvation is for a “limited time only!”

Get up, go, and tell!Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority

in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of

the age.”

-Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

What do we do with this information?

Most ignore it and believe that…

a) The storm/judgment won’t really come.

What do we do with this information?

Most ignore it and believe that…

a) The storm/judgment won’t really come.

b) That if it does, it won’t be that bad.

What do we do with this information?

Most ignore it and believe that…

a) The storm/judgment won’t really come.

b) That if it does, it won’t be that bad.

c) We will be able to either escape it or weather the storm and rebuild.

The people of Nineveh believe:

The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.

-Jonah 3:5 (NLT)

The king believes:When the king of Nineveh heard what

Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He

dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. Then the king and his

nobles sent this decree throughout the city…

-Jonah 3:6-7a (NLT)

Revival happens! “Revival is nothing else than a new

beginning of obedience to God.”

-Charles Finney

Quotes:“A revival always includes the conviction of sin on

the part of the church…

In a true revival, Christians are always brought under such convictions, they see their sins in such

light, that often they find it impossible to maintain a hope of their acceptance with God…

Backslidden Christians will be brought to repentance. A revival is nothing else than a new

beginning of obedience to God.”

Quotes:“Just as in the case of a converted sinner, the first step is a deep repentance, a breaking down into

the dust before God, with deep humility, and forsaking of sin…Christians will have their faith

renewed…A revival breaks the power of the world and of sin over Christians. It brings them to such

vantage ground that they get a fresh impulse towards heaven. They have a new foretaste of heaven, and new desire after union with God; and the charm of the world is broken, and the

power of sin overcome.”

Quotes:“…When the churches are thus awakened and

reformed, the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow, going through the same

stages of conviction, repentance, and reformation. Their hearts will be broken down

and changed.”

Revivals of Religion – Charles Finney (1835) pages 15-17

40 days to change…Who knows?!

No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at

all. People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and

stop all their violence. Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back

his fierce anger from destroying us.

-Jonah 3:7b-9 (NLT)

A promise from the heart of God:

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray

and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their

land.”

-2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

God “repents”:When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he

had threatened.

-Jonah 3:10 (NLT)

God has always wanted to save:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand

slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but

everyone to come to repentance.

-2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

Christ came to save, not to condemn:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that

whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God

did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the

world through him.

-John 3:16-17 (NIV)

Be thankful that our God is…

“…compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”

-Psalm 103:8

Repentance is connected to action:

Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give

the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must

work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to

share with those in need.

Repentance is connected to action:Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of

your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed

for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,

along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each

other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:25ff

40 days, and…

“For all we know, we are on day 39 and in the 24th hour!”

…ARE YOU HEEDING THE WARNING……RESPONDING TO THE CALL…

…WILLING TO BOLDLY SHARE IT WITH OTHERS?!