Jonah Gets a “Do-Over”
There is a deep sense in our souls that there’s more to life than what we are experiencing. The busyness of life can tend to crowd it out, but even so, the whisper for meaning, the longing for purpose cuts through the noise of life. You were created to live a life that matters. And God longs to use you in incredible ways. Join us for our new series SHIFT, as we study the book of Jonah to discover how to shift to the more we were made for.
Teaching Notes
SHIFT Pt 4
Chip Ingram | [email protected]
April 3rd, 2022
How do we shift for the more we were made for?
Week 1: When we RUN from God we shift AWAY from the more we were made for.
Week 2: God uses STORMS in our life to shift us BACK to the more we were made for.
Week 3: God Delivers us from storms to reveal his MERCY and to position us to FULFILL the more we were made for.
Week 4: When our external ACTS (obedience) do not reflect our internal ATTITUDE (heart) we miss the more we were made for.
JONAH GETS A “DO-OVER” (Chapter 3)
- God Recommissions Jonah (v. 1-2)
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.”
- Jonah Obeys God’s Command (v. 3-4)
So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ walk. Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
- The People of Nineveh Repent (v. 5-9)
Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.”
- God Responds with Mercy (v. 10)
When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.
DON’T MISS GOD’S “BIG MESSAGE” FROM JONAH’S LIFE
| Chapter 1 | Chapter 3 |
| God’s Command = Go | God’s Command = Go |
| Jonah’s Response = Flee | Jonah’s Response = Goes |
| God warns the sailors. | God warns the entire city. |
| “The Storm” stops. | “The Wickedness” stops. |
| Sailors repent Yahweh is Sovereign Lord God (faith). | City repents Yahweh is Sovereign Lord God (faith). |
| Jonah ends up in a fish. | Jonah ends up in a revival. |
| Jonah disobeys; then cries out for LIFE. | Jonah obeys; then cries out to DIE. |
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE NINEVITES?
- Receiving God’s Mercy Requires FAITH Evidenced by REPENTANCE. (v. 5, 10)
Principle #1 = Repentance is a prerequisite for PROGRESS.
Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:37-38)
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM JONAH?
- Extending God’s Mercy requires REPENTANCE and PROCLAMATION. (v. 3-4)
Principle #2 = The power is in the MESSAGE, not the MESSENGER.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
WHAT WOULD GOD HAVE US (YOU) DO SO THAT WE DO NOT MISS THE MORE THAT WE ARE MADE FOR?
- Where did God speak to you today? Who could you process that with for clarity and accountability?
- What specifically would faith? Repentance? Or, proclaiming look like in your life this week? This Easter Season?