Repentance

Jonah 3

About the Sermon

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.” God rescued the rebellious, unrepentant prophet in dramatic fashion. And though the story continues, it also returns to where it first began. God, again, sends Jonah with a message for the people of Nineveh. This time he obeys. The people of Nineveh respond with repentance, and God relents of his judgment. But neither Jonah nor Nineveh deserve praise; no, the glory for this great act of mercy belongs to God alone. In Jonah 3, the mercy of God comes to Nineveh. Listen to see God’s word in action as mercy comes to repentant sinners.

About the Series

Some stories are just hard to believe—crazy events and characters just too much to swallow. Like a storm so big even the boat is scared. Pagan sailors and kings, wicked cities, and even cattle who repent. Or a great fish who listens to God and obediently swallows and vomits up a man who lives to tell the tale. Plants the size of houses obey the Lord, and worms obediently eat them. Who could possibly believe all of that? But even more unfathomable? The God who commands the winds, waves, and worms forgives repentant sinners. He stands ready to forgive you. Now that’s hard to believe. Through Jonah, God teaches us about both our hearts and his own. We’re bent toward rebellion, but his heart is full of mercy. And in this true story, God prepares people to recognize Jesus. For just as Jonah spent three days in the fish, so too Jesus spent three days in the earth. Not for his sin though, for our own. Those who turn to him find only mercy now. Unrelenting mercy for undeserving sinners.
Some stories are just hard to believe—crazy events and characters just too much to swallow. Like a storm so big even the boat is scared. Pagan sailors and kings, wicked cities, and even cattle who repent. Or a great fish who listens to God and obediently swallows and vomits up a man who lives to tell the tale. Plants the size of houses obey the Lord, and worms obediently eat them. Who could possibly believe all of that? But even more unfathomable? The God who commands the winds, waves, and worms forgives repentant sinners. He stands ready to forgive you. Now that’s hard to believe. Through Jonah, God teaches us about both our hearts and his own. We’re bent toward rebellion, but his heart is full of mercy. And in this true story, God prepares people to recognize Jesus. For just as Jonah spent three days in the fish, so too Jesus spent three days in the earth. Not for his sin though, for our own. Those who turn to him find only mercy now. Unrelenting mercy for undeserving sinners.

Sermons in the Series