A SERMON WITH POWER Jonah 3: - 10 He is given a SECOND chance. How many have WE be granted? God’s commandment has not changed! Jonah THIS TIME obeyed! Would it be too late? Note the size of the city – “three days journey” = approximately 60 miles across. Would Jonah’s delay cost him time of preaching, or Nineveh time for repentance? The message: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

THE SERMON PREACHED It was Jonah’s PERSONAL responsibility! Had to preach GOD’S MESSAGE (vs. 2; 4) NO COMPROMISE Romans 12: 1- 2 1 Peter 4:11 Acts 17: 30 - 31 2 Peter 3:9

II. THE RESULTS OF THE SERMON A. THEY BELIEVED GOD! (vs. 5) B. God’s Word always has its effect 1. Isaiah 55: 8 – 11 2. Acts 2:37; 7:54 C. They repented at the preaching of Jonah 1. sackcloth = humility; ashes = worthlessness 2. No time for selfish interests/ no “second chance” for Nineveh!

III. GOD’S WRATH APPEASED A. He saw their works. B. He accepted their repentance C. He see OUR works 1. Hebrews 4:12 – 13 D. Does He accept OUR repentance?

2 Cor. 7: 9 – 10 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

SELFISH ATTITUDES TOWARD GOD’S PURPOSE JONAH #4 SELFISH ATTITUDES TOWARD GOD’S PURPOSE Jonah 4: 1- 11 Philippians 2:5 1 Corinthians 1:10 Philippians 4:8 God accepted their repentance … (3:10) Jonah did NOT accept their repentance (4:1) ONE MIND; UNITY WITH GOD

JONAH’S EXPERIENCE WITH GOD’S MERCY Three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; praying; granted release; charged with duty; obeyed! God’s MERCY = not punishing them as deserved God’s GRACE = granting opportunity to repent God’s KINDNESS = accepting their repentance

Had he forgotten the nearness to ETERNAL DEATH he had come? JONAH’S DESIRE TO DIE Had he forgotten the nearness to ETERNAL DEATH he had come? He pouted! “If it can’t be MY way …” Isaiah 55: 8 – 11 What good did it do for Jonah to be angry?

GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL? JONAH’S SECOND LESSON While in a tent on the east side of the city, God permitted a gourd to grow and provide him increased shade. Jonah is happy! God also made a worm to destroy the gourd. Now Jonah is angry again! God made Jonah’s suffering increase with a vehement east wind! Jonah wants to die … again! What does it take to convince Jonah that GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL?

GOD’S WORD ALWAYS HAS IT EFFECT God’s Word changed the lives of the Ninevites. God’s Word punished the one who rejected God’s purpose of His Word! Romans 11:22 -- Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.