Part 10 “Arguing with God” Jonah 4:1-11 As we explore Jonah’s interaction with God we observe: 1. Jonah’s hatred of the wicked. This hatred caused Jonah to: Stop serving prematurely. Separate from others around him. Become a spectator. 2. God’s hesed toward the world. This is seen in: The time he gives for people to repent The tenderness He shows the prophet His teaching about the priorities of life 3. The only hope we have for winning others to Christ. This hope involves: Messengers who are obedient God’s message of repentance The miracle of new birth Christians having the mind of Christ

Part 9 “Does God Change His Mind?” Jonah 3:10 As we read Jonah 3:10, it appears from our human perspective that God changes His mind with regard to His intended plan of judgment for Nineveh. However, as we consider this passage in light of the totality of Scripture, we’re reminded that . . . God never changes with respect to: 1. His character. This involves His: Perfection Personhood Promises Plans 2. His call for humanity to repent. 3. His compassion toward those who repent. 4. His condemnation of those who rebel. Points to Ponder God’s immutability: Gives us assurance that we can stand firm on His word Enables us to be secure in our salvation. Reminds us that sin will bring judgment. Should also be our standard as Christians.

Part 8 “Waiting on the World to Change” Jonah 3:4-9 Many Christians today have absolutely no zeal for the lost. Instead of proclaiming Christ with passion and fervor, they are preoccupied with life and the pursuit of happiness. Sadly, however, they fail to realize this. What causes such a lackadaisical approach to the unbelieving world? Some assume that the world will come to grips with its need to repent apart from our witness. Others seem to have lost confidence in the life-changing power of gospel. The story of Jonah reminds us of our part in bringing revival, as well as the unbelievable changes that can come through just one person’s proclamation. If we desire to change the world for Christ we must: 1. Recognize the crisis facing our world that demands revival. 2. Remember the characteristics of true revival. True revival results in: The salvation of souls Sorrow over sins Sweeping change within society 3. Respond by being the conduit for revival. The revival in Nineveh resulted from preaching that: Was courageous Was compelling Was confrontational Reflected God’s compassion

Part 7 “It’s Time for Change!” Jonah 3:4-5 As Jonah enters the great city of Nineveh, he immediately proclaims the message that God had given to him. Consisting of only eight words, it was a message of doom and gloom. In response to that message, the next 40 days become a time of change for the whole city. What is it about the Ninevites – as well as about us today – that needs to change? What happens if we don’t change? What is the source of that change? Our text answers these questions and reminds us that God says, “It’s time for change!!!” From our text we observe that: 1. God demands that we change because of our sin. The book of Jonah reminds us that sin involves: Wandering from God. Living lives of wickedness. 2. Unless we change, we face a death sentence. This sentence: Is deserved. Determines our destiny. 3. Change is possible through a divinely-provided solution. God’s solution involves: The sending of a person. A set period of time. A specific proclamation. A spiritual profession.

Part 6 “Sugar Grove: The Next Nineveh?” Jonah 3:2-3 Jonah’s entrance into Nineveh reminds us of: 1. God’s passion for the cities of the world. The city of Nineveh was great in terms of: size. sin. souls. 2. The prejudices that condemn others. Jonah illustrates five mistakes people commonly make when observing the lost. It’s wrong to view the lost: nationally, rather than individually. historically, rather than prophetically. physically, rather than spiritually . ethnically, rather than personally. hatefully, rather than mercifully. 3. Our part in the Great Commission. This part involves: Loving our city. Praying for our city. Engaging our city. Serving our city. Witnessing to our city. Winning our city.

Part 5 “Second Chances” Jonah 2:10-3:1 How many times has a single event, and particularly an unfortunate failure in a person’s life, defined his or her life from that point on? Fortunately for Jonah and many others in scripture, as well as for us, our God many times provides for second chances. What can we learn from the biblical examples of second chances, and how can we make the most of the new opportunities that God gives to us? In order to make the most of second chances, we must: 1. Examine the lives of people in scripture who were given a second chance. Moses: separation David: confrontation The prodigal son: desperation Peter: demonstration John Mark: affirmation Jonah: isolation 2. Engage in the biblical procedure that leads to second chances. This procedure involves: Seeing the reality of our sin. Showing remorse for our sin. Seeking repentance after we sin. Spending time reflecting on where we’ve been. Submitting when we’re re-commissioned. 3. Experience the part God plays in our second chances. God’s part in our second chances gives us the opportunity to: Serve as his missionaries. Share his message.

Part 4 “In Case of Emergency—Break Glass” Jonah 2:1-9 Our text this week finds Jonah at a place of great desperation. At the end of his three days and nights in the great fish, Jonah cries out to his God. Nearly the entire chapter is dedicated to recording this prayer. While God still has much to teach Jonah about obedience, we’re given the sense that the heart of this wayward prophet is being changed. This prayer also teaches us important lessons about our own times of great desperation and helps us understand how we can find victory in our times of greatest defeat. During times of desperation: 1. We may suffer great pain. This pain can affect us: Physically Emotionally Spiritually 2. We often see God’s promises fulfilled. The promise in our text reminds us that God: Accepts our prayers. Answers our prayers. 3. We must submit to God’s plan. This plan involves: The salvation that only God gives. Our surrender, which leads to obedience.

Part 3 “God’s Discipline: The Inside Story” Jonah 1:17 As we explore the lessons of Jonah 1, we discover how God deals with His children when they choose to go their own way, rather than the way of obedience. 1. The practice of God’s discipline. From God’s discipline of Jonah we learn that He may: Allow us to choose disobedience. Arrange our circumstances. Appoint change agents to intervene. 2. The purposes of God’s discipline. God’s discipline of Jonah accomplished four purposes: To rescue him from drowning. To bring about his repentance. To bring revival to his heart. To re-commission him. 3. The promises of God’s discipline. God’s discipline: Proves His love for his children. Presents His thoughts concerning our sin. Produces maturity in believers. Provides us with a fresh start. 4. The process of God’s discipline. This process typically includes the following aspects: A personal aspect A purifying aspect A punitive aspect A public aspect

Part 2 “The Downward Spiral” Jonah 1:3-16 God commands Jonah to go and preach in Nineveh, fulfilling his calling as a prophet of God. But instead of obeying and following this command, Jonah heads in the opposite direction. He heads to Joppa and boards a ship to get as far away from God as possible. While God had called Jonah to head east, he instead heads west, and with every step he shows his ongoing rebellion against God. As the story continues to unfold, it shows us our own rebellion, the places it can lead and whom it can affect, as well as God’s response to the downward spiral of sin. The downward spiral of sin: 1. Brings great disruption to our lives. This disruption: Can be costly. Often impacts the company that we keep. Can be quite chaotic. 2. Results in the full disclosure of our wrongdoing. This disclosure: Often comes when we least expect it. Involves the exposure of our sin. 3. Subjects us to God’s discipline. This discipline has both negative and positive dimensions: Negative: The discipline of God: Can’t be undone by human effort. Sometimes forces others to make unpleasant decisions. Positive: In God’s disciplining of Jonah, we see His: Compassion for his children. Conviction of unbelievers.