Speak Life: Responding to God's Word

Speak Life: Responding to God’s Word

Jonah 3:1-10

October 20, 2019

Introduction:

Three main words of God to His people:

1. Salvation

Acts 16:31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

2. Transformation

Romans 12:1-2 – “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

3. Proclamation

Acts 1:8 – “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

The BIG IDEA – When we hear the word of the Lord, there needs to be an appropriate response.

There are 4 appropriate responses to the word of the Lord in our text today:

The 1^stresponse is by Jonah – obedience. (Jonah 3:3)

It’s better to obey your way into feelings than to feel your way into obedience.

The 2^ndresponse is by the people of Nineveh – repentance. (Jonah 3:4-5)

What does “believe” mean in Jonah 3:5?

1. They acknowledged the God of the Hebrews.  

2. They believed what God said – judgment was coming.

3. They repented. “Repentance” is submission to God by the confessing and forsaking of your sins.

The 3^rdresponse is by the king of Nineveh – leadership. (Jonah 3:6-9)

1. Fast and put on sackcloth.

2. Cry out to God for mercy.

3. Repent- turn from your evil ways and violence.

The 4th response is by God – Relenting. (Jonah 3:10)

Ezekiel 18:23– “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?”

Ezekiel 18:32 - “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord; so turn, and live.”

John 3:16-17 - “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

Conclusion

There’s one more response we need to look at – our response to the word of God.

Go Deeper and Apply Truth This Week:

1. What is one way you have seen God work in your life this week?

2. Ask one person this week to read and explain the overall passage in their own words.

3. Was fasting just for people in the Bible or are there times today that fasting for spiritual purposes is appropriate? If so, give some situations. (Matthew 6:16-18)

4. Do you think it’s better to obey God’s word reluctantly than not at all? Share a time when you recently obeyed God’s word, but you didn’t feel like it. What was the result?

5. Why do you think some people repent of their sins quickly and others slowly or not at all? Are you burdened for anyone who needs to turn from a life of sin? Have you spoken to them?

6. How is America like Nineveh? How can we be like Jonah in calling our nation to God? Pray as God leads.