Where You Go I'll Go
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· 4 viewsJonah is given a second chance by God to preach to the Ninevites. While he preaches the words of the Lord, the Ninevites come to faith and repent from their violence. The men and woman of Nineveh were receptive to the words of Jonah, and by being transformed by his preaching, God spared the city. The Lord is calling Christians to be faithful and sow the seeds of the gospel to everyone in our communities, for we need to arise to our Nineveh and share his message.
Notes
Transcript
Can we all agree being an employee of a company, being a stay-at-home parent or being a student can be sometimes gruesome, strenuous, and bit over demanding . We feel often exhausted and rundown after a full day of chores and duties, however, none of our line of work compares to life in a day in professorial sports.
Once people enter into the work of a professional sports. The teams tend to squeeze out all the individual’s talents and gifts, and once athletes stop producing at the rate the team demands, the players are chew up and spit out in a moment. Most athletes and staff have a very short lifespan because up and coming talent are rising around them. That’s why it extremely difficult to stay in the business. To the sports team, anyone is disposable. In their mind, it’s either produce or get cut loose. Which unfortunately when this occurs, the majority of the league will believe you are a former shell of what player used to be. Good athletes are never released unless there an issue. However, there are some opportunities that may come even when people have failed their previous team.
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Over two decades ago, there was a head coach for the Cleveland Browns, in his five year tenure as the head coach he finished with a .450 record and one playoff win. In the five years he contributed to the organization they believed that he gave it all he had, so in the process the Browns fired him. From there he took bounced around the league until one organization saw potential in him. They believed he could be the man for the job and coach a team lead them to victory and in hope of hoisting the Lombardi trophy. The man who was hired was none other than New England Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick. Six Superbowl later, we known him as the greatest coach of all time, but realize this. Bill Bellichick’s history wasn’t perfect, he was released because of his failures to coach build up a winning team. It wasn’t until someone gave him a chance that we was able to make a difference.
But what about you? Do you believe that everyone should be given a second chance?
When I reflect over myself, I know I’ve made many foolish decision and I’m truly appreciative of the opportunities I have been given to redeem myself. I know God is in some way is like the New England Patriots because they are willing to take washed up, misfits and turn them into a beautiful winning product. When our God looks at us, he doesn’t reminisces over our misery of the past, but he sees the miracle of the future in us.
Our God is all about giving second chances! That’s his business strategy. To find you, and change your perspective from death to life and lift you out of the darkness and deliver you into the kingdom of his glorious Son.
So God will not give up easily one anyone? No, not even on his own disobedient prophet, Jonah son of Amittai. Out of all the people God could of chosen, he picked a man who was prone to wonder because when God spoke to Jonah about a mission to preach against the evil of the Ninevites which included sexual immortality, idolatry, and violence. Jonah ran away in rebellion to the closest sea port, the city of Joppa and took a ship to heading to Tarshish.
During Jonah’s journey, God hurled a storm at their ship and the sailors tried desperately to save the ship from ruin. After all their failed attempt to preserve the life of the ship. The men cast lots and and it fell on Jonah. Jonah explained why this disaster came upon them since he was running away from the presence of God. With the storm raging, Jonah pleaded with the sailors to save their lives by offering up Jonah into the sea. So they did as Jonah said, he was hurled into the sea. Then then storm became calm and for the first time in the story Jonah is actually is in the middle of God’s will for his life.
After Jonah’s potential death in the midst of the ocean, Jonah is swallowed by a great fish by God’s command. Jonah is trapped inside the belly of this fish for three days and three nights. Then realizing his failures and brokenness, he cries out to God and praises him. I thank you God for your holy temple. Thank you God for saving me while I was drowning.
And the God who rescued Jonah is the same God of second chances. The Lord then spoke to the fish and it vomited Jonah out onto the dry land. Redirecting his steps to Nineveh. The bible says in Jonah chapter 3.
1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”
3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.
4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
Jonah was given a second chance, and the Lord provides Jonah with a prophetic message. Interestingly, God didn’t just say go, and figure out what to say, but God instructed him use his words, exhort them with God’s message and speak truth to the sinners in Nineveh.
1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
Jonah 3:1-
1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”
3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.
4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.
6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water,
8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.
9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Jonah receiving a second chance, the Lord provides Jonah with a prophetic message. Interestingly, God didn’t just say go, and figure out what to say, but God instructed him use his words, exhort them with God’s message and speak truth to the sinners in Nineveh.
Whn
Feeling encouraged and filled with the words of God. He arose up and went to Nineveh and from archaeology studies we know Nineveh is a large city, but it may be exaggerated being a three day journey, perhaps we’re told it’s this large to build up the suspension of the story. We’ve seen this before Jonah’s narrative, a great wind struck the ship, a great fish consumed Jonah, and now Jonah is entering into a great city.
And once he arrives at the gates, Jonah begins his ministry and starts calling out against it. “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown! Which another way of translating the Hebrew word for overthrown could be changed or transformed and from the story we will see Jonah’s prophetic message come to past. After preaching for only a single day, the word of God started penetrating the all the Ninevite’s hearts.
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.
The people of Nineveh came to faith and believed God. With their heartfelt faith came genuine repentance from their wickedness. For we see their minds and actions changed by their fasting, then the people were taking off their comfortable clothing in exchange for itchy sackcloth. This repentance affected everyone in Nineveh, listen to what the bible says.
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.
6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water,
8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.
9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”
The people of Nineveh came to faith and believed God. With their heartfelt faith came genuine repentance from their wickedness. For we see thing being changed by their fasting, taking off their comfortable clothing in exchange for itchy sackcloth. This repentance affected everyone in Nineveh, listen to what the bible says.
In hope of saving their lives, the king makes a decree for the whole city. Could you imagine everyone fasting for period of time together? The animals are out in the barn hallowing in hunger. Babies are wailing for mother’s milk. Men are drained and exhausted from the hard labor without nourishment, and we know this fast couldn’t of last longer than three days because they were restricting water too.
Jonah 3:6-
6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”
In hope of saving their lives, the king makes a decree for the whole city. Could you imagine everyone fasting for period of time together? The animals are out in the barn hallowing in hunger. Babies are wailing for mother’s milk. Men are drained and exhausted from the hard labor without nourishment, and we know this fast couldn’t of last longer than three days because they were restricting water too.
But the effect was powerful. Everyone in the city was calling on God for deliverance. Which Jonah’s message came to past, what was being overthrown or changed was the people heart’s and behavior. Nineveh was overthrown by the grace and love of God. They recieved a second chance, rather than being destroyed for their sins. God offered a message of life and they hearts were receptive of the news. Which then changed the outcome for the Ninevites.
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Jonah
God’s second chance for Jonah and the Ninevites changed their story and brought about a new beginning for each parties. Which points to the beautiful picture of who God is. He is a God of second chances and fresh starts.
We know this to be true, people lives are transformed by the power of God’s word. If it wasn’t for Jonah preaching the people of Nineveh, they would of continued in their wicked ways and would of been lost in sin. That’s why important for God’s messengers to go out and find people who are dead in sin and revive them with words of life.
God knows that the people in this community of the thumb will not be transformed unless they first hear the words of bible. They need messengers to speak life into their empty souls. Only through sharing the word of God can people be convicted and come to faith. Lives being transformed starts first with the messenger, just as it started with Jonah obeying God’s command and go the city in which he hated. We too need to go and share the message of God with everyone we know.
But what if we don’t have the right words to say? I recommend you quote scripture and share how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has worked in your life. No one can deny your experience and how God’s word has impacted your life. Whenever we get the chance to share God’s message with people it will not return empty, but it will leave a scratch in the soil of their heart.
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
11 that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious abundance.”
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
So we first need to need to share the word because it will not return empty. But we need to share the word of God because Christian love is expressed by warning people of upcoming destruction. And if we love people, we will go out of our way and tell them how to avoid the road of sin and death.
Jesus tells his disciples on the sermon on the Mount that there are two different paths in life.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew
The wide gate, is the easiest to find and many will follow it unless told about the other narrow way that directs them to eternal life. We are intrusted by Jesus Christ himself to make disciple and to tell them the word of God so the truth can set them free. It will be difficult to share our faith in a world that resist Christianity, however if we truly love people we will share the truth, regardless of their violence and hate for us. Our love of God provides us boldness and confidence to do what he has asked of us. Jesus is calling us to go like he said in the gospel of Matthew.
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37
So we have a huge mission field, a large harvest to collect and the workers are few. God is counting on you to be the sower of his word. When we share our faith with our friends and family, we are not to take the fault if they disbelieve or reject Jesus. All growth happens when God grows his seed through us spreading his word.
1 cor 3:
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
1 Cor 3
1 cor 3:6-
Paul admits that all the glory goes all to God, we can’t take credit when when some takes in the word and believes, but we will be credited by God when we are faithful to his mission.
Just as God gave Jonah a message and mission. So does Jesus give a message to his church to spread to all people. Just as God gave you a second chance in life, so does he want that mercy to extend to everyone in the thumb of Michigan.
Find your Nineveh and share his message
Find your Nineveh and share his message
Paul admits that all the g
Find your Nineveh and share his message
Find your Nineveh and share his message
Find your Nineveh and share his message
Find your Nineveh and share his message