A Second Call

A Second Call

Good morning.  Happy Sabbath.  Thank you Paul for teaching today.  I have had a very crazy busy week and so this is a quick and simple lesson.  Thanks Paul for being an friend willing to pick up my slack!  Much appreciated! 

Question of the day:

What is your favorite breakfast food?

Passage:

Jonah 3:1-10

So last week Jonah was vomited out onto the beach. He is rescued. So what happens when God rescues us? Let's feast together!

Jonah Goes to Nineveh

3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:

“By the decree of the king and his nobles:

Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

So what did God do after rescuing Jonah?

I know there have been many times that I have wondered if I have heard the calling right, or if I was too rebellious, or just unwilling, thinking I know better than God, what will happen.  Has my life just been derailed completely?  Have I missed out?

When Samuel as a young boy didn't recognize God's voice, what happened?  

There are many other stories with the same theme and here it happens again.  When we run away or for whatever reason don't heed the calling, God calls again.  

I'm sure not always, perhaps he calls a different direction, but if He still needs you to go to Nineveh, he will ask again.  

The idea of a second call brings me hope and comfort.  It demonstrates a patient long suffering God who loves me and is willing to work with me! He isn't giving up on me!

So this time Jonah obeys and isn't it interesting that it takes him 3 days to get through the city.  How long was he in the whale.  Isn't that funny.... fascinating! 

So as long as he prayed and spent time surrendering calling out to God is the same amount of time it took to get through the city.  

What happens?

Who listened?

Who repented?

How successful was Jonah as an evangelist?

Just a few days earlier was not willing to cry out to God, was running from God, who thought he knew better than God, is now an evangelist with 100% success!

He was successful in reaching this terrible city.

He was successful in reaching the rich and the poor.

Everyone!

I love listening to great speakers and wonder what kind of an orator he was?  

This sounds like a good end to the story!  Jonah praises God for what he was able and willing to do through Jonah, Jonah praises God for being saving the entire city and the book ends right?

No we know this isn't the end.

Sometimes we need to stop!  Sometimes we need to praise God and ask what and where next, instead of doing what he does.  

Why was Jonah unwilling to say thanks and praise God?

How might this story have been different if He had?

Let's stop!

Let's stop and praise God!

Let's stop and praise God for His remarkable blessings.

Let's stop and praise God for how He is working and leave it there. 

I want us to shift directions or focus for a moment.  

What about the people of Nineveh?

They are wicked.

They are terrible.

What is their reaction to Jonah's warnings?

What is God's reaction to their repentance?

God gives Jonah a second call.

God gives the people of Nineveh a chance to live.

Both Jonah and Nineveh did what?

Tonight I was sharing with the kids from MPA somethings I would like for them to remember.  Some were silly and simple, some I really hope they don't forget, but I FORGOT perhaps one of the most important things of all!!!!!!

BE willing to repent!!!!

REPENT!

Saying you are Sorry and asking forgiveness in our human relationships can be transformative for the relationship. Saying I'm sorry and asking for forgiveness of God brings LIFE!!!

Humble yourself and confess. 

Repent.

Happy Sabbath.