Nineveh Repents and Reforms

“Nineveh Repents and Reforms”
Jonah 3:5-9 (Isaiah 55:1-13)

Introduction

· A Brief Review of Last Week’s Message
· Observations that Need Consideration: No Sign or Miracle; No Promise of Deliverance Offered; No Call to Repentance; The Response of Ninevites Not the Usual Response

The 5 R’s of Chapter 3 (vs. 1-10):

1. Receive (vs. 1-2; Jeremiah 1:7; Ezekiel 2:7)

2. Repeat (vs. 3-4)

3. Repent (vs. 5-7)

· Faith – Believed God Would Destroy Them (v. 5a)
o The Work of God Granting Them Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
· Fear – Godly Fear leading to Godly Sorrow (vs. 5b-7; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11)
o Not just Terror, but Hope, Also (Hebrews 11:7; Joel 2:12-13; Jeremiah 6:26)
o The King Believed and Feared – Declared a Fast (vs. 6-7; Psalm 2:12)

4. Reform: the Fruit of True Repentance – A Fast Decreed (vs. 8-10)

· Cried to the Lord – “Mightily” (v. 8a; 1:14; 2:2; Heidelberg Catechism #s 88-90)
· Turned From Their “Evil Way . . .” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
· The End Purpose Their Fast - Relying Upon God’s Grace & Mercy Alone (v. 9; Joel 2:12-14)

5. Relent (v. 10)

Conclusion and Application

· Faith & Fear Ought to Lead to Repentance
· Let Us Not Presume Upon God’s Goodness and Grace (1 Peter 5:5)