Reluctant

Jonah 3:1-3aNow the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” So, Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. 

This last Sunday, Pastor Kyle continued in our sermon series through the book of Jonah. Kyle proclaimed that the point of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not about sending sinners to Hell, but about how His created creatures (mankind) made a mess of everything through willful sin and God cleaning up the mess. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” What happened in Nineveh is what everyone in ministry prays for: that people repent and turn to God. Everyone has the opportunity to repent and be saved. God will make a way for all to hear the gospel message of salvation.

Psalm 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun.” 

If God is big enough to create the universe, then He can get the gospel message to all and save any repentant sinner. Kyle spoke of three lessons about God from a reluctant prophet. (1) God makes a way for everyone to hear the gospel and I’m part of the plan. God has a plan and we are a part of it. Advancing the kingdom of Heaven, sharing the gospel, is Plan “A” of God and there is no Plan “B”. The options are to be over-thrown, destroyed by the outside in by sin, or repent from the inside out and be saved by God. There I a difference between information on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and people of God going out and sharing it.  

(2) God wants our obedience, even if. It is reluctant. Kyle explained that Jonah desired that the wicked Ninevites go to Hell (the place or state of punishment for the wicked after death) for their evil ways, and that we have all felt this about someone ourselves also. We desire eternal punishment for terrorists, serial and mass-murderers, Active-shooters of schools and concerts, pedophiles, and such, because of the desire for justice. 

Ephesians 2:1-5“You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

(3) God exalts those who humble themselves and humbles all who exalt themselves. We need to get off the throne of our heart and let God reign and rule our lives. Our little throne that we sit on is not even ours. God is on the throne whether we acknowledge it or not. God is holy and just, so every sin must be paid for. Romans 6:23 tell us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Hell is a horrific place of unimaginable pain and suffering for sin. It is important to know that we bring the wrath of God upon ourselves and what we deserve for our sin in order to understand what God’s saves us from when we repent and accept Christ ... and what we have been saved to. May we repent and submit ourselves to the Lord.

Kyle presented three signs of genuine repentance. (1) Tangible step, not just lip service. (2) No expectations or strings attached. (3) a frequent reminder of what we deserve. We need to have open hands before God and ask for forgiveness. It’s not our job to determine who is genuine or truly repentant. Only God can see the heart of mankind. When tempted to judge, be reminded of your own sin. God is in charge and we are not. Do not be reluctant to His high calling.

In Christ, Brian