The Ninevites sin out of ignorance of who God is. Jonah, on the other hand, sins because of who God is which is contrary to who Jonah wants Him to be. The good news is, God is gracious and compassionate toward both.

The Ninevites sin out of ignorance of who God is. Jonah, on the other hand, sins because of who God is which is contrary to who Jonah wants Him to be. The good news is, God is gracious and compassionate toward both.

While God did offer Jonah a second chance, grace is more than a second chance, and God is more than a God of second chances.

While God did offer Jonah a second chance, grace is more than a second chance, and God is more than a God of second chances.

Jonah acknowledged God's gracious affliction and responded by returning to prayer, God's Word, and obedience.

Jonah acknowledged God's gracious affliction and responded by returning to prayer, God's Word, and obedience.

It’s a story that clearly identifies the sinful bent of the human heart and our propensity toward rebellion.  It’s a story that makes us aware of the collateral damage that results from sin and exposes our pride and our inconsistency when it comes to who we believe deserves forgiveness.  But it’s also a story that paints a picture of repentance and puts the sovereignty and grace of God on display.  It’s a story in which we see the indiscriminate call to repent and believe and most importantly points us to Jesus.

It’s a story that clearly identifies the sinful bent of the human heart and our propensity toward rebellion.  It’s a story that makes us aware of the collateral damage that results from sin and exposes our pride and our inconsistency when it comes to who we believe deserves forgiveness.  But it’s also a story that paints a picture of repentance and puts the sovereignty and grace of God on display.  It’s a story in which we see the indiscriminate call to repent and believe and most importantly points us to Jesus.

We are not charged to maximize our regular attendance, get people to fill out cards, raise their hands, walk isles or pray prayers.  We also aren’t to simply make converts. We are called to make disciples.

We are not charged to maximize our regular attendance, get people to fill out cards, raise their hands, walk isles or pray prayers.  We also aren’t to simply make converts. We are called to make disciples.