The Crisis of Nineveh

The Crisis of Nineveh
Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-3

by Estelle Nazary

God's impending judgment. A messenger of God came to warn the people of impending judgment. The people repented and God saved the city. "Jonah" is a book of God.

I. The crisis - People chose to sin. Jonah was God's messenger. The city was sinful and terrible. God is about to judge and destroy the city. They have 40 days to repent. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now God has established judgment. Judgment is a reality. It is appointed that man is to die and after that judgment. Repent means to turn around.

II. The Concern of God. Jonah 4:11
120,000 people who are lost. God is concerned about us even as he was in Nineveh. God came walking in the cool of the days in the Garden of Eden to fellowship with Adam and Eve. "Adam sinned and tried to hide from God." Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost. Adam, where are you? God knew where he was. "Adam, do you know where you are?"

Revelation 22
The spirit and the bride say "come". God declares his concern for people. God demonstrated his concern. He called Jonah and sent him and gave him the message to carry to Nineveh so they could be saved. Never enough to say you care unless you are willing to demonstrate your concern. "no one came today" every day for 6 months a woman who lived alone wrote in her diary. God's keenest desire is to have everyone saved. Jesus died for all. He died to keep us from hell.

III. His Commission - Jonah 2:1
Jonah was already a preacher. He preached to Jews, but God wanted him to go to Nineveh. The Lord got Jonah's attention. Matthew 28:19-20 - Then God gave him a commission. We know where the lost people are, but we aren't doing anything. The urgency, emergency of the commission - 40 days. The work of the church should be with urgency, enthusiasm and love for God and people. Same gospel, same God, same message, same commission....

Renew our commitment - Rededicate my life - Lost