Mad at God: A Study of the Book of Jonah Week 3: Change of Heart Message Summary: God gave Jonah a second chance at his calling, which ended in the most unexpected blessing, the repentance of the wicked people of Nineveh. God does the same thing in our lives, offering us a chance to be different people who choose a different path now that we have a new knowledge of God’s power and love. ✦ Jonah 2:10 — And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. ✦ Jonah 3:1,2 — 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.” ✦ Jonah 3:3a — Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. ✦ Jonah 3:3b-4 — 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.” ✦ Jonah 1:2 — “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” ✦ Jonah 3:5-9 — 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.” ✦ Jonah 3:5a - The Ninevites believed God. ✦ Repentance - A Crash Course 1. Confession 2. Contrition 3. Correction / Change 4. Call (upon God) ✦ Jonah 3:10 — 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. ✦ Today’s Big Takeaway — God relents when we repent. ✦ 2 Peter 3:9 — The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ✦ Psalm 51:17 — My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — One of Jesus’ first sermons was, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15) What connections do you see between these words and today’s message? GROUP — Why are Life Groups a better place to evaluate each other’s repentance (or lack of it) than our Sunday worship services? GROW — Study 2 Corinthians 7:8-12, noting at least four things you learn about repentance. GIVE — Describe how a repentant, trusting child of God views their finances. What sins will they be sorry for? What forgiveness will they cling to? What does the “fruit of repentance” look like in this area of faith? GO — Do you know someone who is frustrated by the moral changes in America? Next Sunday is a perfect message for them to hear. Invite them to join you for worship. Homework: Jonah 4 (Hashtags: repentance, faith)