Go Tell the Nations

Sermon Text - Jonah 3

Jonah Preaches at Nineveh

3 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

The People of Nineveh Believe

5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himselfwith sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying,

Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

• God recommissions Jonah after his failure because the Lord remains determined to send his message to Nineveh, a city important in his saving purpose.
• Jonah proclaims God's real justice against Assyria's violence, and the people respond by believing God, fasting, mourning, and turning from specific evil.
• The king's removal of his robe and descent into sackcloth and ashes displays humble repentance and a complete renunciation of self-sufficient authority.
• God sees Nineveh's turning and withholds the announced disaster; Jesus later confirms that the Ninevites truly repented at Jonah's preaching.
• Scripture repeatedly shows God saving people whom others consider unreachable, so the church must not write off individuals, cultures, or nations.
• The church's mission mirrors Jonah's commission but comes directly from the risen Christ: go, make disciples, baptize, and teach all nations.
• Christians themselves are like the Ninevites—guilty before divine justice and dependent on mercy through Christ—so gospel witness must be humble, grateful, and hopeful.

• Whom have I treated as too hostile, immoral, distant, or unlikely ever to receive God's mercy?
• Do I believe God's justice is real enough to speak honestly about sin when sharing the gospel?
• Is my repentance specific, like Nineveh's turning from violence, or only a general expression of regret?
• What authority, reputation, or self-protection must I lay down as I appeal to God's mercy?
• Have disappointment and years of unanswered prayer caused me to stop praying for someone?
• Am I willing to obey Christ's commission even when gospel conversations feel uncomfortable or risky?
• Do I remember that I too am a guilty outsider saved only by mercy through Christ?

Recommission

God's renewed command to Jonah after his disobedience, sending him again to preach the message God supplied.

Justice

God's perfect righteousness by which he sees wickedness, judges according to his law, and never treats evil as harmless.

Mercy

God's compassionate withholding of deserved disaster and his saving kindness toward sinners who turn to him.

Repentance

A genuine turning from evil to God that includes belief, grief over sin, humble confession, and changed conduct.

Effectual work

The Holy Spirit's inward work that opens hearts, brings conviction, and enables sinners to receive Christ and respond to God's Word.

Mission

God's sending of messengers with his Word so that peoples and nations hear of his justice and mercy and are called to repentance and faith.