God is the God of second chance.

Matthew 12:38-41 > Jonah 1:1-2

·        God is trying to show the story of Nineveh through the eye of Prophet Jonah.

·        God called Jonah from the storm.

·        God turns mistakes to the ministry

>Jonah was running away from the call of God.

> Jonah was running away from the presence of God > Psalm 139.

>A person can run from the God but can't hide from the presence of God.

> By circumstances & nature, God showed Jonah, there is no escape from God, to bring him back to the presence of God.

>God used situation & people to bring Jonah back to him

>  Jonah wanted to running away from the mercy of God.

>  Jonah was running away from the call of ministry.

·        How far Jonah willing to go?

>  Jonah pay for travel.

>  Jonah was traveling with pagan worshiper.

>  He was running away in opposite direction, far side of the world, from Tar shish.

>  He was sleeping.

>  He was sinking in the water & still not admit the call of God to go to Nineveh: we show, God work of long suffer.

1.      God is long suffering & he works with Jonah.

2.      God has incorporated your mistake in his sovereign plan.

3.      God is willing to work with our weakness.

4.      You paid the fare to run away from God, but God paid travel expenses to come back to him.

5.      God wants him to experience judgment & mercy.

6.      no matter how far we go or how low we go, away from the Lord, he will able to pick you up. he is the God of restoration, who paid double for our trouble.

7.      God know how to speak through situation.

8.      God want to touch the sensitive area of your heart.

9.      God will not force you to do anything; he will make you change your will.

10.  God is the God of second chance (chapter 1 & 3) - he ask Jonah to go to Nineveh.

Sermon notes from www.intlcog.org, 7/21/2013