Jonah ch1 – 4
From this book, the speaker brought out four of God’s
characteristics.
1) God’s
love is for all people.
Jonah, sometimes known as the unwilling prophet, was not
happy about God loving all people. He certainly did not want the people of Nineveh
However, Jonah knew that God was gracious, merciful, slow to
anger, of great kindness, and one who is willing to relent from impending judgement
and forgive.
God is exactly the same to all people today.
Reader, He loves you
personally and longs for you to repent and be saved from the coming judgement -
“…Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance
- 2nd Epistle of Peter ch3 vs9
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God
- Mark’s Gospel ch1 vs15
2) God
is holy and will judge all sin.
Man brought sin into the world through disobeying what God
had specifically told them not to do (Genesis ch2 & 3).
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”
- Romans ch5 vs12
God will eternally punish all those who do not repent of
their sins.
But God showed His
incredible love for us all by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to
do what none of us could ever do – pay the price of our every sin and gain forgiveness.
He is the only person without sin, and willingly gave His own life on The
Cross, taking our sins upon Himself and taking the punishment that we all
deserved. Faith in His shed blood can completely cleanse you from your sins.
Reader, if you have not already done so, why would you not
accept this wholly gracious offer of a full and free forgiveness tonight? Why
would you reject such wonderful love in the person of The Lord Jesus Christ?
Simply come in faith
and repentance.
So many people leave it too late, unaware that death and
eternity was but a moment away. Tonight will be the last opportunity to be
saved for countless souls who think they have plenty time to address these
things later in life…
“And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this
the judgment”
- Hebrew’s ch9 vs27
As with Jonah, we cannot escape God. He tried and went in
the opposite direction, but to no avail. Many people are the same today – “I
will do things my way” – not accepting they are responsible for every action
and that there will be consequences at the end of their lives. How very sad,
when there is a loving God appealing to each person to repent and accept His
beloved Son as their Saviour.
3) God
is merciful to all
The people of Nineveh
“…You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy”
- Micah ch7 vs18
We are each imperfect, but God has provided the perfect
Saviour for us all.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life”
- John’s Gospel ch3 vs16
Dear reader, it is God’s desire that you spend an
everlasting life with Him in Heaven!
The place where there is no more sin, suffering, tears or
death, but eternal joys!
4) God
looks after His own, despite our failings.
Jonah had disobeyed God and gone in the opposite direction
to Nineveh
Jonah failed God, but was given a second chance.
Dear reader, He is still offering you that second chance
tonight, I urge you to respond and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
1)
Have you any room for Jesus –
Him, who bore your load of sin?
As he knocks and seeks admission,
Sinner, will you let Him in?
Chorus
Room for Jesus, Lord of glory!
Hasten now, His word obey!
Swing the heart’s door widely open,
Bid Him enter while you may!
2)
Room for pleasure, room for business;
But for Christ, the crucified –
Not a place that He can enter,
In the heart for which He died.
3)
Have you any time for Jesus,
As in grace He calls again?
Oh! “TODAY” is “time accepted,”
Tomorrow you may call in vain.
4)
Room and time now give to Jesus:
Soon will pass God’s day of grace;
Soon thy heart be cold and silent,
And thy Saviour’s pleadings cease.
(Hymn by El Nathan)
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