“How To Return To God”
Jonah 2-3
Sermon Series: “Jonah”
Introduction: Martin Luther started the Protestant Reformation by nailing “The 95 Thesis” to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. The first one stated, “Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ…willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” The Christian life begins with repentance. Jesus said, “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Peter said, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). However, this is not a one time action but an ongoing, daily lifestyle according to the teaching of the New Testament. We often think of repentance as a negative word, but it is really God graciously inviting us back to Him.
Main Idea: When we get off course and get away from Jesus through disobedience, the way to return to Jesus and get back on the right course is through repentance.
What is repentance? We are going to look at some key characteristics of repentance as shown to us in the book of Jonah and learn how to repent by applying them to our lives. Non- Christians come to Jesus through repentance. Believers stay in fellowship with Jesus and in His will through repentance.
Characteristics Of Repentance
1. The basis of real repentance is the mercy and grace of God (2:1-2, 2:6-9, 3:4, 3:10).
2. The definition of real repentance is turning from sin and to Jesus through a change of mind and heart produced by the Word of God (Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2 is saturated with Scripture, 3:5).
3. The attitude of real repentance is humility and brokenness (Jonah’s prayer, 3:5-9).
4. The expression of real repentance is a surrendered life that results in obedience and change (3:3, 3:10). John the Baptist said, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). A big part of Paul’s message was that people “should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20).
Conclusion: Are you living a life of repentance?
