“The Need Of A Nation”
Jonah 3
Sermon Series: “Jonah”
Introduction: Job 12:23 says, “He [God] makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them.” Scripture and history record many examples of God blessing nations and God judging nations. There is no doubt that God has greatly blessed our nation. However, there is no denying that America has many problems. I believe that we (along with every other nation) need a great move of God in our midst. What will bring that about?
Main Idea: What does a nation need in order to experience God’s blessing instead of God’s judgment?
1. A nation needs the grace of God. Obviously, the grace of God was the Ninevites only hope because of their wickedness. I believe that is also true of the United States and every other country as well. No nation, including us, is deserving of or guaranteed of the ongoing blessing of God. The kingdom of God is the only kingdom that will last forever (Daniel 7:14) so when God is finished with a nation it is done.
2. A nation needs the church to repent of sin and walk in obedience to the Lord. The story of Jonah was originally written for Israel, but it applies to the church today. Jonah is a picture of what is needed in the church. None of this happened in Ninevah until he repented and did what God told him to do. We should not expect non-Christians to act like Christians. Sinners are going to do what comes natural and sin. However, Christians should act like Christians and be held accountable for their actions (see 1 Corinthians 5, 1 Peter 4:17). 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear
from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” As my friend Sherrel Nave likes to say, “Revival won’t begin in the White House, or the state house, or the school house, but in the church house.
3. A nation needs the church to function as missionaries in culture. Jonah had to go to them and proclaim the Word of God. That is what we are called to do today as well. The early church in the Book of Acts turned the world upside down by spreading the gospel, discipling the converts, and planting churches in the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. A nation needs righteous leadership that will lead according to the will of God. The leadership of Ninevah led their city in humbling themselves, fasting, and repenting. Do we not need leadership like that today? However, we should notice in the text that the king of Ninevah was responding to the action of the people. Remember that we can influence our leaders through voting, prayer, civic involvement, speaking out, and the power of how we live our lives.
5. A nation needs for its individual citizens to repent of sin and trust Jesus. The Ninevites believed God and then did works that demonstrated repentance. Verse 5 says that they did this “from the greatest to the least of them.” Even in a mass spiritual awakening like this, God is still dealing with people as individuals. Our country will change as more and more people genuinely turn to Christ and then live in obedience to Scripture with a Christian world view. The ultimate answer is in changed hearts through the gospel and not politics or moralism.
Conclusion: What can we do to be part of the solution in our nation as far as meeting its needs?
1. Pray for our nation and its leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
- Repent of sin and walk in obedience to the Lord through the power of the Spirit.
- Live like a missionary. Be salt and light in our world. Share Jesus as much as we can.
- Vote according to biblical values.
- Be a blessing to our communities through serving others.
- Be involved in the political process as God leads you.
