Jonah 3:4
Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of repentance, encouraging listeners to turn to God with the promise of forgiveness and blessing through Christ.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the urgency of repentance, drawing parallels between the Ninevites' response to Jonah's singular warning and today's need for believers to recognize their own sins and divisions. He highlights that while the Ninevites had only one monotonous message of destruction, modern believers have a message filled with hope and promises for the repentant. Smith urges that, despite the judgment that may come, there is still hope for redemption through Christ, who offers forgiveness and blessings to those who turn back to Him. He calls for a recognition of the greater message of grace available today compared to the past.
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"WHO CAN TELL"
I. WELL MIGHT THEY RISE IN JUDGMENT.
A. Only had one warning.
1. "He being often reproved."
B. Only heard one prophet.
1. Thousands of ministers.
C. Only heard one monotonous message.
1. Message of destruction.
2. No hope presented in message.
3. Nothing mentioned about repentance.
4. No promises even if they did repent. Today message of
love full of promises to the repentant.
II. THEY REPENTED WITH ONLY ONE HOPE.
A. We can tell.
1. Today we are in need of repentance.
a. "Our sins an abomination to God."
b. Our divisions are repulsive to Him.
c. Our luke-warmness nauseates Him.
d. Our lack of faith displeasing.
B. He has allowed judgment to come on far better than we...but -
"Who can tell" "If my people which are called by my name."
C. We have far more encouragement to repent than the Ninevites.
III. BEHOLD A GREATER THAN JONAH IS HERE.
A. Christ is here to forgive the penitent, to bless the obedient.
Sermon Outline
- Well Might They Rise in Judgment
- A points: - Christ is here to forgive the penitent, to bless the obedient
- They Repented with Only One Hope
- C points: - He has allowed judgment to come on far better than we - Who can tell - If my people which are called by my name
- D points: - We have far more encouragement to repent than the Ninevites
- Behold a Greater Than Jonah Is Here
Key Quotes
“He being often reproved, yet he turned not to him that speaketh unto him that teacheth him.” — Chuck Smith
“Who can tell if my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” — Chuck Smith
“Christ is here to forgive the penitent, to bless the obedient.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We need to repent of our sins, divisions, luke-warmness, and lack of faith.
- We have far more encouragement to repent than the Ninevites, as we have the promise of God's forgiveness through Christ.
- We should turn to God with humility, prayer, and a desire to seek His face and turn from our wicked ways.