And the People of Nineveh Believed God

We do some things in life out of obligation or because of external pressures, rather than from desire and personal choice. For example, I imagine that some of us don’t feel like showing up to work every day. There could be several reasons why, but we show up because we have to. Most of us probably didn’t want to go to school every day when we were growing up, either. We went because our parents made us or because we knew it was necessary for us to get a decent education, even if we didn’t always enjoy it.

When it comes to the gospel mission, we may not always feel like showing up. Initially, Jonah certainly didn’t and it landed him in “hot water.” This Sunday, we’re looking at Jonah 3, and we’ll see Jonah obey God and proclaim the Word to the Ninevites, which they respond positively to. But did Jonah go because he wanted to, or because he felt like he had to? And what about the Ninevites? They responded to Jonah’s message from God, but did they respond earnestly, or simply because their only other option was destruction? What about us? Do we live for God out of sincere desire, or from some sense of obligation?

Series: The Book of Jonah
Message: And the People of Nineveh Believed God
Text: Jonah 3:1-10
Patrice Charade
Harvest Alliston
June 15, 2025

As I live for God, will I follow and obey him…

…out of mere compliance?

…constrained by his mercy (v. 1)

…bound by his calling (v. 2-4)

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

…by strong conviction?

…humbled by his power (v. 5)

1 Timothy 2:4

…transformed by his Word (v. 6-10)