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The Calling and Fruits of Evangelism

By Joe Boot/ June 22, 2014

Series  Jonah and the Word of the Lord

Context  Westminster Chapel Toronto

Topic  Regeneration

Scripture  Jonah 2:10-3:10

The humanism of our culture is burning out and idle utopian delusions occupy those waiting for the end. While humanism is committing suicide, this is a time of glorious opportunity to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus.

Scripture:  Jonah 2:10-3:10

Sermon Notes:

  1. Spat out upon the shore, Jonah received life from the dead; he was finally willing to obey God’s commission.
  2. This experience of God’s mercy changed Jonah forever.
  3. Graciously, God’s word came to Jonah a second time.
  4. God’s miraculous deliverance of Jonah from the sea taught God’s mercy to the peoples that heard about it.
  5. Jonah declared God’s righteous judgment to Nineveh.
  6. At the sign of Jonah, the Ninevites repented: they believed God and turned away from their evil ways.
  7. Nineveh was owned by God and was significant to His purposes.
  8. Jonah’s preaching put the fear of God into the Ninevites; they recognized God’s justice and accepted His sentence.
  9. The Ninevites knew enough about God to know that He might be merciful upon them (Cf. Matt. 12:38-41).
  10. Nineveh’s pagan political authority decreed a time of national repentance and fasting.  The public square is under God’s authority and has always been His concern.
  11. The gospel is a declaration that Jesus is King, and that you can be part of His kingdom if you repent and believe.
  12. Nineveh is a contrast to Israel, which, though it was to be a witness to the nations, would not repent itself.
  13. When Israel was disobedient, they were failing to declaring God’s missional plan to the nations (Cf. Deut. 4:6-8).
  14. As a city set on a hill, we are to manifest God’s justice, righteousness and wrath to the nations. 
  15. Jonah could not have known that his preaching would bring national repentance, but God’s grace abounded.
  16. We may feel that we have turned from God’s will, and that God has dealt severely with us; but in all things, we know that God is turning things to our good (Rom. 8:28).
  17. Out of Jonah’s typological death comes new life.
  18. In our own sin and rebellion we are fruitless.  God can use us greatly when we are broken and filled with Christ.
  19. Nineveh repented truly.  Yet, in a few generations the nation turned back to making war on God’s people. 
  20. National sin brings the judgment of God upon nations.
  21. Wherever the sign of Jonah is preached, the resurrection power of Christ brings hope and new life.
  22. The Gospel is not being heard in most of our nation today.
  23. Humanism, in the name of “the enlightenment,” attempted to conquer Christianity.
  24. The humanism of our culture is burning out, as idle utopian delusions occupy those waiting for the end.
  25. While humanism is committing suicide, this is a time of glorious opportunity to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus.
  26. God can work among us again; God will work through our faithful planting and watering. 
  27. Great awakenings are exceptional; but we must begin by teaching, preaching, and educating the next generation.
  28. We are to teach, preach, plant, till, and pray.  The city is His and the future belongs to God.

Application Questions

  1. What was the evangelistic message Jonah preached?
  2. How would Jonah’s story affect pagan theology of God?
  3. Why was God so gracious to Nineveh, a pagan city?
  4. In what condition must we be for God to work through us?
  5. What is the mandate of God’s people toward the nations?   
  6. Where do we begin the task of spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom in Canada?
  7. Are we ready and willing to hear God’s call?

Sermon Notes