Jonah - Deep Truths: Part 3
Jonah 3:1–10 (NKJV)
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. 4 And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? 10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.
When we talk about the Word, there is a New testament distinction in how the Bible uses the word Word
Logos - it is the "general" idea of the word
Rhema - it is a specific Word, for a specific purpose, at a specific time
So, to summarize
Logos is a word given generally while Rhema is a word given specifically.
Logos:
John 1:1–2 (NKJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
Rhema:
Romans 10:17 (NKJV) 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(So faith is increased when you receive a Word)
What I'm talking about this morning is not just a word that is general and broad, I'm talking about the type "Word" that is specific and applicable
Here are a few things that I know about receiving a Word from the Lord:
1.God will get you ready to receive a Word
The Word came to Jonah the second time -
In Chapter 1, Jonah received the same Word, but he apparently wasn't ready for it
After his experience on the boat, and in the fish - he re-aligns his life with the will of God
As we come back into alignment God will speak again!
What we learn here is that God will get you ready to receive a Word
You may be living with circumstances that you don't understand - God is getting you ready for a Word
How, then, do you know that you're about ready to receive a word?
You've checked your alignment (And you’re good!)
You feel hungry in your Spirit
"there's got to be more"
You start getting desperate for God's presence
Psalm 42:1–2 (NKJV) 1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:7 (NKJV) 7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
He will get you ready for a word!
So, Jonah receives the Word in submission and obedience:
2.If God can get a Word to you He will get a Word through you!
(And if He can get a Word through you, He will get one to you!)
The reality is, that God spoke to Jonah, because He wanted to speak to Nineveh
The chief responsibility of Hub City Church is to bring a word to this city.
When we talk about making the goodness of Jesus unavoidable, we are also talking about making His Word unavoidable
One of the greatest benefits of a Micro-Church is the opportunity to practice the gifts of the Spirit in a comfortable environment
1 Corinthians 12:7–11 (NKJV) 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Mirco-Church is a great place to PRACTICE the gifts - GIVE A WORD!
3.One Word can change your life!
Verse 5: So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.
When you live a Biblical lifestyle - there is no pressure. It's not your word. It's God's Word.
When you receive a Word, you are in control of the response, but God is in control of the results
God's Word Works!
When you receive it like Nineveh did, it changes everything
The judgement is stopped
The punishments are broken
The ruin of the city is changed to revival in the city!
They received it - They repented!
Why? Because one Word from the Lord can change everything
One Word from the Lord can change anything
