Text: 1 Peter 1

Series: Jonah: God's Sovereign Mercy
Text: Jonah 3
Theme: The Mercy of Repentance

One: Wicked…

• A description of their actions
• The condition of their hearts

…but receptive

• Faith = a turning to God
• Repentance = a turning from sin
• Marks of true repentance:
  • A sorrow over sin
  • An appeal for mercy
  • A rejection of sin

Two: Undeserving but forgiven

• Sinners deserve judgment.
• Christ suffered God's judgment so sinners can be forgiven.

Salvation belongs to the Lord! ~ Jonah 2:9

Series: Jonah: God's Sovereign Mercy
Text: Jonah 1:17-2:10
Theme: Jonah's progression from rebellion, to repentance, to restoration.

One: Historic but prophetic

• Jonah and Jesus were buried for 3 days
• Jonah and Jesus were raised the third days
• Jonah and Jesus proclaimed repentance
• [Remember, Jonah but Jesus]

Two: Punished but penitent

• God keeps us from the ruin of sin by a severe mercy
• In repentance, we desire God's presence

Three: Disobedient but delivered

• Sinners run from God, but he seeks and saves.
• God appoints the means and accomplishes the end of our salvation.

Salvation belongs to the Lord! ~ Jonah 2:9

Series: Jonah: God's Sovereign Mercy
Text: Jonah 1
Theme: Obeying God's Command

One: Commissioned but AWOL

• "Arise, go" vs. "rose to flee"
• What do I think of God's commands?

Two: Great but godless

• The gospel is better than any human standard of greatness.
• God is merciful to arrogant sinners.

Three: Hiding but seen

• We foolishly think we can hide from God.
• God sees and knows everything.

Salvation belongs to the Lord! ~ Jonah 2:9

Series: Jonah
Text: Jonah
Theme: A familiar story of mercy and salvation

Historical Context

• 2 Kings 14:25 - Jeroboam II; Northern tribes of Israel.
• c.750 BC; Israel falls to Assyria in 722 BC.

A Theme of Sovereign Mercy

Jonah, but Jesus

• The Old Testament begins a story that is completed in Christ.
• Jonah – buried for 3 days in the belly of the fish and brought up alive – is a vivid illustration of the death and resurrection of the Messiah.

A Prophecy in Story

• Of the universal scope of God's redeeming love
• Of the Jewish aversion to Gentile inclusion

Salvation belongs to the Lord! ~ Jonah 2:9

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 1:8; Acts 8:4
Theme: Tensions that shape our outreach strategies

Tension #6: Extended, ongoing relationships vs. brief, one-time encounters.

Tension #7: Scholarly defense of the gospel vs. simple statements of the gospel.

Tension #8: Sovereignty and the power of God's Word, vs. persuasion and the power of my words.

Tension #9: Testimony of words vs testimony of works.

Tension #10: Faith for risk vs wisdom for safety.

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 1:8; Acts 8:4
Theme: Tensions that shape our outreach strategy.

Tension #1: Awareness vs. engagement.

Tension #2: Individual effort vs. corporate program.

Tension #3: The sheer joy of witnessing vs. the stark obedience of witnessing.

Tension #4: Compassion for sinners vs. condemnation of sin.

Tension #5: Bold persistence vs. bold intolerance.

Special: Resurrection Sunday
Text: Acts 26:12-23
Theme: The light of the gospel shines from an empty tomb.

One: Gospel light has the power to transform lives.

• to open their eyes
• to turn them from darkness to light
• to turn them from the power of Satan to God
• to forgive sins
• to give them a place in God's family

Two: Gospel light is received by repentance and faith.

• Repentance = a turning FROM sin
• Faith = a turning TO God

Three: Gospel light is anchored to the power and hope of the resurrection.

Christ…being the first to rise from the dead…would proclaim light. ~ Acts 26:23

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 28:17-31
Theme: Last instructions for witnesses

One: Aim for opportunities to talk.

Two: Communicate a genuine hope.

Three: Anchor your witness to the Bible.

Four: Understand the possible results.

Five: Be ready in any context to speak of God.

Six: Believe in the gospel's success.

Series: Acts: The Advance of the Kingdom
Text: Acts 28:11-16
Theme: How do we keep in mind the big picture of kingdom advance?

One: View perceived delays as God's plan.

Two: Remember that you live as a witness among unbelief.

Three: Rest in God's promise-keeping.

Four: Be encouraged by other believers and their gifts.

Five: Trace the simple kindness of God in your life.