Arise and Go
Your Nineveh Is Waiting
Pastor Tim Rigdon
Sunday July 26th

Scriptures and Notes

Jonah 1:1–3 (NKJV)
“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah… saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh… and cry out against it…’. But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord…”


Partial obedience is still disobedience

Jonah teaches us that you can run from God's assignment...
But you cannot outrun God's presence.
God wasn't trying to punish Jonah.
He was trying to position him.

 

God still pursues those He has called


I. God’s Call Is Always Greater Than Our Comfort
 

Jonah 1:2 NKJV
“Arise, go to Nineveh…”


We want God to bless people we like…
…but judge people we don’t.


God doesn’t call us where we are comfortable.
He calls us where we are needed.
 

Don’t let comfort keep you from your calling
 

Are You Ready To Say Yes to Your Nineveh


II. You Can Run From God’s Assignment, But Not His Presence


Disobedience always leads downward


Rock Bottom is a Sacred Altar


Psalms 139:7 NKJV
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”


III. God Loves Us Enough to Send Storms


Jonah 1:4 NKJV
“But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, 
…and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, 
…so that the ship was about to be broken up.”


Some storms are sent by God
…not to destroy us
… but to redirect us
 

The storm wasn’t punishment
…It was mercy


Some of your greatest blessings came disguised as interruptions


IV. One Person’s Disobedience Affects Others


Our choices never affect only ourselves


Sin always has collateral damage
 

Even Jonah’s failure became part of God’s plan
 

God can redeem even our worst mistakes


V. The Great Fish Was Not Jonah’s Judgment
…It Was His Rescue
 

Jonah 1:17 NKJV
“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. 
…And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”


The fish wasn’t God’s prison
…It was God’s Lifeboat


Sometimes what feels like confinement
…is actually protection.


God is preserving you until your heart changes


VI. Your Lowest Place Can Become Your Greatest Prayer Meeting


Rock Bottom is a Sacred Altar


No place is too dark for God to hear


The fish’s belly became Jonah’s altar.


VII. God Is the God of Second Chances


Jonah 3:1 NKJV
“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,”


The second time


Are You Ready For Your Second Chance


VIII. Obedience Brings Revival
 

One obedient servant changed an entire nation
 

Never underestimate your obedience
 

Could change generations
 

IX. Beware of Having the Right Message 
…but the Wrong Heart
 

Jonah 4:4 NKJV
“Is it right for you to be angry?”
 

Revival is not just seeing sinners repent
…It is seeing saints become more like Jesus


It’s a city turning to God


His purpose is better than your plan