Confronting Evil in Our Day by Steve Lombardo (Jonah 3:4-10)

Life is fleeting, and each day is a precious gift from God. When we pause to consider the brevity of our days, we gain wisdom and perspective. Our lives, as the psalmist says, are but a breath—here for a moment and then gone. This reality should not lead us to despair, but rather to gratitude and urgency. Every breath, every moment, is an opportunity to praise God and to invest in what truly matters. Instead of being consumed by the trivial or temporary, we are called to pour ourselves into things that will outlast us: our families, our faith, and the work of God in the world.

Building a legacy begins at home. When we invest in our families—teaching them to trust God, to love His Word, and to honor Christ as King—we are laying a foundation that can impact generations. Even if our names are forgotten, the spiritual heritage we leave can echo long after we are gone. But there is an even greater calling: to be part of God’s redemptive work in the world. The church is God’s chosen instrument for this mission. Each of us is called to step into the good works God has prepared for us, to serve, to witness, and to build something that will last for eternity.

Jonah’s story is a powerful reminder of this calling. Though he initially ran from God’s mission, he was given a second chance to confront the evil of his day. The city of Nineveh, notorious for its violence and wickedness, was transformed when Jonah delivered God’s message. The people repented, turning from their evil ways and seeking God’s mercy. This shows us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace, and that our obedience can have far-reaching consequences.

We, too, are called to confront the darkness of our world—not with anger or condemnation, but with the message of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ, entrusted with the good news that Jesus has borne our sin and offers us His righteousness. Our mission is to share this hope, to pray for those around us, and to be actively involved in the life of the church. When we do, we become part of something far bigger than ourselves—a movement of God’s mercy and justice that will endure forever.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Number your days to gain wisdom Reflecting on the brevity of life brings clarity and focus. When we remember that our days are limited, we are motivated to use our time purposefully, investing in what truly matters. This perspective guards us from wasting our lives on trivial pursuits and helps us to live with gratitude and intentionality. [04:57]
• 2. Invest in something bigger than yourself True significance comes from being part of a legacy that outlasts us—our families and the faith. By building into our homes and participating in the work of the church, we join in God’s eternal purposes. Even if our names are forgotten, the impact of our faithfulness can ripple through generations and into eternity. [06:57]
• 3. Confront evil with the message of reconciliation We are called to stand against the darkness of our age, not with the weapons of the world, but with the gospel of Jesus Christ. As ambassadors, our task is to bring hope, forgiveness, and the call to repentance. The power of God’s message can transform even the hardest hearts and the most broken cultures. [22:11]
• 4. Repentance opens the door to God’s mercy No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. When the people of Nineveh turned from their evil and humbled themselves, God relented from judgment. Genuine repentance—turning from sin and seeking God—always meets with His compassion and forgiveness, regardless of our past. [33:05]
• 5. God keeps His promises, even in mercy God’s faithfulness is seen not only in judgment but in His willingness to relent when people turn to Him. His promises of justice and mercy are both true, and He delights to show compassion to those who seek Him. Our hope is anchored not in our performance, but in His steadfast love. [34:01]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:16] - Reflections on Aging and Time
• [03:31] - The Brevity of Life
• [05:32] - Gaining Wisdom by Numbering Our Days
• [06:57] - Living for Something Bigger
• [09:29] - Jonah’s Call and Obedience
• [12:14] - The Wickedness of Nineveh
• [14:09] - Our Mission to Confront Evil
• [15:37] - The State of Our Culture
• [17:41] - The Tragedy of Abortion
• [18:34] - Violence and Devaluing Life
• [20:45] - Our Mission as Ambassadors
• [21:12] - Jonah’s Message to Nineveh
• [22:11] - The Ministry of Reconciliation
• [24:12] - Practical Steps for Mission
• [27:06] - Nineveh’s Repentance and Purpose
• [31:58] - God’s Response: Mercy and Promise
• [34:23] - God’s Mercy for All Who Turn

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

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### Bible Reading

**Jonah 3 (ESV)**

> Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

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### Observation Questions

1. What was Jonah’s message to the people of Nineveh, and how did they respond to it? ([10:49])
2. According to the sermon, what actions did the king of Nineveh and the people take to show their repentance? ([11:12])
3. What does the passage say God did when He saw how the people of Nineveh responded? ([11:42])
4. In the sermon, what two main areas did the pastor say we should invest in to be part of something bigger than ourselves? ([06:57])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God gave Jonah a second chance to go to Nineveh, even after he ran away the first time? What does this say about God’s character? ([10:27])
2. The people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s warning with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. What do these actions reveal about their understanding of their own sin and God’s holiness? ([27:32])
3. The sermon says that “no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.” How does the story of Nineveh support this statement? ([33:05])
4. The pastor mentioned that our lives are “but a breath.” How does remembering the brevity of life help us focus on what truly matters? ([04:57])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to “number our days” and live with purpose. What is one area of your life where you feel you are wasting time on things that don’t matter? What is one step you can take this week to invest your time more wisely? ([04:57])
2. The pastor said that building a legacy begins at home. What is one practical way you can invest in your family’s faith this month? Is there a specific conversation, habit, or tradition you want to start? ([07:29])
3. Jonah was called to confront evil with a message of reconciliation, not condemnation. Is there a situation or relationship in your life where you need to bring a message of hope or forgiveness instead of anger? What would it look like to do that? ([22:11])
4. The people of Nineveh repented and turned from their evil ways. Is there an area in your own life where you need to repent and seek God’s mercy? What is holding you back from doing so? ([33:05])
5. The sermon encouraged us to be actively involved in the life of the church. Are you currently serving or participating in a way that uses your gifts? If not, what is one step you could take to get more involved? ([26:19])
6. The pastor talked about praying for others and sharing your testimony. Who is one person you can pray for this week, and what is one way you could share your faith story with them? ([25:21])
7. God’s mercy was shown to the people of Nineveh when they turned to Him. How does knowing that God delights to show compassion change the way you view your own failures or the failures of others? ([34:01])