God’s Redemption is Greater than Our Rebellion By Scott Braser (Jonah 2:10-3:3)

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Redemption Is Greater Than Our Rebellion

No matter how far we have strayed or how deep a mess we have made, God’s grace and redemption reach further still. Jonah ran from God’s call, yet God pursued him, corrected him, and restored him, showing that His mercy is not limited by our failures. Even when we face the consequences of our own choices, God’s desire is to redeem and restore, not to abandon. If you feel far from God or burdened by your past, remember that His redemption is always available, and He is not done with you yet. [10:03]

Jonah 2:10–3:3 (ESV)
And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. 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.

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel furthest from God’s grace, and how might you invite Him to redeem that area today?

Day 2: God’s Word Does Not Change—We Must

God’s commands and character remain constant, even when our hearts are hard or our circumstances change. Jonah received the same call from God both times, but it was Jonah who needed to be transformed in order to fulfill God’s purpose. We often want God or His Word to adapt to our preferences, but true spiritual growth comes when we allow God’s unchanging Word to change us. Are you willing to let God’s Word challenge and reshape your heart, even when it’s uncomfortable? [22:55]

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Reflection: What is one area where you have resisted God’s unchanging truth, and how can you surrender to His Word today?

Day 3: Repentance Means Real Change, Not Just Regret

It is not enough to simply acknowledge our mistakes or feel bad about our sin; true repentance means turning away from old patterns and allowing God to transform our desires and actions. Like Jonah, we may recognize the mess we are in, but unless we let God’s Word shape our response and take steps of obedience, nothing will truly change. Repentance is a call to action—a turning from sin and a turning toward God’s way, marked by a willingness to be changed from the inside out. [29:45]

Acts 3:19 (ESV)
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Reflection: Is there a specific habit or attitude you need to turn from today, and what practical step can you take to walk in a new direction?

Day 4: Obedience to God’s Word Requires Immediate Action

When God calls, He does not ask us to wait until we feel ready or comfortable; He calls us to respond in faith and obedience right away. Jonah’s story shows that delayed obedience is disobedience, and that our repentance is proven by our willingness to act on God’s Word. God’s commands are not suggestions, and our transformation is seen in our immediate response to His leading, even when it is difficult or costly. [32:07]

James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Reflection: What is one step of obedience God is calling you to take today, and what is stopping you from taking it immediately?

Day 5: God’s Word Is Sufficient for Every Calling and Challenge

God’s Word contains everything we need for salvation, for trusting Him, and for obeying Him in every circumstance. Like Jonah, we are called to carry God’s Word with us as we pursue His calling, relying on its authority, sufficiency, and power to guide and sustain us. Whether you are facing a daunting task, a broken relationship, or a new opportunity, God’s Word is enough to equip you for what lies ahead. Trust in its sufficiency, and let it shape your convictions, courage, and sacrifice as you follow God’s call. [39:05]

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Reflection: How can you intentionally rely on God’s Word as your primary guide and source of strength in the challenge or calling you are facing right now?

Sermon Summary

This morning, I shared a story from my early days serving in jail ministry—a story that deeply shaped my understanding of God’s grace and the call to serve those whom society often overlooks. I recounted meeting a man, “Zach,” whose faith and leadership among other inmates was striking. Yet, when I later learned the gravity of his crimes, my heart turned cold. I wrestled with whether I could continue ministering to someone like him. Through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of other believers, God reminded me of my own need for grace and the truth that all of us are sinners in need of redemption. This experience paralleled the journey of Jonah, who ran from God’s call to preach to Nineveh—a people he despised—only to be given a second chance after facing the consequences of his rebellion.

Jonah’s story is a powerful reminder that God’s redemption is greater than our rebellion. Even when we find ourselves in a mess of our own making, God is not done with us. He deals with our sin perfectly and immediately through Christ, but He does not always shield us from the earthly consequences. Like Jonah, we may emerge from our “fish belly” moments messy and broken, but God’s call remains: arise and go.

God’s word to Jonah did not change between the first and second call; it was Jonah who needed to change. God’s word is unchanging and authoritative, and it is meant to shape us, not the other way around. We are called to be people marked by the transformative power of Scripture—people who not only hear God’s word but are changed by it and act on it. Repentance is more than acknowledging our wrongs; it is a turning away, a change of heart and direction, demonstrated by obedience.

Carrying God’s word into our calling requires conviction, courage, and a willingness to count the cost. Whether God is calling us to serve in uncomfortable places, reconcile broken relationships, or simply take the next step of obedience, the call is immediate. God is not finished with us. As long as we have breath, we are invited to arise and go—trusting that His grace is sufficient and His word is enough to guide us.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Redemption Exceeds Our Rebellion No matter how far we have strayed or how deep the mess we find ourselves in, God’s grace is greater. He pursues us, corrects us, and restores us, not because we deserve it, but because of who He is. Our failures do not disqualify us from His purposes; rather, they become the backdrop for His redemptive work. [10:03]
2. God’s Word Is Unchanging and Authoritative The message God gave Jonah did not change; it was Jonah who needed to be transformed. God’s word stands firm across generations, challenging us to conform to His truth rather than seeking to mold Him to our preferences. True spiritual growth comes when we allow Scripture to confront, convict, and reshape us, even when it is uncomfortable. [22:55]
3. Repentance Requires More Than Acknowledgment It is not enough to simply admit our wrongs or feel regret. Biblical repentance is a turning away—a change of heart, mind, and action. We must allow God’s word to shape our desires and choices, demonstrating our repentance through obedience and a new direction in life. [29:45]
4. Obedience Is Immediate and Costly When God calls, He does not suggest or wait for our convenience. Like Jonah, we are called to arise and go, even when it is difficult or costly. Obedience may require courage, sacrifice, and a willingness to step into the unknown, but it is through obedience that we experience God’s power and purpose. [32:07]
5. We Are Called to Be People of the Book Our lives should be marked by the transformative power of God’s word. As image bearers, we have both the privilege and responsibility to let Scripture shape our convictions, relationships, and actions. The sufficiency of God’s word means we have all we need for faith and obedience—if we will listen and respond. [39:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Introduction and Jail Ministry Story
[01:37] - Meeting Zach: Faith Behind Bars
[02:56] - The Surprising Presence of God’s People
[04:01] - A Shocking Revelation
[05:30] - Wrestling with Forgiveness and Calling
[06:42] - God’s Correction: Remembering Grace
[08:14] - Jonah’s Story: Parallels and Second Chances
[10:03] - God’s Redemption Is Greater
[12:01] - The Messiness of Second Chances
[14:34] - Dealing with Consequences of Sin
[17:00] - God’s Perfect Dealing with Sin
[19:07] - The Grace of a Second Call
[22:55] - God’s Word: Unchanging and Transformative
[26:38] - Letting God’s Word Change Us
[29:45] - Repentance: More Than Acknowledgment
[32:07] - Immediate Obedience to God’s Call
[33:35] - God’s Relationship with Humanity
[36:30] - The Sufficiency of Scripture
[39:05] - Living as People of the Book
[40:51] - The Immediacy of God’s Call
[41:53] - Arise and Go: Taking the First Step
[42:12] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jonah 2:10–3:3 (ESV) — 10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.
1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against 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, three days’ journey in breadth.

Observation Questions

What was Jonah’s physical and emotional state when God’s word came to him a second time? ([21:38])
How did God’s message to Jonah in chapter 3 compare to His first message in chapter 1? ([22:24])
What does the passage say about the consequences Jonah faced after running from God? ([14:34])
According to the sermon, what is significant about the way God speaks to Jonah compared to how He speaks to the fish? ([33:06])

Interpretation Questions

Why might God have chosen not to change His message to Jonah, even after Jonah’s rebellion and time in the fish? What does this reveal about God’s character and His word? ([22:55])
The sermon describes Jonah as “fish vomit” when he gets his second chance. What does this imagery communicate about the reality of second chances and the messiness of grace? ([13:58])
The pastor shared a personal struggle with ministering to someone after learning about their serious sins. How does this parallel Jonah’s struggle with the Ninevites, and what does it teach about our own need for grace? ([06:42])
The sermon says that repentance is more than just acknowledging wrongs—it’s a change of heart and direction. How is this different from simply feeling sorry or admitting fault? ([29:45])

Application Questions

The pastor admitted he didn’t want to minister to “Zach” after learning about his crimes, but God reminded him of his own need for grace. Is there someone in your life you find it hard to extend grace to? What would it look like to see them as God sees them? ([06:42])
Jonah’s story shows that God’s call doesn’t change, but we need to. Is there an area where you’ve been waiting for God to change your circumstances, when maybe He’s waiting for you to change? What step could you take this week? ([23:50])
The sermon emphasized that God’s word is unchanging and authoritative. Are there parts of Scripture you find challenging or uncomfortable? How do you typically respond when God’s word confronts your preferences or beliefs? ([25:28])
Repentance was described as a turning away, not just an admission of guilt. Is there a specific area in your life where you’ve acknowledged a problem but haven’t yet taken steps to change direction? What would true repentance look like for you? ([29:45])
Obedience to God’s call is immediate and sometimes costly. Is there something you sense God is calling you to do that you’ve been putting off? What is holding you back, and what would it take to “arise and go”? ([32:07])
The sermon said we are called to be “people of the Book.” What is one practical way you can let Scripture shape your decisions, relationships, or actions this week? ([39:05])
The pastor mentioned that God is not done with us as long as we have breath. Where do you need to be reminded that God’s grace is sufficient and that He still has a purpose for you, even if you feel messy or broken? ([41:53])

Sermon Clips

So no matter how far you've strayed from God, remember this, God's redemption is greater than your rebellion. If you open up your Bibles, our passage today starts in Jonah, chapter 2, verse 10, and goes through 3, 3. God's word says this, And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon dry land. Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you. [00:10:03] (39 seconds) #RedemptionOverRebellion

Substantially, God's word to Jonah the first and the second time hasn't changed. So we know that God's word doesn't change. And we know that from the rest of Scripture as well, don't we? We know that God himself is immutable. He's not just unchanging. He's unchangeable. And so it's interesting because, again, when we think about that earthly and eternal perspective of what God knew about Jonah that Jonah didn't know and how he corrects it, if Jonah was going to truly be useful to God in Nineveh, he would have to see the people of Nineveh the way God sees them. [00:22:50] (41 seconds) #ObedienceInAction

It wasn't that God's word to Jonah needed to change. Jonah needed to change, okay? Just like it says in Hebrews, right? Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God doesn't need to change. We need to change. I remember a friend told me one time that he could, I think the word as he used, were get on board with the whole Christianity thing if the church and if God would just get with the times. Something along those lines, right? And listen, I get it. It sounds ridiculous, but I get it. [00:23:50] (33 seconds) #CreatorNotPuppet

He created heaven and earth. He created you. He created me. And if I go to him and say, hey, I'm really sick and tired of this stuff they've been saying in church, you should change your mind. And he goes, all right. Yeah, you know what? You're right, Scott. That's not a God I want to worship, right? That's not a God that any of us should desire to follow, a creator who listens to creation. This is a very low view of God, and I think it's really important for all of us to consider because, after all, we call ourselves Village Bible Church. [00:24:44] (34 seconds) #ScriptureSufficient

Scripture calls us to repentance. To repent means literally to turn away or to change one's mind. But change one's mind, the way we say change our mind sounds less than what Scripture means by it. It doesn't mean I was going to eat at McDonald's, but I changed my mind and I went to Culver's, right? It means literally to change your desires, to change what you want in life, to change how you act in life. To repent means to turn away. [00:29:45] (25 seconds)

And so if you find yourself, like Jonah, needing a second chance, or God offering you a second chance, my question to you and my challenge to you is, how are you letting God's Word shape your do-over? How are you letting God's Word shape the way that He will give you this second chance? And as you do this, this is a prayer that I've prayed myself sometimes. What I've said at times when I've found myself in this situation, I find myself saying, I got into this mess by being ignorant of God's Word or by ignoring it. [00:30:33] (37 seconds)

Our repentance in life is demonstrated through our obedience to God and to His Word. Likewise, in James 1.22, I love it. It says, be doers of the word and not hearers only. If we're hearers only, Scripture tells us that we're hypocrites. We can know God's Word backwards and forwards, but if our lives don't change because of it, Scripture calls us hypocrites. [00:32:31] (25 seconds)

And so no matter where you are, what stage you're at, whether you're seeking God, whether you've decided to follow him, whether maybe you're like Jonah and you need that second chance, God's word is sufficient to speak truth into your situation. God's word will heal you, will redeem you, and will restore you. And again, I challenge you as a people who call ourselves Village Bible Church, do you believe this? Do you live your life this way? [00:38:36] (34 seconds)

No matter where God takes you, no matter how he calls you to serve him, there will be sacrifice. At the very least, there will be time. There's often money. We're going to have to count the cost and Jesus tells us this as we call ourselves his people. And as we close out, I want to remind you what God says as he starts his call to Jonah. He says, arise and go. Again, this is not a suggestion. This is not a whenever you feel ready. This is an immediacy God is placing on his person, Jonah. [00:40:36] (37 seconds)

God did these things because he wasn't yet done with Jonah. He's not yet done with you today. All of us have our feet on the floor. All of us have God's air in our lungs. He is not done with us. The journey to Nineveh for Jonah started with one step in the right direction. So today, arise and go and take your first step. Amen. [00:41:49] (25 seconds)

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