The Need of A Strong Cry

 

I. The Cry for Deliverance

 

Before Jonah could obey and cry against Nineveh he had to first cry out to God for his own deliverance. Why is it that we don't see anyone on the streets like Jonah in this hour? Where are those that will take to the streets and proclaim the message "Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" ? Is it because the Lord is not inspiring us to at this time? Or is it because everyone seems to be like Elijah in a cave or Jonah running from the call of God? Is it not time to stand up and proclaim to this generation the Gospel of Jesus Christ! With power! With Conviction! With courage! With Victory! Without fear! Fearless! As warriors!

 

Jonah 2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

 

God had to prepare Jonah to proclaim a message of Judgment. God knew that Jonah would disobey Him even as He knew Peter would fail and deny that He even knew the Lord. The Lord is in complete control. What God knows is something we don't. He knows the outcome of of our faith! This is why Peter said in his letter, consider the outcome of your faith. God does not make a choice based on our ability to obey Him, He makes a choice based on the outcome of our faith. He knows those that are going to ultimately choose to obey Him or not. In God's foreknowledge He knows the end from the beginning! He knows! May we be like Peter when the Lord asks us a question, "Lord only you know." Let us build on this fact. Let us not build on sinking sand. Let us build on Truth, in this our and not on a hypothesis. The world builds on "educated guesses", however the Believer in Jesus Christ does not build on anything but Truth. Remember Truth is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Upon this Rock the Lord is building His Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

 

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

 

II. The Cry of Repentance

 

Message of John and Jesus. -

 

"Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."  Matt 3:2 , Matt 4:17

 

III. The Cry Against Sin

Jonah 1:2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

The Cry

 

John 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

 

Examples of those with this cry

 

Jonah

 

John the Baptist

 

Jesus

 

Conclusion:

 

We must be faithful to answer the call of God and cry against this generation. What do we cry? We tell them the Truth. God's judgment is coming! Yes, they will laugh. Yes they will will mock. Yes they will persecute us. But did not the Lord not tell us they would? However our cry is the world's only hope! We must cry Repent! Let us not leave them there though. Let us cry also The kingdom of Heaven is near! What joy! What Victory! We get to proclaim to the world that Christ's Kingdom is coming! We get to herald the Kingdom of Heaven is coming! Oh what Glory! The King is coming! His Kingdom is coming! Christ is going to set up His Kingdom! It is not for us to decide who is going to except His Gospel message or reject it. It is ours to proclaim the Truth! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! The King is coming!