Return the Lord

In November of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the LORD gave this message to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo:

2“I, the LORD, was very angry with your ancestors. 3Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.’ 4Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’

5“Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. 6But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do. ’”Zechariah 1:1-6

Return

If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.” II Chronicles 30:9 NIV

 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist.

Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22 NIV

 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40 NIV

 O Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; 2Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, Hosea 14:1-2 NKJ

 “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, Hosea 14:4 NKJ

Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Jeremiah 3:12 ESV

 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12 NIV

 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 ESV

 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Jonah 1:1-3 NIV 

1. We ignore God's Word.

“The word of the Lord came to Jonah.” Vs 1

2. We try to hide our sins.

Whosoever conceals their sins does not prosper but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28: 13 NIV

Be sure your sins will find you out. Numbers 32: 23 NIV

3. We neglect are evangelistic responsibility.

“After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 18I saw a vision of Jesusc saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’  19“‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’21“But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” 22The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” 23They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air. Acts 22:17-23 NLT

When God called Abraham to be the father of his people the Lord told him. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”Genesis 12:3 NLT

4. We deliberately decide to disobey the Lord.

But - Vs 3

5. We run from our calling.

But Jonah ran away from the Lord Vs 3.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence 8If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10even there your hand will guide me, Psalm 149:7-10 NIV

 I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1 NIV

Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. Hebrews 12:16-17 NLT

 “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you. Job 22:21 NKJ

2Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, Hosea 14:1-2 NKJ