Failure Is Not Your Name

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
August 2, 2026
Jonah 3:1-3a

“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.” Jonah 3:1-3a (ESV)

1. FAILURE IS AN EVENT, NOT AN IDENTITY.

"Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time..." Jonah 3:1 (ESV)

Failure is SOMETHING you did; it is not SOMEONE you are.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (ESV)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

2. CALLING IS A GIFT, NOT A REWARD.

Calling is a gift of GRACE, not a reward for PERFORMANCE.

"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you." Jonah 3:2 (ESV)

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29 (ESV)

Jesus didn't just die to RESCUE you from your past, but to also to RECLAIM you for His mission.

"He saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace..." 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)

3. OBEDIENCE IS A RESPONSE, NOT A REQUIREMENT.

“So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.” Jonah 3:3a (ESV)

“For it is by grace you have been saved…not by works…to do good works God has prepared.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

Obedience is the FRUIT of acceptance, not the PRICE of acceptance.