THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCE

Title: THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCE 

By Rev Samuel Arimoro

Main Text:** Jonah 3:1-2 
Supporting Texts: Lamentations 3:22-23, Micah 7:18-19, John 8:10-11, Isaiah 55:7

INTRODUCTION 
Life is full of missed opportunities, failures, and mistakes. However, one of the most comforting truths about God is His willingness to give us a second chance. Our God is not only merciful but also longsuffering, always ready to restore, forgive, and offer a fresh start. In Jonah 3:1-2, we see how Jonah, after initially disobeying God, was given another chance to fulfill his assignment. This sermon explores the mercies of God and how we can embrace His grace when He offers us a second chance.

1. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S MERCY AND FORGIVENESS 

a) God’s Mercy is Everlasting 
Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that "It is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed… They are new every morning." God's mercy gives us the opportunity for renewal and restoration, even when we fail.

b) Forgiveness through Repentance
God offers forgiveness to those who genuinely repent. In 1 John 1:9, we learn that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us." When we turn back to God, He erases our past failures and gives us a new beginning.

c) The Prodigal Son: A Model of Restoration
In Luke 15:11-32, the story of the prodigal son illustrates God’s readiness to offer a second chance. Despite wasting his inheritance and living in sin, the father welcomed him back with open arms. This shows that no matter how far we stray, God is always ready to restore us when we return.

2. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF SECOND CHANCES 

a) Jonah’s Second Chance (Jonah 3:1-2) 
Jonah disobeyed God’s first instruction to go to Nineveh. Instead of leaving him in his disobedience, God gave Jonah a second chance to fulfill his mission. God’s calling is irrevocable, and He will often give us another opportunity to accomplish what we missed.

b) Peter’s Restoration (John 21:15-19) 
After denying Jesus three times, Peter must have felt disqualified from ministry. Yet, after His resurrection, Jesus gave Peter a second chance by reinstating him as a leader and commissioning him to "feed His sheep." This shows that God’s grace can restore us to service, even after major failures.

c) The Adulterous Woman (John 8:10-11)
In the story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus did not condemn her, even though she deserved punishment according to the law. Instead, He gave her a second chance with the instruction, "Go and sin no more." Jesus offers grace where others offer judgment.

d) David’s Restoration after Sin (2 Samuel 12:13)
David sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the murder of her husband. After being confronted by the prophet Nathan, David repented, and although he faced consequences, God still gave him a second chance, continuing His covenant with him.

3. HOW TO RECEIVE A SECOND CHANCE FROM GOD 

a) Acknowledge Your Failures
The first step to receiving a second chance is admitting where we have fallen short. In Psalm 51, David acknowledged his sin before God, which opened the door for his restoration. Honesty and humility are key to accessing God’s mercy.

b) Repent and Turn Back to God
Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our mistakes but involves a turning away from sin and back to God. Isaiah 55:7 says, "Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them."

c) Accept God’s Grace and Move Forward
Once we repent, we must accept God’s forgiveness and move forward in His grace. The enemy often tries to keep us bound by guilt and shame, but Romans 8:1 reminds us that "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." We must trust that God’s forgiveness is complete.

d) Embrace God’s Plan and Purpose
When God gives us a second chance, it’s often to re-engage with His plan and purpose for our lives. In Jonah’s case, the second chance meant going back to the mission God had originally called him to. We must be willing to step into God’s purpose with obedience and faith.

4. WHY GOD GIVES US A SECOND CHANCE 

a) His Love and Compassion
God's nature is love, and His compassion compels Him to give us second chances. Micah 7:18 says, "Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression... You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy."

b) To Fulfill His Plans for Us 
Jeremiah 29:11 declares that God has plans for our good, not to harm us. When we fail, God gives us a second chance because His purpose for our lives is still valid. Like Jonah, God’s plans do not change because of our mistakes; He just reroutes us back to His purpose.

c) To Display His Glory 
When God gives us a second chance and we succeed, it brings glory to Him. Our lives become testimonies of His grace, mercy, and power. The transformation of someone who receives a second chance showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore.

d) To Build Our Faith
Receiving a second chance can strengthen our faith in God’s goodness. It shows us that He is patient, loving, and willing to work with us despite our flaws. This gives us confidence to trust Him in future challenges.

5. HOW TO USE YOUR SECOND CHANCE WISELY 

a) Walk in Obedience
When God gives you a second chance, the best way to honor it is by walking in obedience. Jonah learned this the hard way, but after receiving his second chance, he went straight to Nineveh and delivered the message God had given him.

b) Avoid the Mistakes of the Past
A second chance is an opportunity to avoid the mistakes that caused the failure in the first place. We must learn from our past and make better choices going forward. Proverbs 24:16 says, "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again."

c) Be Grateful and Humble 
Receiving a second chance should produce gratitude and humility in us. We should never take God's mercy for granted but live in a way that reflects our appreciation for His grace. James 4:6 reminds us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

d) Extend Grace to Others
When we experience God’s grace through a second chance, we should extend that same grace to others. Matthew 18:21-22 teaches us to forgive others just as we have been forgiven.

CONCLUSION 
The God of second chances is a God of mercy, compassion, and restoration. No matter how far we have strayed, no matter how badly we have failed, God is willing to give us another chance. We must recognize our need for His grace, repent, and embrace the new opportunity He provides. Our God is not only the God of second chances but also third, fourth, and infinite chances as long as we come back to Him with a sincere heart.

PRAYER POINTS 

1. Father, thank You for Your mercy that offers me a second chance.

2. Lord, I repent of every area of disobedience in my life.

3. Father, restore every blessing I have lost through past mistakes.

4. Lord, help me to walk in obedience and avoid the mistakes of the past.

5. Father, renew my mind and help me accept Your grace without guilt.

6. Lord, I break every chain of condemnation and guilt over my life.

7. Father, give me the strength to fulfill Your purpose for my life.

8. Lord, let Your mercy speak for me where I have fallen short.

9. Father, help me to extend grace to others as You have shown me grace.

10. Lord, let my life be a testimony of Your power to restore and redeem.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. I declare that the God of second chances is giving me a fresh start today.

2. I prophesy that every lost opportunity in my life is being restored in Jesus’ name.

3. I declare that the chains of guilt and shame are broken off my life.

4. I decree that I will walk in obedience and fulfill my divine purpose.

5. I declare that every mistake of the past is turning into a testimony of God’s grace.

6. I prophesy new doors of opportunity and favour are opening for me.

7. I declare that the mercy of God is surrounding me like a shield.

8. I decree that I will not repeat the mistakes of my past but will move forward in wisdom.

9. I declare that I am walking in divine favour and grace.

10. I decree that my life will glorify God through the second chance He has given me.