Jonah
Series: The grace of God
Speaker: Sam Low
Date: 19th January 2013
Passage: Jonah 4:1-11
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 It is good to be in church with you this morning.
00:00:03 --> 00:00:04 We're coming to the end of January,
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 which means hopefully you're starting to click out of holiday mode
00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 if you had the privilege of being in holiday mode.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:14 I'm sure work is coming back, school is about to go back.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 Here at church, life is getting very busy,
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 particularly if you work in the youth department,
00:00:19 --> 00:00:24 as we prepare to take our kids away for five days and four nights.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 I know a few parents that are very appreciative
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 that we're going to give them a relaxing week off,
00:00:29 --> 00:00:33 but it is busy and we're about to actually finish our Jonah series today
00:00:33 --> 00:00:37 and then we'll be launching into a very exciting series,
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 not next week but the week after,
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 wrestling with who our God is,
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 wrestling with the question of the Trinity.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 Now I wanted to warn you up front because that's sometimes a scary word,
00:00:48 --> 00:00:51 but it's an important thing for us to wrestle with
00:00:51 --> 00:00:55 and so we're going to spend quite a few weeks wrestling with that
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 and what that means for us as followers of Jesus.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 So please be praying for the staff who are going to be preaching in that series,
00:01:01 --> 00:01:05 that they won't just be talking over here and we'll all miss it,
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 but pray that as we wrestle with who our God is,
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 that that will shape us and change us.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 But that said, let me pray and then we'll get stuck into finishing up
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 what we've been looking at through January and Jonah.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:20 Father God, we want to thank you for the opportunity this morning to gather.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 Father, we want to thank you for the slightly cooler weather.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:28 We want to thank you for the gift that you have given us in your word
00:01:28 --> 00:01:29 that we might hear you speak,
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 that you may work in us by the power of your spirit
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 and we ask that this morning that that would happen,
00:01:35 --> 00:01:38 that it would not just be us sitting in the room together,
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 but that it would be your will being done
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 and that we would be transformed as a result of being here.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:44 Amen.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:48 Just to quickly remind you where we've been in the last couple of weeks,
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 two weeks ago we opened up Jonah 1
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 and kind of looked a bit beyond Jonah 1 as well,
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 but we were reminded that God is sovereign,
00:01:56 --> 00:01:57 that God's will is unstoppable,
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 that even disobedient Jonah and disobedient us
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 can't stop what God is doing.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:07 A week later we were reminded that God is a God who speaks
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 and when God speaks, stuff happens
00:02:09 --> 00:02:13 and we were reminded that God speaks to us in his word
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 and so when we gather and have God speak to us,
00:02:17 --> 00:02:18 stuff happens.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 And so it is important that as we approach this morning
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 that we're ready for stuff to happen.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 We're ready for God to do what he is going to do.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 And so today we're going to open up Jonah chapter 4
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 and we're going to look a little bit back into Jonah as well
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 at one final thing about God
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 that I think the story of Jonah teaches us.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:40 I don't know if you've noticed,
00:02:40 --> 00:02:43 but something that I think all people are born with
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 is a sense of justice.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 I have the joy of seeing this in action
00:02:48 --> 00:02:49 in a 10-month-old at the moment.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 It is amazing how even at 10 months old,
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 Bailey knows when somebody has stolen what is his.
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 If he has a toy that belongs to him
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 and somebody else wants to play with it,
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 he knows that he is entitled to that toy
00:03:03 --> 00:03:04 because it's his.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 And so if they steal it,
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 he is pretty quick to take it back
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 or to go and find something of theirs
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 that he can steal to balance the ledger.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 He met his cousins for the first time over Christmas
00:03:15 --> 00:03:18 and they're all still a little bit uncoordinated.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 And so one cousin would push the other cousin over
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 and Bailey would very quickly grab them by the hair
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 and try and bang their head on the floor.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:26 I maintain it was good-spirited,
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 but the reality is that even at that young age,
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 he knows that when something is done,
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 there is an equal reaction.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 There is justice that is due.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:42 They say that the best way to split a piece of cake in half
00:03:42 --> 00:03:45 for two kids is to ask one to cut it
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 and the other one gets to choose.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 You can be sure that it will be exactly down the middle.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:52 But funnily enough,
00:03:52 --> 00:03:55 we have the exact same sense of justice as we get older.
00:03:55 --> 00:03:56 We try and be a little bit more subtle
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 about what we think we're entitled to,
00:03:58 --> 00:04:01 but you know that feeling when you're sitting in the car in traffic
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 and somebody sneaks up the bus lane
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 and there's just this anger and rage
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 that makes you want to zip out at the last minute
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 and have them jam on the brakes
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 and you don't want to let them pass
00:04:12 --> 00:04:13 because you're doing the right thing
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 and you're entitled to be in front of that person.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:18 Maybe it's at work.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:19 You're being honest.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 You are making sure that you let the boss know
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 what you're spending on what
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 and you are not cheating in any way, shape or form,
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 but for some reason the people who are cheating
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 seem to be doing better than you.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 They seem to have that little bit more money.
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 They seem to be first in line for promotion
00:04:35 --> 00:04:39 and we have that sense in us that this isn't right.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:41 We know what we deserve
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 and we want what we deserve.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 We don't think that's unreasonable.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:46 It's not unrealistic.
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 We just want what we have earned,
00:04:50 --> 00:04:51 what we are entitled to.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 But the problem is
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 that we do the same thing with God.
00:04:57 --> 00:05:00 We want what we deserve with God.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 We want Him to be loving towards us.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 We want Him to look after us.
00:05:04 --> 00:05:05 We want Him to protect us.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 We want Him to make us healthy and well.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:13 But is that what we deserve from God?
00:05:13 --> 00:05:17 Is that what we are entitled to?
00:05:18 --> 00:05:21 As we look at the story of Jonah,
00:05:21 --> 00:05:25 I want to show you the way God responds to people.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 Look quickly with me at chapter 3,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 which we looked at last week.
00:05:28 --> 00:05:31 Jonah has arrived at the city of Nineveh.
00:05:31 --> 00:05:34 He has proclaimed that Nineveh will be destroyed
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 because of how it has been living
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 and then Nineveh repents.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:39 Verse 7.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 The king gets up.
00:05:41 --> 00:05:42 He issues a proclamation
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 by decree of the king and his nobles.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 Do not let any man or beast,
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 herd or flock, taste anything.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 Do not let them eat or drink,
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 Let everyone call urgently on God.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:56 Who knows?
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 God may yet relent and with compassion
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 turn from His fierce anger
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 so that we will not perish.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:08 Does God have to
00:06:08 --> 00:06:11 forgive Nineveh at this point?
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 They've repented.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 They've showed some obvious remorse.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:18 They're fasting.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 Even the king has gotten off his throne.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 He's put sackcloth on.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:24 He's showing that they know
00:06:24 --> 00:06:25 they did the wrong thing.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 He's showing that he knows
00:06:26 --> 00:06:27 he's accountable to God.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:28 But the question is,
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 does God have to
00:06:29 --> 00:06:33 stop delivering the promised judgment
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 that He had sent?
00:06:35 --> 00:06:39 What about with Jonah in chapter 4?
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 Jonah sits outside the city
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 all frustrated and angry
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 and God provides a vine
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 to give him shade.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 Does God have to
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 provide that vine for Jonah?
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 Does Jonah deserve
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 that vine?
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 Does Nineveh deserve
00:06:56 --> 00:06:57 God's forgiveness?
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 Now, Jonah might be
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 an easier answer,
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 but for those of you
00:07:02 --> 00:07:02 who maybe feel
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 a little bit inside
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 that maybe Nineveh
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 does deserve
00:07:07 --> 00:07:08 God's forgiveness.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 I mean,
00:07:09 --> 00:07:09 they're saying sorry.
00:07:11 --> 00:07:12 They're acting sorry.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 It's not even just words.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:14 They obviously mean it.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 I want you to imagine
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 for just a second
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 that somebody
00:07:18 --> 00:07:19 breaks into your house.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 You're home
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 and so to steal
00:07:23 --> 00:07:24 the things that they want to steal,
00:07:24 --> 00:07:24 they have to
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 physically restrain you,
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 perhaps hurt you
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 and they go through your house
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 stealing things
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 that matter to you,
00:07:31 --> 00:07:32 stealing family heirlooms,
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 trashing your place
00:07:33 --> 00:07:36 and from that point on
00:07:36 --> 00:07:36 you will never feel
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 quite as safe
00:07:37 --> 00:07:38 as you once did
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 in your home.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:40 Now,
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 eventually the police
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 manage to catch
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 this person
00:07:43 --> 00:07:43 who has broken
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 into your house,
00:07:44 --> 00:07:45 who has stolen your things,
00:07:46 --> 00:07:46 who has attacked you
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 and throughout the trial
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 it's obvious
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 that this person
00:07:51 --> 00:07:51 is guilty.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 It's obvious
00:07:53 --> 00:07:53 that they've done
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 the wrong thing.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:57 When it comes time
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 for sentencing,
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 the robber says,
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 I'm really sorry
00:08:02 --> 00:08:05 and really means it.
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 You can tell,
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 somehow you just know
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 that there is genuine remorse
00:08:10 --> 00:08:10 in what they're saying.
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 Would you be okay
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 if they just got let off?
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 They're saying,
00:08:18 --> 00:08:18 sorry.
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 Is that enough?
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 Of course not.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:26 It's not unloving
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 for you to want justice
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 in that situation.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:29 It's not wrong
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 for you to want justice
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 in that situation.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 That person has done
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 something illegal.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:36 They have hurt you.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 They have harmed you.
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 And so it is good
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 and right
00:08:39 --> 00:08:39 that they face
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 punishment for that.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 And the same
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 is true with God.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 It's good
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 that Nineveh
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 has apologized,
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 that Nineveh
00:08:49 --> 00:08:49 is repentant,
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 that Nineveh
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 is remorseful.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 But it doesn't
00:08:53 --> 00:08:53 therefore mean
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 that God
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 must forgive them.
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 Justice still
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 needs to be done.
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 Their wickedness
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 was at the point
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 where God would decree
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 that the whole city
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 will be destroyed.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 And so sorry
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 does not cover over
00:09:10 --> 00:09:10 what they've done.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 Grace at its heart
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 fundamentally
00:09:14 --> 00:09:14 is something
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 that you don't
00:09:16 --> 00:09:16 deserve.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 God's goodness
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 to Nineveh
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 in holding
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 his judgment back,
00:09:21 --> 00:09:21 God's goodness
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 to Jonah
00:09:22 --> 00:09:23 in providing
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 a tree,
00:09:24 --> 00:09:24 in providing
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 a fish,
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 is not
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 what they deserve.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 It is a gift
00:09:31 --> 00:09:31 from God
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 that is very
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 generously given.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:34 See the issue
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 that we face
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 in chapter 4
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 and verse 1,
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 Jonah is greatly
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 displeased
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 because of God's
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 grace.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 Jonah is angry
00:09:44 --> 00:09:44 that God
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 is showing grace
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 to Nineveh.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 He is frustrated
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 because in his eyes
00:09:49 --> 00:09:49 Nineveh
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 deserves
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 punishment,
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 deserves
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 judgment.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 I mean,
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 if you can
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 understand why
00:09:58 --> 00:09:58 Jonah feels
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 this way,
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 Nineveh is a city
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 that has repeatedly
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 attacked Israel,
00:10:03 --> 00:10:03 God's people,
00:10:04 --> 00:10:04 of whom Jonah
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 is one,
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 and will continue
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 to attack.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 And so Jonah
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 looks at this city
00:10:10 --> 00:10:10 and he's like,
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 God,
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 what are you doing?
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 They deserve
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 your punishment.
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 They're not like us.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 We're your people.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:18 They deserve
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 to be crushed
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 and destroyed.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:21 He's sitting outside.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 He gets a good vantage point.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 It's like New Year's Eve
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 fireworks for him.
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 He wants to see
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 how spectacular
00:10:27 --> 00:10:27 God's judgment
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 will be
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 because these people
00:10:29 --> 00:10:29 are wicked
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 and they deserve
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 to be crushed
00:10:32 --> 00:10:32 by God.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 But can you see
00:10:35 --> 00:10:35 the problem?
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 Jonah has gone
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 from being somebody
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 who has received
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 this gift of grace,
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 received this gift
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 that he did not deserve,
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 he's gone from
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 being someone
00:10:45 --> 00:10:45 thankful
00:10:45 --> 00:10:48 to being somebody
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 who thinks
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 he's entitled,
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 to somebody
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 who thinks
00:10:52 --> 00:10:52 it's his right
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 that God
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 should forgive him,
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 that God
00:10:56 --> 00:10:56 should love him,
00:10:57 --> 00:10:57 that God
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 should protect him.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 And we do
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 the same thing.
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 When we first
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 become Christians,
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 there is not
00:11:06 --> 00:11:06 even a hint
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 of,
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 I deserve this.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 So it's not
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 how it works.
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 Essential to
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 becoming a Christian
00:11:13 --> 00:11:13 is realising
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 we need God
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 to do something
00:11:15 --> 00:11:15 for us
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 that we can't
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 do ourselves.
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 But somehow
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 from that point,
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 slowly but surely,
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 we become people
00:11:23 --> 00:11:23 who deserve
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 God's grace.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 And you can tell
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 because just like Jonah,
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 we start to look
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 at other people
00:11:29 --> 00:11:29 who we think
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 don't deserve it,
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 shouldn't receive it,
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 aren't entitled to it.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 Think of the way
00:11:37 --> 00:11:37 you respond
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 to those
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 who annoy you,
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 those who hurt you,
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 how would you feel
00:11:44 --> 00:11:44 if
00:11:44 --> 00:11:47 a rapist
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 was to walk
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 into church
00:11:50 --> 00:11:50 and say,
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 I want to know God?
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 How would you feel
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 if a murderer
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 was to walk
00:11:58 --> 00:11:58 into church
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 and say,
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 I want to be forgiven,
00:12:00 --> 00:12:00 I know I've done
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 the wrong thing?
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 Would you have
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 this sense of joy
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 that somebody
00:12:06 --> 00:12:06 has come from
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 such darkness
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 to know the life
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 that is in Jesus?
00:12:09 --> 00:12:12 or maybe like Jonah,
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 if we're honest,
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 we would think
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 they don't deserve
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 to be here.
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 They don't deserve
00:12:18 --> 00:12:18 God's forgiveness
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 no matter how much
00:12:19 --> 00:12:20 they apologize.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:21 But me,
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 I deserve it.
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 This is mine.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 This is what
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 I'm entitled to.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 We've got to understand
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 like Jonah needed
00:12:33 --> 00:12:33 to understand
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 we are sinful
00:12:35 --> 00:12:37 just like everyone else.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:40 Jonah was a prophet,
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 he was part of God's people,
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 he was in a privileged position
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 but he was still sinful
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 and he deserved
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 from God
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 the same kind of judgment
00:12:48 --> 00:12:48 that God promised
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 for Nineveh.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 It actually doesn't take
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 that much honest
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 self-reflection
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 to realize that
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 all you deserve
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 from God
00:12:57 --> 00:12:57 is judgment.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 We need to be
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 very careful
00:13:01 --> 00:13:01 that in the grace
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 that he has shown us
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 that we don't stop
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 seeing ourselves rightly.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:09 God has been good
00:13:09 --> 00:13:09 to us
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 but not because
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 of who we are.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 God has given us
00:13:15 --> 00:13:15 grace
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 which by definition
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 is something
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 that we don't deserve.
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 There is no pattern
00:13:24 --> 00:13:24 in Jonah
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 or in life
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 for the recipients
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 of grace.
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 Look again
00:13:30 --> 00:13:30 at chapter 3.
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 Having just made
00:13:32 --> 00:13:32 their decree
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 at the end of verse 9
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 the king says
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 who knows
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 God may
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 yet relent
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 and with compassion
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 turn from his fierce anger
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 so that we will not perish.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 There is no confidence
00:13:45 --> 00:13:47 that because they have repented
00:13:47 --> 00:13:47 God must
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 or God will
00:13:48 --> 00:13:51 and in verse 10
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 when God saw
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 what they did
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 and how they turned
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 from their evil ways
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 he had compassion
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 and did not bring upon them
00:13:57 --> 00:13:57 the destruction
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 he had threatened.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 Have a look at
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 chapter 2
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 verse 7
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 This is Jonah's prayer
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 from inside the fish
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 When my life
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 was ebbing away
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 I remembered you Lord
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 and my prayer
00:14:11 --> 00:14:11 rose to you
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 to your holy temple
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 Those who cling
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 to worthless idols
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 forfeit the grace
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 that could be theirs
00:14:17 --> 00:14:17 but I
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 with a song of thanksgiving
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 will sacrifice to you
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 what I have vowed
00:14:22 --> 00:14:22 I will make good
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 salvation
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 comes from the Lord.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:27 Now it feels like
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 there is a bit of similarity
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 Jonah admits
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 that he has done
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 the wrong thing
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 and thanks God
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 for grace
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 but just look
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 a little bit closer
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 Nineveh repents
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 hoping that God
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 might forgive them
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 Jonah has already
00:14:40 --> 00:14:42 been saved by God
00:14:42 --> 00:14:44 Jonah was thrown
00:14:44 --> 00:14:44 into the sea
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 and rescued by God
00:14:46 --> 00:14:46 into the belly
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 of a fish
00:14:47 --> 00:14:50 and having been saved
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 he thanks God
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 for his salvation
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 Nineveh
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 says sorry
00:14:55 --> 00:14:57 and pleads for help
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 Jonah is still
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 running away
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 when God chooses
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 to show him grace
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 there is no
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 commonality
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 between the two
00:15:05 --> 00:15:05 that we can say
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 this is what you must do
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 to get grace from God
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 this is who is worthy
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 of God's grace
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 Jonah is almost
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 just like a spoilt
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 child at this point
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 I'm sure you've been
00:15:16 --> 00:15:16 in the shops
00:15:16 --> 00:15:18 and seen that child
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 who is yelling
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 and screaming
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 and insisting
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 that mummy buys
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 another lolly
00:15:22 --> 00:15:24 or another toy
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 or whatever it is
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 and if mum gives in
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 and gives that lolly
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 or toy
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 the child is ecstatic
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 for at least five minutes
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 before they've found
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 something new
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 that they want
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 Jonah is running
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 from God
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 and in chapter 2
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 having been saved
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 he is overwhelmed
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 with God's grace
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 and salvation
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 but by chapter 4
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 he is angry
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 at what God is doing
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 there is nothing
00:15:46 --> 00:15:46 in Jonah
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 that makes him worthy
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 of God's grace
00:15:49 --> 00:15:49 and love
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 of the goodness
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 that God has shown
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 what we see
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 when we look
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 at this story
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 what we see
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 when we look
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 at grace
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 is that it's about
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 the giver
00:15:58 --> 00:16:00 not the receiver
00:16:00 --> 00:16:02 grace is all
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 about God
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 last week
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 we reminded
00:16:04 --> 00:16:04 that God's word
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 is all about God
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 it's always there
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 to point us
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 to God
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 and this story
00:16:10 --> 00:16:10 of Jonah
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 and the grace
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 that God shows
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 is to tell us
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 that God is gracious
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 and that he is
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 compassionate
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 there was a clue
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 there in chapter 3
00:16:18 --> 00:16:18 verse 10
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 when God saw
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 what they did
00:16:20 --> 00:16:20 and how they turned
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 from their evil ways
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 he had compassion
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 on them
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 compassion is from
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 within God
00:16:27 --> 00:16:27 it's something
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 he generates
00:16:28 --> 00:16:30 it begins with him
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 it ends with him
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 it comes from him
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 everything
00:16:33 --> 00:16:35 is generated
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 by the giver
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 when it comes
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 to grace
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 grace tells us
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 that our God
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 is slow to anger
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 that he is abounding
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 in love
00:16:43 --> 00:16:48 and that he forgives
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 even unworthy
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 servants
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 like Nineveh
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 like Jonah
00:16:52 --> 00:16:54 and like us
00:16:54 --> 00:16:56 God's grace
00:16:56 --> 00:16:56 to us
00:16:56 --> 00:16:58 does not say
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 that we are important
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 God's grace
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 to us
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 does not say
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 that we are good
00:17:03 --> 00:17:06 God's grace
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 to us
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 shows us
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 his incredible love
00:17:08 --> 00:17:12 when we grasp
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 for just a second
00:17:13 --> 00:17:13 that God
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 sees us
00:17:14 --> 00:17:16 like he sees
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 Nineveh
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 that God
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 sees us
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 like he sees
00:17:19 --> 00:17:19 Jonah
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 as sinful
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 as disobedient
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 as rebellious
00:17:22 --> 00:17:26 we understand
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 that God's grace
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 to us
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 is about him
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 it's not about us
00:17:30 --> 00:17:33 it's about his
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 willingness to love
00:17:34 --> 00:17:34 people
00:17:34 --> 00:17:36 who refuse
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 to obey him
00:17:37 --> 00:17:39 people who are
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 running from him
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 people who ignore him
00:17:41 --> 00:17:43 95% of their lives
00:17:43 --> 00:17:46 grace
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 grace
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 is about
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 the God
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 who gives
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 grace
00:17:48 --> 00:17:50 not about those
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 he gives grace
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 to
00:17:51 --> 00:17:54 God's grace
00:17:54 --> 00:17:54 to us
00:17:54 --> 00:17:54 is that
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 instead of
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 giving us
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 the judgment
00:17:56 --> 00:17:56 and punishment
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 that we deserve
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 he gives us
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 Jesus
00:17:59 --> 00:18:02 God's grace
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 to us
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 is put on
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 display
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 when you read
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 a chapter
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 like Romans
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 3
00:18:06 --> 00:18:11 verse 10
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 of chapter 3
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 says
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 there is no one
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 righteous
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 not even one
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 no one who
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 understands
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 no one who
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 seeks God
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 all have
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 turned away
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 they have
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 together
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 become
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 worthless
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 there is no one
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 who does good
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 not even one
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 that's the picture
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 God sees
00:18:25 --> 00:18:27 that's the situation
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 we're in
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 we are unacceptable
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 we are detestable
00:18:30 --> 00:18:32 and yet
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 God looks
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 and with compassion
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 gives us
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 Jesus
00:18:37 --> 00:18:42 we must
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 understand
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 the depths
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 of our own
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 sinfulness
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 if we are going
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 to understand
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 the grace
00:18:47 --> 00:18:49 of our God
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 when we confess
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 like we did
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 just earlier
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 when Lindy led us
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 and we do regularly
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 here in our services
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 we must be careful
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 not to just
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 mouth those words
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 without actually
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 reflecting on the fact
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 that there are
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 things in us
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 today
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 potentially in the
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 last hour
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 in the last 10 minutes
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 that we need
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 to confess
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 because only
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 when we recognise
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 those things
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 will we begin
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 to grasp
00:19:11 --> 00:19:11 the depth
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 and breadth
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 of God's
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 incredible love
00:19:15 --> 00:19:15 and grace
00:19:15 --> 00:19:15 to us
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 in Jesus
00:19:16 --> 00:19:20 that like
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 Jonah
00:19:20 --> 00:19:22 we can sit
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 angry
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 outside the wall
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 that God
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 would show
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 grace to another
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 and yet
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 his grace
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 is so far
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 reaching
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 that that does
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 not cancel out
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 what God
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 has done
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 for us
00:19:31 --> 00:19:35 it is all
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 because of God
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 all because
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 of what he
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 has done
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 and all because
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 of the love
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 that he has
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 shown us
00:19:42 --> 00:19:45 God's grace
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 when you begin
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 to grasp it
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 is overwhelming
00:19:47 --> 00:19:50 the last verse
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 of Jonah
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 is significant
00:19:51 --> 00:19:54 having challenged
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 Jonah
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 God says
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 this
00:19:57 --> 00:19:59 Nineveh has
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 more than
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 120
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 people
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 who cannot
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 tell their
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 right hand
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 from their
00:20:04 --> 00:20:04 left
00:20:04 --> 00:20:04 and many
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 cattle as
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 well
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 should I
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 not be
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 concerned
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 about that
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 great city
00:20:08 --> 00:20:11 God's grace
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 is not
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 dictated
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 by
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 how worthy
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 the people
00:20:15 --> 00:20:15 in front
00:20:15 --> 00:20:15 of him
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 are
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 God's
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 grace
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 is dictated
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 by the
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 need for
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 grace
00:20:20 --> 00:20:20 that he
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 sees
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 in front
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 of him
00:20:21 --> 00:20:23 I wonder
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 how you
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 look at
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 people
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 around you
00:20:25 --> 00:20:27 do you
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 look at
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 them based
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 on how
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 they treat
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 you
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 based on
00:20:31 --> 00:20:31 the things
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 that they
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 say
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 the clothes
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 that they
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 wear
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 the job
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 that they
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 have
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 the things
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 they do
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 in their
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 spare time
00:20:36 --> 00:20:39 or do
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 you look
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 at them
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 as somebody
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 who needs
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 God's
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 grace
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 or knows
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 God's
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 grace
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 they're the
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 only two
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 categories
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 God has
00:20:46 --> 00:20:48 those who
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 need
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 God's
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 grace
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 or those
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 who know
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 God's
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 grace
00:20:51 --> 00:20:53 for us
00:20:53 --> 00:20:53 who know
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 the forgiveness
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 that comes
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 in Jesus
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 for us
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 who know
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 the love
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 that reaches
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 us when
00:20:58 --> 00:20:58 we are
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 still running
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 that chases
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 us down
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 that does
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 not fail
00:21:01 --> 00:21:03 there is
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 no room
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 for pride
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 no room
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 for entitlement
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 what I
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 deserve
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 is a word
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 that I let
00:21:10 --> 00:21:10 go of
00:21:10 --> 00:21:10 when I
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 start to
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 follow
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 Jesus
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 what I'm
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 entitled
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 to
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 is something
00:21:15 --> 00:21:15 that I
00:21:15 --> 00:21:15 let go
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 of
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 when I
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 follow
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 Jesus
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 because
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 everything
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 is now
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 defined
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 by what
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 God
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 gives me
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 because of
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 his
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 great love
00:21:24 --> 00:21:26 not because
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 of what I
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 deserve
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 there is no
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 room for
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 boasting
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 and no
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 room for
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 pride
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 only
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 gratitude
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 and
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 thankfulness
00:21:34 --> 00:21:36 one of
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 the things
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 that we
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 have started
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 doing in
00:21:38 --> 00:21:38 youth ministry
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 here at
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 St Paul's
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 and that I
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 also did
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 in my
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 previous
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 church
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 is we
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 made a
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 decision
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 and if
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 I'm honest
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 I made
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 a decision
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 and told
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 everyone
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 else
00:21:46 --> 00:21:48 we decided
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 that we
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 would preach
00:21:49 --> 00:21:49 through the
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 gospels
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 through Matthew
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 Mark
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 Luke and
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 John
00:21:51 --> 00:21:53 every week
00:21:53 --> 00:21:55 we did
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 Mark for
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 almost two
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 years
00:21:57 --> 00:21:59 we have
00:21:59 --> 00:21:59 just begun
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 John
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 and we are
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 working through
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 that
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 summer camp is
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 going to help
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 us make
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 some progress
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 forward
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 and next
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 year we
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 will begin
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 Luke
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 and that
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 will probably
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 take us
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 two or
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 three years
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 to get
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 through
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 we are
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 just doing
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 it a little
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 bit at a
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 time
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 just working
00:22:12 --> 00:22:12 slowly
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 but surely
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 and sure
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 enough
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 after enough
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 time
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 in my
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 previous
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 church
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 I was
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 six years
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 as the
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 youth
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 pastor
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 and kids
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 start to
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 figure out
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 what you're
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 doing
00:22:20 --> 00:22:20 it takes
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 them surprisingly
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 long
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 but eventually
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 they figure
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 out that we
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 just been
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 doing the
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 same book
00:22:24 --> 00:22:24 every week
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 that all we
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 keep looking
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 at is Jesus
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 week after
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 week after
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 week after
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 week and
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 they're like
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 can't we
00:22:29 --> 00:22:29 look at
00:22:29 --> 00:22:29 something
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 else
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 I need
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 something
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 a bit
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 meatier
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 than Jesus
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 and that
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 is the
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 most
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 concerning
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 thing
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 that any
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 Christian
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 can ever
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 say
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 but you'll
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 be amazed
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 at how
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 often
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 you hear
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 it and
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 not just
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 from
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 teenagers
00:22:43 --> 00:22:46 as soon
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 as we
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 stop looking
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 at Jesus
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 we have
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 begun to
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 treat him
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 like something
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 we own
00:22:51 --> 00:22:53 something we
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 deserve
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 something we're
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 entitled to
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 I've got him
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 now I'm ready
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 for the next
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 stuff
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 that is never
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 how following
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 Jesus works
00:23:01 --> 00:23:03 the gospel
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 says you
00:23:03 --> 00:23:05 deserve to
00:23:05 --> 00:23:05 be punished
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 from God
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 you deserve
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 to be separated
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 from God
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 but because of
00:23:09 --> 00:23:11 his love
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 because of
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 his compassion
00:23:13 --> 00:23:16 you can
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 instead know
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 life and
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 hope and
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 a relationship
00:23:20 --> 00:23:22 for all
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 eternity
00:23:22 --> 00:23:28 do you
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 look at the
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 people around
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 you
00:23:29 --> 00:23:31 based on
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 what they
00:23:32 --> 00:23:32 do
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 how they
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 dress
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 what they
00:23:35 --> 00:23:35 say
00:23:35 --> 00:23:35 how they
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 treat you
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 or do you
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 look with
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 God's eyes
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 and see
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 only those
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 who know
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 God's grace
00:23:41 --> 00:23:43 and those
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 who need
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 God's grace
00:23:44 --> 00:23:47 God's grace
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 to you
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 is that you
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 might show
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 God's grace
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 to other
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 people
00:23:51 --> 00:23:54 God's love
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 for you
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 is to release
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 you from
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 this sense
00:23:56 --> 00:23:56 that you're
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 better than
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 anyone else
00:23:58 --> 00:24:00 and instead
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 enable you to
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 realize that
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 his love is
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 so incredible
00:24:03 --> 00:24:03 a gift
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 for you
00:24:04 --> 00:24:07 that he's
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 going to let
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 you share
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 that incredible
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 gift with
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 other people
00:24:09 --> 00:24:11 God's grace
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 doesn't even
00:24:12 --> 00:24:12 stop when we
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 take the step
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 of following
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 him
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 when we
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 make the
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 decision to
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 call ourselves
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 a Christian
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 and completely
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 give our
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 lives to
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 his purpose
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 and his
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 glory
00:24:20 --> 00:24:23 his grace
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 is new
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 each and
00:24:24 --> 00:24:24 every day
00:24:24 --> 00:24:26 as he
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 chooses to
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 guide us
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 step by
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 step through
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 situations
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 and relationships
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 as he
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 places those
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 in need of
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 God's grace
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 in our
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 path
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 that we
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 might love
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 them
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 and share
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 the gospel
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 with them
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 and speak
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 of the hope
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 that we
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 have in
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 Jesus
00:24:39 --> 00:24:43 grace is
00:24:43 --> 00:24:43 by definition
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 something that
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 we do not
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 deserve
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 we need to
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 remember that
00:24:47 --> 00:24:49 grace exists
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 not to make
00:24:50 --> 00:24:50 us feel
00:24:50 --> 00:24:50 special
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 but to
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 show us
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 our glorious
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 loving
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 compassionate
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 and majestic
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 God
00:24:56 --> 00:24:59 and grace
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 does not
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 exist to
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 just sit
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 here
00:25:01 --> 00:25:03 grace exists
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 to flow
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 through you
00:25:04 --> 00:25:06 the people
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 around you
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 that need
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 that grace
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 too
00:25:08 --> 00:25:11 will you
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 start looking
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 with God's
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 eyes
00:25:13 --> 00:25:15 and see
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 the people
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 who need
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 to know
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 what you
00:25:17 --> 00:25:17 know
00:25:17 --> 00:25:19 let's
00:25:19 --> 00:25:19 pray
00:25:19 --> 00:25:26 father
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 god
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 we want
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 to thank
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 and praise
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 you that
00:25:28 --> 00:25:30 you love
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 us even
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 though we
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 don't deserve
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 it
00:25:31 --> 00:25:33 we want
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 to thank
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 you that
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 in the
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 story of
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 Jonah
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 we are
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 reminded
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 that
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 you alone
00:25:37 --> 00:25:39 have the
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 power to
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 forgive those
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 who are
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 unworthy
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 that you
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 alone have
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 the love
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 and compassion
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 to forgive
00:25:45 --> 00:25:45 people who
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 are disobedient
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 and rebellious
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 that you
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 alone have
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 the patience
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 to bear
00:25:50 --> 00:25:52 with consistently
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 disobedient
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 servants like
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 Jonah and
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 like us
00:25:54 --> 00:25:57 father please
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 forgive us for
00:25:58 --> 00:25:58 looking on other
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 people as less
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 deserving or less
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 worthy of your
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 grace
00:26:01 --> 00:26:04 instead open our
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 eyes to see you
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 clearly
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 to see your
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 love
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 to see our
00:26:09 --> 00:26:09 own sin
00:26:09 --> 00:26:11 and to be
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 reminded constantly
00:26:12 --> 00:26:12 that your love
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 holds us
00:26:13 --> 00:26:16 that your love
00:26:16 --> 00:26:17 humbles us
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 so that we
00:26:17 --> 00:26:17 may be
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 exalted
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 with you
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 for all
00:26:19 --> 00:26:19 eternity
00:26:19 --> 00:26:21 father give
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 us eyes
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 to see those
00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 that you
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 bring into
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 our lives
00:26:25 --> 00:26:25 and across
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 our path
00:26:26 --> 00:26:26 who don't
00:26:26 --> 00:26:26 yet know
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 the hope
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 that we
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 have
00:26:27 --> 00:26:29 give us
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 boldness
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 to speak
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 to them
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 give us
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 hearts
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 that love
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 them
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 even if
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 they are
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 our
00:26:34 --> 00:26:34 enemies
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 even if
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 they hurt
00:26:35 --> 00:26:35 us
00:26:35 --> 00:26:38 help us
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 to trust
00:26:39 --> 00:26:39 in the
00:26:39 --> 00:26:39 power of
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 your grace
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 to transform
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 even the
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 darkest
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 heart
00:26:42 --> 00:26:45 god
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 please
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 let your
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 grace
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 overflow
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 in us
00:26:48 --> 00:26:50 keep us
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 from just
00:26:51 --> 00:26:51 holding on
00:26:51 --> 00:26:51 to it
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 ourselves
00:26:52 --> 00:26:54 may we
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 be a
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 fountain
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 that just
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 waters
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 the earth
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 that you
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 have
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 placed
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 us
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 on
00:26:58 --> 00:27:00 that
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 brings
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 your
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 love
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 and your
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 hope
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 and your
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 forgiveness
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 to people
00:27:03 --> 00:27:03 who are
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 desperately
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 searching
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 for
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 meaning
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 and
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 identity
00:27:08 --> 00:27:12 god
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 give us
00:27:13 --> 00:27:13 your eyes
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 to see
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 amen