WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.139
 say again it is a real honor to be with you and thank you for having me and I just want to

00:00:05.139 --> 00:00:08.900
 apologize for those of you who are disappointed that the more exciting part of my family is not

00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:16.019
 here we are all coming down in June and we'll actually have a info night here on Saturday June

00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:20.940
 the 15th which will be a chance to give you a bit more detail and God willing a bunch will have

00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:25.379
 happened in that month we might even be able to introduce you to some of the team that will be

00:00:25.379 --> 00:00:30.640
 coming with us but it is an honor to be with you in Mission Month and Open the Bible and I apologize

00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:38.759
 John I'll stick to my notes from now on. A recent study that came out of America by the Barna Group

00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:48.140
 discovered that nearly half of all active church attending millennials nearly half of them believe

00:00:48.140 --> 00:01:00.659
 that sharing their faith is wrong not hard not difficult not intimidating but wrong and that's

00:01:00.659 --> 00:01:05.599
 the generation that's supposed to read the Bible more than their parents and grandparents did this

00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:12.879
 is the generation that serves more in churches than the generations before them and the main reason that

00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:19.560
 they give flows out of this kind of cultural pluralism it's this belief that you can't or at

00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:25.500
 least you shouldn't be telling anyone else what they're supposed to believe it's because we live in

00:01:25.500 --> 00:01:31.519
 this generation that says you do you it's got this culture of tolerance where you can believe anything

00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:37.000
 you want apparently as long as it doesn't hurt somebody else and so we think truth is something

00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:43.019
 that everybody must discover for themselves and we shouldn't be telling them what we think it is

00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:48.000
 now aside from the fact that that worldview just doesn't work because it's incoherent

00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:56.799
 where does that perspective that culture leave us as Christians like what do we do with the fact as we

00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:03.560
 we're embarking on a mission month here at St Paul's we remind ourselves that Jesus calls us to be

00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:10.659
 witnesses to the witnesses to the ends of the earth what does that look like in a moment like this in a

00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:21.420
 culture like ours in a word it looks intimidating I mean think about the Israel for last Israel for

00:02:21.420 --> 00:02:29.759
 last saga over the last few weeks whether you agree with how he did it essentially what he did was

00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:39.019
 quote the Bible and he'll probably lose his job for it so the question we need to ask this morning

00:02:39.019 --> 00:02:42.419
 is is mission a good thing to do

00:02:42.419 --> 00:02:51.399
 and what will it look like for you to do mission well in your workplace with your family with your

00:02:51.399 --> 00:02:58.180
 friends because God has always been on mission from the beginning of the Bible the book of Genesis

00:02:58.180 --> 00:03:03.340
 the goal from God has been that he would dwell with people that they would know him that there'd be a

00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:08.400
 closeness he's been drawing people back to himself and that's still the goal when you get to today

00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:16.240
 in the New Testament Matthew 28 the risen Jesus says all authority in heaven on earth has been given to me

00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:25.960
 therefore go make disciples be on mission I mean it's it's on the wall it's DNA here at St Paul's it's

00:03:25.960 --> 00:03:33.540
 what makes St Paul's St Paul's that we want to be united in our desperation to see the world around

00:03:33.540 --> 00:03:42.860
 us encounter Jesus that that's that's our heartbeat but it's not easy some people think it's wrong

00:03:42.860 --> 00:03:47.140
 most of us even if we don't think it's wrong struggle to do it

00:03:47.139 --> 00:03:57.119
 and so this month we turn to the Old Testament book of Jonah to try and catch a glimpse of God's heart

00:03:57.119 --> 00:04:04.259
 when it comes to mission not just the task that he's given but to catch a vision for God's patience

00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:10.899
 with a world that doesn't want to know the truth with reluctant missionaries like us and most

00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:17.720
 importantly we want to catch a glimpse of the power of God to save people and so I want to encourage

00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:21.980
 you to open your Bible to Jonah as we're going to work through the passage that Adrian read out for us

00:04:21.980 --> 00:04:27.439
 and we're going to begin at Jonah 1 verse 1 as we meet an unwilling missionary

00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:36.439
 it says the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittar go to the great city of Nineveh and preach

00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:42.899
 against it because its wickedness has come up before me so that begins with the word of the

00:04:42.899 --> 00:04:49.279
 Lord coming to Jonah because that's how all mission begins if it's Christian mission if it's God's mission

00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:55.819
 then it's his message it's his gospel that needs to go out but but when you first read those verses if

00:04:55.819 --> 00:05:04.120
 you look it doesn't sound like a good news message that Jonah has I mean Jonah is to preach against

00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:10.240
 Nineveh and the reason he's to preach is specifically because of their wickedness

00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:17.040
 and let's be honest we know that this is the sort of message that gives Christians a bad reputation

00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:23.139
 this is the way people look at us they call us judgmental they think that we think we're better

00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:29.360
 than everyone and we're here to tell them how wrong they are I mean isn't that kind of why everyone's

00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:36.340
 really angry with Israel Folau because they look at his post and what they hear is you think you're

00:05:36.340 --> 00:05:40.000
 better than everyone and therefore everyone else is going to hell I don't think that's what he's saying

00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:46.480
 but that's what they're hearing and so we've got to ask the question is the message that God has given

00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:52.879
 to Jonah and ultimately the message he's given to us a good news message and I want to say yes for two

00:05:52.879 --> 00:06:02.800
 reasons firstly built into this message is the possibility of this city of Nineveh finding out

00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:07.939
 about their wickedness finding out about God's judgment and then repenting turning back and

00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:13.579
 following Jesus because if there was no chance that something could change in this if the only possible

00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:18.939
 outcome was Nineveh hears that they're wicked and then God destroys them this is kind of a waste of

00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:24.379
 effort don't you think if God's just going to lay waste to them just lay waste to them don't send

00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:30.060
 Jonah to have to travel to the city and speak on his behalf and in fact we find out when we get to

00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:37.060
 chapter 4 that Jonah fully expects God to have mercy so built into this message of bad news this

00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:42.220
 preaching against this message of their wickedness is at least the possibility that something could change

00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:48.339
 that's the first reason it's good news the second reason this is good news is because it declares

00:06:48.339 --> 00:06:53.619
 the character of God which is the whole point of mission

00:06:53.619 --> 00:07:02.819
 the reason God wants us to go out and speak is so that people might know him and even in this tiny

00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:08.819
 little gospel presentation and you'll see how short it is when we get to chapter 3 we get a view of God's

00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:15.419
 holiness we get reminded as Jacob just told us that God is a God of justice he's not okay with evil and

00:07:15.420 --> 00:07:20.319
 wickedness in the world that God cares about these things that he will judge these things

00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:29.900
 but instead of passing on this message instead of declaring this gospel Jonah runs

00:07:29.900 --> 00:07:38.500
 verse 3 Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish he went down to Joppa where he found a

00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:43.580
 ship bound for that port after paying the fare he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee

00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:50.859
 from the Lord now we know from two kings in the Old Testament that Jonah was an official prophet in

00:07:50.859 --> 00:07:57.419
 the royal court so he was employed by the king he exercised a ministry as prophet that means he spoke

00:07:57.419 --> 00:08:03.899
 on behalf of God we know he's commissioned by God it happened just there in verse 1 and we know that God

00:08:03.899 --> 00:08:11.539
 spoke to him giving him messages to deliver on God's behalf which is what makes this reaction

00:08:11.540 --> 00:08:25.800
 so weird he runs he flees God this is a guy with the privileged role of speaking on behalf of God

00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:35.600
 this is a man who hears directly from God Almighty who receives messages to pass on and then when he

00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:41.620
 receives them he runs in the opposite direction and disobeys God and it's got to make you ask the

00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:50.580
 question why I mean is it just that he lives in a time like ours where you know you do you and you

00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:55.980
 can't tell me what to believe well when we get to chapter 4 you're going to get a bit more of a glimpse

00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:59.700
 of his motivations and what he's doing but you'll have to come back in a few weeks for that

00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:08.860
 but what we do know is that Nineveh this city that Jonah has been sent to preach to is an Assyrian

00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:15.920
 city and there's not a lot of love lost between Israel and Assyria Assyria is one of the superpowers

00:09:15.920 --> 00:09:20.500
 in the world at this particular point in history they have tormented Israel over and over throughout

00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:25.960
 their history and in fact Assyria will be the nation that ultimately wipes out Israel off the face of the

00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:32.600
 earth destroys the northern kingdom altogether we know that Jonah worked for the king that he was a

00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:38.220
 nationalist and he's not interested in the good of this wicked nation Assyria

00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:45.780
 he doesn't think they deserve the chance to know God like he knows God he doesn't want them to get the

00:09:45.780 --> 00:09:51.000
 benefits of having God around and being loved by God and he certainly doesn't want to be the one who

00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:58.620
 introduced them to God in the first place now we just need to slow down here for a second and ask a

00:09:58.620 --> 00:10:08.639
 question is there anyone in our life in our world that even subconsciously we view in the same way

00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:18.039
 is there anyone in your life who is maybe unlike you ethnically culturally maybe somebody who dresses

00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:23.659
 different to you has a different moral code maybe somebody who's hurt you in some way

00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:30.579
 that deep down you don't think deserves to know the gospel

00:10:30.579 --> 00:10:38.039
 you don't want to share the gospel with because you don't want them to respond and find forgiveness

00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:45.019
 and hope I mean on top of the fact that the world is hostile that it's scary to try and talk about what

00:10:45.019 --> 00:10:49.899
 you believe in and everything else do you find yourself rationalizing with certain groups of

00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:55.799
 people or maybe even certain individuals they don't deserve to be forgiven anyway so it would be a waste of time

00:10:55.799 --> 00:11:08.539
 and yet this wicked Assyrian city that will continue to do evil down the track is loved by God

00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:18.819
 and so what's God's response to his unwilling missionary what's his response to us when he sees that kind of

00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:23.439
 hardness in our heart it's the same as it is towards Nineveh

00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:31.679
 he's sending Jonah to warn them he's showing grace to them that they don't deserve and he treats them he

00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:34.599
 treats Jonah and he treats us all better than we deserve

00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:41.279
 God pursues people who don't deserve to know him even people who are running away so that they

00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:48.300
 might know him and his goodness verse 4 Jonah after running away it says then the Lord sent a great

00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:54.659
 wind on the sea and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up all the sailors were

00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:59.660
 afraid and each cried out to his own God and they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship

00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:05.480
 but Jonah had gone below deck where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep

00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:15.059
 God's not passive at this point in the story he's not disinterested that his prophet is disobeying him

00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:22.980
 he actually cares that Nineveh hears the message he's got for them and so he chases Jonah

00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:32.600
 he sends a violent storm a serious storm sufficient to scare experienced sailors so that Jonah comes back

00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:40.720
 God wants Nineveh to hear the gospel and God actually cares that his prophet Jonah understands the gospel

00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:47.899
 as well the storm is so intense as it arrives that even the sailors straight away work her out that

00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:53.139
 there's something special about this this is a divine storm this isn't just your summer thunderstorm that

00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:59.179
 rolls through it's exciting and then it moves on this feels personal because it is personal

00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:06.919
 God sent it because he's angry he's not trying to destroy Jonah he's not trying to kill the sailors he's not

00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:15.720
 trying to sink the boat he's disciplining Jonah he's drawing Jonah back so that he might see the mistake that

00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:23.440
 he's made so that he might come back and do the job that he's been given again even though this is an

00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:29.759
 intense storm if God wanted to just kill Jonah in his anger there's more direct ways than a storm and

00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:40.600
 sinking a boat full of other sailors he's pursuing his reluctant unwilling missionary implicit in this storm

00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:49.060
 is the invitation to return is the invitation despite running away for Jonah to come back and still be

00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:56.620
 in God's grace now one of the challenges of this book one of the challenges of life in general when it

00:13:56.620 --> 00:14:04.279
 comes to following Jesus is how we understand the relationship between our sin and suffering so the

00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:09.180
 temptation is we look at this story and we look at our lives and we think that whenever there's suffering

00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:14.819
 whenever I suffer it's because I must have done something wrong and therefore I've got to fix that

00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:22.239
 thing to convince God to take away my suffering and it's true in this story that Jonah is suffering

00:14:22.239 --> 00:14:29.219
 because of his sin Jonah is in this dangerous storm that might sink the boat specifically because he

00:14:29.219 --> 00:14:37.519
 disobeyed God and ran away but it's also true that the sailors are suffering not because of their sin

00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:44.879
 but because of Jonah's sin they're suffering because Jonah ran in the other direction in fact you find

00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:50.199
 the sailors treat God better in this story than even Jonah does it's not their sin it's Jonah's sin

00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:57.600
 Tim Keller who's a pastor out of America says the Bible does not say that every difficulty is the result

00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:08.480
 of sin but it does teach that every sin will bring difficulty so storms and suffering that we face in

00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:16.019
 life are always an opportunity for us to either run towards God or run away from him it's an opportunity

00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:21.759
 to either in the storm find that God is continuing to pursue us and gently draw us back to him

00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:26.480
 or to blame him and become bitter and angry

00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:37.439
 and in this story we find Jonah isn't finished running from God yet he's still fleeing the discipline

00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:45.000
 and gentle pursuit and invitation this time he tries to escape by escaping reality the sailors are fearing

00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:52.240
 for their lives and what's Jonah doing he's asleep he's sleeping in the bottom of the boat and that's

00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:58.200
 not because he's just really relaxed he's just really fine with storms he doesn't find you know

00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:05.320
 waves scary this is the the sleep that maybe you even know in your own life that that sleep of of

00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:09.879
 hopelessness that sleep of depression that sleep of darkness that sleep that just doesn't want to get

00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:14.539
 out of bed because it wants to somehow escape the reality that is there when we open our eyes

00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:23.100
 it's the sleep that longs to be somewhere else as God pursues Jonah Jonah continues to run

00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:31.639
 he continues to reject the gentle invitation of his heavenly father to come back and what is God's

00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:37.779
 response to his still unwilling missionary patience

00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:47.819
 listen to the captain in verse 6 the captain went to him and said how can you sleep and listen to this

00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:56.439
 really carefully get up and call on your God maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish

00:16:56.440 --> 00:17:06.900
 get up and call out to your God this is an invitation to draw near to the God that he has been fleeing

00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:15.019
 an invitation to draw near to the gracious God despite his disobedience and the invitation comes out of the

00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:22.220
 mouth of a pagan the very people that Jonah doesn't want to know the gospel the very people that he refuses

00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:30.019
 to tell about his gracious God the sailor is more of a prophet in this story than Jonah is

00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:38.460
 because he is speaking of the God who welcomes people back this is Jonah's second chance or maybe his 22nd

00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:44.880
 chance in life who knows he's run from his mission he's fleeing God and yet God is calling him back still

00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:49.880
 but Jonah continues to run away

00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:55.880
 he continues to ignore the invitation he continues to reject God look at verse 7

00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:58.600
 then the sailors said to each other

00:17:58.600 --> 00:18:03.920
 come let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity

00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:07.220
 they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah

00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.500
 so they asked him

00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:12.340
 tell us who is responsible for making all this trouble for us

00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:16.679
 what kind of work do you do where do you come from what is your country from what people are you

00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:18.519
 he answered

00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:24.919
 I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord the God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land

00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:28.220
 this terrified them and they asked what have you done

00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:31.919
 they knew he was running away from the Lord because he'd already told them so

00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:35.399
 the sea was getting rougher and rougher so they asked him

00:18:35.399 --> 00:18:39.159
 what should we do to make the sea calm down for us

00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:45.920
 pick me up and throw me into the sea he replied and it will become calm

00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:50.500
 I know that it's my fault that this great storm has come upon you

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:56.259
 instead the men did their best to row back to land but they could not

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:58.940
 for the sea grew even wilder than before

00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:03.320
 what's missing in that interaction just there

00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:08.359
 Jonah refuses to cry out to his God

00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:13.200
 even in this moment of potential death

00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:17.220
 he would rather be thrown into the sea and drown

00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:24.159
 than simply call out to the God who is gently and repeatedly inviting him back

00:19:24.159 --> 00:19:30.019
 he is an Israelite who knows that God has been faithful to his people

00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:32.359
 that God is generous and yet still

00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:37.900
 in this moment of near death he will not cry out to God

00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:43.819
 this time instead of returning he chooses death

00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:48.859
 and so rather than be the prophet God has called him to be

00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:51.240
 rather than cry out to his God

00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:55.359
 on behalf of these sailors he instructs them to throw him in the sea

00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.680
 which is effectively suicide

00:19:56.680 --> 00:20:02.960
 he runs from God's mission

00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:05.980
 he continues to flee as God pursues

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:07.500
 he rejects God's patience

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:09.200
 he rejects the second chance

00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:11.080
 and his life appears to be over

00:20:11.080 --> 00:20:13.279
 and we're still in chapter 1

00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:19.100
 but there is this tiny glimmer of hope

00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:22.920
 even in his disobedience

00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:27.420
 this is the first time that Jonah begins to see

00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:31.680
 and serve the very people that God is sending him to

00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:37.080
 he sees that these sailors are in need

00:20:37.080 --> 00:20:39.759
 and he lays down his life for them

00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:42.380
 now he has something better to offer

00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:45.300
 he could cry out to the God who sent the storm

00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:47.840
 and who has power over the elements

00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:53.379
 but he refuses to declare the glory of God with his mouth

00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:57.399
 that these sailors may discover the majesty of his God

00:20:57.399 --> 00:21:02.639
 but then he unwittingly displays God's character

00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:06.480
 in what is almost an unwitting gospel presentation

00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:09.419
 I mean this is a moment where like you know you're at work

00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:12.000
 and you just it's intimidating to talk about Jesus

00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:15.700
 so you just kind of commit internally that you know what I just won't

00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:17.799
 and then God gives you a colleague

00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:19.960
 who just keeps asking you and keeps asking you

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:21.900
 and not just you know hey do you go to church

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.559
 but tell me what you believe

00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:26.059
 you know that gospel presentation that you can't dodge

00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.640
 that's kind of what's going on for Jonah

00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:30.440
 it's like you don't want to have that conversation

00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:34.380
 but Jonah ends up displaying the mercy of God

00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:38.960
 because even though Jonah can't see it yet

00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:43.120
 God's grace in sending him at the beginning of this chapter

00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:45.680
 God's grace in pursuing him with the storm

00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:48.580
 God's grace in patiently giving him a second chance

00:21:48.580 --> 00:21:51.380
 is beginning to transform him

00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:55.160
 it's beginning to change him

00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:58.660
 he's beginning to look and see what God sees

00:21:58.660 --> 00:22:02.060
 he's beginning to look at these pagan sailors

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:05.220
 and not just see evil people that he's not worried about

00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.779
 but he's looking with God's eyes

00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.859
 and seeing lost people who need a saviour

00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:10.579
 people who matter

00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:13.220
 people who are created in the image of God

00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:15.240
 Jonah resists and resists God

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:17.819
 even to the point of being thrown in the ocean

00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:21.179
 and what is God's response to his repeated disobedience?

00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:27.799
 The same as it was for Israel when he chose them as a nation

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:31.139
 the same as it is for you and I

00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:35.100
 God saves him

00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:37.940
 God intervenes

00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:40.200
 verse 14

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.340
 then this is the sailors

00:22:41.340 --> 00:22:42.880
 they cried out to the Lord

00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:46.060
 please do not let us die for taking this man's life

00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:49.620
 do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man

00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:51.940
 for you Lord have done as you pleased

00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:55.560
 then they took Jonah and threw him overboard

00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:57.600
 and the raging sea grew calm

00:22:57.599 --> 00:23:01.519
 at this the men greatly feared the Lord

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.319
 and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord

00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.399
 and made vows to him

00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:07.599
 now the Lord provided a huge fish

00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:09.019
 to swallow Jonah

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:11.279
 and Jonah was in the belly of the fish

00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:13.299
 three days and three nights

00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:16.980
 God intervenes in this story

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:19.199
 not to just keep Jonah safe with a fish

00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:20.459
 so that he doesn't drown

00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:22.539
 but he intervenes so that

00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:24.359
 even in his disobedience

00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:27.139
 Jonah fulfills the mission that God has given him

00:23:27.140 --> 00:23:29.780
 even though he's running

00:23:29.780 --> 00:23:30.980
 even though he's fleeing

00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:35.420
 not only will Nineveh hear about God from Jonah in the future chapters

00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:39.700
 but God reveals himself to the sailors through Jonah's disobedience

00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:42.740
 as Jonah runs and God

00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.720
 the storm

00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:46.200
 these sailors get a glimpse of the power

00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.600
 of Jonah's God

00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:51.280
 as Jonah is thrown in the sea

00:23:51.280 --> 00:23:52.540
 and is ultimately rescued

00:23:52.540 --> 00:23:54.160
 and the storm calms

00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:56.259
 they get a glimpse of the mercy

00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:58.300
 of God

00:23:58.300 --> 00:24:02.759
 God is not only sparing Jonah's life

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:06.600
 but he is transforming his disobedience

00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:10.800
 into a moment to reveal his power and mercy

00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:15.079
 in the calmness of the storm

00:24:15.079 --> 00:24:16.579
 as God's anger settles

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.879
 these sailors

00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:19.139
 having encountered

00:24:19.139 --> 00:24:22.440
 the one and only God

00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:25.579
 respond as only people can

00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:27.200
 they make vows

00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.359
 they offer sacrifices

00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.879
 they find salvation

00:24:29.879 --> 00:24:31.700
 they meet the God of heaven

00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.819
 they go from being

00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:35.500
 crying out to all their different gods on the boat

00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.879
 hoping someone would help them

00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:39.220
 to finally seeing that there is a God

00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:40.120
 one God

00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:41.000
 the only God

00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:42.060
 of heaven and earth

00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:43.740
 who rules over everything

00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.940
 who is powerful

00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.940
 and merciful

00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.500
 they

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.460
 get

00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.660
 saved

00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:54.020
 even in our weakness

00:24:54.020 --> 00:24:55.220
 and failure

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:58.480
 God can and does use us

00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.560
 to draw others

00:24:59.560 --> 00:25:01.260
 into the hope and life of Jesus

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:04.359
 his power is perfect

00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.059
 in our weakness

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.879
 in our fear

00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.980
 in our inadequacy

00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.799
 in our stumbling

00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:10.660
 his love for people

00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:12.759
 his pursuit of people

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.740
 cannot be stopped

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:15.799
 by our inadequacy

00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.420
 or even our disobedience

00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:19.099
 he does not need us

00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.920
 for the mission

00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:22.819
 of pursuing people

00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:25.319
 he does not need us

00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:27.140
 so that people will meet him

00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:30.940
 he can send storms

00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:33.160
 he can send giant fish

00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:35.220
 he can turn up in flames

00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.140
 and clouds

00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:39.200
 but for Jonah's sake

00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:41.960
 and for our sake

00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:44.900
 God includes us

00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:46.360
 in the mission

00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:48.060
 of telling people about him

00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:51.340
 so that we get the joy

00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:53.259
 of not just knowing the gospel

00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:55.200
 not just being aware

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.700
 that Jesus died on a cross

00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.480
 and rose again

00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.180
 and we're forgiven

00:25:58.180 --> 00:25:59.720
 in spite of who we are

00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:01.640
 not just so that we know that

00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.200
 but because

00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:04.539
 by sharing the gospel

00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.620
 by telling the gospel

00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:07.200
 by being the gospel

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.799
 as we go out

00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.920
 and speak to people

00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:11.140
 as we care for people

00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:12.259
 as we inhabit

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.900
 God's heart for people

00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.700
 as we be his hands and feet

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:17.319
 this knowledge

00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:18.779
 becomes this knowledge

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:21.480
 this idea that God loves

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.259
 and pursues me

00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.900
 becomes something

00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.740
 that I feel

00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.740
 as I get to love

00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.580
 and pursue those

00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:26.400
 who are far away

00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.480
 on his behalf

00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:32.800
 Jonah's choice to die

00:26:32.800 --> 00:26:33.960
 so that the sailors

00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.840
 don't have to

00:26:34.840 --> 00:26:37.420
 is actually a glimpse

00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.259
 of the kind of

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.360
 sacrificial love

00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.600
 that God has shown us

00:26:40.600 --> 00:26:41.140
 in Jesus

00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:43.780
 his choice

00:26:43.780 --> 00:26:44.540
 to be thrown

00:26:44.540 --> 00:26:45.360
 into the ocean

00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:47.080
 so that they might be safe

00:26:47.080 --> 00:26:50.560
 is this small vision

00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:51.519
 of the way

00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.560
 that God loves us

00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.980
 at his own cost

00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:56.759
 through death

00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:59.579
 God is a pursuing God

00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:01.960
 he pursues those

00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.579
 who are running

00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:03.500
 like Jonah

00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:05.440
 he pursues those

00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.339
 who aren't looking

00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.319
 like the sailors

00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:09.460
 and he continues

00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.099
 to pursue

00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.759
 even those

00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.599
 who are wicked

00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:13.179
 like the great city

00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:13.899
 of Nineveh

00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:17.419
 and he is pursuing us

00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:20.120
 Jesus

00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:20.900
 shows up

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.840
 in flesh

00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:23.340
 so that a world

00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:24.420
 running from him

00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:24.800
 a world

00:27:24.800 --> 00:27:25.700
 ignorant of him

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.160
 and a world

00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.920
 full of evil

00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:28.180
 might discover

00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.779
 grace

00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.740
 might discover

00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.240
 that God

00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.920
 can love them

00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.920
 in spite of that

00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:34.620
 when Jesus

00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.500
 goes to the cross

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.340
 he's praying

00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.340
 for the very people

00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:38.240
 who are nailing him

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.320
 to that piece of wood

00:27:39.320 --> 00:27:40.700
 when Jesus

00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.380
 is arrested

00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:42.560
 his closest followers

00:27:42.560 --> 00:27:43.400
 desert him

00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.039
 and flee

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.740
 and yet

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.519
 he is the one

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.539
 greater than Jonah

00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.319
 who lays down

00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:48.899
 his life

00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:49.480
 not so that

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.180
 they might survive

00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.799
 a storm

00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.779
 but so that

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.299
 they might be

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:52.920
 brought back

00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.799
 into a relationship

00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.859
 with their heavenly father

00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:58.799
 is mission difficult

00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.559
 absolutely

00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:01.960
 will people be

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.200
 hostile towards us

00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.980
 as we try and share

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.519
 the message

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.819
 that God is king

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.700
 and that there is

00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.299
 judgment

00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.299
 and that the only

00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:09.480
 possible hope

00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.980
 is found

00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.619
 in a king

00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.119
 Jesus

00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:12.180
 who sacrifices

00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.799
 for them

00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:14.799
 yes

00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:17.819
 but is mission

00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.299
 good

00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.940
 and right

00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:21.180
 and necessary

00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.059
 for us

00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.720
 as well as

00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.159
 for those

00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:23.659
 who don't yet

00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:23.879
 know

00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.579
 absolutely

00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:27.859
 the book of Jonah

00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.680
 is not a book

00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.539
 about a fish

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:31.960
 it's not even

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.240
 a book about a city

00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.019
 it's a book

00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:35.139
 about the

00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:36.000
 gracious

00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.039
 loving God

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:38.119
 who is patiently

00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:38.619
 reaching

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.619
 not only sailors

00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.819
 not only a city

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:42.099
 but even Jonah

00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.980
 his prophet

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.819
 so that he might

00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.679
 better understand

00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:46.419
 the miracle

00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:47.659
 of God's grace

00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:48.339
 to people

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.119
 who don't deserve

00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:49.639
 it

00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:54.219
 the thing that

00:28:54.219 --> 00:28:55.399
 really stops us

00:28:55.399 --> 00:28:56.339
 from being on mission

00:28:56.339 --> 00:28:57.519
 whether we say

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:57.959
 that it's because

00:28:57.959 --> 00:28:58.859
 we think it's wrong

00:28:58.859 --> 00:28:59.699
 whether we say

00:28:59.699 --> 00:29:00.519
 it's because we're

00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:00.859
 scared

00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:02.119
 whatever reason

00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:02.859
 we may give

00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.439
 the thing that

00:29:03.439 --> 00:29:04.859
 really stops us

00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:06.519
 from sharing

00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.619
 the wonder

00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:08.500
 and majesty

00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.240
 of a savior

00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.240
 who died for us

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.920
 and rose again

00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:13.160
 is that we don't

00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:14.259
 actually grasp

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.279
 the wonder

00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.359
 of a savior

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.319
 who died for us

00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:18.019
 and rose again

00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:23.920
 step one

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.920
 in going out

00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.559
 with the message

00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:26.420
 of a loving God

00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.200
 who pursues us

00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:27.839
 with grace

00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.059
 is always

00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:31.000
 first discovering

00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:32.019
 the love of God

00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.779
 who pursues us

00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.359
 with grace

00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:36.240
 is first receiving

00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:37.219
 and experiencing

00:29:37.219 --> 00:29:38.079
 and tasting

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.979
 and dwelling in

00:29:38.979 --> 00:29:39.699
 and enjoying

00:29:39.699 --> 00:29:40.359
 the freedom

00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.059
 that is ours

00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:42.119
 because of the grace

00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:43.579
 and love of God

00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.539
 shown to us

00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.439
 in Jesus

00:29:45.439 --> 00:29:46.740
 it's recognizing

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.899
 that as we speak

00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:48.439
 of grace

00:29:48.439 --> 00:29:49.579
 we need that grace

00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.639
 even in that moment

00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:52.819
 it's recognizing

00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.500
 that Jesus

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.199
 on the cross

00:29:54.199 --> 00:29:55.179
 is how far

00:29:55.179 --> 00:29:55.899
 God will go

00:29:55.899 --> 00:29:56.619
 so that you

00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.359
 will be loved

00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:59.399
 so that you

00:29:59.399 --> 00:30:00.019
 may one day

00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.979
 spend eternity

00:30:00.979 --> 00:30:01.639
 with him

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:03.460
 and then being able

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.380
 to look at the world

00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.380
 with new eyes

00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:08.440
 that sees people

00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.380
 who matter to God

00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:10.280
 whether they're like us

00:30:10.280 --> 00:30:11.200
 or not like us

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.580
 whether they're good

00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:13.280
 in our eyes

00:30:13.280 --> 00:30:13.759
 or evil

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.600
 in our eyes

00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.960
 they are created

00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:17.000
 in the image of God

00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.600
 and they matter

00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:18.180
 to him

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.600
 whether they're close

00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:19.960
 to him

00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.820
 or far to him

00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:21.840
 they matter to him

00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.380
 and we know

00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.240
 that God's heart

00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.980
 is burdened

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.720
 for those

00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.660
 who are far away

00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:31.279
 I don't know

00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:31.860
 exactly

00:30:31.860 --> 00:30:32.500
 where you're at

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:32.920
 with God

00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:37.380
 but I'm pretty

00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:37.840
 confident

00:30:37.840 --> 00:30:38.400
 that there will be

00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:39.120
 some people

00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.840
 in this room

00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:41.240
 who are still

00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.320
 running from God

00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:44.560
 maybe you're

00:30:44.560 --> 00:30:45.120
 somebody who has

00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:45.960
 never said

00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.480
 you would follow

00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:46.900
 Jesus

00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.600
 and you get

00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.340
 dragged here

00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:49.000
 or you come here

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.759
 for whatever reason

00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.640
 you like the people

00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.940
 but you are not

00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:52.600
 someone who is

00:30:52.600 --> 00:30:53.920
 ready to obey

00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.720
 him when he gives

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.380
 you commands

00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:57.460
 maybe you're

00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:57.840
 someone who

00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.760
 started following

00:30:58.760 --> 00:30:59.200
 Jesus

00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.520
 but commands

00:31:00.520 --> 00:31:01.300
 like this one

00:31:01.300 --> 00:31:01.980
 specifically

00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.760
 that will involve

00:31:02.760 --> 00:31:03.560
 you standing up

00:31:03.560 --> 00:31:04.320
 and being bold

00:31:04.320 --> 00:31:05.240
 and being mocked

00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.140
 and receiving

00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.760
 hostility

00:31:06.760 --> 00:31:07.380
 and maybe even

00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:08.400
 losing your job

00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:11.160
 that's a bridge

00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:11.640
 too far

00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:12.120
 and you're running

00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:12.660
 from that

00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:14.320
 you still want

00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:14.660
 God

00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.220
 you still want

00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:15.540
 Jesus

00:31:15.540 --> 00:31:16.100
 you still want

00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.320
 heaven

00:31:16.320 --> 00:31:16.820
 you still want

00:31:16.820 --> 00:31:17.200
 forgiveness

00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:18.240
 but you don't

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.020
 really have any

00:31:19.020 --> 00:31:19.720
 desire to let

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.220
 him tell you

00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.780
 how to live

00:31:20.780 --> 00:31:22.240
 whether you're

00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:22.700
 someone who's

00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.220
 all in for

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.540
 Jesus

00:31:23.540 --> 00:31:24.120
 and chomping

00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.440
 at the bit

00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:24.980
 to walk out

00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:25.220
 of here

00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:25.500
 and share

00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:25.920
 the gospel

00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.440
 in Chatswood

00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:26.900
 as you walk

00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.180
 home

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.880
 or you're

00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.319
 somebody who

00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.680
 is still

00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.120
 intimidated

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.740
 and is ready

00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.319
 for this service

00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:30.759
 to finish

00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.140
 and you're

00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:31.539
 planning to

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:31.880
 book other

00:31:31.880 --> 00:31:32.339
 things for

00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:32.579
 your next

00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.180
 three Sundays

00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.559
 wherever you

00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.299
 sit on the

00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:35.740
 spectrum

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:38.140
 what every

00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:38.860
 one of us

00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.539
 needs to hear

00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:39.980
 this morning

00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.579
 is the same

00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:42.259
 what God

00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:43.079
 wants to say

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.940
 to every single

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.400
 one of us

00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:44.860
 this morning

00:31:44.860 --> 00:31:45.660
 is the same

00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:49.380
 it's the message

00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:50.039
 Jonah needs

00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:50.740
 to understand

00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:53.039
 God loves

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.360
 him

00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:56.699
 even though

00:31:56.699 --> 00:31:57.139
 he doesn't

00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.919
 deserve it

00:31:57.919 --> 00:31:59.939
 God sent

00:31:59.939 --> 00:32:00.740
 his son

00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.539
 for him

00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.339
 for you

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:02.979
 for me

00:32:02.979 --> 00:32:05.119
 you matter

00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:05.719
 to him

00:32:05.719 --> 00:32:08.339
 and the

00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.879
 call to

00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.559
 go on

00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:09.919
 mission

00:32:09.919 --> 00:32:11.819
 is actually

00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:12.599
 an invitation

00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:15.279
 it's an

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.919
 invitation

00:32:15.919 --> 00:32:16.719
 for you

00:32:16.719 --> 00:32:16.980
 and I

00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.259
 to have

00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:17.879
 a deeper

00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.639
 fuller

00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.359
 experience

00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:19.899
 of God's

00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.359
 love for

00:32:20.359 --> 00:32:20.779
 us

00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:22.619
 because as

00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.079
 we seek

00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:23.740
 to share

00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:24.119
 it with

00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.679
 whoever will

00:32:24.679 --> 00:32:25.000
 listen

00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.359
 and even

00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:25.819
 those who

00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:26.240
 won't

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:29.139
 we get

00:32:29.139 --> 00:32:30.099
 to be

00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:31.439
 the kind

00:32:31.439 --> 00:32:31.919
 of love

00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:32.379
 that God

00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:32.799
 has for

00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.159
 us

00:32:33.159 --> 00:32:35.039
 we get

00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.740
 to be

00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.699
 the hands

00:32:36.699 --> 00:32:37.359
 and feet

00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:38.399
 and words

00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:39.339
 and mouthpiece

00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.339
 of the heart

00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.519
 of God

00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.059
 himself

00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:45.240
 this

00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:45.659
 mission

00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:46.159
 month

00:32:46.159 --> 00:32:47.980
 rediscover

00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.579
 that the

00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:49.480
 the call

00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.159
 to go

00:32:50.159 --> 00:32:51.980
 is actually

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.740
 an invitation

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.440
 to come

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:55.559
 it's to

00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.519
 go with

00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.059
 God

00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:58.659
 it's to

00:32:58.659 --> 00:32:59.200
 go in

00:32:59.200 --> 00:33:00.099
 his power

00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:01.039
 in his

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.559
 grace

00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.319
 in your

00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:02.759
 weakness

00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.379
 and know

00:33:03.379 --> 00:33:04.119
 that his

00:33:04.119 --> 00:33:04.740
 power will

00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.259
 work through

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.559
 you

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:08.279
 this

00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:08.759
 mission

00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.220
 month

00:33:09.220 --> 00:33:11.559
 ask God

00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.019
 to open

00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.640
 your eyes

00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:12.980
 as you

00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.360
 walk to

00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:13.620
 work

00:33:13.620 --> 00:33:13.839
 each

00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.160
 day

00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:16.740
 as you

00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.360
 spend time

00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:17.839
 with people

00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.480
 ask God

00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:18.799
 to let

00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.480
 you see

00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:20.000
 what he

00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.600
 sees

00:33:20.600 --> 00:33:23.079
 people who

00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.559
 are lost

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.059
 just like

00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.519
 you were

00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:26.200
 people who

00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:26.720
 desperately

00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.319
 need to

00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:27.660
 know the

00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.059
 grace

00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:28.900
 that he

00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:29.480
 offers

00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.400
 freely

00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:33.200
 ask that

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.540
 he would

00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:33.820
 do the

00:33:33.820 --> 00:33:34.240
 miracle

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.780
 for people

00:33:34.780 --> 00:33:35.080
 in your

00:33:35.080 --> 00:33:35.340
 life

00:33:35.340 --> 00:33:35.660
 that he

00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:36.019
 did for

00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.259
 you

00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.400
 that he

00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:37.840
 would bring

00:33:37.840 --> 00:33:38.240
 them from

00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:39.140
 death to

00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.500
 life

00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.420
 from darkness

00:33:40.420 --> 00:33:41.100
 to light

00:33:41.100 --> 00:33:41.660
 that they

00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.240
 would know

00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:42.759
 the God

00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.220
 of heaven

00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.800
 who loves

00:33:43.800 --> 00:33:44.080
 them

00:33:44.080 --> 00:33:45.220
 unconditionally

00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:45.740
 in his

00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.019
 son

00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:47.220
 you