WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.339 Jonah chapter 3, page 928, as we follow in our studies there, so we can look that up. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:22.059 So Jonah chapter 3, Jonah goes to Nineveh. 00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:25.219 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:29.080 Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you. 00:00:29.699 --> 00:00:32.119 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. 00:00:32.699 --> 00:00:34.539 How Nineveh was a very important city. 00:00:35.299 --> 00:00:36.719 A visit required three days. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:39.820 On the first day, Jonah started into the city. 00:00:40.320 --> 00:00:43.739 He proclaimed, 40 more days and Nineveh will be overturned. 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:45.719 The Ninevites believed God. 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:50.480 They declared a fast and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. 00:00:50.879 --> 00:00:55.719 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal rugs, 00:00:56.060 --> 00:00:58.759 covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 00:00:59.460 --> 00:01:01.500 Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:08.039 By the decree of the king and his nobles, do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything. 00:01:08.539 --> 00:01:09.920 Do not let them eat or drink. 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:12.700 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:14.920 Let everyone call urgently on God. 00:01:15.420 --> 00:01:17.539 Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 00:01:17.540 --> 00:01:18.820 Who knows? 00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:23.360 God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger, so that we will not perish. 00:01:24.100 --> 00:01:26.880 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:30.680 he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. 00:01:30.680 --> 00:01:32.060 Thank you. 00:01:32.300 --> 00:01:32.880 Thank you. 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:44.660 Second Peter, Chapter 3, Verses 3 to 10. 00:01:44.659 --> 00:02:04.439 2 Peter 3, verses 3-10 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:14.819 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:19.079 They will say, where is this coming he promised? 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:24.860 Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. 00:02:24.860 --> 00:02:34.900 But they deliberately forget that long ago, by God's word, the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:40.940 By these waters also, the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:50.820 By the same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:54.519 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends. 00:02:55.079 --> 00:03:00.219 With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:05.159 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. 00:03:05.799 --> 00:03:11.699 He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:15.259 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:17.819 The heavens will disappear with a roar. 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:20.519 The elements will be destroyed by fire. 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:24.120 And the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:44.680 Thanks, Harry, and thanks, Graham. 00:03:45.159 --> 00:03:47.300 Keep it open, please, a tune of three. 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:50.460 That's the chapter we're going to be focusing on. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:57.180 We've been taking a chapter each Sunday. 00:03:59.760 --> 00:04:03.600 The first one we were looking at was Jonah running from grace. 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:08.700 Then the second one was about submitting to grace. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:14.400 And then today we look at speaking of God's grace. 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:19.000 So let's just pray and we'll ask for his help as we look at this together. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:37.839 Father, we ask that you would be generous to us by giving to us your Holy Spirit. 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:39.219 that we may be generous. 00:04:39.219 --> 00:04:46.019 That we may understand the words that you have written and recorded for us. 00:04:47.539 --> 00:04:51.819 That we may be able to see how it applies to our lives. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:56.959 We ask that you would open up our minds to understand. 00:04:56.959 --> 00:05:01.859 that it would be a word that changes us 00:05:01.859 --> 00:05:04.039 and transforms us, 00:05:05.419 --> 00:05:08.180 giving us a greater appreciation 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:10.459 and understanding of your grace 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:16.500 so that we may be able to speak your grace 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:18.599 to those around us. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:22.319 So please help us as we do this together. 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:24.579 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:34.299 Well, a very funny incident happened on BBC News 24 00:05:34.299 --> 00:05:35.819 not too long ago. 00:05:35.919 --> 00:05:38.359 A man by the name of Guy Goma 00:05:38.359 --> 00:05:41.579 arrived at the BBC offices 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:45.219 to attend for an interview for a job. 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:50.579 But present in the same building and unknown to him 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:53.919 was another man with exactly the same name 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:57.379 who was to be interviewed on BBC News 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:59.960 about the computer company Apple. 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:04.659 So the first Alan, who was there for the job interview, 00:06:04.799 --> 00:06:06.419 was left in this waiting area 00:06:06.419 --> 00:06:09.500 when the next thing he heard over the speaker system 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:10.879 was his name being called. 00:06:12.039 --> 00:06:13.259 Well, you can guess what happened. 00:06:14.419 --> 00:06:16.620 He ended up in the news studio 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:19.259 where he was mic'd up and all his makeup put on 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:22.539 and there he sat on live TV 00:06:22.539 --> 00:06:26.480 being asked his views about some internal debate 00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:27.819 with the Apple computers, 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:30.759 of which he knew absolutely nothing about. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.779 And the most amusing thing that happened 00:06:33.779 --> 00:06:36.399 was he actually tried to answer the questions 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:38.079 when it was quite clear. 00:06:38.219 --> 00:06:40.539 He knew nothing about the subject. 00:06:40.540 --> 00:06:45.500 The point is, you've got to know your subject 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:48.180 before you can speak about it. 00:06:48.700 --> 00:06:50.879 There's no use in bluffing. 00:06:52.080 --> 00:06:54.760 Well, Jonah was a prophet called by God 00:06:54.760 --> 00:06:58.660 to speak on his behalf to the people of Nineveh. 00:06:59.320 --> 00:07:03.780 His subject, God's grace in judgment, 00:07:04.520 --> 00:07:08.200 of which it seems Jonah knows nothing about. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:11.259 In chapter 1, verse 2, 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:16.539 we're told that he was told to go and preach to Nineveh 00:07:16.539 --> 00:07:18.120 because of its wickedness. 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:22.839 Verse 3, but Jonah ran away from the Lord. 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:25.099 And we ask the question, 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.599 well, why did Jonah run away? 00:07:26.659 --> 00:07:29.159 And the answer comes in chapter 4, verse 2, 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:32.300 where he prays to the Lord, 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:35.639 O Lord, is this not what I said 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:37.039 when I was still at home? 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:40.720 That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. 00:07:41.080 --> 00:07:45.800 I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:48.379 slow to anger, abounding in love. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:52.620 I knew you are a God who relents from sending calamity. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:57.020 Jonah was quite happy to speak against the city. 00:07:57.019 --> 00:08:02.319 His problem was, he knew there was a good chance 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:05.180 his God was going to forgive this city 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:07.419 and not bring about his promised judgment. 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:13.579 It seems that Jonah can't handle this God of grace 00:08:13.579 --> 00:08:18.019 because he himself hasn't come to understand grace. 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:22.479 Before Jonah can speak about grace, 00:08:22.979 --> 00:08:25.579 he's got to learn it for himself. 00:08:26.659 --> 00:08:29.579 And that's what happened in chapter 2, 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:33.059 where Jonah was swallowed up by the big fish. 00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:35.779 And inside the belly of the big fish, 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:37.919 in the storm and all that happened, 00:08:38.359 --> 00:08:42.319 he learns and experiences God's intervening grace 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:43.319 for himself. 00:08:43.579 --> 00:08:45.479 And in the midst of all of that darkness, 00:08:46.479 --> 00:08:49.199 he comes to grasp a little bit more. 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:53.920 And in chapter 3, he continues to learn. 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:59.100 Because in chapter 3, God continues to speak his grace. 00:08:59.300 --> 00:09:01.160 He speaks his grace to Jonah. 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:03.879 He speaks his grace to Nineveh. 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:09.620 And then surprisingly, God even speaks his grace to himself. 00:09:10.379 --> 00:09:12.480 So let's have a look at those in order. 00:09:12.680 --> 00:09:15.600 First, God speaks his grace to Jonah. 00:09:16.900 --> 00:09:18.780 Chapter 3, verse 1. 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:24.000 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. 00:09:24.560 --> 00:09:26.620 Go to that great city of Nineveh 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:29.960 and proclaim to it the message I give you. 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:33.240 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:35.840 and went to Nineveh. 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:39.840 Now these first few verses are almost identical 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:43.080 to the opening verses of chapter 1. 00:09:43.540 --> 00:09:45.300 Except for there's one difference. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:48.420 This time Jonah did not disobey. 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:50.339 But he obeyed. 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:53.199 Literally, in chapter 1, verse 3, it says, 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:54.719 Jonah arose and fled. 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:58.159 And in chapter 3, verse 3, it says, 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:00.299 Jonah arose and went. 00:10:00.939 --> 00:10:04.159 So what caused this change in Jonah's heart? 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:09.579 Was he afraid that God was going to send another big fish? 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:13.139 Maybe a flying fish this time and swallow him up? 00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:18.419 Well, I'm quite sure he didn't want to go back inside the belly of the fish again. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:24.879 But I think his motivation to obey was because of God's grace in his life. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:27.340 Look at verse 1 again of chapter 3. 00:10:27.439 --> 00:10:27.679 It says, 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:31.320 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:36.220 God is giving Jonah a fresh start and a new beginning. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:39.320 God had every right to reject Jonah. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:42.600 But he doesn't give up on his people. 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:45.160 He perseveres with us. 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:48.600 He's patient and he's long-suffering. 00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:54.560 It would have been so easy to give up on Jonah and go off and try and get another prophet and say, 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:55.580 Well, no, sorry Jonah. 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:57.460 I've employed somebody else. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:02.480 If you can't be bothered with me, then I can't be bothered with you. 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:08.659 But we're introduced to a God who is a God of second chances. 00:11:09.920 --> 00:11:10.480 He perseveres. 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:12.159 He doesn't give up. 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:24.460 Now what's our experience or what's our response when we experience God's grace in our life? 00:11:26.200 --> 00:11:31.300 Well, the response should be one of obedience, just like it was for Jonah. 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:35.179 In fact, this is what God demands of us. 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:42.959 He doesn't persevere with us so that we can go off and just disobey and live however we want to. 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:50.019 No, God shows his grace in our lives so that we will obey him, so that we will follow him. 00:11:51.839 --> 00:11:56.219 I remember learning something of grace from my father. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:12:04.639 In his kindness as a younger person, he allowed me to drive his car to go where I wanted to when he wasn't using it. 00:12:05.660 --> 00:12:08.980 Recklessly, however, I managed to crash his car. 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:16.539 But rather than come and say to me, you're never going to drive this car again, which is what I deserve, 00:12:17.420 --> 00:12:21.460 he gave the car back to me and said, you can use it again. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:32.980 He never said these words, but this act of grace demanded of me that I drive responsibly, not recklessly. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:41.800 Although no words were said, my father's forgiveness demanded a certain kind of behaviour from me. 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:45.279 Now Jonah wrote his life off. 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:53.940 But God showed forgiveness so that Jonah would go and obey and do what he called him to do. 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:57.740 And this is the kind of God that we have. 00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:00.140 This is the God who deals with us. 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:01.360 He is persevering. 00:13:01.640 --> 00:13:03.000 He doesn't give up on us. 00:13:03.260 --> 00:13:05.220 He is the God of second chances. 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:14.800 And if we stop and reflect, he is the God of third chances and fourth chances and however many more chances. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:18.100 He gives us a new beginning. 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:28.240 He gives us a fresh start so that we will learn to obey him and do what he calls us to do. 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:33.540 So God speaks grace into Jonah's life. 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:37.500 But he also speaks grace into Nineveh's life. 00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:42.980 The message that Jonah was to speak has not changed. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:50.019 Verse 2, he says, go to that great city of Nineveh and proclaim the message I give you. 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:52.000 Now that wasn't going to be easy for Jonah. 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:57.580 Nineveh was one of the cities of the great Assyrian Empire. 00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:59.940 It was the superpower of the day. 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:04.279 All the surrounding nations lived in fear of Assyria. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:08.800 They lived in fear of its king and they did whatever the king asked. 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:18.639 So to go and tell this city that God is going to judge you, well that is going to be hard. 00:14:19.719 --> 00:14:23.879 But yet Jonah, motivated by grace, goes and preaches. 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:25.599 And this is what he says, verse 4. 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:34.039 On the first day Jonah started into the city and he proclaimed, just simply summed up, 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:37.740 40 more days and Nineveh will be overturned. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:43.039 Well you say, where is the grace in that? 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:44.319 It sounds a bit severe. 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:49.819 Well God didn't have to give any warning to Nineveh. 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:53.139 Its wickedness was very evident to all. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:58.379 But yet God in his grace says, 40 more days. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:03.000 It's as if God is saying to them, can't you see Nineveh? 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:05.399 You deserve to be wiped out. 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:07.899 But I don't want to destroy you. 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:09.779 I want to save you. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:12.720 I want to rescue from the judgment that you deserve. 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:19.439 Rather than overturn you, I am persisting with you that you turn to me. 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.500 40 more days. 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:31.500 And it had a profound impact upon the people because turning is exactly what happens. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:33.379 They repent, verse 5. 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:36.440 The Ninevites believed God. 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:41.879 They declared a fast and all of them from the greatest to the least put on sackcloth. 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:47.679 Now fasting and sackcloth, putting that on, was this outward expression, 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:56.259 a very visible demonstration of an inward reality that they had repented and had turned to God. 00:15:57.219 --> 00:16:00.159 In fact we're told their repentance was genuine. 00:16:00.339 --> 00:16:01.239 Look at verse 10. 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:10.919 Because we're told there that when God saw what they did and how they had turned from their evil ways. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:15.879 You see, a sign of repentance isn't just words. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:19.139 It's a change of action in our life. 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:26.039 A completely 180 degree turn of doing opposite to what we were doing. 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:31.279 And repentance is what God demands of all people. 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:37.419 Whatever nation we belong to and whatever social class we belong to. 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:39.079 Verse 5, look at it again. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:43.179 It says, from the greatest to the least put on sackcloth. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:46.259 It even applies to the king. 00:16:46.599 --> 00:16:49.539 Verse 6, when news reached the king of Nineveh, 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:53.360 he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, 00:16:53.699 --> 00:16:56.699 covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:03.939 You see, God in his persistence of showing grace to his people, 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:06.720 he demands that people repent. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:12.320 And it's what he demands of each one of us and of our nation 00:17:12.320 --> 00:17:15.500 and whatever social class we come from. 00:17:16.300 --> 00:17:18.200 Nobody is off limits. 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:22.340 He calls everybody to repent, 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:24.240 to put their life in order, 00:17:24.560 --> 00:17:26.080 to change things around 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:27.960 and to turn back to God. 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:35.380 The story is told of a very patient king who was ruler of a very large city. 00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:41.539 And he was wondering where he could station his large army of troops. 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:45.720 And after much thought, he decided to locate them, 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.259 not in the city, 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:50.519 but a day's march from the city. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:54.339 So that on occasion of civil disobedience, 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:59.500 it would take time for the troops to march in and restore order. 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:05.480 In the interim, the rebels would have opportunity to come to their senses 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:07.660 and back down. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:11.779 Nineveh, in God's grace, 00:18:13.040 --> 00:18:14.980 was given 40 days 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:16.860 to change her way. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:21.640 I wonder, how much more grace 00:18:21.640 --> 00:18:24.800 are we being shown today? 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:29.099 Well, keep your finger in Jonah chapter 3 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:31.599 and flick over to Matthew's Gospel, 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:37.079 chapter 12. 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:46.779 Because in Matthew 12, 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.839 in verse 40, 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:51.339 Jesus actually uses the story of Jonah. 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:55.539 He uses the story of how the people of Nineveh repented 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:57.919 to teach us something. 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:09.439 Matthew 12, verse 40, 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:09.919 it says, 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:12.859 For as Jonah was three days and three nights 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:15.279 in the belly of a huge fish, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.579 so the Son of Man, 00:19:17.699 --> 00:19:19.039 that's speaking of Jesus, 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:21.779 will be three days and three nights 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:23.019 in the heart of the earth. 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.379 Now in this verse, 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:27.659 Jesus is referring to his resurrection, 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:29.539 that he's going to die, 00:19:29.639 --> 00:19:32.000 that he's going to be buried for three days. 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.839 He's going to rise again. 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.940 And after his resurrection, 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:39.779 is going to come the final judgment 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:42.379 that will follow at the end of time. 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.599 Whenever you see the phrase, 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.359 Son of Man, 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:46.619 it's always talking about the coming ruler. 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:49.979 So in verse 41, 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:50.739 it says, 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.679 At the judgment, 00:19:53.219 --> 00:19:54.619 the men of Nineveh 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:57.339 will stand up at the judgment 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:59.000 with this generation 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.219 and condemn it. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:02.319 For they repented 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.000 at the preaching of Jonah. 00:20:04.739 --> 00:20:06.299 And now one greater 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:08.359 than Jonah is here. 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.779 It's as if Jesus is saying, 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.059 look, 00:20:14.139 --> 00:20:16.180 if the people of Nineveh repented 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:19.920 after hearing this little prophet Jonah preach, 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:23.519 and they were given only 40 days 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.779 to turn their lives around, 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:26.960 but they did it within 40 days, 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.839 and they did it through Jonah's preaching, 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:32.619 how much more should we repent 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:34.799 when we have one who is greater, 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.019 the Lord Jesus? 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:38.339 God, 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.440 who came as a man 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.160 into the world, 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:42.039 the one who died for us, 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.940 and who is still, 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:46.019 not just 40 days later, 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:48.660 but 2,000 years later, 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.700 is delaying his return, 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.619 is delaying his judgment, 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.859 so that we will turn to him. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:58.400 Every day that passes by 00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:00.400 is another day of grace. 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:04.000 Every day that Christ does not return 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.519 is another opportunity 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.740 for people to repent. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:10.440 If people could do it with Jonah 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.720 after 40 days, 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.519 how much more should we repent 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.680 when we have Jesus, 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:18.359 who has delayed it for 2,000 years? 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:24.640 This is the kind of God that we have. 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.660 He is persisting. 00:21:27.420 --> 00:21:29.220 He's not wanting anyone 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.759 to be overturned. 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:33.079 He is the God who longs 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.839 for people to turn back to him. 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:36.980 He gives opportunity, 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.799 delaying his judgment, 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.819 so that people will repent, 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.440 change their ways, 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:44.579 and be able to live. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:53.200 So God speaks grace to Jonah. 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:55.920 He speaks grace to the city of Nineveh. 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:58.480 And then surprisingly, 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:58.960 and I, 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.800 if you want to come back to me 00:22:00.800 --> 00:22:01.220 on this one, 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.500 I hope I've got it right, 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:05.240 that God even speaks grace 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.460 to himself. 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:11.120 We should not underestimate 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:13.740 what a wicked city Nineveh was. 00:22:13.820 --> 00:22:16.360 We're told that in chapter 1, verse 2. 00:22:16.860 --> 00:22:19.279 Its wickedness had come up before God. 00:22:20.300 --> 00:22:22.340 In fact, history records 00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:23.680 just how brutal 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:25.560 an empire they were. 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.420 History tells us 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:29.360 that when the Assyrian king 00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:31.740 captured another city, 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:34.060 they would mutilate 00:22:34.060 --> 00:22:35.019 all the men. 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:37.460 They would cut off their hands, 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.880 they would cut out their tongues, 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:42.680 and they would gouge out their eyes. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.060 And then they would be left 00:22:44.060 --> 00:22:45.340 in a great big pile 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:47.880 to die a very slow, 00:22:48.100 --> 00:22:49.039 painful death 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:50.220 in the sun. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.000 They were brutal. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.319 The women and children, 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:56.559 well, they would be burned alive. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:59.420 And anything of value 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:01.019 would be taken. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.880 This is the kind of nation 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:06.140 that they were. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.559 So when God threatens 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.480 to overturn 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:11.339 or destroy the city 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.420 in four days, 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.440 you would hardly say 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.500 it's without reason, 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:17.420 because they were a violent 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.600 and evil race. 00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:21.560 But here we're told 00:23:21.560 --> 00:23:23.360 the king takes Jonah's message 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:24.800 seriously, verse 8. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.720 He gives this message 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:29.620 to all the nation 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.340 in verse 8. 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.300 Let everyone 00:23:31.300 --> 00:23:33.380 call urgently on God. 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.120 Let them give up 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:36.519 their evil ways 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.920 and their violence. 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.560 Who knows? 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:42.259 God may yet relent 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.980 and with compassion 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:46.440 turn from his fierce anger 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:49.379 so that we will not perish. 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.740 They deserve 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:55.019 not even one day's grace, 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:57.960 let alone 40 days' grace. 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.279 In fact, 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:00.500 they know they deserve 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.400 to be wiped off 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.259 the face of the earth. 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:04.440 But knowing what they deserve, 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:05.400 they repent 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.720 and they throw themselves 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.640 on God 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.880 in the hope 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:11.080 that God might not do 00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:12.900 what he said he would do. 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.780 Verse 9. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.920 Who knows? 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:18.100 If we turn back to him, 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:19.860 if we change our life around, 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:21.000 who knows God? 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:22.600 God might relent. 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:25.080 He might have compassion 00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:28.560 so that we will not perish. 00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.420 You see, 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:33.040 God's justice demands 00:24:33.040 --> 00:24:33.940 that he deals 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.980 with all wickedness. 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.220 He can't pretend 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.059 it's not there 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:38.220 and look the other way. 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:41.700 Sin must be dealt with. 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:44.180 It cannot be tolerated. 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:47.420 But look at verse 10. 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:50.220 When God saw 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.220 what they did 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.579 and how they turned 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.799 from their evil ways, 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:56.140 he had compassion 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:58.920 and he did not bring upon them 00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.880 the destruction 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:01.120 that he had threatened. 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.339 sins. 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:06.500 It's quite an incredible verse. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.219 Literally, 00:25:08.419 --> 00:25:08.899 it's saying 00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:09.579 that God 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:10.619 repented. 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.959 Not that the threat 00:25:13.959 --> 00:25:14.719 of his judgment 00:25:14.719 --> 00:25:15.539 was wrong 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:17.119 or that his response 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.879 to their sin 00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:18.919 was over their top. 00:25:19.239 --> 00:25:19.819 No, it means 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.519 that he turned 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:23.739 back on his decision 00:25:23.739 --> 00:25:25.159 and instead 00:25:25.159 --> 00:25:25.959 of judgment, 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.059 he had compassion. 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:29.879 because when God 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.740 sees people 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.759 turn to him, 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.339 his character 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.440 demands 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.259 that he has 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.940 compassion. 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.599 It's as if God 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.319 is having this 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:40.639 sort of conversation 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.399 with himself. 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.460 On the one hand, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.399 he sees the wickedness 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:43.639 and he says, 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:45.179 it's got to be dealt with. 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:48.340 But then, 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.100 on the other hand, 00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:49.580 he's saying, 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.340 but they've turned. 00:25:52.120 --> 00:25:53.140 I've got to show 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.740 compassion. 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.660 And God 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.660 speaks grace 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.460 to himself 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.480 to show 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.240 that he's got 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.380 to relent 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.940 from sending 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:03.360 the destruction 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.920 that the people 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.340 deserve. 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.600 Of course, 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.539 we might not be 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.519 as barbaric 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.440 as the Ninevites. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:15.420 Now, 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.000 we've become 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.620 much more 00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:17.400 sophisticated 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.539 and intellectual 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.180 for that, 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.059 but we are 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.920 no less 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.620 evil 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.779 or wicked. 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.500 We might not 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.640 mutilate people 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.279 in war, 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:30.019 but abortions 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.860 are carried out 00:26:30.860 --> 00:26:31.340 at a rate 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:33.019 of 180,000 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.660 a year 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:35.000 in Britain, 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.880 many of whom 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.580 are travelling 00:26:37.580 --> 00:26:38.920 from Ireland. 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.940 One doctor 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.000 has even suggested 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.740 that there should 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.940 also be a choice 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.059 to kill a disabled 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.839 child after birth. 00:26:50.039 --> 00:26:51.039 And we are 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.819 an increasingly 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.920 violent nation. 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.119 Listen to your news, 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.940 read the paper. 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:58.039 Murders by drug gangs 00:26:58.039 --> 00:27:00.019 or an out-of-control 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:01.519 husband or wife 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:05.359 is a regular item 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:05.980 on the news 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.680 just as much 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.920 as the sports results. 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:09.860 every day 00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:10.380 we hear 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.460 of violent crime 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:13.060 as yet another 00:27:13.060 --> 00:27:14.100 innocent victim 00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:15.000 is beaten up 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.800 and jumped on 00:27:15.800 --> 00:27:16.440 until their head 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.380 turns to pulp. 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.580 And we mightn't 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.660 burn our children 00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:21.440 and our women, 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.320 but as the recent 00:27:23.320 --> 00:27:24.039 primetime 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.279 investigate showed, 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:25.980 in a period 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:27.259 of 30 days, 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.840 over 1,000 people 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.360 in Ireland 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.300 were downloading 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.019 and sharing 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.940 explicit 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:34.000 and violent 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.180 child porn. 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.500 And they are the ones 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.339 that they can manage 00:27:38.339 --> 00:27:38.960 to track. 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.240 In one day, 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:43.339 last November, 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:46.480 368 women, 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:49.359 291 children, 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.359 one day, 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.440 receive children 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.079 and women 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.079 receive support 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.659 because of 00:27:55.659 --> 00:27:56.839 domestic violence, 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.379 many of whom 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.460 are going to end up 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.980 in long-term care. 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.240 And then there's 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.900 our desire 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.640 for the latest 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:06.980 mobile and fashion 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.660 accessories, 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.900 which comes to us 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:11.440 at affordable prices 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:13.160 because children 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.660 or women 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.520 are stuck down 00:28:14.520 --> 00:28:14.960 mines, 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:15.680 digging out 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:16.240 coltons, 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:17.760 while others 00:28:17.760 --> 00:28:18.240 are dying 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.160 in the sweatshops 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:19.760 of China. 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:24.180 What does God 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.220 see as he looks 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.000 down on our 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.920 so-called 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:28.280 Christian 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.139 nation? 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.339 What does he see 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:35.339 when he examines 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:36.420 our own lives? 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.160 When he looks 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:39.160 into the privacy 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.779 of our own 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.160 homes? 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.799 What does he see? 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.180 The truth is, 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.039 we are no different. 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.299 The message 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.480 that Jonah preached 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:53.019 also applies 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.579 to us. 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:54.960 God's 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.319 promised 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.779 judgment 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:57.460 is coming. 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.279 God's 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.200 God's 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.519 just 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.200 and fair 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.819 response 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.720 to the evil 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.579 and the violence 00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.440 that he sees. 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.779 It's amazing 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:10.480 that God 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.220 has not yet 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:11.720 returned 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:13.639 and put an end 00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:14.700 to the suffering 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:16.099 that goes on 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.859 in our lives. 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:19.399 What's our response? 00:29:19.400 --> 00:29:20.400 God's 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:21.400 love? 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:21.640 Well, it should 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.340 be no different 00:29:22.340 --> 00:29:23.060 to that of the 00:29:23.060 --> 00:29:23.320 king, 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:23.920 verse 8. 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.780 Let everyone 00:29:25.780 --> 00:29:27.420 call urgently 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:29.000 on God. 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.720 Let them 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.560 give up their 00:29:31.560 --> 00:29:32.580 evil ways 00:29:32.580 --> 00:29:33.320 and their violence. 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.420 Who knows? 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.140 God may yet 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.600 relent. 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:41.599 God may 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.599 be no different 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:42.899 reality 00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.319 is, 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.939 one day 00:29:43.939 --> 00:29:46.240 we will all 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.939 have to deal 00:29:46.939 --> 00:29:47.579 with God. 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:48.299 The whole 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:49.059 nation of 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.699 Ireland is 00:29:49.699 --> 00:29:50.299 going to have 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.719 to stand 00:29:50.719 --> 00:29:51.480 before God. 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.240 What will 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.559 that be 00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:53.899 like? 00:29:56.439 --> 00:29:56.919 Well, 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.639 as we 00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:59.039 close, 00:29:59.179 --> 00:29:59.859 turn over to 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.399 Revelation 00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:01.000 please, 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:02.259 chapter 19. 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:08.779 Here we 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.220 are given 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:09.859 a picture. 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.039 We are 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.579 given a 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.279 vision from 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.759 the risen 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.440 Lord Jesus 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.079 through the 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:14.599 words of 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:17.539 John of 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.180 what that 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.839 day is 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:19.319 going to 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:19.879 be like. 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.180 Yes, 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.660 there's lots 00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:23.299 of imagery 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:23.819 here, 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.640 but I 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.019 think it 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.680 presents a 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.599 picture of 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:29.519 just how 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.299 serious 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:32.980 Christ's 00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.299 coming 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:33.859 will be. 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.639 Chapter 19 00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:38.399 verse 11. 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:43.220 I saw 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:43.759 heaven 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.639 standing 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.159 open, 00:30:46.159 --> 00:30:46.779 and there 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.419 before me 00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:47.799 was a 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.500 white horse 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.240 whose rider 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:49.839 is called 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.559 Faithful 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.200 and True. 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.079 With 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:54.039 justice he 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.819 judges and 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.519 makes war. 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.419 His eyes 00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:57.879 are like 00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.519 blazing 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.039 fire, 00:30:59.180 --> 00:30:59.379 and on 00:30:59.379 --> 00:30:59.819 his head 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.200 are many 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:00.819 crowns, 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:02.200 he has 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:02.680 a name 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:03.299 written on 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.140 him that 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.660 no one 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.279 knows but 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:05.960 he himself. 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.980 He is 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.620 dressed in 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:09.059 a robe 00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.620 dipped in 00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:10.000 blood, 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.420 and his 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.019 name is 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.580 the word 00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:13.240 of God. 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.519 The 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.259 armies of 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.759 heaven were 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.519 following him, 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:17.539 riding on 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.319 white horses 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:18.980 and dressed 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:19.799 in fine 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.539 linen, 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:21.640 white and 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.059 clean. 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.360 Out of 00:31:23.360 --> 00:31:23.860 his mouth 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.400 comes a 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.220 sharp sword 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.019 with which 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.819 to strike 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:28.200 down the 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:28.640 nation. 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:30.640 king of 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.640 kings. 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:33.640 He will 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:35.220 rule them 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.640 with an 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.140 iron 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.640 scepter. 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:37.800 He 00:31:37.800 --> 00:31:38.600 treads the 00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:39.580 winepress of 00:31:39.580 --> 00:31:40.520 the fury of 00:31:40.520 --> 00:31:41.020 the wrath of 00:31:41.020 --> 00:31:42.080 God Almighty. 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:42.679 name written, 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.419 king of kings 00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:46.299 and lord of 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.720 lords. 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.279 One day we 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:50.839 will have to 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.419 face him. 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.579 One day the 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.339 island of 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.480 Ireland will 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:55.939 face him, 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.720 the people of 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.359 King Thales 00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:58.379 will face him. 00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:00.879 But in his 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:02.980 grace he is 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.919 given warning 00:32:03.919 --> 00:32:05.000 of his coming 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.480 judgment, 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:05.740 life. 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.579 That we 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:08.319 should repent 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.099 and if we 00:32:09.099 --> 00:32:09.539 do, 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.500 who knows? 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.740 God may 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.579 yet relent. 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:15.620 That he 00:32:15.620 --> 00:32:16.120 would have 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:16.980 compassion, 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:17.779 that he 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.759 would bring 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.420 forgiveness 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:21.960 so that 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:22.559 people would 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.259 change their 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:23.839 ways and 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:25.579 live and 00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:26.019 know the 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.620 joy of 00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.680 eternal life 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:29.099 and the 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:30.539 blessing of 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.299 obeying and 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.900 walking with 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:33.319 God. 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:33.439 grace. 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:36.159 Before we 00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:37.039 can speak of 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:39.559 grace, we 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.299 need to learn 00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:40.759 of God's 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.399 grace and 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:42.659 experience it 00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:44.399 deeply in 00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:44.799 our own 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.240 lives. 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:47.240 Let's pray 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.899 together. 00:32:47.899 --> 00:32:48.039 Amen. 00:32:48.039 --> 00:33:13.940 Father, sometimes we struggle 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:22.240 with the fact that your words speak so much of a God who is one day going to come and judge. 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:26.400 We don't like to think of a God who will judge. 00:33:30.340 --> 00:33:32.900 But yet when we look at the state of our nation, 00:33:34.340 --> 00:33:37.559 when we see the suffering and pain in our world, 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:42.080 when we examine our own lives, 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:47.839 we are amazed that you have not yet come already. 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:56.220 Father, help us to take seriously your warning. 00:33:58.379 --> 00:34:03.659 Help us to take seriously your amazing grace, 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:07.980 that you would give us chances, that you would give us opportunity. 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:13.719 We pray that we would learn your grace more and more, 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:15.840 speak your grace into our lives. 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:21.940 If we come today and we're feeling we need that chance yet again, 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:25.740 Lord, be gracious and give us that second chance. 00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:30.299 Give us that chance to turn, 00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:33.079 to obey, to follow you, 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:36.939 to live out your grace in our own lives, 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:40.239 so that people will know you and follow you. 00:34:41.879 --> 00:34:44.799 Please be at work by your Holy Spirit, we pray. 00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:48.680 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:34:48.679 --> 00:35:04.779 We're going to take a spin together. 00:35:04.779 --> 00:35:04.819 We're going to spin together. 00:35:04.819 --> 00:35:04.859 We're going to spin together.