WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.740 Have you been angry this week? 00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:06.839 Some people would say it's a normal week, wasn't it? 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:09.839 Why were you angry? 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.259 Was it justified? 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:18.019 Was it righteous anger? 00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:25.420 Or, would you have to say, mine was not justified? 00:00:25.420 --> 00:00:29.699 Or even if it was the way I expressed it. 00:00:30.539 --> 00:00:32.259 Was not right. 00:00:33.479 --> 00:00:36.340 Now, all anger is not sinful. 00:00:37.500 --> 00:00:39.740 There's some things we should be angry about. 00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:41.579 There's things that makes God angry. 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:43.799 As you can read in the scripture. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:50.519 Jesus expressed righteous anger on more than one occasion. 00:00:50.519 --> 00:00:54.719 One of the most well known is when he cleansed the temple. 00:00:54.719 --> 00:01:00.439 Because people had failed to honor it as the house of God. 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:05.280 And the place of prayer that it was supposed to be. 00:01:06.980 --> 00:01:10.379 So, Jesus sets an example. 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:13.519 Anger is a normal human emotion. 00:01:14.519 --> 00:01:15.980 It can be good. 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:18.480 It can be justified. 00:01:20.320 --> 00:01:24.359 But we've got to be very careful the way that we express it. 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:31.740 But I know that most of us in this room, if we're honest, 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:35.259 most of our anger is not righteous anger. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:37.060 Most anger that we see, 00:01:38.119 --> 00:01:40.099 most anger that we express, 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:42.359 is sinful anger. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:48.719 And we really can't, before God, justify it. 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:54.539 Jerry Bridges says that the three top causes of sinful anger 00:01:54.539 --> 00:01:58.099 are pride, selfishness, and the desire to control. 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:00.059 Now, those are broad headings. 00:02:00.140 --> 00:02:01.719 A lot of things could fall under that. 00:02:02.679 --> 00:02:06.099 But pride, selfishness, and a desire to control. 00:02:08.780 --> 00:02:11.139 Doesn't that describe a lot of the reasons why 00:02:11.139 --> 00:02:16.599 you lose it, blow up? 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:21.019 Bridges goes on to describe sinful anger 00:02:21.019 --> 00:02:23.699 as a universal problem. 00:02:24.079 --> 00:02:24.659 Look at it. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:27.400 No one is isolated from its presence 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:29.060 or immune from its poison. 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:31.500 It permeates each person 00:02:31.500 --> 00:02:34.379 and spoils our most intimate relationships. 00:02:35.019 --> 00:02:38.699 Anger is a given part of our fallen human fabric. 00:02:39.319 --> 00:02:42.340 Sadly, it is true even in our Christian homes and churches. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:45.819 Anger is often directed toward those 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:48.519 we should love most. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:51.199 Our spouse, children, parents, 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:53.460 or siblings in our human families, 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:56.900 and those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ 00:02:56.900 --> 00:02:58.520 in our church families. 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:04.280 What he says there at the top of that paragraph, 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:07.520 that's painfully true, isn't it? 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:12.400 Our anger is most often directed 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:17.060 toward those we should love the most. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:20.659 And we're going to see in Jonah chapter 4 this morning, 00:03:21.319 --> 00:03:24.500 Jonah's anger was directed at the one 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:27.219 he should have loved more than anyone or anything. 00:03:28.979 --> 00:03:29.460 God. 00:03:31.080 --> 00:03:34.240 Today, we're going to focus on the danger of anger 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:39.860 as seen in Jonah's anger toward God. 00:03:40.580 --> 00:03:41.640 Read with me if you would. 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:43.360 We're going to be in Jonah chapter 4, 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:44.400 beginning in verse 1. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:46.099 Just look at four verses today. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:48.120 If you weren't here last week 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:49.420 and you aren't familiar with the story, 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:54.640 what happens leading up to chapter 4, verse 1, 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:58.560 Jonah preached a message of judgment, 00:03:59.200 --> 00:04:01.800 condemnation to the people of Israel 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:03.900 and warned them in 40 days, 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:05.620 God's judgment's going to fall. 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:07.840 Well, they believed it. 00:04:08.180 --> 00:04:09.420 They believed God. 00:04:09.419 --> 00:04:11.799 And they truly repented of their sin 00:04:11.799 --> 00:04:13.539 and God relented. 00:04:13.799 --> 00:04:16.439 God said, no, I'm not going to destroy them 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:19.680 because they've turned from their sin. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:22.219 Here's how Jonah responds. 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:26.699 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly. 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:29.599 And he was angry. 00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:32.479 And he prayed to the Lord and said, 00:04:32.539 --> 00:04:35.439 O Lord, is not this what I said 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:36.759 when I was yet in my country? 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:40.699 That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish. 00:04:41.159 --> 00:04:43.459 For I knew that you are a gracious God 00:04:43.459 --> 00:04:45.500 and merciful, slow to anger 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:47.339 and abounding in steadfast love 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:49.699 and relenting from disaster. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:51.519 Therefore now, O Lord, 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:55.180 please take my life from me. 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:59.360 For it is better for me to die than to live. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:00.819 And the Lord said, 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:04.060 do you do well to be angry? 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:07.459 The danger of anger. 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:10.139 Why is anger dangerous? 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:11.959 We see in verse 1, 00:05:12.280 --> 00:05:16.319 anger sometimes leads us to find fault with God. 00:05:17.340 --> 00:05:18.639 That's what's happening here. 00:05:18.860 --> 00:05:19.879 Look at that verse again. 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:23.220 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:24.639 and he was angry. 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:26.480 NIV says, but to Jonah, 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:28.319 this seemed very wrong. 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:29.740 He became angry. 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:35.819 That word anger there is talking about burning with anger, 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:39.280 seething with anger. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:43.199 Old Testament commentator Joyce Baldwin 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:48.180 explains the intensity of Jonah's displeasure and anger. 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:49.480 Look at it. 00:05:50.160 --> 00:05:52.720 The very strong expression indicates 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:57.660 that Jonah's anger welled up from the depths of his being, 00:05:57.660 --> 00:06:00.720 like a child throwing a temper tantrum. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:03.640 Such anger is totally irrational, 00:06:04.780 --> 00:06:06.580 and yet it must have an explanation. 00:06:08.960 --> 00:06:11.100 Jonah's anger does have an explanation. 00:06:12.380 --> 00:06:17.060 He is angry because God was gracious and merciful 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:18.840 to the people of Nineveh 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:23.719 and decided to not destroy them 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:25.959 after they had demonstrated repentance. 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:29.039 That's what we looked at last week in chapter 3. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:30.879 Now in chapter 4, 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:32.819 I want you to think about it. 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:39.279 Jonah is angry because God did not destroy, 00:06:39.739 --> 00:06:43.479 wipe out an entire city of people, 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:45.579 men, women, and children. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:52.560 Now why did Jonah think like this? 00:06:53.599 --> 00:06:56.800 Why did he want all these people to die? 00:06:56.919 --> 00:06:59.039 Why did he want God's judgment to fall? 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:02.799 Well, the book of Jonah does not give us one specific reason, 00:07:03.399 --> 00:07:05.259 but we can identify a few things 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:07.560 based on what we've already seen in Jonah, 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:09.500 based on what we know about Israel, 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:11.419 where he is from, 00:07:11.419 --> 00:07:14.539 and Assyria. 00:07:15.579 --> 00:07:16.979 Nineveh is located. 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:19.399 It's a major city in Assyria. 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:23.680 I want to use Jerry Bridges' causes of anger 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:28.379 to see how Jonah's anger, 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:30.800 what caused it, what it was. 00:07:31.339 --> 00:07:33.719 Number one, Jonah's anger was prideful. 00:07:34.979 --> 00:07:37.500 Jonah had the wrong kind of national pride. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:41.860 You see, Jonah had the idea, 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:44.500 God's grace, God's mercy, 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:47.419 it's for the people of Israel. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:50.759 It's for his chosen people only. 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:54.719 He thought because he was a Jew, 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:58.379 one of God's chosen ones, 00:07:58.500 --> 00:07:59.579 part of that nation, 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:03.159 that made him special in God's eyes. 00:08:03.579 --> 00:08:05.279 And it was people like Jonah 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:09.699 who could expect God to be merciful and gracious, 00:08:09.699 --> 00:08:13.899 not those other people. 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:15.800 It wasn't that Jonah thought he was perfect, 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:17.199 it's that Jonah just thought, 00:08:17.979 --> 00:08:20.159 I'm not like these pagan people. 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:24.519 I'm a sinner, but not that kind of sinner. 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:26.079 He was prideful. 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:28.740 He had the wrong kind of national pride. 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:30.539 We can do that as well. 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:33.399 Jonah was also selfish. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:36.319 If you know the story, 00:08:37.459 --> 00:08:39.459 Jonah had experienced God's grace and mercy 00:08:39.459 --> 00:08:42.759 after he had intentionally disobeyed God, 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:44.939 tried to get away from God, 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:46.620 refused to answer God's call 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:47.679 to go and preach to this people. 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:51.639 Well, God pursued Jonah, 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:52.500 didn't kill him, 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:54.259 but saved him from death, 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:56.620 saved him from death by drowning. 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:59.580 And in Jonah chapter two, 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:05.299 he writes a psalm of thanks, 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:07.120 praising God. 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:12.580 So Jonah, he understands God's mercy. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.620 He has received God's mercy, 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.440 but he didn't want these people. 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:20.879 He didn't want them to have anything like it. 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:23.720 Jonah was like the man in Jesus' parable 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:25.899 in Matthew 18. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:27.740 I want to encourage you to read that sometime. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:29.179 A lot of times it's called the parable 00:09:29.179 --> 00:09:30.439 of the unmerciful servant. 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:33.120 There was a guy, a servant, 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:36.899 who owed a tremendous debt to a king. 00:09:37.699 --> 00:09:40.199 It was like a multimillion dollar debt, 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.519 something he would never be able to pay. 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:45.100 Well, the king in the story, 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:46.559 just out of mercy, 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:49.240 chose to forgive the debt. 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:51.679 Just wipe the slate clean. 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:54.379 You can imagine how thankful he was. 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:57.200 What if tomorrow you got a call from the bank 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:00.399 and they say your house, 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:02.379 what you owe in your house, 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:03.360 has been wiped clean. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.299 That'd be something to be excited about, wouldn't it? 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:07.720 Just forgiven. 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:10.860 Well, this guy took God's forgiveness, 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:11.840 the king's forgiveness, 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:13.659 went out and found someone 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:15.360 who just owed him a little bit. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:19.220 Something that the man could have repaid, 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:22.379 but this man was such a selfish, 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:26.519 whatever he was. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.680 I can't imagine the mentality. 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:32.620 He demanded he get paid those few dollars now, 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:35.100 or he was going to have the man put in prison 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:36.100 for not paying his debts. 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.300 The man couldn't pay, 00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:39.139 and so he had him put in prison. 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:42.279 So heartless, 00:10:42.459 --> 00:10:46.059 so just a short memory, didn't he? 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:48.639 Jesus tells the parable 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.579 to let us see 00:10:50.579 --> 00:10:52.679 what it's like for us, 00:10:52.859 --> 00:10:53.779 what it looks like to God 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:55.219 for us to be selfish 00:10:55.219 --> 00:10:58.139 when he forgives us such a great debt. 00:10:59.479 --> 00:11:01.179 We ought to be willing to forgive others. 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:03.399 When we experience God's mercy, 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:06.439 we ought to be willing to show mercy to others. 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:09.159 But there's another thing 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:10.399 that Jonah demonstrates 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:12.079 that I want to spend a little time on. 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:13.120 This is the real focus. 00:11:15.579 --> 00:11:16.559 Jonah's problem was 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:17.879 he had a desire to control, 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:19.699 and what he wanted to control was God. 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:24.439 Jonah wanted to control 00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:25.979 when God was gracious 00:11:25.979 --> 00:11:29.699 and when God demanded justice. 00:11:30.699 --> 00:11:32.839 Now, let's be fair to Jonah 00:11:32.839 --> 00:11:34.839 and look at it from his perspective. 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:38.480 Jonah's thinking is really not irrational. 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:42.340 Jonah knew that the people of Nineveh, 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:44.019 Assyrians, 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:49.040 they were notoriously brutal, cruel. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.480 They were truly, 00:11:50.660 --> 00:11:52.040 from all historical accounts, 00:11:52.280 --> 00:11:54.220 they were evil people 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:57.200 that if anybody deserved to be annihilated, 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.500 they did. 00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:59.259 Plus, 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.639 they were the enemy of Israel. 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:06.639 They were not only such ruthless people, 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.580 but in time, 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:08.720 the way things were headed, 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:11.360 they were going to destroy 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:13.059 God's chosen people, 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:14.679 the northern kingdom of Israel. 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:15.919 And so, 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:17.360 from Jonah's perspective, 00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:19.139 because of who they were 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:20.059 and how evil they were, 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:21.279 and the fact that they were 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:23.080 the enemies of God's chosen people, 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:25.939 he thought God ought to kill them. 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:28.360 Every one of them. 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.879 They deserved it. 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:31.659 That would be justice. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:33.779 Jonah could not just, 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:34.560 he just kind of, 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.560 could not imagine 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:38.860 how God could allow such 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:40.960 evil and violence 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:43.240 to go unpunished. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.080 Now, think about it. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:46.800 Jonah was angry 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:48.580 because God had not met 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:51.480 his expectations 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:53.240 of justice. 00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.360 Jonah had these certain expectations 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.100 about justice. 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:00.680 He shouldn't receive justice. 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.360 He ran from God. 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:03.360 He disobeyed God. 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.879 He shook his fist in God's face 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:06.680 in effect in chapter one, 00:13:06.800 --> 00:13:08.300 but God was merciful to him. 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:09.500 That was okay. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:13.320 But these other people, 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:16.919 they better get justice. 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:19.220 And when they didn't, 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:20.700 when they got grace instead, 00:13:21.300 --> 00:13:23.360 Jonah is angry. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:25.539 Now, I want you to think, 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:29.240 isn't that a part of our 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:31.919 sinful anger? 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.840 God doesn't meet 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:36.980 our expectations 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:38.180 of justice 00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:40.800 or fairness. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.580 Do you ever think 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.620 that God has not been 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.800 just or fair 00:13:46.800 --> 00:13:48.860 by not giving you 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.860 a better job, 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:53.120 a better house, 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:55.700 a better spouse? 00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:57.919 You ever think 00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.700 God has not been 00:13:58.700 --> 00:13:59.500 fair to you 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.879 because you know 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.440 people who are 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:02.899 more talented than you? 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:03.460 You know people 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:03.960 who are better 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:05.100 at music than you. 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:05.659 You know people 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.820 who are better athletes 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:07.300 than you. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.480 They don't work 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.159 as hard as you. 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:11.860 They're just better. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.680 They have more. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.480 They can do it 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.759 better than you. 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:17.920 Sometimes, 00:14:17.920 --> 00:14:19.420 don't we think 00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:20.860 that God has just 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.920 been totally unfair 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:22.579 unfair 00:14:22.579 --> 00:14:24.539 in giving this 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:26.379 better thing, 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:28.360 this 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:30.759 better situation 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:32.779 to someone 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.299 that, 00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:34.099 at least from our 00:14:34.099 --> 00:14:34.620 perspective, 00:14:35.479 --> 00:14:36.679 they don't deserve it. 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:39.299 They don't deserve it, 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:41.059 but we do. 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.759 Whenever we think 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.519 like this, 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.099 we need to understand 00:14:46.099 --> 00:14:47.000 that we're angry 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.539 at God 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.599 for being God, 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:50.879 for being in control, 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.740 for choosing 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.279 to do what He does. 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:56.480 When we think 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:56.980 like this, 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.680 we're really being 00:14:57.680 --> 00:14:58.600 angry at God 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:00.279 because we don't 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:00.720 like the way 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.300 He's running 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:02.019 the world. 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:04.120 We don't like 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:04.899 the way He's running 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:06.659 our lives. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.620 We think 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.480 we could do it 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:09.820 better. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:11.980 Sometimes, 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.879 we're angry 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:15.180 because we can't 00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:16.139 control God. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:18.399 We can't control 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.299 what God's 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.740 will is 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.639 for us 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.139 and maybe 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:24.480 some people 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:25.319 around us. 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.139 The question 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:27.600 I want us 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.059 to think about 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:28.480 is this. 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:30.000 Do you really 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:30.419 want to live 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:31.319 life this way? 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:34.519 None of us 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.779 would say this, 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.179 but there may be 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:38.759 some anger 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.399 and frustration 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.360 in you right now 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.439 because you feel 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:42.679 like you've not 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.220 been treated 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:44.220 fairly by 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.600 this person 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.540 or that group 00:15:46.540 --> 00:15:47.139 or in that 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.740 situation 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.399 and you look 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:48.800 around and you 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:49.139 see people 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:49.600 who have gotten 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.379 more than they 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.000 should 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:53.300 and the truth 00:15:53.300 --> 00:15:53.800 is they've been 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:55.000 treated 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.840 graciously. 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.860 Bottom line, 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.120 you're angry 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:02.820 at God 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:04.720 at His sovereignty, 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.779 at the fact 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:07.279 that He's in 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:07.660 control 00:16:07.660 --> 00:16:08.860 and He's doing 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.379 that. 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.800 He's allowing 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:11.259 that. 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:14.259 I don't want 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:14.559 to go through 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:15.340 life that way 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:17.419 and just become 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.039 more angry 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.659 and bitter 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.960 and I certainly 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:20.319 don't want to 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:20.899 stand before God 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.460 on Judgment 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:21.960 Day with that 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:22.319 attitude. 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:24.980 You really 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.439 and truly want 00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:25.799 to go through 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:27.740 life being 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:28.659 angry and 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.559 displeased 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:30.059 like Jonah, 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.759 being frustrated 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:35.159 because you 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:36.259 can't control 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:37.939 God. 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:40.620 life will be 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.980 just much 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.560 better, 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:45.260 much more 00:16:45.260 --> 00:16:46.080 relaxed 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:47.520 if we'll 00:16:47.520 --> 00:16:48.100 accept the 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:49.700 fact that 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:50.220 God is not 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.620 only in 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.880 control but 00:16:51.880 --> 00:16:52.560 He is working 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.660 everything out 00:16:53.660 --> 00:16:54.440 according to 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.440 His good 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.300 plan because 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.240 He is a 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.820 good God. 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.280 That doesn't 00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:01.940 just include the 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.560 world around 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:02.860 about us, 00:17:02.900 --> 00:17:03.300 that includes 00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:03.940 our individual 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.759 lives. 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:07.160 You know, 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:07.839 all of us 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.440 could benefit 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.200 from beginning 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:09.799 each day with 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.400 a prayer like 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:10.700 this, 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.000 Lord, 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.700 help me to 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.740 know and do 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.480 Your will 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.640 and trust 00:17:15.640 --> 00:17:17.339 that You're 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:17.900 always the 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.559 best way 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:20.140 for me and 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:20.700 my family. 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.379 Think about it. 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:21.879 What would 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:22.660 life be like 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.319 if we could 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.079 begin each day 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:24.619 and just think 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.240 about it all 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.720 through the day? 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:26.680 Talking to 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.059 God, 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.519 Lord, 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.579 help me to 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.579 truly desire 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.539 to know Your 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:30.859 will, 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.700 to do it, 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.740 and trust that 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.460 it is the 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.480 best possible 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.940 way for me 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.640 in my job, 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.620 on my team, 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:41.839 in my home, 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.859 because Your 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:44.880 will is always, 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:45.779 as the Scripture 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.120 says, 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.940 good and 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:48.140 acceptable and 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:48.559 perfect. 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:49.859 Well, 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.440 Jonah shows us 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.359 another way or 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:51.859 another reason 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.460 why we should 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:54.059 understand that 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:54.599 anger is 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.120 dangerous. 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.380 Anger often 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:57.039 leads us to 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.799 justify our 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.599 sinful behavior. 00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.160 Look at 00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.819 verse 2 again. 00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:01.180 Jonah is 00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:01.859 really now 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:03.059 telling God 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:04.519 not only why 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.279 he's angry, 00:18:06.379 --> 00:18:07.039 but why he 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:07.479 did what he 00:18:07.479 --> 00:18:07.939 did at the 00:18:07.939 --> 00:18:08.339 beginning of 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:08.740 the story. 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:11.219 And he 00:18:11.219 --> 00:18:11.699 prayed to the 00:18:11.699 --> 00:18:12.039 Lord and 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.279 said, 00:18:12.459 --> 00:18:12.899 verse 2, 00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:13.759 O Lord, 00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:15.259 is not this 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.039 what I said 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.599 when I was 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.339 yet in my 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:17.779 country? 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:19.319 That is why 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.559 I made haste 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.339 to flee to 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.019 Tarshish. 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.259 For I knew 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.659 that You are 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.619 a gracious God 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.159 and merciful, 00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.159 slow to anger, 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:26.839 abounding in 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.519 steadfast love, 00:18:27.899 --> 00:18:28.559 and relenting 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.479 from disaster. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:31.839 This is the 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.539 reason Jonah 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.440 ran to 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.220 start with 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.620 from God's 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:35.000 call to go 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.339 and preach 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.180 to Nineveh. 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.039 He knew 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.019 that if he 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.440 went and 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:39.940 preached, 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:42.839 God would 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:44.220 graciously respond 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.000 to those people 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.319 by not destroying 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:46.980 them if they 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.420 repented. 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.360 And Jonah 00:18:49.360 --> 00:18:49.920 didn't want to 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.920 have any part 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:52.180 in that. 00:18:52.860 --> 00:18:53.319 Understand 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.740 here, 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.519 Jonah is 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.019 trying to 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.579 justify his 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.579 original sin 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.099 of running 00:18:59.099 --> 00:18:59.839 from God 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:01.220 by saying, 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:01.539 God, 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:01.819 I knew 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.099 You were 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.319 going to 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.299 be gracious 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:03.879 and merciful 00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:04.460 and loving 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.859 and relent 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:07.199 if I went. 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.019 It's hard 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.319 to believe 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:08.720 somebody could 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.119 think like 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:09.339 that. 00:19:09.879 --> 00:19:10.339 It's hard 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:10.699 to believe 00:19:10.699 --> 00:19:11.059 that a 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.559 believer 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.500 like Jonah, 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:13.319 a prophet 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:13.819 like Jonah 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.379 could believe 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:14.720 like that, 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.139 could think 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:15.659 that way. 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.460 But he 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:18.899 not only 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.759 thought that, 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:22.179 he said 00:19:22.179 --> 00:19:22.619 that. 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:24.319 And he 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.419 complained to 00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:26.500 God about 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:26.799 that. 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:26.940 Jonah. 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:29.039 Now I want 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.240 you to 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:29.740 understand, 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:30.119 and we've 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:30.480 talked about 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:30.759 this, 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:32.460 as we go 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.119 through Jonah, 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.259 Jonah's us. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.579 We're 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:37.019 Jonah. 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.740 We have 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.099 some of the 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:40.119 same thoughts 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:40.759 and attitudes 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.680 and do some 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:42.159 of the things, 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:42.980 same things 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:45.079 he did. 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.619 What we see 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:48.980 in Jonah 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.539 just shows us 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:50.139 how dangerous 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:51.079 our anger 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:51.799 can be. 00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:53.119 And you 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.579 think about 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:53.779 it. 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.019 How often 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.379 do you try 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:56.020 to justify 00:19:56.020 --> 00:19:56.720 your anger 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.280 by blaming 00:19:57.280 --> 00:19:58.080 someone or 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:58.420 something? 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:00.880 You lose 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.280 your temper 00:20:01.280 --> 00:20:01.920 at home 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.900 and you 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:04.200 try to 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:04.740 justify it 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.360 by blaming 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.220 your spouse, 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:07.240 blaming your 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.660 child, 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.300 blaming your 00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:08.780 parent, 00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:11.400 blame your 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:11.900 cat. 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.200 You'd never 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.960 blame a dog, 00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:14.520 but you would 00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:15.220 blame a cat. 00:20:16.340 --> 00:20:17.160 You get angry 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:17.780 at work, 00:20:18.260 --> 00:20:19.000 but it's never 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.680 your fault. 00:20:19.800 --> 00:20:20.320 It's the people 00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:20.840 you have to 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.300 work with. 00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:21.980 It's the boss. 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.440 It's the 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:22.880 unrealistic 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.640 expectations of 00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:25.220 your company. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.259 You get 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:27.700 mad at 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.100 school, 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.920 lose your 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.280 temper, 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:31.980 blame your 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.400 teacher, 00:20:33.340 --> 00:20:33.880 blame another 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:34.340 student, 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:35.980 blame the 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.560 excessive 00:20:36.560 --> 00:20:38.060 schoolwork. 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.280 One of the 00:20:40.280 --> 00:20:41.140 hard truths 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:41.759 about anger 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.160 is that no 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:43.759 one can 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.880 truly make 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:46.000 us angry. 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.940 Your spouse 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:52.280 does not 00:20:52.280 --> 00:20:53.060 make you 00:20:53.060 --> 00:20:53.340 angry. 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:53.480 angry. 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.959 Your boss 00:20:54.959 --> 00:20:55.299 does not 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.899 make you 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.059 angry. 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.559 Your parent 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.240 doesn't make 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:57.799 you angry. 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.679 Anger 00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:03.379 cannot be 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.919 forced upon 00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:05.439 us. 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:06.500 Now, 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.079 people and 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.619 things can 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:07.939 create 00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:08.779 circumstances 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.720 where our 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.399 anger is 00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:10.879 aroused. 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.399 It's part of 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:12.099 who we are. 00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:12.439 It's part of 00:21:12.439 --> 00:21:13.359 our emotional 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:13.799 makeup. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.679 Anger is 00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:16.000 an emotion 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.639 that originates 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.220 from within. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:20.980 Anger is 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.379 really an 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:21.800 internal 00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:22.820 reaction to 00:21:22.820 --> 00:21:23.800 outside 00:21:23.800 --> 00:21:24.660 events. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:26.760 Jesus 00:21:26.760 --> 00:21:27.360 described 00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:28.840 really the 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.280 fact that 00:21:29.280 --> 00:21:30.080 whatever comes 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:30.880 out of us, 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:31.900 attitude, 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.600 words, 00:21:33.080 --> 00:21:33.520 actions, 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.420 whatever comes 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:35.200 out in our 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:35.940 emotions like 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.320 anger, 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:38.800 it originates 00:21:38.800 --> 00:21:39.180 from within. 00:21:39.280 --> 00:21:39.640 Look at what he 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.140 said in Luke 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:40.740 6. 00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:42.480 The good man 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.120 brings good 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:43.720 things out of 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.380 the good stored 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:44.780 up in his 00:21:44.780 --> 00:21:45.220 heart. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.580 And the evil 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:47.180 man brings 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.940 evil things out 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.480 of the evil 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.680 stored up in 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.700 his heart. 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.019 For out of 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.620 the overflow 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:54.259 of his heart 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.880 his mouth 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.480 speaks. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.400 Out of the 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.620 overflow of 00:21:58.620 --> 00:22:00.299 his prideful, 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:00.880 selfish, 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:01.500 wanting to be 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.980 in control 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.600 heart, 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.500 his anger 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.560 comes. 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:07.740 Jonah was 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.380 angry because 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.120 of the hatred 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:09.940 within him 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.580 toward the 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.980 people of 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.519 Nineveh. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:14.259 The 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:16.100 displeasure, 00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:17.259 the anger 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:19.039 that came out 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.559 of Jonah, 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:22.079 it originated 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.980 in his own 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.839 heart. 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.039 And we need 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.460 to understand 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:26.799 that and 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.500 accept that. 00:22:28.379 --> 00:22:29.220 The displeasure 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.659 and anger 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.399 that comes 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:31.940 out in our 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.559 attitudes, 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.279 in our 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.960 words, 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.500 and in our 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.059 actions, 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.680 it comes from 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.000 within. 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.619 So we need 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.159 to quit blaming 00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:42.879 other people. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.339 We need to quit 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:46.200 trying to justify 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.059 ourselves, 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.899 our sinful, 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:49.480 angry behavior 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:51.339 as if 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.200 we're not 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.899 responsible. 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.179 He, 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:55.159 she made 00:22:55.159 --> 00:22:56.319 me do it. 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.740 They didn't. 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.480 Let's look at 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.179 one more example 00:23:00.179 --> 00:23:00.720 of the danger 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:02.379 of anger 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.000 seen in Jonah. 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.399 Anger sometimes 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.279 leads us to feel 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.200 sorry for ourselves. 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.000 Look at verse 3. 00:23:07.659 --> 00:23:08.299 Therefore now, 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.500 O Lord, 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.319 please take my 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.119 life from me 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:11.799 for it is better 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.740 for me to die 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.940 than to live. 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:17.059 Jonah's anger 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:19.259 over God's 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.140 not doing 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:21.740 what he wanted 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.120 him to 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:24.160 results in 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.539 now he's 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.019 feeling sorry 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.539 for himself. 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:27.960 He's having 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.860 a pity party. 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.640 He's saying 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.220 he wants to 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.039 give up on 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.460 life. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.620 Now it's doubtful 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:34.039 that he really 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.559 truly wants to 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.340 die because he's 00:23:35.340 --> 00:23:35.920 talked like that 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.200 before. 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:37.000 He's acted that 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.600 way before as 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.240 we've seen. 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:39.580 And when it 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.700 came time to 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.920 die, drown in 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:43.160 the ocean, he 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.820 didn't want to. 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:46.759 He's just 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.320 feeling sorry 00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:47.740 for himself 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.519 here and 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.279 he's whining. 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.180 Next week 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.480 we're going to 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:53.220 see that gets 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:53.900 worse. 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.559 We'll continue 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.180 on in chapter 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.900 four next week. 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.279 But right now, 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.019 Pastor Eric 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.940 Redmond describes 00:24:02.600 --> 00:24:02.940 how Jonah's 00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:04.519 feeling sorry 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.140 for himself 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:06.940 escalated and 00:24:07.820 --> 00:24:08.759 it drove him 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.299 to the point 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:09.720 of talking 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.600 about ending 00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.080 his life. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.740 Look at what 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.519 Redmond says. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:14.099 When things 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:14.599 do not turn 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.220 out as we 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.879 desire them 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:17.160 to, we 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:18.000 then find 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.720 ourselves in 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:20.019 truth angry 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:21.180 with the will 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.019 of God for 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.740 our lives. 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:23.819 It is then 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.940 that we, like 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.400 Jonah, run 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.339 the gamut of 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.460 feelings from a 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.680 simple pity party, 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.119 woe is me, 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.799 to depression, 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.400 where we don't 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.440 even feel like 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.319 getting up most 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.839 days. 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.839 From there we 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.519 slide to 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.639 despondency, 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:40.980 where we check 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.759 out mentally 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.680 and emotionally 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.240 from a 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.800 relationship. 00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.220 And then to 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.600 despair, where 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.200 we can't see 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.960 anything good 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.380 at all. 00:24:49.020 --> 00:24:50.200 Finally, if we 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:51.259 do not realize 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.380 the downward 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:53.680 emotional cycle, 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.580 we can land 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.380 at Jonah's 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.640 death wish 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.900 because we can 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.840 see no way 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:01.140 to make life 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.100 fair. 00:25:03.300 --> 00:25:03.759 And so we 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.440 say, God, 00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:05.420 it would be 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.820 better if I 00:25:06.820 --> 00:25:07.420 were dead. 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:09.539 Now, Redmond 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.940 is not saying 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.880 that anger 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.279 is the only 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.800 source of 00:25:12.800 --> 00:25:13.560 depression and 00:25:13.560 --> 00:25:14.120 despair. 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.740 Emotional 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.539 struggles are 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.180 complicated. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.440 It could be 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.060 traced to many 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:22.160 sources, some 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.779 hard to identify. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.440 But anger 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.160 can be one 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.700 source, 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.660 especially 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.820 unresolved 00:25:29.820 --> 00:25:30.320 anger. 00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:32.000 What Redmond 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.860 is saying and 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:33.759 what Jonah 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.759 demonstrates is 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.400 that sinful 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.259 anger does 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.299 not just 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.879 hurt our 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.299 relationship 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.099 with God 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:41.359 and our 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:41.819 relationship 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.220 with other 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.619 people. 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.660 Sinful anger 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:45.720 hurts us. 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.119 Unresolved 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.180 sinful anger 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:51.079 can have a 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:52.099 harmful effect 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:53.440 on many 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.119 aspects of 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:54.839 our lives. 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.900 Some people 00:25:56.900 --> 00:25:57.619 can't sleep. 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.160 Some people 00:25:59.160 --> 00:25:59.480 have no 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.460 appetite because 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.000 of their 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.940 unresolved 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:03.640 anger. 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:03.740 anger. 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.960 Some people, 00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:08.060 it affects 00:26:08.060 --> 00:26:08.400 the way they 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:08.820 feel, 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.140 the way they 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:09.720 think, 00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:10.720 the way they 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.080 look at 00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:11.640 life. 00:26:13.280 --> 00:26:13.780 That's why we 00:26:13.780 --> 00:26:14.259 need to learn 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:14.820 to deal with 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:15.920 anger quickly 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:18.040 and decisively. 00:26:18.840 --> 00:26:19.920 As soon as it 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.759 rears up its 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.420 ugly head, 00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:23.100 we need to 00:26:23.100 --> 00:26:23.620 deal with it. 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.000 Now, one 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.720 final thing. 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.640 Is your 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.020 anger 00:26:29.020 --> 00:26:29.720 dangerous? 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:32.059 Is your 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.620 anger 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.779 dangerous? 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:35.380 I want you 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:35.600 to look at 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:36.819 what the 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.700 Lord asked 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.640 Jonah in 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.220 verse 4. 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.140 And the 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.680 Lord said, 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.720 Do you do 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.519 well to be 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:42.880 angry? 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.579 New American 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.360 Standard says, 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.240 the Lord said, 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:45.940 Do you have 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.759 good reason to 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.240 be angry? 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.319 Then IV says, 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.019 But the Lord 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.519 replied, 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.200 Is it right 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.740 for you to 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.200 be angry? 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.420 The point is, 00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:56.799 Jonah needed 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.360 to think. 00:26:57.360 --> 00:26:59.059 And so, 00:26:59.059 --> 00:26:59.799 it lets us. 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:01.859 Do you have 00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:02.319 a reason to 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.159 be angry if 00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:03.579 you're angry 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.099 this morning? 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.359 Did you have 00:27:06.359 --> 00:27:06.799 a reason to 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.399 be angry this 00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.159 past week? 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.460 Think about 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:13.079 what usually 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.899 triggers your 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.119 anger. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:14.899 Think about how 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.980 you are usually 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.679 angry. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.980 Is it 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.440 justified? 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.460 Is the way 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.179 you express 00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:23.639 it right, 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.339 correct, 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:24.919 helpful? 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.200 All anger is 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.759 not wrong, 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.220 as we said 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.599 earlier. 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.599 We've got to 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.059 be careful, 00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:31.599 even when our 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.039 anger is 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.359 right, 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:32.659 it is 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:34.240 justified that 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.179 we express 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:36.899 it in an 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.639 appropriate and 00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:38.220 right way. 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:39.700 But if you 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.079 know your 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.919 anger is wrong, 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.419 you know your 00:27:42.419 --> 00:27:43.220 anger is sinful 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:44.940 anger, I want 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.579 to encourage you 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:47.519 right now to 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.500 do three things. 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:49.819 Number one, 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.919 confess it and 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:51.799 repent of it as 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.599 the sin that it 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.700 is against God. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.600 God, and one of 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.019 the favorite 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.019 verses for all of 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:58.519 us should be a 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.779 promise that if we 00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.640 confess our sins, 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.620 He is faithful and 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.720 just to forgive us 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:05.240 and to cleanse us of 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.279 all unrighteousness. 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.400 You can be 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.980 forgiven of that 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:10.180 attitude, of those 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.380 words, of those 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:12.380 actions before God. 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:14.539 But if it involves 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:16.420 another person, once 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.200 you confess it to 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.920 God, you need to go 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:19.100 to that person and 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:20.080 confess it to them. 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.720 That's sometimes 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.699 all, that's always 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:22.679 a lot harder than 00:28:22.679 --> 00:28:23.619 talking to God about 00:28:23.619 --> 00:28:23.839 it. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.179 But you need to do 00:28:25.179 --> 00:28:25.419 that. 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.079 You need to seek 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:27.339 reconciliation with 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:29.119 those you have 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:30.740 wronged through your 00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:34.179 unjust anger. 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.879 Number two, trust 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.559 that God is 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.099 sovereign. 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.619 Stop blaming 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.359 people and 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.299 circumstances for 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.799 your anger. 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.960 Trust that God is 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.919 working everything 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:47.000 out in this world 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:48.159 according to His 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:49.159 good purpose. 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:52.579 in people's lives 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:54.139 around you and in 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:54.699 your life. 00:28:55.399 --> 00:28:56.419 You be responsible. 00:28:57.899 --> 00:28:58.639 You make wise 00:28:58.639 --> 00:29:00.419 decisions, but trust 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:01.539 that God is truly in 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:01.919 control. 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.460 As Paul tells us in 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.899 Romans 8, 28, a lot 00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:05.500 of people in this room 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.159 would say, this is my 00:29:06.159 --> 00:29:07.339 favorite verse, most 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.339 helpful verse in all 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.699 of the Bible. 00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.599 And we know that in 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:11.059 all things, God works 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.960 for the good of those 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.399 who love Him, who've 00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:14.119 been called according 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.779 to His purpose. 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:18.399 Number three, ask God 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.900 to help you to grow in 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:22.060 love for other people. 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.120 A lot of our anger 00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:27.040 issues involve other 00:29:27.040 --> 00:29:27.420 people. 00:29:28.820 --> 00:29:29.900 Well, love will help 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.340 us. 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.580 Look at this. 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:34.000 Love will help us not 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:35.920 be as easily offended. 00:29:36.560 --> 00:29:37.620 First Corinthians 13, 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:39.340 love is not easily 00:29:39.340 --> 00:29:40.420 angered. 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.460 You know, we live in a 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.360 world where everybody's 00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:42.720 offended. 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:45.799 Everybody's offended. 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:48.360 That irritates you, 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:48.880 doesn't it? 00:29:49.920 --> 00:29:50.660 It irritates me. 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.759 Are you one who's 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.579 easily offended? 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.480 Do you walk around 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.180 with a chip on your 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:57.559 shoulder? 00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:59.600 The least little word, 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.819 the least little look, 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:03.440 it offends you. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:07.779 And you let people know 00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:10.380 by what you say back to 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:12.259 them, by what you say 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.119 behind their back, 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:13.519 maybe. 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.960 Love will help us to 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:17.539 not be so easily 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.339 offended. 00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:20.339 Number two, love will 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.539 help us to overlook a 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.220 lot of things. 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:25.660 We need to learn to 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.660 overlook a lot of 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.000 things. 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.319 I don't want to hurt 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.779 anybody's feelings here. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.819 I don't want this to 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.940 sound too smart-alecky, 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:33.359 but if it is, it is. 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:36.740 Sometimes when we are 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:39.700 offended, think we're 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.259 being offended, 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:43.440 the person really 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.160 didn't mean it. 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:47.279 The person doesn't care 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.579 enough about us to hurt 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:50.799 us, to offend us. 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:53.099 Sometimes, I really do 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:54.660 think sometimes we as 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:56.980 individuals, a lot of us 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.379 have some paranoia. 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.879 Most people don't notice 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.279 us. 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:05.220 Most people don't care. 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.839 Most people are just 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.640 living their life. 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:09.520 And along the way, some 00:31:09.520 --> 00:31:11.420 people might accidentally 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:13.340 say or do something that 00:31:13.340 --> 00:31:14.660 you take offense to. 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:16.200 A lot of that stuff, 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.220 overlook it. 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:20.080 Forget it. 00:31:22.060 --> 00:31:23.500 Don't let it bother you. 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.440 It doesn't bother me. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.500 Don't let it bother you. 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.720 Look at it. 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:29.400 Above all, love each other 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:31.460 deeply because love covers 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.640 over a multitude of sins. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.640 If you love somebody, you 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:34.380 don't have a chip on your 00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:35.100 shoulder around them. 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:37.259 If you love somebody, you'll 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.919 give them the benefit of 00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:38.359 the doubt. 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:41.299 If you love somebody, you'll 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:43.399 let it go when it's just 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:45.679 some kind of something that 00:31:45.679 --> 00:31:46.179 doesn't matter. 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:46.959 One other. 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:48.599 Love will help us to forgive 00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:49.259 and forget. 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:50.339 When I say forget, it means 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.459 not recall it, not bring it 00:31:51.459 --> 00:31:51.939 back up. 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.559 Love keeps no record of 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.219 wrongs. 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:56.000 Anger is a normal human 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:57.279 emotion and we all have it. 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:58.480 Some express it more than 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.919 others, but we all have to 00:31:59.919 --> 00:32:00.519 deal with it. 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:03.059 Until the day we die, we're 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.759 going to have to deal with 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.460 our anger. 00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:07.119 What I want us to do as we 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.879 close here, we need to 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:11.660 pray that God will help us. 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:15.019 Help us to control our 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:18.819 anger and not let our 00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:21.079 anger control us. 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.119 Let's pray. 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:23.640 Dear God, 00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:30.279 help us all to see how we 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:31.379 need to respond to this 00:32:31.380 --> 00:32:31.980 message. 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:35.380 Because we all know to 00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:38.120 some degree of the danger 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:39.900 of anger. 00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:48.640 Lord, you are, you are able 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.980 to make it clear to every 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.420 person. 00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:53.060 Help every person in this 00:32:53.060 --> 00:32:55.640 room to, to want to hear you, 00:32:56.120 --> 00:32:57.840 to want to deal properly with 00:32:57.839 --> 00:33:01.839 their anger, to not be like 00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:03.859 Jonah in any way like this. 00:33:05.159 --> 00:33:06.699 So show everyone what they 00:33:06.699 --> 00:33:07.240 need to do. 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:11.539 Confess sin, trust you, 00:33:13.939 --> 00:33:15.139 grow in their love. 00:33:16.939 --> 00:33:18.240 And you just do that as we 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.339 have an attitude of prayer. 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:21.339 And if I could pray with you 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:22.299 during this time, I'd be happy 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.359 to do right here at the front 00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:24.459 during the next few minutes. 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.460 OK. 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:27.660 There we go. 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.519 Okay. 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.059 Okay.