WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.879 Please do turn back to Jonah chapter 4 on page 775. Jonah chapter 4. 00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:20.960 ! We left last week on a remarkable scene. Nineveh, an entire pagan city brought to faith, 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:28.699 ! an entire city, bowing the knee to the Lord. An entire city crying out to the Lord and confessing 00:00:28.699 --> 00:00:36.200 their sin and receiving God's mercy. Out of all the miracles of the Old Testament, this has to be 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:42.659 up there with one of the most remarkable. And so God's mercy is on full display in this city. 00:00:43.140 --> 00:00:51.939 A mercy so great, he can bring a violent pagan people to their knees. This is the stuff of dreams, 00:00:51.939 --> 00:00:59.979 isn't it? It would be like today, you switch on BBC News and we see the whole of North Korea 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:07.979 laying down their arms, turning to the Lord Jesus. Kim Jong-un has sent out a TV broadcast 00:01:07.979 --> 00:01:15.799 saying, everyone has to pray, confess your sin, open up your Bibles and cry out to the Lord Jesus. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:22.200 Everyone get to church now. From this day on, our nation belongs to the Lord Jesus. 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:32.299 Can you imagine that? Well, God can do that. He can still do something like that to North Korea 00:01:32.299 --> 00:01:39.599 because it's happened here in Nineveh. And so if the book of Jonah ended after chapter 3, 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:48.039 we would end on a high, wouldn't we? We would end on a ringing note of God's mercy. Mercy to the 00:01:48.039 --> 00:01:54.399 sailors in chapter 1, saving mercy to Jonah in chapter 2, and huge mercy to Nineveh in chapter 3. 00:01:56.439 --> 00:02:03.659 But that's not where this book ends. We now enter into quite an unusual chapter, don't we? 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:09.180 Maybe when Ruben read this, you might have thought, what's this all about? 00:02:10.359 --> 00:02:15.079 And why does this book end on such an abrupt note and also much cattle? 00:02:17.019 --> 00:02:21.060 Well, I've said throughout, the book of Jonah is about God's mercy. 00:02:22.439 --> 00:02:26.560 And I want us to see this chapter is still about God's mercy. 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:30.340 But there's something different going on in this chapter. 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:35.960 In this chapter, God is pointing the finger at us. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:38.719 And he's asking us a question. 00:02:39.920 --> 00:02:45.520 So you could say the previous three chapters, the finger has been pointing up to God's mercy. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:48.980 Pointing up, look at God's mercy on the sailors. 00:02:49.180 --> 00:02:54.620 Look at God's mercy on Jonah and on Nineveh and in our lives. 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:59.819 Look at the mercy God has shown us in all this world in the Lord Jesus. 00:03:00.340 --> 00:03:03.620 The finger has been pointing up so far. 00:03:04.460 --> 00:03:08.800 But now the finger points down toward us. 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:13.699 And in this chapter, God asks us a question. 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:18.980 Now you know how great God's mercy is. 00:03:19.980 --> 00:03:22.520 Now that you've seen it in your own life. 00:03:23.180 --> 00:03:24.439 Ask yourself this. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:29.620 Do you think this mercy is just for you? 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:34.159 God's mercy is wonderful, isn't it? 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:40.280 How he treats the undeserving, the wandering, the running, the guilty. 00:03:41.280 --> 00:03:43.280 God is merciful beyond compare. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:50.400 But as we look at that mercy and we enjoy it in our own lives, God asks us, 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:54.939 Do you think mercy is just for you? 00:03:54.939 --> 00:03:59.439 And this is the first thing we need to ask ourselves today. 00:03:59.780 --> 00:04:00.539 It's my first point. 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:03.680 Do you think mercy is just for you? 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:09.020 So this chapter begins just after a remarkable scene. 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:11.939 But this chapter doesn't begin with very good words. 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:13.680 Or a very good word either. 00:04:14.280 --> 00:04:15.039 Three letters. 00:04:16.100 --> 00:04:16.439 But. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:20.399 This is never a good sign in Jonah, that word. 00:04:21.339 --> 00:04:25.219 We could have ended on such a high note with Nineveh's conversion. 00:04:26.180 --> 00:04:26.560 But. 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:30.399 It displeased Jonah exceedingly. 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:32.199 And he was angry. 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:37.600 Jonah sees this amazing scene in Nineveh. 00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:39.040 Repentance. 00:04:39.319 --> 00:04:39.720 Faith. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:41.220 Transformed lives. 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:42.639 Glorifying God. 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:46.180 But Jonah sees it, looks at it. 00:04:46.899 --> 00:04:48.120 And he's furious. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:52.199 It displeased Jonah exceedingly. 00:04:52.919 --> 00:04:53.759 And he was angry. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:59.800 Actually, the word displeased here doesn't quite capture the force of it. 00:05:00.419 --> 00:05:03.500 It literally means it was evil to Jonah. 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:07.339 He sees their repentance and God's mercy. 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:10.039 And he says it's evil. 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:14.379 In fact, it's the same word used in chapter one. 00:05:14.520 --> 00:05:17.439 When God saw Nineveh's evil ways. 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:20.400 So God saw the old Nineveh. 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:21.900 And said it was evil. 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:27.020 But Jonah looks at God's work in this new Nineveh. 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:29.100 And says, no. 00:05:29.700 --> 00:05:30.860 That's evil. 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:34.379 And Jonah is fuming. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:36.620 And why? 00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:40.399 Why this reaction of all things? 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:43.319 Well, look what he prays to the Lord. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:43.920 Verse 2. 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:49.879 Oh Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? 00:05:50.780 --> 00:05:53.140 That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish. 00:05:53.400 --> 00:05:56.740 For I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful. 00:05:57.420 --> 00:05:59.600 Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:01.139 And relenting from disaster. 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:04.220 Therefore now, oh Lord, please take my life from me. 00:06:04.700 --> 00:06:06.580 For it is better for me to die than to live. 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:11.099 We find out something interesting here. 00:06:11.719 --> 00:06:14.719 We find out why Jonah ran in the first place. 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:17.060 Why he ran to Tarshish. 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:19.979 He knew God is merciful. 00:06:21.099 --> 00:06:23.719 And so when God told him to go to Nineveh. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:26.919 He knew God was going to have mercy on them. 00:06:28.039 --> 00:06:29.439 And Jonah didn't like it. 00:06:30.799 --> 00:06:32.919 Jonah didn't want Nineveh to have mercy. 00:06:32.920 --> 00:06:37.660 And so Jonah sees this city turning to the Lord. 00:06:37.960 --> 00:06:39.040 And he's fuming. 00:06:40.040 --> 00:06:41.600 I can't believe this. 00:06:42.400 --> 00:06:44.280 I knew you would do this, God. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:46.180 I knew you would show them mercy. 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:48.100 I know exactly how gracious you are. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:49.120 I can't believe this. 00:06:49.360 --> 00:06:50.120 I'm fed up. 00:06:50.220 --> 00:06:51.400 I can't stand seeing this. 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:52.200 Just kill me. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:53.160 Kill me now. 00:06:55.300 --> 00:06:56.860 He's having a tantrum, isn't he? 00:06:58.200 --> 00:06:59.939 And sin can do that to us. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:04.339 It can turn us into toddlers when we don't get our own way. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:08.259 We want one thing in our lives. 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:09.800 And God does another thing. 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:14.740 And our sinful instinct is to throw a hissy fit. 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:17.639 I cannot believe you did this, God. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:22.699 But why is Jonah having such a strong reaction here? 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:26.699 Why wouldn't he want Nineveh to have mercy? 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:32.759 Well, remember, Nineveh is an Assyrian city. 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:36.399 And the Assyrians are Israel's enemies. 00:07:37.539 --> 00:07:41.599 And they're an openly and notoriously violent people. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:49.719 And so Jonah has just witnessed God have mercy on his worst enemy. 00:07:49.720 --> 00:07:52.420 On violent criminals. 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:57.380 It would be like God converting Adolf Hitler. 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.300 And seeing it. 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:01.160 And saying to God, 00:08:01.520 --> 00:08:03.880 Do you realize how violent this man is? 00:08:04.700 --> 00:08:06.600 Do you realize the suffering he's caused? 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:10.360 Do you realize the atrocities he's inflicted on innocent people? 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:13.040 And you're going to save him, God? 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:14.980 Are you kidding me? 00:08:15.020 --> 00:08:16.440 I can't believe this. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:21.219 And so Jonah sees Nineveh. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:22.920 And he thinks, 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:25.800 They are beyond God's mercy. 00:08:27.079 --> 00:08:29.500 Not that God can't save them. 00:08:30.019 --> 00:08:31.540 But that he shouldn't. 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:34.139 They're too evil. 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:38.600 I don't want that sort of sinner included in God's people. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.960 I don't want them to have mercy. 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:43.580 I just want them to have judgment. 00:08:45.560 --> 00:08:48.500 And that's why Jonah goes out of the city in verse 5. 00:08:48.660 --> 00:08:50.040 He goes through the city. 00:08:50.280 --> 00:08:51.379 Out the other side. 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:52.340 Into the countryside. 00:08:53.080 --> 00:08:54.340 Makes a little hut. 00:08:54.940 --> 00:08:56.100 And he sits in it. 00:08:57.340 --> 00:08:58.400 And just watches. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:01.519 He watches the city. 00:09:02.160 --> 00:09:04.019 And waits to see what might happen to it. 00:09:05.580 --> 00:09:06.100 Why? 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:09.720 He's hoping judgment might still happen. 00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:13.440 Maybe this city will still be destroyed. 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:16.120 Maybe they'll get what they deserve. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:18.860 And so he just sits. 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:20.540 And sulks. 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:22.139 And waits. 00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:28.100 So he doesn't like how God's mercy works, does he? 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:33.420 But how does Jonah think about God's mercy for himself? 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:38.100 He's very happy for God to show him mercy. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.560 Isn't he? 00:09:40.540 --> 00:09:43.300 Just think back to his prayer from the belly of the fish. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:46.720 The rain in the background will help you right now. 00:09:48.560 --> 00:09:50.519 What did he pray from the belly of the fish? 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:54.879 When I was in darkness and distress and dying. 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.259 Lord, you heard my voice. 00:09:57.299 --> 00:09:58.120 I thank you. 00:09:58.179 --> 00:09:59.980 You brought my life up from the pit. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:03.039 But when I was running from you and courting your judgment. 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:04.659 Lord, you had mercy on me. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:07.639 But when I was nothing, you heard my prayer. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:10.039 Salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:12.460 But just for me. 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:15.500 I'll have your mercy. 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:17.379 I'll enjoy your mercy. 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:18.960 I deserve your mercy. 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:20.620 But not them. 00:10:23.160 --> 00:10:27.759 And so in his childish strop, Jonah is completely missing something. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:31.300 He's completely misunderstanding mercy. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:36.200 Mercy has nothing to do with being deserving. 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:42.300 In fact, the very definition of mercy is not giving people what they deserve. 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:47.420 You can't be more deserving of mercy than another person. 00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:50.240 That's the opposite of what mercy is. 00:10:51.839 --> 00:10:55.779 God only shows mercy to the undeserving. 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:58.039 To the evil. 00:11:00.339 --> 00:11:03.599 And so Jonah is completely misunderstanding sin. 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:10.279 When it comes to their guilt before God, there's no real difference between Jonah and Nineveh. 00:11:11.420 --> 00:11:13.100 Both have been running from God. 00:11:13.680 --> 00:11:14.940 Both were in darkness. 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:17.519 Both had the judgment of God hanging over them. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:21.540 Before the judgment seat of God, all are condemned. 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.659 None are deserving. 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:27.440 And so Jonah is completely off the mark, isn't he? 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:33.420 But we shouldn't be too quick to mock Jonah here. 00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:38.180 Because Jonah's reaction is here for a reason. 00:11:39.540 --> 00:11:42.760 This book doesn't end on chapter three for a reason. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:48.939 It's because we all can so very easily be like Jonah. 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:57.019 It's very easy for us to be happy with the mercy God has shown us, isn't it? 00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:01.740 To love God's mercy for us, as we should, absolutely. 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:12.100 But then, in our enjoyment, it's very easy for us to not really be interested in anyone else having it. 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:17.779 We can think, well, as long as I'm saved, and I'm safe, then that's all good. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:21.440 God being my God is great. 00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:25.100 And I love him being the God of my family and of the ones I love. 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:28.360 That's brilliant, but that's all that matters, really. 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:34.680 And so we kind of switch off the evangelism part of our brains, don't we? 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:39.639 Prayers to save the lost just kind of fall by the wayside. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:42.820 We'll run the outreach events. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:46.300 We'll turn up, but our hearts, they're not really in it. 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:49.800 And it's easy to become like this. 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:53.159 There's a bit of Jonah in all of us. 00:12:53.159 --> 00:13:00.819 And we can even fall into the same trap and think, some people are beyond God's mercy. 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:05.279 We think God shouldn't save some people. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:22.419 We see people out there with those awful views, calling evil things good, spreading lies to our children, harming our children, attacking the church, making our lives even harder as Christians. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:31.319 Or maybe we just see the plain evil people out there, and we can think, they are so awful. 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:35.299 I can't wait until they meet their maker. 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:39.579 I can't wait until they get what they deserve. 00:13:40.579 --> 00:13:43.159 I just want them to be proved wrong. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.980 I just want judgment. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:53.839 We can be sitting in our booths, rubbing our hands, watching and waiting for judgment to fall. 00:13:56.279 --> 00:14:01.279 And this feeling can be even stronger when it comes to our personal enemies, can't it? 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:04.459 Those have really hurt us. 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:16.320 And as we think about those people, and if we're honest about what's going on inside of our hearts, we know the real desire of our heart is, 00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:18.980 Lord, please don't show them mercy. 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:26.920 And so the finger points down to us today, and God asks, 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:30.639 Do you think mercy is just for you? 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:39.220 Because we can so easily drift further and further away from how Jesus treated his enemies. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.220 What did Jesus teach us? 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:47.419 Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:51.620 When Jesus was being crucified, what did he say? 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:56.120 He looked at the evil men around him, butchering him, 00:14:56.120 --> 00:15:01.279 and he prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.460 Jesus desired mercy. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.879 Even for the worst of the worst. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:11.240 Even for those who murdered the Son of God. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:15.779 And this is a million miles away from where Jonah is, isn't it? 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:18.240 But Jonah doesn't see it. 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:21.519 He's fine being in his tantrum. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:24.799 He doesn't realise how way off he is. 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:28.599 And so God wants to show him his folly. 00:15:29.979 --> 00:15:31.639 But he doesn't just tell Jonah. 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:35.500 God is such a good teacher, he gets Jonah to see it for himself. 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:39.099 Just like he's been doing with Jonah the whole time, 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:41.719 God is calling Jonah back, 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:46.179 and getting to see how he should really think about God's mercy. 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:51.099 And he does this by getting Jonah to ask himself another question. 00:15:52.239 --> 00:15:55.039 A question we all need to ask ourselves today too. 00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:57.579 And the question is this. 00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:03.259 Do you care about something more than a human soul? 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:07.159 And this is my second point today, my final point. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:11.379 Do you care about something more than a human soul? 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:14.819 Look what happens next in verse 6. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:33.740 So just like God appointed the fish, God appointed a plant. 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:42.680 And as Jonah looks out over Nineveh, God makes the plant grow and spread and cover him like a little tent. 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:45.460 It shades him from the hot sun. 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:50.560 In my parents' back garden, they have lots of nice plants, 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:54.360 and they have this one little tree that kind of falls over the patio. 00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:57.180 And last summer I was playing with my nieces and nephews, 00:16:57.500 --> 00:17:00.300 and we made a little den under that tree in the summer, 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:03.259 and the hot sun would hit the tree but it would shade us. 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:06.180 And we kind of had, well I almost had a little nap in there, it was nice. 00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:08.980 Well that's what Jonah has. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:11.160 And he loves it. 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:14.840 He was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:17.759 He really cares about this plant, doesn't he? 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.820 But look what happens next, verse 7. 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.240 God appoints something else. 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.560 A worm. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:28.500 And this worm is like the very hungry caterpillar. 00:17:29.540 --> 00:17:33.840 It starts eating away at the plant, attacking it, killing it. 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:37.400 And so the plant withers and dries up. 00:17:39.060 --> 00:17:40.700 And so where does that leave Jonah? 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.720 In the sun. 00:17:44.540 --> 00:17:46.180 And so God appoints another thing. 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:48.860 A scorching east wind. 00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:53.680 Do you remember a couple of summers ago when it was 40 degrees here in the UK? 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:56.779 And the wind would blow but it was never a fresh breeze, 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:59.860 it was just this, it was just a scorching hot air hitting you. 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:03.340 Well Jonah has that right in his face. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:07.919 And so the sun beats down on him and he starts to faint. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:11.720 And he gets into a tantrum again. 00:18:12.300 --> 00:18:13.300 He's even more fed up. 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:13.920 Verse 8. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:16.660 And he asked that he might die and said, 00:18:17.100 --> 00:18:18.980 It is better for me to die than to live. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:20.940 But God said to Jonah, 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.900 Do you do well to be angry for the plant? 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.519 And he said, 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:27.259 Yes, I do well to be angry. 00:18:27.780 --> 00:18:28.960 Angry enough to die. 00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:33.019 Lord, this plant was giving me shade. 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.100 It made me happy. 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:37.360 You don't realise how valuable this plant was to me. 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.939 And now it's gone. 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.519 Of course I can. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.719 Of course I'm angry. 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:47.399 We can be like this with so much in our lives, can't we? 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:53.039 And what happens when the roof over our heads starts to leak? 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.599 We get in a huff, don't we? 00:18:56.719 --> 00:18:59.240 A pipe bursts and we're fuming. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:04.099 The house needs that same repair again and we go into a strop. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:07.819 Or the foxes get into our plants in the garden. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:10.980 Or maybe the food goes off in the fridge and we have to throw it away. 00:19:11.939 --> 00:19:13.559 And it gets to us, doesn't it? 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:15.500 We get worked up. 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.259 We get angry. 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:19.319 Because we care about those things. 00:19:19.939 --> 00:19:20.980 We pity them. 00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:25.480 And just think, what is that anger saying? 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.740 It's saying something about God. 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:32.980 We're frustrated at his providence. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:35.039 At his choices. 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:40.519 When we care about something, we want God to care about it too. 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:42.720 Lord, why didn't you care about these things? 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:45.720 My house, my garden, my fridge. 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:48.200 Don't you see these things matter to me? 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:57.980 When we get angry, it shows us, it shows what we think God should care about. 00:19:57.980 --> 00:20:01.339 We care about it. 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:04.380 And so we think God should care about it too. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:08.279 Well, this is what Jonah says to God. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.480 God, I care about this plant. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.779 I know you've just let it wither. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.940 Come on, God, I care about it. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.539 You should care about it too. 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:21.559 And look at God's reply in verse 10. 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:24.440 And the Lord said, 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:51.200 God is exposing something in Jonah here. 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.140 Do you see what he says? 00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:56.120 Jonah, look at your reaction. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:59.600 You care so much about this plant. 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:01.580 Something that doesn't even really matter. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.759 You didn't labor for it. 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.700 You didn't make it grow. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:06.259 It was just a plant that appeared for a little while. 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:10.580 And yet you're spending so much energy getting worked up over it. 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:12.740 Look at yourself, Jonah. 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:18.680 Do you realize how much you care about something that doesn't really matter? 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:22.400 And you want me to care about it too. 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:25.660 Well, if that's the case, 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:29.120 why don't you want me to care about Nineveh? 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:34.680 A city with 120,000 souls in it. 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:37.500 Souls with infinite value. 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:40.580 Souls that have an eternal destiny. 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:43.480 Souls that are utterly lost. 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:48.800 And in that city, there's even cattle that's worth more than your plant. 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:53.680 Why would you want me to care about those small things in your life, 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:55.940 but not these souls over here? 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:59.099 Do you realize what you're saying, Jonah? 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:02.440 You're saying mercy should be for you, 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.359 and even for your plant, 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:06.000 but not for those souls over there. 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:09.579 You're saying your life matters, 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:11.139 but not theirs. 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:14.380 Look at your heart, Jonah. 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:19.740 Do you care about something more than a human soul? 00:22:22.780 --> 00:22:25.540 This is the question the book ends on. 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.660 The question God asks us today. 00:22:29.560 --> 00:22:33.920 Do you care about something more than a human soul? 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:37.880 Because what we care about, 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:41.080 what we get worked up over in life, 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:43.720 it reveals what we want God to care about. 00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:46.779 Think about what you care about day to day. 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:49.200 What you spend your energy concerned about. 00:22:49.600 --> 00:22:52.380 It's often the small things in our lives, isn't it? 00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:55.779 The plants, the roof, the garden, the fridge, the car. 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:59.500 Things in the grand scheme of eternity don't really matter. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:02.799 But we get worked up over them. 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:06.759 And in our anger, we're saying to God, 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:09.259 you really should have mercy on me 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:11.980 and all these things in my life above all else. 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:17.960 All the while, there are human souls out there, 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:20.960 lost souls without Christ, 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:23.619 in desperate need of God's mercy. 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:28.259 And if we're honest, we're not even that fussed. 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:33.380 Well, God is getting us to think about 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:35.579 those insignificant things we care about. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:41.380 And he wants us to put it next to a lost human soul. 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:44.000 And he wants us to ask ourselves, 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:48.480 do you care about something more than a human soul? 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:53.940 Whether it's your neighbor, your friend, your family member, 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:56.940 or even if it's the worst possible person you can imagine, 00:23:56.940 --> 00:24:00.420 that is a human soul that matters, 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:03.100 a soul that will last forever. 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:07.080 And so we should care about them. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:10.799 We should care about where they're going after they die. 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.980 Because God cares. 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:18.220 God has concern for the lost, 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:20.640 for the running, for the evil. 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:24.300 That is why he sent Jonah into Nineveh. 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:28.320 And that is why he sent his son into this world. 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:31.940 To seek and save the lost. 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:35.560 To call not the righteous, but sinners. 00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:39.600 To not be served, but to serve. 00:24:40.520 --> 00:24:42.680 To give sight to the blind. 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:48.779 God has a heart full of mercy for this world. 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:53.580 He hasn't left this world to play on the tracks. 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:57.120 He's calling this lost, running world back to him. 00:24:58.820 --> 00:25:01.400 God has pity, concern for this world. 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:03.680 He's patient with the stubborn, isn't he? 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:07.820 He persists in following the one who runs away. 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:11.240 And we see that in our own lives, don't we? 00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:14.859 Just think, where would we be? 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.839 Where would our lives be without God's mercy? 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:20.679 Just think, how far, 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:23.279 think about how far we could have run without God's mercy. 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:28.859 Look where our families would be without God's mercy. 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.519 God cares about you. 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:36.059 Yes, God's mercy is for you. 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:39.579 But it's not just for you. 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:46.059 There is a whole world out there, human souls, that God is concerned about. 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:49.200 God cares about human souls. 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.879 And so we need to ask ourselves, 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.720 do we? 00:25:57.519 --> 00:26:01.579 We care about a lot of things in this world. 00:26:02.679 --> 00:26:05.960 We have a concern for plants and houses and everything. 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:08.319 And we want God to care about them. 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:10.759 And in his grace, he does. 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:14.779 God does care, even about the little things in your life. 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:20.559 But he has a deep concern over something even more precious. 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:23.000 A human soul. 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:26.740 And so God says today, 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:31.539 will you have concern over what I care about? 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:36.259 If someone hasn't put their faith in Christ, 00:26:36.899 --> 00:26:38.519 that should rile us up, shouldn't it? 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:42.480 That should send us to our knees in prayer, 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:46.659 and it should send us to our feet to bring the good news of Christ to them. 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:50.180 Because what do we find in Christ? 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.420 Mercy. 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:58.060 Brothers and sisters, God's mercy is for you. 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:58.920 Absolutely. 00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:02.900 But his mercy is also for so many more. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:07.140 It's there for every lost soul that turns to Christ. 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.900 And that matters. 00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:11.360 Those souls matter. 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:17.000 And God's mercy is there waiting for you and waiting for them. 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:21.759 Our God is gracious and merciful, 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:23.059 slow to anger, 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.799 and abounding in steadfast love. 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:31.480 How amazing if every soul would know his mercy. 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.099 Let me pray.