WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.280 Hey, good morning, church. 00:00:04.700 --> 00:00:08.540 My name's Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:08.540 --> 00:00:11.359 and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:11.839 --> 00:00:14.060 I want to highlight just a couple things before we start. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:15.759 First of all, if you're new with us, welcome. 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:17.280 We're glad that you're here. 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:22.900 We'd love for you to go to our website, which is at www.cmpca.net, 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:27.160 and when you go there, there will be a pop-up that will give you a chance to go to our visitor form, 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:31.379 and that will allow you to give us some more information about yourself and help us to connect with you. 00:00:32.179 --> 00:00:36.679 For everyone, both those of us who are new and those of us who have been here for a long time, 00:00:36.980 --> 00:00:41.480 I want to remind you, as I always do, that while we can see numbers, we can't always see names, 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:44.280 and while you can see me, I can't see you, 00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:48.439 and so I encourage you right now to take a moment to greet one another in the comment section 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:50.219 at the bottom right of the Facebook video. 00:00:50.700 --> 00:00:54.840 You could just say something as simple as good morning or hear, share who's with you 00:00:54.840 --> 00:01:00.420 and where you're watching from, and that will give us the opportunity to have a sense of being present with each other 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:06.260 even as we're separated, and it also gives us a chance to know who is with us this morning. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:12.040 With that, we are in the book of Jonah, and we're coming near to the very end, 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:16.100 and as I've told you many times now, the book of Jonah is not a book about a fish. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:19.500 The fish only appears four times in three verses, 00:01:19.500 --> 00:01:25.159 but instead it's a book that tells the story of a man named Jonah who lived in the 9th or 8th century B.C. 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:30.500 in the northern kingdom of Israel, and he was given a command by God to go to the city of Nineveh, 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:33.439 which was in Assyria, which is in modern-day northern Iraq. 00:01:34.960 --> 00:01:38.039 Now, of course, as we know now, Jonah was reluctant to do that, 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:40.480 and he was reluctant for probably many reasons, 00:01:40.579 --> 00:01:43.460 one of which is that Assyria was an enemy of Israel. 00:01:43.459 --> 00:01:50.179 It would be not too long until 722 B.C. when they would take the northern kingdom of Israel into exile. 00:01:50.780 --> 00:01:55.939 Of course, even more than a story about a man named Jonah, the book of Jonah is about God's mercy. 00:01:56.659 --> 00:01:58.000 That's what we've seen in each chapter. 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:01.060 In chapter 1, we saw how God's mercy is offensive. 00:02:02.060 --> 00:02:04.959 He shows it to people like Nineveh and the Assyrians, 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:08.199 and he shows it to people like Jonah and people like you and me. 00:02:08.199 --> 00:02:13.780 In chapter 2, we saw how God shows his mercy to his people when they run away from him. 00:02:14.299 --> 00:02:18.179 And we saw that even when we run away from God, he pursues us in his grace. 00:02:19.019 --> 00:02:23.899 Last week in chapter 3, we asked the question of how do we take hold of God's mercy? 00:02:24.379 --> 00:02:25.599 How do we experience it? 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:30.060 And we saw that we experience and take hold of God's mercy through repentance. 00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:36.019 Just as Nineveh was quick to repent, so we should be quick to repent as well. 00:02:36.020 --> 00:02:42.460 Now, if you're someone who watches mystery shows or reads mystery novels, 00:02:42.600 --> 00:02:44.980 maybe it's Sherlock, maybe it's NCIS, 00:02:45.200 --> 00:02:48.980 you know that at the very beginning of the episode, there's a lot of questions that are raised, 00:02:49.660 --> 00:02:53.500 or at the very beginning of the story, and there's things that aren't answered to the very end. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:57.680 Jonah is going to work a little bit like that. 00:02:57.740 --> 00:02:59.120 We're at the end of the Jonah mystery. 00:02:59.719 --> 00:03:03.700 We weren't told at the very beginning of the story why exactly Jonah ran away, 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:07.219 and we're going to find that out today in chapter 4. 00:03:08.399 --> 00:03:11.799 And we're also going to find out the ultimate purpose of this book, 00:03:11.899 --> 00:03:15.519 why it's telling us so much about God's mercy. 00:03:15.639 --> 00:03:20.299 And if we really understand and know God's mercy, it's going to change us and shape us. 00:03:20.339 --> 00:03:23.239 It's going to make us into different people than we are now. 00:03:23.359 --> 00:03:25.639 Mercy is actually a powerful force. 00:03:26.399 --> 00:03:30.079 And so if we experience it, we should expect it to change us as well. 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:34.860 And that's what we're going to look at here in Jonah chapter 4 before we saw God's mercy to us. 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:40.720 And in this chapter, we're going to take a look at God's mercy through us and from us. 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:46.100 It's with that that we come to Jonah chapter 4, and I encourage you to turn with me, 00:03:46.220 --> 00:03:49.020 whether it's on another page on your internet browser, 00:03:49.140 --> 00:03:51.360 whether it's in your physical Bible or on your phone. 00:03:52.160 --> 00:03:56.520 Regardless of where you're opening it up, we are in Jonah chapter 4, starting at verse 1. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:01.800 And remember that this is God's word, and God tells us that his word is a lamp to our feet 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:03.560 and a light to our path. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:07.580 In other words, God has not left us to stumble alone in the dark, 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:10.920 but instead he's given us his word to show us the way to go. 00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:14.939 And so that's why we read together now, starting at verse 1. 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:19.600 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:21.980 And he prayed to the Lord and said, 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:25.819 O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:29.240 That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish, 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:32.339 for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:35.579 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:37.500 and relenting from disaster. 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:41.879 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:45.219 for it is better for me to die than to live. 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:49.180 And the Lord said, Do you do well to be angry? 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:51.000 Verse 5. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:54.300 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city 00:04:54.300 --> 00:04:55.959 and made a booth for himself there. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:05:00.420 He sat under it in the shade till he should see what would become of the city. 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:04.480 Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, 00:05:04.600 --> 00:05:08.339 that it might be a shade over his head to save him from his discomfort. 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:12.039 So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:13.779 Verse 7. 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:16.519 But when dawn came up the next day, 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:19.719 God appointed a worm that attacked the plant so that it withered. 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:23.879 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, 00:05:23.919 --> 00:05:27.000 and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:30.099 And he asked that he might die and said, 00:05:30.419 --> 00:05:32.919 It is better for me to die than to live. 00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:34.560 Verse 9. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:39.100 But God said to Jonah, Do you do well to be angry for the plant? 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:44.460 And he said, Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die. 00:05:45.240 --> 00:05:48.620 And the Lord said, You pity the plant for which you did not labor, 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:50.220 nor did you make it grow, 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:53.720 which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:57.020 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:00.700 in which there are more than 120,000 persons 00:06:00.700 --> 00:06:03.500 who do not know their right hand from their left, 00:06:04.080 --> 00:06:05.380 and also much cattle? 00:06:07.280 --> 00:06:10.520 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:13.580 --> 00:06:17.820 Our Father in heaven, we thank you for your word that you've given to us, 00:06:17.880 --> 00:06:20.320 and we thank you for your mercy. 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:23.199 We thank you for your mercy that you show to us in Jesus Christ, 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:27.379 and also the mercy you show to us by speaking to us and teaching us. 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:30.040 We ask that you would do that for us this morning, 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:33.040 that you'd send your Holy Spirit to help us, 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:37.980 that we would be able to hear and understand clearly from your word, 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:39.819 and that we would believe and know, 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:43.399 and that you would help us to see Jesus as more beautiful than before. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:46.019 And we ask all these things with confidence, 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:48.199 because we ask them in Jesus' name. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:49.259 Amen. 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:56.139 We start out here in chapter 4 with Jonah's anger. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:58.599 We find out that he's angry, 00:06:58.719 --> 00:07:01.219 and there's actually a play on words that's happening. 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:02.879 At the very end of chapter 3, 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:04.980 we saw in verse 10, 00:07:05.060 --> 00:07:06.240 when God saw what they did, 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:08.039 how they turned from their evil way, 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:11.539 God relented of the disaster that he said he would do to them, 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:12.399 and he did not do it. 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:14.219 So God has shown this mercy, 00:07:14.220 --> 00:07:17.120 and this word here of disaster in verse 10, 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:20.780 is the same word in Hebrew that's used for evil way. 00:07:21.260 --> 00:07:22.420 So we might say it this way, 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:23.580 when God saw what they did, 00:07:23.620 --> 00:07:24.900 how they turned from their disaster, 00:07:25.420 --> 00:07:26.920 God relented of his disaster. 00:07:27.400 --> 00:07:29.700 And then the play on words continues in chapter 4, 00:07:29.780 --> 00:07:32.060 because this displeased word in verse 1, 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:34.240 is that same word for disaster. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:35.120 In other words, 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:38.480 God held back his disaster from Nineveh, 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:42.360 and Jonah considered that to be a disaster. 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:46.420 God's mercy makes Jonah incredibly angry. 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:49.759 God holds back from punishing evil. 00:07:50.620 --> 00:07:52.379 Jonah thinks that is evil. 00:07:52.379 --> 00:07:58.839 Jonah thinks that God turning from evil is terrible. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:01.159 He thinks God's mercy is terrible. 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:05.920 And so we find here the secret is finally revealed in verse 2. 00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:10.500 We weren't told in chapter 1 why it was that Jonah disobeyed God. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:13.600 We just knew that he was an upside-down, inside-out prophet. 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:14.980 But we're told in verse 2, 00:08:15.100 --> 00:08:17.100 finally, with the end of our mystery, 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:18.779 why it is that he did this. 00:08:18.779 --> 00:08:19.259 It says, 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:22.879 O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? 00:08:23.539 --> 00:08:25.739 That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish, 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:28.679 for I knew that you were a gracious God and merciful, 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:31.759 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:33.379 and relenting from disaster. 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:35.939 In other words, Jonah ran away 00:08:35.939 --> 00:08:38.919 because he knew this was what was going to happen. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:43.539 Jonah ran away because he knew God was going to use him to show mercy, 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:46.759 and that was the last thing Jonah wanted to participate in. 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:49.980 Jonah wants to receive God's mercy, 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:54.340 but he has no interest in showing God's mercy. 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:57.679 Jonah wants to receive God's mercy, 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:02.360 but he has no interest in receiving God's mercy. 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:04.639 Of course, there's an irony here 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.299 because his quotation about God's steadfast love 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:09.500 comes from Exodus chapter 34 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:12.960 when he says this statement about God being gracious and merciful, 00:09:13.159 --> 00:09:15.179 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:09:15.179 --> 00:09:17.979 How does he know that God is merciful and gracious? 00:09:18.519 --> 00:09:21.120 Well, he knows it from the history of the nation of Israel. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:22.620 Near the end of the chapter, 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:25.599 the book of Exodus in chapters 32 through 34, 00:09:25.839 --> 00:09:29.599 that's where we see the episode of Moses going up on Mount Sinai 00:09:29.599 --> 00:09:31.319 to receive the Ten Commandments. 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:34.239 And it's when he goes up to receive the Ten Commandments 00:09:34.239 --> 00:09:37.299 that the people of Israel worship the golden calf. 00:09:39.219 --> 00:09:42.059 God's judgment is meant to come upon them, 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.620 but instead he shows them mercy. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:47.139 And so Jonah is recalling God's character 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:51.259 based on a time that he did not bring a disaster on Israel. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:56.560 And so Jonah is okay with mercy being shown to Israel. 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:59.019 He just doesn't want it shown to anyone else. 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:02.899 His anger isn't over all of God's mercy. 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:07.100 It's just over God's mercy to people he doesn't think deserve it. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:11.440 And so that raises a question for us as well. 00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:14.360 Jonah's looking back to the end of Exodus 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:16.639 when God showed mercy to Israel. 00:10:18.820 --> 00:10:21.860 Can you remember, if you're a Christian, 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:24.320 when God has shown mercy to you? 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.480 Israel was in need of mercy. 00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:31.080 If you're someone who follows after Jesus, 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:34.759 you consider yourself to be someone who needs mercy as well. 00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:35.960 Is that a distant memory? 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:40.519 Is it a distant memory in the way that it was for Jonah, 00:10:40.659 --> 00:10:42.519 something from far back in history? 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:46.179 Or is it something that's fresh for you now? 00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:50.399 Was God's mercy something you needed once? 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:55.240 Or something that you realized you need over and over again? 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:59.320 Part of what's going on here for Jonah 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:03.779 is a perspective that's twisted. 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:08.720 Israel desperately needed God's mercy. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:10.779 Jonah desperately needs God's mercy. 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:15.960 And so that should move him to want mercy for others as well. 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:19.519 And that's not what happens here for Jonah. 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:22.639 He's going to be a negative example for us 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:24.000 throughout this entire chapter. 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:26.919 And instead, he runs off in a pouting fit. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:29.940 He tells God he wants him to take his life from him. 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:33.039 Verse three, like an angry child here, 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:35.620 and the Lord, like a parent, asks him a rhetorical question. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.919 Do you do well to be angry? 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:37.620 Verse four. 00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:40.779 What is this doing for you? 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:44.179 How is your anger working out for you? 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:48.840 Is this really the way that you should be responding to that? 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:53.200 Passive-aggressive, Jonah runs off in a huff. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:55.040 It doesn't answer God's question. 00:11:55.540 --> 00:11:58.240 But instead, he runs away from the very city 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.180 that he's supposed to be showing mercy to. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:03.020 He goes to the east, and he sets up camp. 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:07.379 What's happening here is Jonah is tailgating. 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:09.879 He's tailgating for the big game. 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:14.300 He's holding out hope that even though God has shown mercy up to this point, 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:16.620 he may, in fact, bring judgment. 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:19.900 And Jonah wants to be able to have a great viewpoint. 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:22.500 He wants to have good seats to the game. 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:26.819 He is hoping that the season of God's judgment is not canceled. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:29.840 And in fact, he is ready here for the Super Bowl. 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:31.639 He's ready for the judgment Super Bowl. 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:36.079 He hopes that somehow God's mercy won't last, 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:41.879 and he'll be able to have the pleasure of watching Nineveh be destroyed. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:47.860 Jonah doesn't understand how ridiculous this is. 00:12:48.799 --> 00:12:52.939 He doesn't understand the irony of him quoting a statement from God 00:12:52.939 --> 00:12:56.340 that came from when God showed him and showed the people of Israel mercy. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:13:01.100 And just like us, from time to time, Jonah here lacks some self-awareness. 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:04.740 And so God is going to use an object lesson. 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:07.580 He's going to use an illustration to teach Jonah. 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:11.280 Of course, here we see him continuing to pursue Jonah 00:13:11.280 --> 00:13:14.800 in the same way that he pursued him with the fish. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.420 We'll see some familiar language here. 00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:22.280 In chapter 1, verse 17, we heard that God had appointed a fish to save Jonah. 00:13:22.680 --> 00:13:25.960 And we're going to see that same word repeated over and over here. 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:31.520 First of all, we see that God appoints a plant. 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.379 Verse 6. 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:35.120 Verse 7, he's going to appoint a worm. 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:38.700 Verse 8, he's going to appoint a scorching wind and sun. 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:42.039 And this reminds us of another theme besides God's mercy 00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:43.220 that runs throughout this book, 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:46.779 which is that he is the God who's in control of the heavens and the earth. 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.840 He's the God with incredible power. 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:52.899 He's the God who's able to do whatever he wants to do. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:56.560 In fact, Jonah knows this because he's already confessed it in chapter 1. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:14:01.240 In verse 9, he tells the sailors that he belongs to the God of heaven 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:04.080 who made the sea and the dry land. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:11.720 And so it shouldn't surprise us that God continues to use that power to chase after Jonah. 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:17.360 But we should be encouraged and also humbled by the fact that that is what God does with his power. 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:23.159 At this point, he could smite Jonah just like he could have done in chapter 1 or chapter 2. 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:34.519 But he continues to pursue this confused, negligent, irresponsible, tone-deaf prophet 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:38.659 who has run away from the very thing God wants him to do. 00:14:39.199 --> 00:14:44.679 And even when he returns to it, he lacks God's heart and his compassion. 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:52.679 God continues to pursue Jonah, which is good news because it means that even when we lack self-awareness, 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:58.899 even when we get things wrong and miss the mark, God pursues us as well. 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:03.899 But this pursuit is not easy. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:09.299 First of all, there's a plant that comes up to protect Jonah. 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:13.899 Verse 6, and we see this contrast, this irony that God is creating. 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:18.299 Because in verse 1, we saw that it was displeasing to Jonah exceedingly. 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:22.220 He had this strong negative emotion when God showed mercy to Nineveh. 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:27.379 Now, verse 6, it's exceedingly glad is how we're told Jonah feels. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:30.800 So Jonah was upset when God showed mercy to Nineveh. 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:33.840 He's glad when God shows mercy to him. 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:40.200 There's a double standard here for Jonah that God is highlighting and calling attention to you. 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:46.000 He's angry at God's mercy to Nineveh for saving them from disaster. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:50.899 He has pleasure at God's mercy to him, saving him from disaster. 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:59.200 And then God, to drive the point home, appoints a worm, verse 7, to take away this plant. 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:08.519 And then he allows Jonah to face his own sort of disaster, a scorching wind and a sun in verse 8. 00:16:09.540 --> 00:16:13.279 And Jonah once again says it's better for him to die than to live. 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:18.939 By the way, in verse 6, when it says that God saved Jonah from his discomfort, 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:23.299 that word discomfort continues the play on words that we've been seeing. 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:28.699 Because discomfort is the same Hebrew word used of evil way in chapter 3, verse 10. 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:33.399 It's the same Hebrew word used of disaster in chapter 3, verse 10. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:41.220 And it's the same word that's used of Jonah's displeasure in chapter 4, verse 6. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:44.819 Sorry, it's displeasure in chapter 4, verse 1. 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:51.519 So Jonah is upset when God saves Nineveh from disaster, 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:56.100 but he's glad when God saves him from his discomfort or his disaster. 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:59.580 And so God is making this point. 00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:07.339 It's good for me to destroy a people, but it's wrong for me to destroy a plant. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:12.920 It's wrong for me to show people mercy from death, 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:17.700 but it's good to show you mercy just from the heat of the day. 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:24.000 It's wrong for me to show Nineveh mercy, but it's good to save you from the weather. 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:26.519 What's going on, Jonah? 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:33.700 Can you begin to see the upside-down values of your heart? 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:38.920 Can you begin to see that you value small things, 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:41.920 but you can't value great things? 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:46.900 It's not just this entire story. 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:49.140 That's inside-out. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.480 It's not just the prophet that's inside-out, 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:55.819 but it's Jonah's priorities here. 00:17:58.319 --> 00:17:59.720 Jonah is inside-out. 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:03.700 He prioritizes his own comfort, his own pleasure, 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:07.660 but he can't even bring himself to care for people. 00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:12.380 And choosing pleasure over people 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:16.799 is part of what God is emphasizing here and showing in this narrative. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:21.680 He's using this illustration to help Jonah understand how ridiculous, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:25.480 how pouty, and how selfish he is. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:31.379 And then he ends with this great question that's left unanswered. 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:36.200 We're actually left with a cliffhanger at the end of this chapter. 00:18:36.320 --> 00:18:41.240 I told you earlier that it was like a mystery story where everything's revealed at the end, 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:48.680 but it's also not like a mystery story because the threads are not all brought together. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:52.680 In fact, we're left with tension at the very end of this chapter. 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:56.340 We're left with an unanswered question and an unfinished story. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:59.400 In verse 10, the Lord gives him this question, 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:08.320 Verse 11, 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:11.539 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, 00:19:11.879 --> 00:19:15.259 in which there are more than 120,000 persons 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:17.299 who do not know their right hand from their left, 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:19.119 and also much cattle? 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.419 You care about a plant. 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:27.000 How much more should I care about people? 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:35.160 And this cliffhanger is left there to direct the story ultimately not to Jonah, 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.839 but to us. 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:42.319 And so God's question to Jonah is also his question to us. 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.720 What about us? 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:47.880 How do we see people who are different from us? 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:52.420 Do we want them to experience God's mercy? 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:55.940 Do we care more about our pleasure? 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:58.840 Or do we care more about people? 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:01.440 And when we look at other people, 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:03.940 do we see them as God sees them? 00:20:04.600 --> 00:20:06.840 Do we see them as people who don't know 00:20:06.840 --> 00:20:09.700 their left hand from their right? 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.600 Verse 11. 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:13.880 The point here that God is making 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:16.320 is that when he looks out on sinful humanity, 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:20.700 as much as his judgment and his justice are real, 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:22.759 as we saw in chapters 1 through 3, 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:25.620 his compassion is real as well. 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:29.720 He sees people who are confused. 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:34.920 He sees people who don't know the right way to walk in this world. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:36.259 They are so ignorant 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:40.840 that they don't know the basics of distinguishing their left hand from their right hand. 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:44.879 Of course, the irony here is that as we've seen, 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:50.579 Jonah, in many ways, also does not know his left hand from his right hand. 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:54.819 And so what do we do with the world around us? 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:58.679 What do we do with people who don't share our faith and our convictions? 00:20:58.919 --> 00:21:01.059 How do we think about them and how do we treat them? 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:08.139 How do we speak about and think about people who don't share our convictions and our practices 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:13.759 around sexual identity, sexual ethics? 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:18.880 Do we see them as people who don't know their left hand from their right hand? 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:20.960 Or do we joke about them? 00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:26.680 Do we post cutting remarks on the internet or social media? 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:32.120 Is our first instinct in the logical contradictions of their position? 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:36.980 Or, like God, are we able to say, 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:39.259 man, there are hundreds of thousands of people 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:41.480 who don't know their left hand from their right? 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:47.220 People who need God's mercy just as much as you and I do. 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:54.299 What's our response when we think about people who abuse drugs? 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.500 Do we laugh at them? 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:59.620 Do we look down on them? 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:07.620 Or do we see people who know only one way to cover up the pain in their lives? 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:11.460 Do we hurt for them? 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:16.640 Do we want them, like God wants Nineveh here, 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.960 to turn and experience God's mercy? 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:26.000 Do we have God's heart of forgiveness and compassion towards them? 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:31.200 Should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:35.059 in which there are more than 120,000 persons? 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:39.140 Of course, there's many more people than that in our world 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.860 and throughout history who don't know God. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:47.759 What is our attitude towards people who don't share our political convictions? 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:51.259 Do we think they're morally inferior? 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:56.519 Do we think that they're idiots who need to be mocked? 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:02.819 Or do we see them as people like us, 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.740 desperately in need of God's mercy? 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:07.860 Do we realize that, like Jonah, 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.920 we often get it wrong? 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:16.320 And yet God continues to pursue us and show his mercy to us as well. 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:21.279 Are we like Jonah, lacking self-awareness, 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:24.600 not realizing how hard-hearted we are, 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:28.400 not listening to the words that come out of our mouths 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:30.500 about the people in the communities around us? 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:35.900 What's our attitude towards people who have different cultures, 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:39.579 come from different races than we do? 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:43.539 That's probably part of what's going on here for Jonah. 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.279 He's a Hebrew. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.500 These people are Assyrians. 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:52.039 Does our heart go out for everyone in the world 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:54.900 or only for people who look like us? 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:58.500 And do we want people to adopt our culture 00:23:58.500 --> 00:24:03.140 or do we want them to adopt Jesus as their Lord and their Savior? 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:09.320 Do we pride ourselves over others like Jonah did? 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:13.340 Priding ourselves in the fact that we belong to God, 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:16.540 that we keep his rules and his laws, 00:24:17.540 --> 00:24:22.960 and yet forget that mercy and compassion 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:25.759 are a part of God's rules and his laws. 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.160 They reveal his heart. 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:30.019 They're part of what he cares about. 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:33.740 Do we take pride in our own positions 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:36.380 and forget God's love for people? 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:41.720 If we do, then like Jonah, there's nothing to take pride in. 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:48.340 But instead, we need to hear the same question directed at us. 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:52.420 Do we pity plants more than we pity people? 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:57.500 Do we understand God's mercy in such a way 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:59.920 that we know how desperately we need it 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:02.600 and we want to see it extended to other people? 00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:09.140 This ultimately is what we see in our Lord Jesus. 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:12.140 We're told in Matthew chapter 9 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:15.000 that Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.360 teaching in their synagogues 00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:18.160 and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:20.720 and healing every disease and every affliction. 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:23.940 And then in verse 36, we're told this, 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:27.579 when he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:29.759 because they were harassed and helpless 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.640 like sheep without a shepherd. 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.559 Then he said to his disciples, 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:37.600 the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:40.980 Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:43.160 to send out laborers into his harvest. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.900 Jesus looks out on the world 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:50.660 and he shares with his father in heaven, 00:25:51.280 --> 00:25:53.820 not just divinity, 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:57.220 but also his heart for people. 00:25:58.340 --> 00:26:00.380 He sees people who are rebellious, 00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:02.700 people who are sinful. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:06.540 And while he comes to bring judgment, 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:08.480 he also sees them as harassed and helpless 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.680 like sheep without a shepherd. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:14.480 Are we able and willing to see the world 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:16.160 and the people around us in the same way? 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:22.019 Are we able to remember as Jonah forgets 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:24.519 that we are harassed and helpless 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:27.019 and Jesus has become our shepherd? 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:38.639 Jonah here serves as a negative example 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:40.240 to show us that mercy 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.559 and God's compassion towards us 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:44.420 should shape us and form us 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:46.240 into people who have compassion 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.859 and show compassion. 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:51.279 If Jesus, who was sinless, 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:54.259 saw the world around him as harassed and helpless, 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:59.299 how much more should we who are sinful and wicked 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:01.440 but have received God's mercy 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:03.460 feel the same way? 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:07.259 If we understand God's compassion to us, 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:10.140 how much more should we show compassion to others? 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:13.259 If we know that we have nothing to offer to God, 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:18.660 should we not recognize that others 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:20.359 who have nothing to offer to him deserve, 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:25.159 not deserve but can receive his mercy as well? 00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:29.579 God's compassion comes through Jesus Christ. 00:27:29.719 --> 00:27:30.740 It comes to us 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:33.279 and as we understand it 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.399 and as it shapes us, 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:36.819 it should come through us as well. 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:40.579 One man puts it this way, 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:42.059 are we disciples of Jesus 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:45.159 or are we disciples of Jonah? 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:48.359 We come to understand here 00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:50.039 at the end of this whole book 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.759 that God's mercy 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:53.979 has a shaping force, 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.719 it has a power 00:27:54.719 --> 00:27:57.259 and it's meant to shape us 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:59.000 and form us to be merciful people 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:02.079 and so we have to ask these same questions 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.079 that are pointed at Jonah. 00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:05.959 Do we care about people 00:28:05.959 --> 00:28:08.339 more than plants or pleasure? 00:28:09.979 --> 00:28:12.799 Do we remember God's mercy to us 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:15.099 and does that move us 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:16.519 to show mercy to others? 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:19.440 And when we don't, 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:23.339 do we remember that God is patient with us 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.579 as he's patient with Jonah 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:28.180 and that Jesus continues to pursue us 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:30.740 but as and if he pursues us, 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:33.099 we expect him to continue to change our hearts 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:35.639 and to soften us and to mold us. 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:39.599 Jesus tells a sobering story 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:42.039 in Matthew chapter 18 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.460 about an unforgiving servant 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:45.279 and in the story, 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.160 there's a king 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:48.259 and this king has a servant 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.519 who has a great debt. 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:51.500 His debt is 10,000 talents. 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:55.900 The king goes to this servant 00:28:55.900 --> 00:28:58.240 and he threatens him. 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.640 He orders him to sell his wife 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.360 and his children 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.180 and all that he had 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:04.059 but in verse 26, 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.640 the servant falls on his knees 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:07.400 imploring this king to have mercy 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:10.079 and so this king does. 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.299 He has mercy on the servant 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.779 and he forgives the debt. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.759 But then this servant 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:17.000 goes to another servant 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.659 who owes him not talents 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.339 but denarii, 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:20.839 a much lower amount of money, 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.059 exponentially smaller. 00:29:22.619 --> 00:29:23.440 This other servant 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:25.559 owes him 100 denarii 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:27.319 whereas he owed 10,000 talents. 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.839 But instead of showing 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.559 that other servant 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.819 the mercy he'd received, 00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:33.279 he chokes him 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.079 and says, 00:29:34.419 --> 00:29:35.119 pay what you owe 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:37.960 and he refused to show 00:29:37.960 --> 00:29:39.240 the mercy that he receives. 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:42.140 Well, in the end of this story, 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.740 the king hears 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.740 about what has happened 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.039 and he summons this servant 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.759 and tells him, 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.700 you wicked servant, 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.839 I forgave you all that debt 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:52.059 because you pleaded with me 00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:53.940 and should not you 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.779 have had mercy 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.900 on your fellow servant 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:58.380 as I had mercy on you? 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.339 And in anger, 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.480 his master delivered him 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.120 to the jailers 00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:02.960 until he should pay 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.660 all his debt. 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.519 Brothers and sisters, 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:11.079 God has shown us mercy 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:12.359 in Jesus Christ. 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:15.420 He means for that mercy 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.920 to be a shaping 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:18.559 and powerful 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:20.319 forming experience for us 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:22.420 that we would not just be 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.619 recipients of mercy 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:25.220 but we'd be people 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.079 who show mercy. 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:29.639 In fact, we see in this story, 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.740 Matthew chapter 18, 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.839 that that's what he expects 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.940 of people who follow him. 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:35.920 that we'd receive mercy 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.600 from Jesus 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:38.740 and it'd be revealed 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.460 that we know 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:40.080 and understand 00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:41.460 and experience that mercy 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.220 as we show it 00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:43.940 to other people around us. 00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:47.680 Mercy is a powerful 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:49.519 changing and shaping force 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.259 and it tells us 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:51.660 that people who receive mercy 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:53.920 are people who show mercy. 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.840 And so we look at the end 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:58.580 of Jonah chapter 4 00:30:58.579 --> 00:31:00.899 and we read God's question. 00:31:02.139 --> 00:31:03.359 And should not I pity Nineveh, 00:31:03.439 --> 00:31:04.199 that great city 00:31:04.199 --> 00:31:05.319 in which there are more 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:07.659 than 120,000 persons 00:31:07.659 --> 00:31:09.099 who do not know 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.720 their right hand 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.339 from their left 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:12.599 and also much cattle? 00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:14.079 And of course, 00:31:14.159 --> 00:31:15.079 the answer is yes. 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:18.279 God has shown us compassion 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:20.779 and we want him 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.619 to show others 00:31:21.619 --> 00:31:22.679 compassion as well. 00:31:23.939 --> 00:31:25.079 We have received 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.939 Jesus' mercy 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:28.000 and we hope 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.059 and ask and pray 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.120 that everyone around us 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:30.640 would receive 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.440 that same mercy. 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.420 And so Jonah 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.140 is not a book 00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:36.059 about a fish 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:39.180 and it's not ultimately 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.220 a book about Jonah 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:42.000 but it's a book 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:42.980 about God's mercy 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.620 to us 00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:45.900 and it asks this question, 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.279 is God's mercy 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:48.259 shown through us 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.259 as well? 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:52.299 Please pray with me. 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.759 Our Father in heaven, 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:57.039 we thank you 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:58.420 for your word. 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:01.000 We thank you 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.680 for your mercy 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:03.680 and we confess 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.519 that even though 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.379 we've received it, 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.339 often like Jonah, 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.059 we're slow 00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:08.180 and hard-hearted 00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:08.779 to show it. 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:10.559 We ask that you would 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.500 send your Holy Spirit 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.740 now to work in our hearts 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.579 to soften them 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:15.559 and to shape us 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.599 to be people 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:18.879 who haven't just received 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:19.859 Jesus' compassion 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:21.339 but we show 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.220 Jesus' compassion. 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:24.019 that we would want 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:25.319 your love 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.000 and your forgiveness 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:27.400 for everyone around us 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:28.799 and that would affect 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.799 the way that we 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.960 interact with them, 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:31.960 think about them 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:33.240 and talk about them. 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.799 We thank you 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:37.620 that you talk about us 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:40.100 with gracious words 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:41.620 and you do that 00:32:41.620 --> 00:32:42.480 not because we 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.700 have earned it 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.299 or deserved it 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.400 but because we ask it 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:46.500 in the mighty name 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.100 of Jesus. 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.279 Amen. 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:52.539 We end our time 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.460 together 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.460 with a benediction 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:56.079 and you'll remember 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:56.799 that a benediction 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.920 is a good word 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:58.519 from God. 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:00.139 It's a word 00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:00.879 that's true 00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:02.500 in the midst 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.000 of a world 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.839 filled with words 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.619 that are not true. 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.119 It's tradition 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:06.819 for the minister 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:07.779 to hold up his hand 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.899 to send out God's blessing 00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:09.639 on God's people 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:10.879 and for God's people 00:33:10.879 --> 00:33:11.879 to hold out their hands 00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:13.180 to receive God's blessing 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:14.579 and so I invite you now 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.259 even as you're 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.279 connected to me 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.819 through a screen 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.980 to hold out your hands 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:19.680 and hear now 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.660 God's good word 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:21.279 over you 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.759 from 1 Thessalonians 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.480 chapter 5. 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.140 Now may the God 00:33:25.140 --> 00:33:25.980 of peace himself 00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:27.539 sanctify you completely 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:29.240 and may your whole 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.400 spirit and soul 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:31.000 and body 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.960 be kept blameless 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.539 at the coming 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:34.160 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.940 He who calls you 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.420 is faithful. 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:38.000 He will surely do it. 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:38.740 Amen. 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.860 Thanks so much 00:33:40.860 --> 00:33:41.400 and I look forward 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.079 to seeing you all 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:42.599 very soon.