WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.640 Thank you. Good evening. It's great to be here with you. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:07.980 Tommy warned me that some of you might be feeling a little tired after the retreat, 00:00:08.220 --> 00:00:14.580 so he told me to keep this to 60 minutes at a maximum. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:18.480 So, don't worry. 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:23.660 We just seem to need enemies, don't we sometimes? 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:35.079 Sometimes there's this ineradicable human tendency to channel our own discontent onto external objects, other people. 00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:40.920 It's an innate drive that can bind us together, masquerading as community. 00:00:41.719 --> 00:00:45.280 It's a primal passion that's fundamentally irrational, 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:51.920 but it can always find good reasons to justify its presence in the human heart. 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:59.539 We just gravitate towards seeing the world through this lens of enemy. 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:05.599 And it's a perennial tendency that's rearing its ugly head afresh today. 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:10.840 Keith Mines, who works at the U.S. Institute of Peace, 00:01:10.960 --> 00:01:15.040 who has also been in the Special Forces and worked for the United Nations 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:21.600 in places like Afghanistan, Colombia, El Salvador, Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan, 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:25.760 he specializes in civil wars. 00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:29.180 And earlier this year, in a piece in The New Yorker, 00:01:29.940 --> 00:01:39.300 he estimated that the United States faces a 60% chance of a new civil war in the next two decades. 00:01:39.299 --> 00:01:41.379 And to substantiate this prediction, 00:01:41.560 --> 00:01:46.280 he delineated five common factors that he's seen in other places. 00:01:46.759 --> 00:01:53.000 They were entrenched polarization with no obvious meeting place for resolution, 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:58.500 increasingly divisive press coverage and information flows, 00:01:59.819 --> 00:02:04.340 weakened institutions, notably the legislative and judicial branches, 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:09.039 for the abandonment of responsibility by leadership, 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:15.560 and five, the legitimization of both rhetorical and physical violence 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:18.480 as the means to solve disputes. 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:26.620 Mines isn't the only one sounding the alarm about hatred in our society. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:31.580 A survey this August of five leading civil war historians 00:02:31.580 --> 00:02:38.220 put the consensus odds of some new form of civil war at 35%. 00:02:38.220 --> 00:02:41.660 And one of these historians sagely notes 00:02:41.660 --> 00:02:47.580 why it is that our leaders seem increasingly to mirror the divisions 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:49.120 rather than to heal them. 00:02:50.460 --> 00:02:51.000 He says, 00:02:51.140 --> 00:02:56.360 the source of conflict is deeply embedded in cultural and social forces. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:01.920 The source of the conflict is indeed deeply embedded. 00:03:02.980 --> 00:03:04.740 It is hatred itself. 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:09.740 Yes, the real enemy facing humanity, 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:11.080 facing society, 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:13.220 facing individual persons, 00:03:13.580 --> 00:03:14.960 is hatred. 00:03:16.220 --> 00:03:19.300 And the enemy of that enemy is love. 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:23.120 And today's sermon text from Jonah chapter 3 verse 10 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:24.920 to chapter 4 verse 11, 00:03:24.920 --> 00:03:27.160 which was so beautifully read. 00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:31.200 I would try to recruit you to read at our church, 00:03:31.300 --> 00:03:32.120 but I won't do that. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:38.060 This text is a deconstruction 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:41.220 of hatred, 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:42.560 that hatred lens. 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:47.660 It's an invitation to embrace God's love for our enemy. 00:03:47.760 --> 00:03:49.040 Let's look at it together. 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:49.799 Let me pray first. 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:52.340 Father, we thank you for your grace this evening. 00:03:52.459 --> 00:03:54.400 We thank you for your love and your mercy. 00:03:56.519 --> 00:03:59.979 We pray that you would help us to experience that in our own lives 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:01.799 and to be transformed by it today. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:04.419 Help us now as we turn to the scripture. 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:07.780 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:09.239 be acceptable in your sight. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:11.319 Oh Lord, our Redeemer. 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:12.439 Amen. 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:17.060 Here's the first thing I want you to see in this passage. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:21.519 It's this hatred of the enemy. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:25.019 That enemy lens is ultimately a denial of the gospel. 00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:30.060 To nurture enmity is to deny the grace of God. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:33.019 To view the world through the enemy lens 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:37.000 is to live in the old world that has already been done away in Christ. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:42.319 If anyone has the right to hate an enemy, 00:04:42.519 --> 00:04:43.220 it is Jonah. 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:47.279 And it's these Ninevites that he has a right to hate. 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:51.379 Nineveh is the capital of Assyria, 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:53.759 a regional superpower, 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:56.879 a brutal oppressor of the Israelite people. 00:04:56.980 --> 00:04:58.199 The prophet Nahum 00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:01.500 dubs Nineveh in his writing, 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.979 that bloody city full of lies and corruption. 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:09.800 Jonah hates the Ninevites. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:14.439 And if you understand ancient Israel, 00:05:14.539 --> 00:05:16.219 it's not hard to see why. 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:18.579 But the text shocks us 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:21.419 by showing us that this hatred of Nineveh 00:05:21.419 --> 00:05:23.180 is something more than it seems. 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:25.920 Look at chapter 4, verse 2. 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:31.959 Jonah is not only hating Nineveh, 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:35.060 but he's going to war with God. 00:05:35.840 --> 00:05:39.920 He hurls God's very nature at him as an insult. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:43.980 It is one of the most theologically correct prayers 00:05:43.980 --> 00:05:45.879 in the whole Old Testament. 00:05:46.420 --> 00:05:48.899 And it is uttered in fury. 00:05:48.899 --> 00:05:53.159 Oh, Lord, is not this what I said 00:05:53.159 --> 00:05:54.500 when I was yet in my country? 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:57.000 For I knew you are a gracious God 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:58.879 and merciful, slow to anger 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:00.959 and abounding in steadfast love 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:03.179 and relenting from disaster. 00:06:04.339 --> 00:06:05.919 What is going on here? 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:09.259 Jonah's professed faith in a God 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:11.759 who wants to mercifully bless the nations 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:15.339 has come up against another commitment in his life. 00:06:15.339 --> 00:06:18.819 A commitment to hating the Ninevites 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:21.419 for the threat they represent to him, 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:23.139 real or imagined. 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:26.659 And as these two commitments collide, 00:06:26.799 --> 00:06:29.620 it becomes clear which one wins out. 00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:33.859 And this is exposed as Jonah lashes out at God. 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:35.779 You're so soft, God. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:39.819 Don't you know this grace and mercy rubbish 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.639 doesn't work in the real world? 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:46.779 These godless Assyrians are going to destroy our country, Lord. 00:06:47.099 --> 00:06:49.500 We're trying to defend righteousness 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:52.719 and you are either with us or you're against us. 00:06:55.459 --> 00:06:57.120 But if you know this story, 00:06:57.759 --> 00:07:00.000 you're seeing now that Jonah's life 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:02.279 is an exercise in missing the point. 00:07:03.719 --> 00:07:06.800 Jonah is himself a picture of the gospel, 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:10.219 albeit in a very ironic form. 00:07:10.220 --> 00:07:12.800 It's right in front of his face, 00:07:12.940 --> 00:07:14.080 but he can't see it. 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:14.820 Think about it. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:15.660 In chapter 1, 00:07:16.220 --> 00:07:17.520 Jonah runs from God 00:07:17.520 --> 00:07:18.660 and he descends. 00:07:18.780 --> 00:07:20.560 He goes down to Joppa. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:23.420 He goes down into the hull of a ship. 00:07:23.740 --> 00:07:25.600 He goes down, down, down 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:26.540 into the sea, 00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:27.860 being tossed over, 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:29.120 dying to save 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:31.520 these newly converted sailors. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:34.920 He descends. 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:39.040 Swallowed by a large fish, 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:39.939 in chapter 2, 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:41.420 he cries out to the Lord 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:42.400 in his distress 00:07:42.400 --> 00:07:44.900 and is vomited up onto the land 00:07:44.900 --> 00:07:45.920 three days later. 00:07:47.460 --> 00:07:48.100 Resurrected. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:49.580 Sent out afresh 00:07:49.580 --> 00:07:51.620 to Nineveh. 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:53.220 In chapter 3, 00:07:53.320 --> 00:07:55.759 he preaches the most unimpressive, 00:07:56.040 --> 00:07:57.720 unenthusiastic sermon 00:07:57.720 --> 00:07:58.900 of all time. 00:07:59.900 --> 00:08:01.360 Five words in Hebrew. 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:05.920 But sure enough, 00:08:06.020 --> 00:08:07.980 40 days after that resurrection 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:09.259 from the belly of the fish 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:10.720 comes Pentecost. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:13.660 The people repent. 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:15.540 God relents. 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:18.259 All are at peace 00:08:18.259 --> 00:08:21.080 except Jonah. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.360 Here he sits 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:25.720 deeply angry. 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:29.840 What we're seeing here 00:08:29.840 --> 00:08:31.500 is the chief example 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:32.340 of a sinner 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:34.879 saved by grace 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:37.320 come to the knowledge of God 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:38.600 even though he ran away. 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:39.860 He had no excuse. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:44.440 Jonah rejoiced. 00:08:46.160 --> 00:08:47.639 But then he regressed. 00:08:48.100 --> 00:08:50.120 And so now God is gently, 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:51.860 mercifully trying to open 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:52.540 Jonah's eyes 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:54.439 to what this grace means 00:08:54.439 --> 00:08:55.620 for his life 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:56.819 and for his calling. 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:59.179 He's being so gracious to him. 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:02.279 Now you might be thinking, 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:04.059 Jonah obviously is 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:05.019 sort of a bigot. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:06.599 He doesn't understand 00:09:06.599 --> 00:09:07.799 God's grace. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:09.059 But we do. 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:10.179 We see it in Jesus. 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:12.679 Not so fast. 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:15.699 This is the exact same progression 00:09:15.699 --> 00:09:18.620 from the truth of God's grace 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:19.500 in our own lives 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.599 to the experience 00:09:20.599 --> 00:09:21.620 that must occur 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:23.220 as we live it out. 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:26.879 See, 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:27.840 when the just, 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:28.759 righteous God 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:30.840 shows indescribable mercy 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:32.480 to this wicked prophet Jonah, 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:34.519 when God relents 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:35.740 of his fierce anger 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:36.460 toward Nineveh 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:37.179 for their evil, 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.500 and when he invites us 00:09:38.500 --> 00:09:39.399 into his family 00:09:39.399 --> 00:09:40.179 through the gospel, 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:41.519 he does so 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:42.700 only in light 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:43.840 of the self-giving, 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:46.440 of his own self-giving 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:47.620 in Jesus Christ. 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:49.440 The apostle Paul says 00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:50.200 that the only way 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:51.520 that God can be just 00:09:51.520 --> 00:09:52.920 and the justifier 00:09:52.920 --> 00:09:53.540 of the one 00:09:53.540 --> 00:09:54.780 who has faith in Jesus 00:09:54.780 --> 00:09:56.400 is through the cross. 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:58.259 It's amazing grace. 00:09:59.300 --> 00:10:00.360 But what Jonah's 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:00.940 having to learn 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:02.040 and what we have to learn 00:10:02.040 --> 00:10:02.460 in our lives 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.340 is this is not 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:04.940 a static possession 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:05.780 to be hoarded. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.140 God's grace 00:10:08.140 --> 00:10:09.680 is not a static possession 00:10:09.680 --> 00:10:10.420 to be hoarded. 00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:13.240 Christ dies for us, 00:10:13.339 --> 00:10:13.740 yes, 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:15.819 but then we join him 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:16.599 in death 00:10:16.599 --> 00:10:17.799 through baptism. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.740 And our lives 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:20.319 are to become 00:10:20.319 --> 00:10:21.019 an analogy 00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:22.959 of his self-giving love. 00:10:24.339 --> 00:10:25.419 And this means 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:27.399 that just as in some sense, 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:29.459 just as Christ died 00:10:29.459 --> 00:10:30.299 for the ungodly, 00:10:30.459 --> 00:10:31.559 so in some sense, 00:10:31.719 --> 00:10:32.399 we too 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:33.899 must live out 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:36.240 self-sacrificial love 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:36.819 for those 00:10:36.819 --> 00:10:37.639 who would otherwise 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:38.719 be our enemies. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:41.560 Miroslav Volf 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:42.160 calls this 00:10:42.160 --> 00:10:43.720 the social significance 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:44.740 of the theme 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.080 of divine self-giving. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:46.540 He says, 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:47.920 as God does not 00:10:47.920 --> 00:10:49.000 abandon the godless 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:49.879 to their evil, 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.019 but gives himself 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:51.740 for them 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:53.060 in order to receive 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:54.600 them into divine communion, 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:57.580 so also should we, 00:10:57.720 --> 00:10:58.720 whoever our enemies 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:01.360 and whoever we may be. 00:11:03.540 --> 00:11:05.460 And Jonah is standing 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.240 at this moment 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.259 of immaturity. 00:11:07.259 --> 00:11:09.679 And God is showing him 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:10.500 and he's showing us 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:12.220 to fail, 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:13.299 his failure 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:14.039 to mature 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:14.759 in the gospel 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:16.019 as he hates others, 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:17.100 as he sees the world 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:18.419 through the enemy lens. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.600 To see the world 00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:21.279 merely in terms 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:22.259 of the good guys 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:23.460 and the bad guys 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:24.679 is to live 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.539 in the old world 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:26.840 that's been done away with 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:27.580 in Christ. 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:28.720 That's the first thing 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:30.340 we see in this text. 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:31.340 Here's the second thing. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:33.580 To hate an enemy 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:36.059 is a suicidal tendency. 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:40.019 To view the world 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:40.759 through that lens 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:42.479 will destroy us. 00:11:43.479 --> 00:11:45.199 The fire of anger 00:11:45.199 --> 00:11:45.779 consumes. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:47.319 It destroys our lives. 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:49.599 It destroys our effectiveness. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.879 It's right to look at this text 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:56.879 in the macro level. 00:11:56.979 --> 00:11:57.619 This is a text 00:11:57.619 --> 00:11:58.579 written to Israel. 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.759 It's written to the church. 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:01.279 That's who Jonah represents. 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.799 But Jonah is also 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.459 an individual 00:12:03.459 --> 00:12:05.139 and this addresses us 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.500 in our individuality. 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.980 Comes right down 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:09.659 to the world 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.779 where we live 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:13.679 sometimes in hatred 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:14.419 and anger. 00:12:16.079 --> 00:12:18.179 In chapter 3, verse 9, 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:20.439 the king of Nineveh 00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:21.339 prays this prayer 00:12:21.339 --> 00:12:22.679 and commands everyone 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.279 to repent. 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:24.399 He says, 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:25.480 we'll see if God 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:26.240 will turn from 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.240 his fierce anger, 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.480 his burning anger. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:31.519 And God does turn. 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:32.700 But then, 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:35.139 when we look at 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.399 chapter 4, verse 1, 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.220 God's anger 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:37.879 is not burning. 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:39.759 He's repented. 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:40.920 The people of Nineveh 00:12:40.920 --> 00:12:41.560 have repented. 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.180 But Jonah 00:12:43.180 --> 00:12:44.680 is burned up 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:46.560 with hatred. 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:49.420 And it's destroying him. 00:12:49.440 --> 00:12:49.820 He says, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:52.440 in chapter 4, verse 3, 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:53.019 Lord, 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.620 please take my life 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:55.200 from me. 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:56.560 It is better to live 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.500 than to die. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:13:00.940 Burned up. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:01.759 Verse 8, 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.840 it is better for me 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.580 to die 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:04.840 than to live. 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:05.740 And again, 00:13:05.960 --> 00:13:06.720 in verse 9, 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:08.879 I am angry enough 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.059 to die. 00:13:13.179 --> 00:13:14.820 Jonah's a warning to us 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:15.840 that if our hatred 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:17.519 is not transformed 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:19.220 by the gospel, 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:20.840 by the Lord's spirit, 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.639 that it will destroy us. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.960 Just as a scorching, 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:25.440 hot wind comes 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:27.420 and destroys Jonah's plant 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:30.120 that shades him, 00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:32.160 so too will it bring 00:13:32.160 --> 00:13:34.640 spiritual dryness to us. 00:13:35.260 --> 00:13:36.980 Just as the worm of anger 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:37.860 eats the roots 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.760 of that plant, 00:13:39.760 --> 00:13:41.520 so will it destroy 00:13:41.520 --> 00:13:43.740 the roots of our joy. 00:13:44.400 --> 00:13:45.500 God asks Jonah 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:46.680 a question twice. 00:13:48.680 --> 00:13:49.740 Do you do well 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.380 to be angry? 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:51.880 Literally, 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.660 is it good 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:54.039 for you to be angry? 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:55.939 And the answer 00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:57.000 is obviously 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.819 no. 00:13:58.939 --> 00:13:59.679 But Jonah 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.799 loves his anger 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:02.360 and it's ruining him. 00:14:03.459 --> 00:14:04.000 Am I saying 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.659 that Jonah's anger 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.519 is really destroying 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.000 his life? 00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:07.319 Is he really suicidal? 00:14:07.459 --> 00:14:08.219 I don't know. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:09.759 But I know 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.699 it can destroy 00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:11.279 our lives 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:12.679 in a couple of ways. 00:14:13.839 --> 00:14:15.339 On the most basic level, 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:16.419 Jonah's anger 00:14:16.419 --> 00:14:17.139 and our anger 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.559 may well be causing 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:20.379 real harm 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.139 to ourselves. 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:23.919 So whether I'm 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:24.639 feeling that 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:25.679 rage 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:26.819 of wanting to fight 00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:27.340 an enemy 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.240 or take them down 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.080 or get the best 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:30.000 or stewing 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:31.220 in the powerless 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:32.360 anger 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:33.100 that comes with 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.220 feeling victimized, 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:34.939 these things 00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:36.240 cause real joy, 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.139 real harm. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.220 There is no joy 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.000 in Jonah, 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:41.939 no shalom. 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:43.480 And the same 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.340 will be true of us 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:45.720 if we continually 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.659 view the world 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.480 through the lens 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.720 of enemy. 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:48.860 enemy. 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:53.060 The APA, 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.139 the Psychological 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:55.820 Association, 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:57.399 did a survey 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:57.940 last year, 00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:59.180 a big study, 00:14:59.320 --> 00:14:59.800 and found 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:01.960 significantly 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.340 increased levels 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:04.379 of stress 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.920 during the election. 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.300 That wouldn't 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:08.360 affect us here, 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:08.600 right? 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:11.500 A follow-up survey 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.080 this year 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:14.100 found that this 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:14.740 has remained 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.340 true 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:17.000 well into 2017. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.940 And it's not 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:19.779 difficult to see 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:20.179 why. 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:21.799 Social scientists 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.460 and researchers 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.860 note that as our 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.759 connectivity has 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.440 increased through 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:26.259 things like social 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.639 media, 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.840 the 24-hour news 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.240 cycle, 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.799 the chief emotion 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.580 stoked through 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.340 these things 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:32.919 is by far 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:33.539 anger. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:37.080 Anger has become 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:37.840 a virtue. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.440 If you're not 00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:40.299 outraged, 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.519 you're not 00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.320 paying attention. 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:44.840 And the 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.360 effects on 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.360 people can 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.160 be pronounced. 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.660 An increase 00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:49.360 in anxiety, 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.100 depression, 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.280 physical symptoms 00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:53.020 like increased 00:15:53.020 --> 00:15:53.800 blood pressure, 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:54.379 headache. 00:15:55.140 --> 00:15:56.140 The enemy lens 00:15:56.140 --> 00:15:57.160 drains us from 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:57.980 the joy of the 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.340 gospel. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:00.640 It also 00:16:00.640 --> 00:16:01.220 destroys our 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:02.280 effectiveness for 00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:02.800 God's kingdom. 00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:03.740 Jonah is this 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:04.440 picture of the 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:05.220 temptation that 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:05.800 faces the 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.120 Christian. 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:08.020 When Jonah is 00:16:08.020 --> 00:16:09.000 in this rage 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.040 induced despair, 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:11.959 he goes out 00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:12.480 and he builds 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.199 a hut for 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.039 himself outside 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.620 the city. 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.439 It's a booth 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.019 or in Hebrew 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.759 a Sukkot. 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:19.219 It's the kind 00:16:19.219 --> 00:16:19.779 of booth that 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.259 the people of 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:20.879 Israel built 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.459 every year as 00:16:21.459 --> 00:16:22.120 they commemorated 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:22.719 the Feast of 00:16:22.719 --> 00:16:23.399 Tabernacles. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.839 They're wandering 00:16:24.839 --> 00:16:25.480 in the wilderness, 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.159 a day of 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.019 celebration that 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.419 God had 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.139 delivered them. 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.559 In effect, 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.299 Jonah builds 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.059 a little chapel, 00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:34.240 a safe, 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.399 familiar shelter 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.399 from that big, 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.839 bad city. 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:40.780 Jonah should 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:41.420 be down there 00:16:41.420 --> 00:16:42.019 taking the 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.700 Ninevites to 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.660 the next step, 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:46.080 seeing if they 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:46.680 will not only 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:47.720 turn in fear 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.680 of God's 00:16:48.680 --> 00:16:49.600 punishment, 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.639 but turn in 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:51.560 faith to the 00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:52.300 living God. 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:53.960 But instead, 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:55.560 he retreats 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.800 into himself 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.280 and he says, 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.139 God, 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.220 damn those 00:16:59.220 --> 00:16:59.820 pagans. 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:02.900 He kicks 00:17:02.900 --> 00:17:03.500 back on his 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.800 couch, 00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:04.360 he watches 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:04.880 the evening 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:05.340 news, 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.480 stokes his 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.019 outrage. 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.559 The world's 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:12.940 going to hell 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.599 in a handbasket 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.120 after all, 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:14.599 isn't it? 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:16.799 Jonah would 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.120 say. 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.440 The fire of 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:21.660 anger, 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.319 it consumes 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:22.799 his life. 00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:23.360 He should be 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:24.039 active in 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:24.420 mission, 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:26.440 but he's 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.480 sitting down, 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:28.819 stewing in 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.339 his anger. 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.099 Imagine if we 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:32.700 took all the 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.079 time that we 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:34.740 spend 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:36.480 brooding, 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:38.500 in anger, 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.319 viewing life 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:39.640 through the 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:40.299 enemy lens, 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:40.940 and we 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.980 put it into 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.680 action for 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.019 God's 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.360 kingdom. 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:45.799 How much 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.579 more joy 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.279 and effectiveness 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.700 would there 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:47.819 be? 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.279 How much 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.140 more joy 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:49.460 would we 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:49.940 have if 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.980 we weren't 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.680 constantly 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:53.200 bombarded 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.960 by the 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.319 latest 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:55.900 outrageous 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:56.559 story? 00:17:56.559 --> 00:18:00.159 to hate 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:00.619 an enemy, 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.039 to view 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.379 the world 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:01.720 through that 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:01.940 lens, 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.859 is ultimately 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.700 a suicidal 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.440 tendency. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.399 Here's the 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:07.619 last thing I 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.559 want to show 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.059 you in this 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.539 text. 00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:11.079 Hatred of an 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:12.039 enemy reveals 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.240 a lack of 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:13.859 spiritual 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.720 imagination. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:17.099 To live in 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:18.220 hatred is to 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.119 be blind to 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.539 what the 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.460 gospel makes 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.119 possible. 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:24.579 there's an 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:24.919 important 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:25.879 exercise in 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:26.399 imagination 00:18:26.399 --> 00:18:27.319 going on 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.479 in the 00:18:28.479 --> 00:18:28.899 enacted 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.779 parable of 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.399 Jonah and 00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:31.019 the plant. 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:32.219 Jonah's 00:18:32.219 --> 00:18:32.639 sitting in 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.000 his little 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.459 booth, 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:34.579 stewing in 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.199 his rage, 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.459 but because of 00:18:36.459 --> 00:18:37.039 the way these 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.879 plants were, 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:40.539 these booths 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.279 were constructed, 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.439 it wouldn't have 00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.539 really shaded him 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.139 all that well. 00:18:44.219 --> 00:18:44.619 They're using 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.539 palm fronds 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.579 as the ceiling. 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:48.559 But then, 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.359 miracle of 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:49.859 miracles, 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.740 a plant 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.659 springs up 00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.359 overnight. 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:53.740 Out of 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.359 nowhere, 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.559 a reminder 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.419 of God's 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:58.299 promise that 00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.039 the Messiah 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.359 would shoot 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.839 up like a 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:03.359 root from 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.199 the stem of 00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:04.639 Jesse. 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.939 Jonah seems 00:19:07.939 --> 00:19:08.659 to understand 00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:09.339 the significance 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:10.179 of this plant 00:19:10.179 --> 00:19:11.099 because the 00:19:11.099 --> 00:19:11.740 text says 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.439 for the first 00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:13.079 time in the 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:13.839 whole story 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.980 that Jonah 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.119 is glad. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:17.659 He's 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:18.439 exceedingly 00:19:18.439 --> 00:19:18.779 glad, 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.339 it says in 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:19.799 verse 6, 00:19:20.199 --> 00:19:21.000 but as soon 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.799 as this plant 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.439 comes up, 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:23.359 it awakens 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:23.819 hope, 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.480 God takes 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.019 it down, 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:27.279 and he uses 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.359 this as a 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:29.039 way to take 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.059 Jonah's anger 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.059 and redirect 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.240 it in an 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.240 empathetic way 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.059 with where it 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:34.659 needs to be, 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.259 which is on 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:35.859 Nineveh. 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.539 God says, 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:37.899 in effect, 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:39.359 that hope 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.079 you're rejoicing 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.379 in, 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.480 salvation, 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:43.699 that I have 00:19:43.699 --> 00:19:44.399 not forgotten 00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:44.839 you, 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:47.139 that is 00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:47.639 not for 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:48.199 you alone, 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:48.519 Jonah, 00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.299 but also 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.299 for your 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.879 enemies. 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.039 God ends 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.099 this book 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.319 with a 00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:56.799 question, 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.519 should I, 00:19:57.699 --> 00:19:58.119 should not 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:58.720 I pity 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.199 Nineveh, 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.759 that great 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:00.659 city in 00:20:00.659 --> 00:20:01.000 which there 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.319 are more 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.939 than 120,000 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:03.959 persons who 00:20:03.959 --> 00:20:04.639 do not know 00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:05.139 their right 00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:05.740 hand from 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.359 their left 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.359 and also 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:08.159 much cattle? 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:10.640 I think 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.140 that's supposed 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.840 to be funny, 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.240 but I'm not 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.860 sure why. 00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:16.620 Jonah is 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.120 led to 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.640 imagine 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.700 something bigger 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.480 than himself 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.940 and his own 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.480 suffering, 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.360 real though it 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:22.920 may be, 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.680 and the text 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.400 is asking 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.240 its readers 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:28.019 to participate 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:30.800 and exercise 00:20:30.800 --> 00:20:32.160 their imagination 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.680 as they are 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.560 called to 00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:36.279 bear the 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.800 cross of 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.460 Christ in 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.039 mission with 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.359 him. 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.639 The first 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.799 readers of 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.240 the book 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.000 of Jonah 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.639 were the 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:44.099 people of 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:44.419 Judah, 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.139 the southern 00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:45.579 kingdom. 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:48.639 They had 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.440 been forcibly 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.220 removed from 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.940 their land. 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.480 The Davidic 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:53.919 lineage, 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.759 that plant, 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.680 had seemingly 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.519 been cut off 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:56.940 forever, 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.539 and they were 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.359 sitting in 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.200 exile to 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.039 Assyria's 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.659 successor, 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:02.440 Babylon. 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.899 And these 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:04.379 readers would 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:04.579 have been 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.419 acutely aware 00:21:05.419 --> 00:21:05.960 of what had 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.480 happened, 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.740 between the 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.380 time of 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:08.799 Jonah's 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.120 story, 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:09.860 and they're 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.519 sitting there 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.120 reading it 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.740 in Babylon. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.900 Because even 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.279 though the 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.779 Assyrians 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.660 turned here, 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.319 a century 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.819 later, 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.299 they were 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.759 back at 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.160 their old 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:22.579 ways, 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.240 and they 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.140 came into 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:24.779 the northern 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.220 kingdom, 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:25.680 the ten 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.180 tribes of 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.500 Israel, 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.680 with fury, 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.579 and they 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.180 removed the 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.480 people, 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.220 scattered them 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:31.559 to the 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:31.819 wind, 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.480 and Israel 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.240 was no 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.599 more. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.440 And the 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.000 first readers 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.519 sitting in 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.500 exile themselves, 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.259 tempted to 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:40.920 despair of 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.579 all hope, 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:42.819 are faced 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.140 with the 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:43.759 question of 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.360 what if 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.160 Jonah had 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:46.380 loved that 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:48.440 city and 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:48.980 its people? 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:49.700 Would 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.579 Israel have 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.039 lasted? 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.720 And as they 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.240 ponder the 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.599 question, 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.660 their imaginations 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.460 would have been 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.160 provoked in 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.920 new ways. 00:21:59.120 --> 00:21:59.940 They would 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.799 have thought of 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.400 what the 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.360 prophet Jeremiah 00:22:02.360 --> 00:22:02.960 said as 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:04.279 God took 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:04.660 them into 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.100 exile. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.580 He said, 00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:06.660 seek the 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.400 welfare of 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:07.900 the city 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.279 where I 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:08.740 have sent 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.220 you into 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.920 exile and 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.460 pray to 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:10.900 the Lord 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.360 on its 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:11.940 behalf, 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.440 for in 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.140 its welfare 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.840 you will 00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:15.560 find your 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:16.100 welfare. 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.240 Reading 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:18.880 Jonah in 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.279 light of 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:19.900 their current 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:20.640 situation, 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:21.640 they would 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:21.920 have been 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.779 provoked to 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.500 imagine the 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.460 possibility that 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:24.960 if they 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:26.920 embraced the 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.500 exile, 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:27.960 if they 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.560 embraced 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:30.240 this cross, 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:34.660 God would 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.319 visit them 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:35.660 with a 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.299 resurrection 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:38.920 that seemed 00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:39.620 impossible. 00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:40.920 They were 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.319 led to 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:41.839 imagine that 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.900 perhaps God 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.319 had not 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:43.759 abandoned 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.160 them, 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:44.839 but that 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.519 God was 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:45.900 going to 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.799 use their 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:48.079 suffering at 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.539 the hands 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:48.819 of an 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:50.000 enemy to 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.859 bring the 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:53.220 fulfillment of 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.460 the promise to 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:54.920 bless the 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.400 nations that 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:55.980 he made so 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:57.559 long ago in 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.240 Abraham, 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:58.859 their two 00:22:58.859 --> 00:22:59.279 Abraham, 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.019 Isaac, 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:00.779 and Jacob. 00:23:02.159 --> 00:23:02.939 How does 00:23:02.939 --> 00:23:03.679 this relate to 00:23:03.679 --> 00:23:04.519 the church? 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.979 The Polish 00:23:06.979 --> 00:23:07.439 poet, 00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:08.599 Czesław 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.139 Milosz, 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:09.679 writes, 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.119 Imagination 00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:13.179 can fashion 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:13.979 the world 00:23:13.979 --> 00:23:14.539 into a 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.819 homeland as 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.279 well as 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.699 into a 00:23:16.699 --> 00:23:17.379 prison or 00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:17.899 a place 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.639 of battle. 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:20.279 It is 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.359 the invisibles 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.159 that determine 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:22.939 how you will 00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:23.339 view the 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:23.679 world, 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:25.399 whether as 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.899 a homeland 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:27.179 or as 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:27.659 a prison. 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:29.600 nobody lives 00:23:29.600 --> 00:23:30.019 in the 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.700 objective 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:32.140 world, 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.400 only in 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.040 a world 00:23:34.040 --> 00:23:34.759 filtered 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.380 through the 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:36.120 imagination. 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.120 And in 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:39.680 a world 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:41.000 that seems 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.060 to increasingly 00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:42.960 thrive 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.740 on hatred, 00:23:45.320 --> 00:23:46.100 that seems 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:46.800 to form 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:47.200 in us 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.900 this enemy 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.640 lens 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:50.259 through which 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.640 we view 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:50.940 things, 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.560 what we 00:23:51.560 --> 00:23:52.040 need as 00:23:52.040 --> 00:23:52.500 the people 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.019 of God 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:54.840 is for 00:23:54.840 --> 00:23:55.580 a new 00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:56.640 imagination, 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:59.780 what we 00:23:59.780 --> 00:24:00.280 need is 00:24:00.280 --> 00:24:00.900 to pray 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.800 our minds 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:02.280 and our 00:24:02.280 --> 00:24:02.680 hearts 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.460 into the 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.720 gospel story 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:06.340 of the 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:06.820 God who 00:24:06.820 --> 00:24:07.520 loves his 00:24:07.520 --> 00:24:07.900 enemies 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.620 and in 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.300 loving them 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:10.420 turns them 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.060 into his 00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:11.740 friends. 00:24:15.580 --> 00:24:16.420 Christian 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.259 prayer is 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.700 nothing less 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.700 than entering 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.840 into the 00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.360 imagination 00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:22.759 of reconciliation. 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.000 salvation. 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.059 And I 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.480 think the 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.359 best hope 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:30.579 for us 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:32.579 in our 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.180 times is 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.579 for a 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.019 church 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:35.140 alive with 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:35.420 that 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.220 imagination. 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.019 If we're 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.640 hating our 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:38.879 enemy, 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.200 if we're 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:39.740 viewing the 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.140 world through 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:40.640 that lens, 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.379 we do so 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:41.759 from a 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.140 lack 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:43.859 of spiritual 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.379 imagination. 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:44.580 imagination. 00:24:44.760 --> 00:24:44.960 We are 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.600 blind to 00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:45.760 the 00:24:45.760 --> 00:24:46.500 possibilities 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:48.360 that the 00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:48.780 gospel 00:24:48.780 --> 00:24:50.880 gives us. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.120 Well, 00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:53.160 here we 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:53.460 are. 00:24:55.080 --> 00:24:55.600 Through 00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:55.920 Jonah, 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.340 we get a 00:24:56.340 --> 00:24:56.760 kind of 00:24:56.760 --> 00:24:57.920 reductio ad 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.620 absurdum 00:24:58.620 --> 00:25:00.940 of hatred 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.340 of our 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:01.780 enemies. 00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:02.660 More 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.160 positively, 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:03.460 we're 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.140 invited into 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:04.620 a deeper 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.240 understanding 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.120 of grace 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.540 in our 00:25:06.540 --> 00:25:07.340 own lives. 00:25:10.520 --> 00:25:11.140 And we 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:11.480 are not 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.220 invited to 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.840 a renewal 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:13.600 of spiritual 00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.260 imagination. 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:15.580 If this 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:16.240 all seems 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.700 too 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.420 hopelessly 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:17.680 big 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.160 picture, 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:20.160 I apologize. 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:21.540 I want to 00:25:21.540 --> 00:25:21.900 leave you 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.220 with a 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.980 very tangible 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.480 step that 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.020 you can 00:25:25.020 --> 00:25:25.560 take, 00:25:25.800 --> 00:25:26.120 that you 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.000 must take, 00:25:27.280 --> 00:25:27.820 if you 00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:28.200 are to 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.620 be part 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.120 of entering 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.680 into this 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.220 imagination. 00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:33.200 You 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.900 must pursue 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.660 reconciliation 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.980 with your 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.640 brothers and 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.060 sisters. 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:41.620 I'm only 00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.080 33, 00:25:42.280 --> 00:25:42.680 but I've 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.400 been deeply 00:25:43.400 --> 00:25:44.160 involved in 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.980 quite a 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.500 few churches. 00:25:45.620 --> 00:25:45.820 I've 00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:46.200 worked at 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.600 three of 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:46.840 them, 00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:48.440 different 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.000 countries, 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.440 different 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.240 denominations, 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.160 different sizes, 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.000 different worship 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.480 styles, 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.500 and what has 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.320 been consistent 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:55.120 at all of 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:55.400 them, 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:59.019 what held 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.540 them back 00:25:59.540 --> 00:26:00.620 from getting 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.580 to mission 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.200 to the 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:02.700 world, 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:05.480 was that the 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.200 enemy lens 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.880 had affected 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:08.140 them on the 00:26:08.140 --> 00:26:08.700 inside. 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.940 grudges 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.200 were 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.819 nursed, 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:12.220 conflict 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.819 was never 00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.480 dealt with 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:13.740 in a 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.039 healthy 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.480 manner, 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.120 gossip 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:15.460 was 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:15.880 spread. 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:19.400 Jesus 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.819 said, 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.240 the world 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.620 will know 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:21.900 that you 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.299 are my 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.799 disciples 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.299 by the 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.380 love you 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:24.799 have for 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.299 one another. 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.180 And I've 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.220 seen that 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.000 look really 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.340 good, 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:31.660 and I've 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.220 also seen 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.920 it continually 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.539 threaten 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.200 God's 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:36.039 people in 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.519 the church 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:36.879 and their 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:37.319 mission. 00:26:38.659 --> 00:26:39.180 See, 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.639 the real 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.460 enemy we 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.279 face is 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.680 hatred, 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.079 it's 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.839 unforgiveness, 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.859 it's living 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.539 outside of 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.019 the gospel, 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.420 it's living 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:45.859 in the old 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.299 world. 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:48.839 And the 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.379 church is to 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:49.659 be a 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.440 vanguard of 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.159 self-giving 00:26:51.159 --> 00:26:51.579 love. 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.819 If we 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.440 can't love 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.000 one another 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.440 as God's 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:55.720 people, 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.119 our brothers 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:56.619 and sisters, 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.079 whether they're 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.460 in this 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.940 room or 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:59.099 other brothers 00:26:59.099 --> 00:26:59.519 and sisters, 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.859 how are we 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.559 going to 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.259 love our 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.639 enemies? 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:07.359 The enemy 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:07.819 of our 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.500 enemy is 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.980 love. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.259 It is 00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:11.319 the divine 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:12.220 love of 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.599 God's 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:13.139 self-giving 00:27:13.139 --> 00:27:13.779 in Christ. 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.619 In just 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:14.899 a few 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:15.180 moments, 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.440 we're going 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.379 to pray 00:27:16.379 --> 00:27:16.960 the Lord's 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.299 prayer. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.980 We're going 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.319 to say, 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.839 forgive us 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.700 our trespasses 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.279 as we 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.920 forgive those 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.740 who trespass 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.680 against us. 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.980 And we're 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.139 going to 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:26.799 partake with 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.299 Jesus at 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:27.779 the table, 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.279 declaring that 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.279 we partake 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.980 of one 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:31.920 loaf and 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.680 one cup. 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.799 And as 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.200 we prepare 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:35.559 our hearts 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:35.920 for this, 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.359 Dan's 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:36.559 going to 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.279 come play 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.859 a song. 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.559 And I want 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.259 you to reflect 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:39.980 on whom 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.619 you've made 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.019 into an 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:42.799 enemy and 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.319 ask the 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.759 Lord to 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.259 show you 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.920 how to 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.799 seek genuine 00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:47.519 reconciliation in 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:47.839 your life. 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.399 Let me pray. 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:49.460 Father, we 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.159 thank you for 00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:50.819 your grace. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.480 We thank you 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:55.359 that though 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.579 we, like 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.659 Paul, are 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.819 the chiefest 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.460 of sinners, 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.700 that you 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.339 have loved 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.579 us with 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.359 an everlasting 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:06.679 love, that 00:28:06.679 --> 00:28:07.480 though like 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.279 Jonah who 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.980 fled into 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.399 the far 00:28:09.399 --> 00:28:10.279 country and 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.619 that son 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:13.220 who went 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.819 and lived 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.500 with the 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.220 pigs, that 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.500 even though we 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.619 ran away, you 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:19.119 ran after us. 00:28:20.439 --> 00:28:21.459 Help us 00:28:21.459 --> 00:28:22.799 now to 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.559 take that 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.480 more deeply 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:24.939 into our 00:28:24.939 --> 00:28:25.480 heart, to be 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:27.059 transformed by 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.319 it, and 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.659 that it would 00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:29.360 work itself 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:32.640 out in 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.900 your church, in 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.560 this place. 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.460 We ask this in 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.160 Jesus' name. 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.040 Amen.