Jonah Part 3- When patriotism becomes idolatry

 Welcome! It’s so good that you have come today. 😊 (If we have guests) If this is your first or second time with us, welcome! We are so glad you are here with us today. My name is Brian and I am the Senior Pastor here at CBC. If I did not already get the chance to meet you this morning, I hope you will have time to drop by our connection tables after the service this morning. I will be there with Gloria, my wife, and we’d love the chance to meet you. And maybe answer some questions you may have about us. Or if you won’t have time to stop and chat, you can use the connection card that is inside the trifold bulletin you should have received as you entered the building. Just take a few seconds during the service and jot down your contact information, and we will be happy to reach back out to you sometime this week. Let me just encourage everyone here today to use the connection card. You can list prayer request, or request information about our ministries. It’s simple to fill it out and drop it at the connection table on your way out. << show announcement slide>> • Small Groups Begin August 19th • Discipleship Groups are forming now. • Pray for the Teen Mission Trip to Costa Rica- June 25 - July 2 • Kids Beach Club- Training Meeting July 19, 3:00PM, Church office If you’re not connected with any of our groups, let me encourage you to stop by our connection table. You can request information on any of the groups that meet. Ladies’ Group, Teens, Men’s Group, even Small Group Bible Studies. Whether you are a guest, a member, or somewhere in between, we are here to worship our Great and Awesome God. Responsive Reading Today- 1 John 3:1-3 Lets all stand and lift our voices in worship “Indescribable” <Corporate Prayer> “Crowns” “Good Good Father” <Sermon Intro> I want to consider the question, “Can Patriotism Become Idolatry?” That’s a very difficult question to ask. Especially for Americans. America is the greatest Nation on earth. We are great because of our freedoms. It is these great freedoms that allow us to proclaim the greatness of God. Both here and abroad. So, if being patriotic means striving for the ability to proclaim the Gospel in freedom, then it seems that American patriotism can only be a good thing. But, idols are seldom made of bad things. Idols always begin with good things. In fact, an Idol for us is when a good thing has become the best thing. When something becomes the best thing, it also becomes the most important thing. When something becomes the most important thing, whatever used to occupy the place of most important, moves to 2nd place in our life. The Christian in America will always struggle with placing the perpetuation of our national interest above the interest of the Kingdom of God. They are not always the same thing. There is another nation in the history of the world, that had more reason to equate their national sovereignty with the Kingdom of God. That was the Nation of the Jews. They were a Theocracy. God created the Jewish nation to be a mouth piece for Him in the world. Yet, as we have been learning from the Jewish Prophet Jonah, Sometimes, the sovereignty of their nation ran contrary to the purpose of the Kingdom of God. We are going to pick up our study of Jonah’s story today, and hopefully learn that nothing should prevent us from sharing the Gospel to anyone, not even a grave and deep concern for our nation. While you’re turning to Jonah, let’s just recap to were we left off last time. God wants the give the Ninevites a chance to repent and be spared His judgment. He commissioned Jonah to take this message to them. Jonah, has other plans. He would rather see the Ninevites be judged and eradicated. He hatches a plan to accomplish this. He figures is God is going to use his preaching to spare them, he will just not preach to them. Then God will have to judge them. From an earthly and nationalistic perspective, Jonah had good reasons. The Ninevites were a violent pagan nations bent on world domination. He feared for the safety of his people and nation. He was not wrong. Within 100 years, these same people would rise to power and conquer Jonah’s people along with 10 tribes of the Nation of Israel. So, we find Jonah in verse 7, he is on the run, sailing away from Ninevah, and God has pursued him with a huge storm. The ship is going to sink, if the storm doesn’t let up, and the ships crew is in a panic. Jonah, however, was ignoring the storm, and asleep on the lower decks. Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. The pagans did not know how to appease the God who had hurled this storm at them. So, they decided to cast lots. The casting of Lots is was common and accepted method for discerning the will of God. God even commanded its use for certain things in the Law of Moses. Pagan religions also use this practice as well. The basic process described here was likely done with colored stones. Darker on one side, and lighter on the other. If the two darks came up the answer was no. Two light colors meant yes, and a mix meant, throw them again. It is obvious from this and many other passages in Scripture that God sovereignly chooses to communicate with anyone he pleases. We cannot always put God in a box. Nevertheless, The Casting of Lots pointed directly at Jonah. God had let them know that there was one present who could tell them all they needed to know about Him. But, they had to force him to talk about God. Jonah wasn't willing to tell them about the God who could save them because his life was a contradiction to anything he could say about God. His rebellion prevented him being able to tell them how wonderful Yahweh is, and how great it is to be His servant.   But, these people were in a desperate situation, so they sought answers from the one at whom God had pointed the finger.   Jonah 1:8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?   Based on their first question they don’t seem to have assumed that he was to blame. All they knew was that he had a story to tell. So, they start trying to figure out what makes Jonah so unique. They hit him with the usual questions. Where are you from, what do you do for a living?   Don’t you love it when God singles you out of the crowd? Suddenly everyone recognizes that there is something different about you? This happened to me early in my walk with the Lord. It was my first day of work with a new construction company. We met in the company yard, and then three of us loaded into a box truck to go and install fiberglass insulation in new houses. I sat near the door, and between me and the driver was the talker of the three. But, the things he said, got increasingly vulgar and blasphemous. I don’t remember acting any certain way. But, when we got to the job site, the driver took me aside and asked me if I was a Christian? I said I was, and he replied, “I knew there was something different about you!” I am a Christian too. The other guy made it easy to stand out. But, the impression was made. As we walk with the Lord, and follow His leading, He begins to change us. Our attitude changes. Our speech changes. We stop using vulgar language. We stop being so critical of others. We stop complaining about life. We become a source of grace and peace, and love. People will begin to notice. They may not commend you for it. In fact, the Bible warns us that very often people will criticize you for your godly attitude. But, that will change when a storm comes into their life. Everybody wants to pray when a storm hits their life? If they know you’re a Christian or church going person, they will likely ask you to pray for them. It's at these times that we can tell them how great our God is. How merciful and willing to forgive He is.   But, it gets difficult to do that if we haven't been modeling grace and mercy and forgiveness with our life. If we have been just as harsh, and critical, and unkind, and unforgiving, unmerciful as they have been. It can get pretty awkward when we have to do a “180” in our speech and attitude, and start talking about God, when we haven’t been living in obedience to him. This is the type of awkwardnes Jonah is about to experience.   Jonah 1:9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.  Why did Jonah refer to himself as a "Hebrew?" Why didn’t he call himself a "Jew" or "Israelite"? “Jew” and “Israelite” are names that Identify them by the Patriarchal lineage. “Judah” and “Israel.” But, Hebrew is a word that means, “from the land beyond the Euphrates.” It’s also the name of the Language that the Jews speak. Jews are called Hebrews because Abraham is the father of the Jewish nation, and Abraham came from across the River Euphrates, and Hebrew was the language of his people. Also, Hebrew is how the Jews were known among the pagan nations. This is why when Old Testament writers used the title “Hebrews” to speak of themselves, it was always for one of three reasons. 1) When foreigners are introduced as speaking (Genesis. 39 14) 2) When the Jews are spoken of in comparison to other nations. (Exodus 2 11) 3) When Jews themselves speak of themselves to those of other nations (Genesis 40 15, and here in Jonah 1 9) So, Jonah was communicating to them in a way that would have the greatest impact. This is also why he adds the 2 phrases "the God of Heaven", and then "who made the sea and the dry land.” Jonah communicates to them in a way that will help them understand exactly who "The Lord" (Yahweh) is. Yahweh, is the God of all Creation. He is different from all the so called pagan deities. Jonah 1:10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. This is where it gets real awkward for Jonah. Notice how the men are now mad at Jonah. They already knew that Jonah's God's name was Yahweh, and that Jonah was fleeing from Him. But, this “Yahweh” God of his, didn't concern them. Apparently, they thought Jonah's God must not be much of a God, if Jonah thought he could run away from him. But, when they understood, and had now experienced without doubt, that Yahweh, was not just a weak deity, but The God of all Creation, the God that defeated the Egyptians and threw the Canaanites off their own land, they were perplexed and shocked that Jonah would try and run away from Yahweh!   They were starting to understand that they were under the wrath of the Sovereign God of all Creation, and they were pretty upset at Jonah for withholding this information. They might not have let Jonah on the ship, had they known Who Jonah was running from! The Christian Gospel is unique in this same way. There are plenty of religions for people to choose from. There are plenty of philosophies and opinions about how a person can achieve a good life now and in the hereafter. But, none of those religions or philosophies can match the Gospel.   The Gospel says that there is only one God with whom we have to deal. That this One Sovereign God sees us for who we truly are. He knows just how wicked and messed up we are. Yet, He still loves us and wants to have an eternal loving relationship with us. And, He offers complete and eternal forgiveness to anyone who wants it. And He gives this great salvation away freely to all who come to Him and ask for it.   The salvation He gives is free but it's not cheap. It's the most costly thing ever purchased. The life of the Son of God Himself. He had to suffer on the cross so that we could have access to this so great salvation.   He gives it away because He has already paid the full purchase price Himself. He doesn't sell it for a profit. The only return on His investment that He wants is, your salvation, and eternal joy.   Why would He do this? Because He is the very definition of love.   Just like Jonah, we have a responsibility to tell the people who God brings into our life about our Great God. I think our unsaved friends would likewise be pretty frustrated with us, if we ever find ourselves in a position to tell them about the Gospel: That salvation is free and available to all, but only through Faith in Christ. Will they not wonder why we have not tried to tell them this already. Why would we withhold information like that? That actually happened to me with a cousin of mine. I was the first in my family to receive Christ by faith. But, I was the youngest of all the family and cousins and was always a little intimidated at the family reunions. Several years later, one of my cousins was handed a Gospel tract at a restaurant while on vacation in Canada. She read the tract and prayed to receive Christ. After she was saved, we were together at a family gathering. I had already been to Bible college at this time, and was actually on deputation as raising support for the mission field. This cousin of mine, took me aside, and with a little edge in her voice, asked me why I never told her about Jesus. I was pretty embarrassed. Truth be told. When I first was saved at 13, I had this idea to send Gospel tracts to all of my cousins. But, I gave in to fear and embarrassment. I didn’t bother to make that excuse with her. I did attempt to tell her husband at a family dinner reunion a few years before she was saved, but didn’t get very far. They may not always be willing to hear it, but if we obey the command to make disciples, and yield to the prompting of the Spirit to tell others, when God opens the door for us to speak, we need not be embarrassed or ashamed to tell of the Greatness of our God and Savior. But, if we’ve pushed the command to share Christ with others out of our mind, when God opens the door we will have to answer for why we never tried to tell them about the Lord before. What’s even worse, is if we’ve been harsh, and critical and unloving towards others. When God opens the door for us to speak about Him to others, we will want to have the confidence that we have lived a life consistent with the Gospel that we will be proclaiming. A life of holiness with mercy, righteousness of life and speech with compassion, and love, forgiveness, Kindness, Gentleness, meekness, patience.   Jonah 1:11–16 11Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. 12And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. 13Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. 14Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee. 15So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows.   The action of the sailors reminds of the truth that God has left His imprint on the soul of every person. People cannot help but have an awareness of God's existence. Yet, sin has separated us all from knowing who He is and what He requires to escape His just wrath.   These men knew that there was wrath for murder. People know when they sin. What they don’t know is what to do about it. People will always try and bargain with God. But, only the Gospel tells them what God requires.   Jonah was too wrapped up in his concern for protecting the national sovereignty of the Jews to care about telling others about the God that he professed to serve.   Are not our reasons for not sharing Christ with others very often the same as his?   Like Jonah, we may find ourselves, more concerned with the issue of our nation's sovereignty to be concerned with the eternal destination of our fellow man. All the while, we boast of being, not Hebrews, but "Christians, " Who fear the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, all the while living as if His command to go and tell others, has no relevance to our life. It is possible that patriotism can become idolatry. We are called to pray for our leaders. There is value in protecting our liberty and freedoms. The men and women of our military have not all died in vain protecting the core values of our nation. But, the Christian is also a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. In fact, that is where his first allegiance must lie. There will likely come a time in our life, when we have to place the work of the Kingdom of God, ahead of the preservation of our nation, our family, and even our life. If our Savior is not worthy of this level of commitment, then our salvation is built on a lie. We need to ask ourselves if our Gospel to the pagan's ever appeared as foolish as did Jonah's on this day? Have we boasted of being in service to the Lord Jesus Christ, while plainly walking in rebellion to His command? It would perhaps be better if we did not identify as a Christ follower, so long as we are walking in disobedience. Let's take some inventory of our interaction with the non-Christians with whom we journey through life: a. Domestic Political Opponents: Have our words to the folks on the other side of the aisle prevented us from sharing the Gospel of Grace? b. Social Issue Rivals: Has our anger at those who’s worldview will create a more ungodly and dangerous society for our children and grandchildren, prevented us from being able to share the Gospel with them? c. People Groups that are different: Has our suspicion of other people groups prevented us from having an opportunity to tell them of our so great salvation? If my commitment to any of these important issues, prevent me from living out the Gospel that saved me and can save others, I have, like Jonah, let my concern for the things of this world, surpass my concern for the Kingdom of God. If I make the preservation of our nation the most important thing in my life, I have relegated the Kingdom of God to second place. I have allowed my patriotism to become an Idol. 1 John 3:1–3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. This is who we are. This where our first allegiance must lie. The Gospel before anything else. The Kingdom of God before the Nation. Jonah disagreed with this philosophy. It is likely that we do as well.