God Speaks: Jonah - Gracious Love

This series of messages where God speaks to his people through prophets. All but two of these prophets speak to the Israelites. Jonah is one of theses minor prophets who is sent to “foreigners”. Actually he is sent to conquerors of Israel, the Assyrians.

Jonah - a prophet in the sense that he spoke truth.

Jonah is a story of a man who heard the voice of God, who knew the love and grace of God, yet refused to obey him.

We often think of Jonah as a children’s story, but Jesus spoke of it as a reality.

Matthew 12:39 NLT

39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.

We know this part of the story of Jonah right. Swallowed by a whale…scripture calls it a fish though.

But to Jesus it was a story of salvation for the Gentiles.

You see, at the time of Jonah’s ministry, 755BC. Israel under Jereboam II along with Amos, Hosea, and Joel. Remember the most prosperous time in the history of the Northern Kingdom; yet the prophets of God are making dire proclamations against the Israelites.

In this setting, God sends Jonah to Nineveh.

Scene 1: Running Away from God

Chapter 1 tells us that God commanded Jonah, who’s name means dove… the sign of peace to go to Nineveh and preach against it because God was aware of their sin.

Jonah got up and went.... the other way. Actually he boarded a ship headed in the opposite direction, to Tarshish.

A storm came up against the ship and through a series of events, Jonah was thrown overboard. You’d think this was the end, but it was just the beginning because God wasn’t finished with Jonah, Jonah needed to realize that.

I love Forest Gump. You know when he starts running… he just keeps on running until he gets tired.

That’s what happened to Jonah, he got tired of running. Knowing that he actually couldn’t run away from God, he chose to sacrifice his life for the sailors. But God said, no.... instead of dying so those sailors can live.... how bout you just live for me.

Scene 2: Turned Around by God

three days in the belly of large fish

put out on dry land

In the middle of his rebellion, God determines to save him. And not just save him, he restores him. He puts him right back in.

Jonah 2:7 NIV

7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

Jonah repents and gets a second chance. God loves giving people second chances. Some of you have had 2, 3, 5, 15, 1000’s of second chances.

Then God puts him back on mission

Scene 3: Walking with God

Jonah 3:4 NIV

4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

And wouldn’t you know it, Nineveh repented. The king led the people into a time of repentence. What in the world would make such a hardened group of people turn to God? It was indeed a miracle because his sermon wasn’t that good.

But the people respond in repentance.

That leads us to Chapter 4

Scene 4: Gracious Love

Up until now we have a simple story of revival. This chapter explains the purpose of Jonah’s story.

Jonah 4:1–4 NIV

1 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

He might of been afraid of them

He surely hated them

Jonah hated the Ninevites b/c they were known for their violence in war.

He definitely didn’t want to see them to repent

Jonah 4:5–9 NIV

5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

Jonah 4:10–11 NIV

10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Can you deserve God’s love?

The image people have of church folk is we are a bunch of do gooders… a bunch of hypocrites who talk about doing good, but don’t really do it. Who talk about love and forgiveness but instead spend our time complaining and judging others.

That’s their perspective… and we tend to want to

We love people who respond to God’s grace.... we love each other, we serve together, we hug each other… but

How do I respond to people who still need his grace?

Ninevites needed God to change their hearts… they needed His grace and Jonah’s response was to hate them for what they had done, who they were

What about people who reject God’s grace… like Jonah?

Jonah sent, saved, sent again

Reality is, once you recognize it, you realize that everyone is deserving… no one is so far gone that they can’t or shouldn’t experience it.

If that’s really the case, if I really believe that...

What attitude do I show towards who need His grace?

Jesus tells a couple of stories that help us understand the attitude we are supposed to have.

Matt 20:1-16 …landowner hiring workers for his vineyard

“Do you begrudge my generosity?”

Luke 15:11-32 .... elder brother of prodigal who refused to celebrate his brother

Sulking?

John 3:16–17 NIV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

So, if God loves people more than anything. If more than anything God wants all to be saved, then should we not want the same things as His followers?

And if God is working to make this happen, as his followers, doesn’t that mean we do as well.

This isn’t just a fantasy or a dream. God is actively seeking to bring all people to know and experience His good news. So the next question is:

How am I involved in sharing his Good News?

Jesus told another story to help us understand our role.

Luke 10:25-37 ...The Good samaritan

We are called to be involved, even if we aren’t a preacher.

Matthew 5:14 NIV

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

We aren’t all prophets, but we all have gifts.

We aren’t all evangelists, but we all have a story of being redeemed.

We aren’t perfect, but we all know the pain of sin and the joy of deliverance.

If you are a Christian, you know the power of Grace. Who do you know who needs to hear that?

Who do you know who’s life is leading to destruction, but they don’t even know it… but you do.

That leads me to the last question that Jonah deals with, it’s actually the last verse of the book.

Should I not have concern for the lost?

That’s teh question that the story fo Jonah ends with.

The obvious answer is yes.... but God is asking Jonah… what do you say?

You ever have that experience when the answer is painfully obvious. If you say yes, you are obligated to be a part of it.

Should I not have concern for the lost?

If I should, what am I doing about it?

The question you see is as much for the reader as it is for Jonah. The question is for you.