The Great Mercy of God

Book Context: Jonah was written to demonstrate the Mercy and care of God to an individual as well as a nation.

Prior Context: Jonah is spit back up on land to preach to Nineveh. Upon hearing his preaching, they repent, and God shows them mercy by not sending destruction.

C.I.T: God had great mercy for the wicked nation, and the rebellious prophet.

Thesis: God has incredible mercy towards humanity as well as towards us, through Jesus we see the mercy of God and the care of God.

“The Great Mercy of God”

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Introduction:

1. You know there are a lot of hurting people in this world. There are many of you here this morning who are hurting and going through hard circumstances in life. We live in a world full of sickness, sorrow, and death. We live in a world full of disappointment and confusion. But there is good news this morning, we have a God who is full of mercy and care. I was looking for a sermon introduction to help Segway into the message about mercy in the book of Jonah. But a lot of what I was finding was tragic stories about breakups or stories about patients who passed away from cancer. Some of you might be able to relate to those stories of heartache and tragedy. But then I thought, there is no greater story of mercy than Jesus Christ the just, dying for the unjust sinner like you and like me. There is no greater story of care that God caring for sinners enough to send his Son to die for them on a cross. There is no redemption story that comes close to the old redemption story of the Gospel of Jesus. That we rebels, we criminals in the eyes of almighty God that have cursed his name and disregarded his Word, that we could be forgiven and ushered into the presence of God because of the blood of Jesus. If you have a hurting heart this morning, there is hope and healing in Jesus. If you need mercy this morning let me tell you my God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is a God of great mercy. If you think there is no one who cares for you let me tell you there is a God who cares for you. And in this story of Jonah we will see the great mercy of God as he deals with the underserving individual Jonah, and the great city if Nineveh, providing mercy and grace to them both. There are three

1. You know there are a lot of hurting people in this world. There are many of you here this morning who are hurting and going through hard circumstances in life. We live in a world full of sickness, sorrow, and death. We live in a world full of disappointment and confusion. But there is good news this morning, we have a God who is full of mercy and care. I was looking for a sermon introduction to help Segway into the message about mercy in the book of Jonah. But a lot of what I was finding was tragic stories about breakups or stories about patients who passed away from cancer. Some of you might be able to relate to those stories of heartache and tragedy. But then I thought, there is no greater story of mercy than Jesus Christ the just, dying for the unjust sinner like you and like me. There is no greater story of care that God caring for sinners enough to send his Son to die for them on a cross. There is no redemption story that comes close to the old redemption story of the Gospel of Jesus. That we rebels, we criminals in the eyes of almighty God that have cursed his name and disregarded his Word, that we could be forgiven and ushered into the presence of God because of the blood of Jesus. If you have a hurting heart this morning, there is hope and healing in Jesus. If you need mercy this morning let me tell you my God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is a God of great mercy. If you think there is no one who cares for you let me tell you there is a God who cares for you. And in this story of Jonah we will see the great mercy of God as he deals with the underserving individual Jonah, and the great city of Nineveh, providing mercy and grace to them both. There are three

#1 Relents from Sending Disaster

1. Jonah is a short book within the minor prophets that has is a very famous story that many people know at least some detail about. This is the book that can provide great kid stories and lessons for children because it is fun, many of you here probably remember something about Jonah because of a Sunday school teacher that taught you the book of Jonah. Thank God for our Sunday School teachers Amen! The detail that most people remember about the story of Jonah is the fact that he got swallowed by a fish and was in his belly three days and three nights. Kids love to think about that you know, there is always some boy who says, “that’s cool I wish I could be swallowed by a fish”. But this book like all books of the Bible is not about Jonah or any other prophet or person, it’s about God, it’s about Jesus Christ to bring glory to God for who he is and what he has done. And Jonah paints a clear picture about the mercy and patience of God towards sinners. You see Nineveh was a wicked city. They were known for their violence and wicked treatment of their enemies, even their own people. They were known for ripping their enemies limb from limb and using torturous was of killing people.

1. Jonah is a short book within the minor prophets that has is a very famous story that many people know at least some detail about. This is the book that can provide great kid stories and lessons for children because it is fun, many of you here probably remember something about Jonah because of a Sunday school teacher that taught you the book of Jonah. Thank God for our Sunday School teachers Amen! The detail that most people remember about the story of Jonah is the fact that he got swallowed by a fish and was in his belly three days and three nights. Kids love to think about that you know, there is always some boy who says, “that’s cool I wish I could be swallowed by a fish”. But this book like all books of the Bible is not about Jonah or any other prophet or person, it’s about God, it’s about Jesus Christ to bring glory to God for who he is and what he has done. And Jonah paints a clear picture about the mercy and patience of God towards sinners. You see Nineveh was a wicked city. They were known for their violence and wicked treatment of their enemies, even their own people. They were known for ripping their enemies limb from limb and using torturous ways of killing people.

2. In verse 1 it says that Jonah was greatly displeased, he was angry at God! Why is this? In the previous chapter in verse 10 the text says that God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it”. So, Jonah gets spit up on the beach at Nineveh and begins to obey God and preach a message to the Ninevites. The people of Nineveh hear this message and repent of their sins, they turn from their evil ways the text said, and because of that God showed them mercy. Listen this has been and will always be the Gospel message of Jesus, repentance of sins and faith in the Lord Jesus. The Bible does not teach repentance as just a change of mind, but as a change of the will. And this is brought about by the Holy Spirit of God, the Bible says in that God grants repentance, so it is not a work it is an act of the Spirit of God. Jonah preached a seven-word sermon on repeat, and the people believed God and repented of their sins. Some of you here come to Church Sunday after Sunday, you hear wonderful preaching from the Word of God, you hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ through repentance and faith and yet you still harden your hearts and resist the Holy Spirit’s draw for you to be saved. These people didn’t have podcasts, or 300 Baptist Churches on every corner, they didn’t have street preachers, or google, that got sent one preacher who didn’t even want to be there, and they repented. I am saying this because you have no excuse, you have pastors and teachers who want to help you and point you to the cross but you must humble yourself and be saved before almighty God by turning from your wicked ways and trusting in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Cry out to God for mercy and he will answer you. But this mad Jonah mad because he thought they deserved punishment. He was dissatisfied and angry at the Character of God displayed through the decision of God to show mercy to Nineveh and relent from sending destruction upon them in Judgement. Notices what he says in verse 2, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster[1]”. He wanted Nineveh to get crushed, because he hated them. He didn’t want God to show them mercy, he wanted him to show them wrath for their sins. And so, Jonah says, “isn’t this what I thought Lord”? I knew you were going to show them mercy, I knew you were going to hold back your anger from them if they repented. I was afraid you would do this, that is why I ran because I know you are a kind and forgiving God full of Mercy and slow to send disaster. It’s like when the oldest child comes to you to tattle on their younger sibling, and they are hesitant to tell you but they proceed to tell you anyway what they did to them like hit them or bite them, whatever. And your response is, “no they wouldn’t do that” because the youngest is always the innocent one right? The oldest child will say something like, “I knew you were going to take their side I don’t know why I even came to talk to you”! And then they storm off. In Jonah’s prayer to the Lord here he uses the word I or My nine times. The reality is we as Christians do the same thing Jonah did, it becomes all about us. You say, “how is that give me an example”. I will I’m glad you said something. What about when the offering plate comes by, and you know you’re supposed to give to God’s Church but you don’t because you’re in sin or because you use the excuse that the Church isn’t doing something you like therefore you won’t give, you’re saying to the Lord I think it shouldn’t be this way, you want me to give to the Church with a cheerful heart but I don’t want to. How about when you have opportunity to witness to someone, but you refuse to out of fear or because you’re not walking with the Lord daily in prayer and reading the Word. You are saying to the Lord I don’t have to obey the great commission; witnessing is for the Church staff and leaders not me. How about joining this Church and serving alongside fellow believers giving your time and effort to attend all services in order to grow but you refuse because you deem something else in your life as more worthy of your time that hearing the Word of God, you are saying my time is too valuable to spend in 3 times a week at church or getting up early to serve on the greet team, or to teach kid point, or serve is some capacity Lord, my time is too important to waste it on that. Some of you are looking at me in shock, but this is the reality we face not outside these walls but inside. And it ought not to be like that. That’s how it was with Jonah, he knew God and his character, and he didn’t want God to show them mercy. So, he complains to God and says I knew you were going to change your mind about sending judgement to these evil people because you’re kind and forgiving. Why was he mad? Maybe it was because he had just preached judgement and if God didn’t send it he was going to look foolish. Maybe it was because these were the enemies of Israel and he wanted them destroyed. Whatever the case, he was mad at God for showing mercy. But praise God he is a merciful God, slow to anger and filled compassion and faithful love! If you’re here this morning and you’re angry with God because of something that has happened to you or to someone you love, let me tell you something that might make you angry at me. I am telling you this out of love not to cause strife. Look at verse 4, God asks Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry”? It’s not right that you are angry with God. God has never done anything or allowed anything to happen to anyone that is sinful that was caused by him. You have no right whatsoever to be angry with God. Why? Because God doesn’t owe you anything, nor do you deserve anything from God that is good. You hear people say, “why do bad things happen to good people”? The truth is that only happened once, to Jesus (American Gospel Phil Johnson). Maybe you’re like Jonah and you say, “but there are just some people in this world who don’t deserve God’s forgiveness, people like Nineveh, the murderers, rapists, homosexuals, pedophiles, the democrats, the liberals, my ex-husband or wife, the adulterers, they don’t deserve God’s forgiveness and mercy because they are really bad sinners! Well guess what you don’t deserve his mercy either and neither do I! But praise God our God is a merciful God who relents from sending disaster because if it weren’t for Jesus then you and I and everyone else would have no hope whatsoever and would suffer the wrath of God and it would be a completely right, just, and fair thing for God to do! But as this book teaches us, God is a God who relents from sending disaster. The great mercy of God.

2. In verse 1 it says that Jonah was greatly displeased, he was angry at God! Why is this? In the previous chapter in verse 10 the text says that God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—so God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it”. So, Jonah gets spit up on the beach at Nineveh and begins to obey God and preach a message to the Ninevites. The people of Nineveh hear this message and repent of their sins, they turn from their evil ways the text said, and because of that God showed them mercy. Listen this has been and will always be the Gospel message of Jesus, repentance of sins and faith in the Lord Jesus. The Bible does not teach repentance as just a change of mind, but as a change of the will. And this is brought about by the Holy Spirit of God, the Bible says in that God grants repentance, so it is not a work it is an act of the Spirit of God. Jonah preached a seven-word sermon on repeat, and the people believed God and repented of their sins. Some of you here come to Church Sunday after Sunday, you hear wonderful preaching from the Word of God, you hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ through repentance and faith and yet you still harden your hearts and resist the Holy Spirit’s draw for you to be saved. These people didn’t have podcasts, or 300 Baptist Churches on every corner, they didn’t have street preachers, or google, that got sent one preacher who didn’t even want to be there, and they repented. I am saying this because you have no excuse, you have pastors and teachers who want to help you and point you to the cross but you must humble yourself and be saved before almighty God by turning from your wicked ways and trusting in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Cry out to God for mercy and he will answer you. But this mad Jonah mad because he thought they deserved punishment. He was dissatisfied and angry at the Character of God displayed through the decision of God to show mercy to Nineveh and relent from sending destruction upon them in Judgement. Notices what he says in verse 2, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster[1]”. He wanted Nineveh to get crushed, because he hated them. He didn’t want God to show them mercy, he wanted him to show them wrath for their sins. And so, Jonah says, “isn’t this what I thought Lord”? I knew you were going to show them mercy, I knew you were going to hold back your anger from them if they repented. I was afraid you would do this, that is why I ran because I know you are a kind and forgiving God full of Mercy and slow to send disaster. It’s like when the oldest child comes to you to tattle on their younger sibling, and they are hesitant to tell you but they proceed to tell you anyway what they did to them like hit them or bite them, whatever. And your response is, “no they wouldn’t do that” because the youngest is always the innocent one right? The oldest child will say something like, “I knew you were going to take their side I don’t know why I even came to talk to you”! And then they storm off. In Jonah’s prayer to the Lord here he uses the word I or My nine times. The reality is we as Christians do the same thing Jonah did, it becomes all about us. You say, “how is that give me an example”. I will I’m glad you said something. What about when the offering plate comes by, and you know you’re supposed to give to God’s Church but you don’t because you’re in sin or because you use the excuse that the Church isn’t doing something you like therefore you won’t give, you’re saying to the Lord I think it shouldn’t be this way, you want me to give to the Church with a cheerful heart but I don’t want to. How about when you have opportunity to witness to someone, but you refuse to out of fear or because you’re not walking with the Lord daily in prayer and reading the Word. You are saying to the Lord I don’t have to obey the great commission; witnessing is for the Church staff and leaders not me. How about joining this Church and serving alongside fellow believers giving your time and effort to attend all services in order to grow but you refuse because you deem something else in your life as more worthy of your time than hearing the Word of God, you are saying my time is too valuable to spend 3 times a week at church or getting up early to serve on the greet team, or to teach kid point, or serve is some capacity Lord, my time is too important to waste it on that. Some of you are looking at me in shock, but this is the reality we face not outside these walls but inside. And it ought not to be like that. That’s how it was with Jonah, he knew God and his character, and he didn’t want God to show them mercy. So, he complains to God and says I knew you were going to change your mind about sending judgement to these evil people because you’re kind and forgiving. Why was he mad? Maybe it was because he had just preached judgement and if God didn’t send it he was going to look foolish. Maybe it was because these were the enemies of Israel and he wanted them destroyed. Whatever the case, he was mad at God for showing mercy. But praise God he is a merciful God, slow to anger and filled compassion and faithful love! If you’re here this morning and you’re angry with God because of something that has happened to you or to someone you love, let me tell you something that might make you angry at me. I am telling you this out of love not to cause strife. Look at verse 4, God asks Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry”? It’s not right that you are angry with God. God has never done anything anyone that is sinful that was caused by him. You have no right whatsoever to be angry with God. Why? Because God doesn’t owe you anything, nor do you deserve anything from God that is good. You hear people say, “why do bad things happen to good people”? The truth is that only happened once, to Jesus (American Gospel Phil Johnson). Maybe you’re like Jonah and you say, “but there are just some people in this world who don’t deserve God’s forgiveness, people like Nineveh, the murderers, rapists, homosexuals, pedophiles, the democrats, the liberals, my ex-husband or wife, the adulterers, they don’t deserve God’s forgiveness and mercy because they are really bad sinners! Well guess what you don’t deserve his mercy either and neither do I! But praise God our God is a merciful God who relents from sending disaster because if it weren’t for Jesus then you and I and everyone else would have no hope whatsoever and would suffer the wrath of God and it would be a completely right, just, and fair thing for God to do! But as this book teaches us, God is a God who relents from sending disaster. The great mercy of God.

#2 God grows us with Trials

1. Look at verse 5, read verse 5. After Jonah’s hissy fit about God and his decision to show mercy to Nineveh, he makes his way outside of the city and finds himself a nice theater room to watch his favorite movie. The destruction of Nineveh. You see Jonah still hoped that God would destroy Nineveh, he is thinking “maybe God will change his mind and see how wicked they are and obliterate them”. So, he goes off and finds himself a place east of it and makes a little shelter there. He’s got a lazy boy recliner set up with an umbrella overhead and a popcorn machine popping popcorn as he gets ready to see the destruction of Nineveh. But God has other plans, to teach Jonah a lesson. It says in verse 6 that “God appointed a plant to grow over Jonah to provide shade for his head to rescue him from his trouble”, and that “Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant”. We know Jonah had already set up shelter for some shade, but it was probably some rinky-dink shade that had holes in it and wasn’t very protective from the sun’s rays. I can see this giant plant grow over Jonah and provide shade all around him and then some. He is greatly pleased with this plant, he is thankful, he is happy that this has come to rescue him from his troubles. But God appointed this plant to teach him a lesson, and the benefit of the comfort from that plant was part of that lesson. You see sometimes God gives us good things that we enjoy and love so that he might take it away for our benefit. For the purpose of growing us into the image of his Son Jesus Christ! Sometimes like Jonah it is to correct us, sometimes it is because of our sin and so God gets a hold of us by stripping away our comfort. You say that’s mean of God, no on the contrary, that is a sign of the wonderful mercy of God to you that he might correct you! God had every right to allow Jonah to sink in the bottom of the ocean and find someone else who would preach to Nineveh. But God in his mercy saved him and allowed him to preach there, for the purpose of getting him here to demonstrate his mercy and kindness not only to Nineveh but to Jonah! And God had every right to destroy all of mankind without providing a savior because of our sins, God has no obligation to save you or me it is purely and act of God’s grace towards us. And God is showing his kindness to the city of Nineveh and to Jonah! You think God isn’t kind? You’re here this morning breathing, aren’t you? You think God isn’t merciful? You’re ate and drank food this past week, didn’t you? Our God is a merciful God and he is demonstrating his mercy to Jonah by providing this plant, and he’s about to demonstrate his mercy by taking it away.

1. Look at verse 5, read verse 5. After Jonah’s hissy fit about God and his decision to show mercy to Nineveh, he makes his way outside of the city and finds himself a nice theater room to watch his favorite movie. The destruction of Nineveh. You see Jonah still hoped that God would destroy Nineveh, he is thinking “maybe God will change his mind and see how wicked they are and obliterate them and I’ll get a front row seat to all the action”. So, he goes off and finds himself a place east of it and makes a little shelter there. He’s got a lazy boy recliner set up with an umbrella overhead and a popcorn machine popping popcorn as he gets ready to see the destruction of Nineveh. But God has other plans, to teach Jonah a lesson. It says in verse 6 that “God appointed a plant to grow over Jonah to provide shade for his head to rescue him from his trouble”, and that “Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant”. This prophet that has run from God, disobeyed God, is angry at God, God send him a plant to rescue him? O the great mercy of God. We know Jonah had already set up shelter for some shade, but it was probably some rinky-dink shade that had holes in it and wasn’t very protective from the sun’s rays. I can see this giant plant grow over Jonah and provide shade all around him and then some. He is greatly pleased with this plant, he is thankful, he is happy that this has come to rescue him from his troubles. But God appointed this plant to teach him a lesson, and the benefit of the comfort from that plant was part of that lesson. You see sometimes God gives us good things that we enjoy and love so that he might take it away for our benefit. For the purpose of growing us into the image of his Son Jesus Christ! Sometimes like Jonah it is to correct us, sometimes it is because of our sin and so God gets a hold of us by stripping away our comfort. You say that’s mean of God, no on the contrary, that is a sign of the wonderful mercy of God to you that he might correct you! God had every right to allow Jonah to sink in the bottom of the ocean and find someone else who would preach to Nineveh. But God in his mercy saved him and allowed him to preach there, for the purpose of getting him here to demonstrate his mercy and kindness not only to Nineveh but to Jonah! And God had every right to destroy all of mankind without providing a savior because of our sins, God has no obligation to save you or me it is purely and act of God’s grace towards us. And God is showing his kindness to the city of Nineveh and to Jonah! You think God isn’t kind? You’re here this morning breathing, aren’t you? You think God isn’t merciful? You’re ate and drank food this past week, didn’t you? Our God is a merciful God and he is demonstrating his mercy to Jonah by providing this plant, and he’s about to demonstrate his mercy by taking it away.

2. In verse 7 it says that God appointed a worm to attack the plant, and it withered. Jonah’s comfort just vanished. And in verse 8 God appoints the east wind which is where Jonah is on the east side of the city and it hits Jonah like a hair dryer. His umbrella with holes fly’s away, his popcorn machine falls down and breaks and he turns around to see the plant withered and decaying. He begins to feel the heat, and with no cover or shade he is at the point of passing out that he wanted to die. He says again, “it is better for me to die than to live”. What a dark place Jonah is at right now that he would rather die that see people forgiven and shown mercy, that is a deep hatred for lost people. But Crosspointe can we not be the same when we come to Church week in and week out with thousands of people in Westerville and Columbus who are lost and on their way to Hell while we sit back on our couches with our TVs and phones not willing to share the Gospel with people because we are too scared or our life is too full of sin and wickedness to walk in the spirit and witness to those who are lost. Listen to me, have you ever wondered why the Church won’t grow, why people aren’t being saved, it’s because the people in the Church aren’t living their life for Jesus, were too involved with sin on TV, sin sexually, social media, or whatever, were too engaged with our activities, our sports, our hobbies, and were not walking in the spirit so it is obvious why we won’t witness and why God won’t add to the Church. God’s desire for his Church is to be free from sin, grounded in unity with love for God and one another, on our knees in prayer and in the Word daily, and on mission spreading the Gospel to the lost. And sometimes God uses trials to grow us.

3. God asks Jonah again the same question as back in verse 4, “is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”. Of course, the answer is no we know that. But Jonah says, “yes, it is right, I am angry enough to die!”. How many of you know that this is like the 8th time in this short book that God has shown patience and mercy to Jonah. If I was almighty God perfect and Holy and my creation yelled at me that way, he would become dust once again you know what I’m saying. But God shows him mercy and uses this as a time to teach Jonah which in turn teaches us. You see God in his great mercy uses trials as an opportunity to grow us into the image of Christ. In this circumstance he uses the plants removal and appoints the sun to beat down on his head to remind him of the cover the plant provided. Do you feel like Jonah this morning, the scorching east wind is blowing in your face and you feel like giving up? God doesn’t make mistakes he is using your circumstance to grow you to be more like Christ and draw others to himself. Don’t lose heart, don’t become bitter, don’t become angry, see the mercy of God through your circumstance and sit

3. God asks Jonah again the same question as back in verse 4, “is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”. Of course, the answer is no we know that. But Jonah says, “yes, it is right, I am angry enough to die!”. How many of you know that this is like the 8th time in this short book that God has shown patience and mercy to Jonah. If I was almighty God perfect and Holy and my creation yelled at me that way, he would become dust once again you know what I’m saying. But God shows him mercy and uses this as a time to teach Jonah which in turn teaches us. You see God in his great mercy uses trials as an opportunity to grow us into the image of Christ. In this circumstance he uses the plants removal and appoints the sun to beat down on his head to remind him of the cover the plant provided. Do you feel like Jonah this morning, the scorching east wind is blowing in your face and you feel like giving up? God doesn’t make mistakes he is using your circumstance to grow you to be more like Christ and draw others to himself. Don’t lose heart, don’t become bitter, don’t become angry, see the mercy of God through your circumstance and situation. We deserve nothing but God’s wrath isn’t that right, so anything above that is an act of God’s Mercy and Grace. And God gave us his Son to die in our place and rise form the grave so that we might never face his wrath. Understand as a believer, God uses trials to grow us and it is an act of his great mercy.

#3 Our God is a Caring God

1. The last two verses of this book in verses 10-11 are the response of the Lord back to Jonah after he says, “yes, it is right, I am angry enough to die”. Read verse 10. Jonah cared about the plant; he was greatly pleased with it. And yet he did nothing for it, it came and went without his effort. As a matter of fact he did nothing but sin the entire time of this book and yet God gives him this plant to show him mercy. He ran from God, tried to escape God again by getting tossed over the boat hoping to die. Preaches the message to Ninnges in their Church, they get angry and strife happens. Like reconstruction, Bible translations, carpet, class changes, staff changes, outreach events, dress attire and so on…. Like I said I don’t have much experience, but ill take a stab at it from this text. You know why there are issues like that in the Church? Because people even Church members care more about

1. The last two verses of this book in verses 10-11 are the response of the Lord back to Jonah after he says, “yes, it is right, I am angry enough to die”. Read verse 10. Jonah cared about the plant; he was greatly pleased with it. And yet he did nothing for it, it came and went without his effort. As a matter of fact he did nothing but sin the entire time of this book and yet God gives him this plant to show him mercy. He ran from God, tried to escape God again by getting tossed over the boat hoping to die. Preaches the message to Nineveh all while hoping in his heart that they wouldn’t repent so God would judge them. He gets angry at God, yells at God in anger, and God provides him this plant to rescue him, and when it is gone, he is angry that it is gone. Everything you and I have is a gift from God, we own nothing. You say, “I own everything I got because I worked hard for it!”. Who gave you the ability to work, who gave you your mind? Who makes your heartbeat? Who gave you your job? God provided those things to you, therefore when they are taken away it was his to begin with. And everything we have is an act of God’s mercy. Listen to me if I can leave you with anything or any thought from this text and sermon this morning it is that you and I do not deserve God’s grace and mercy just like Jonah and just like Nineveh but God demonstrated his great care and love and mercy and grace towards us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us! Our God is a caring God. In verse 11 God makes a profound connection with the plant and the people of Nineveh. You see Jonah cared more about the plant that he did the people of Nineveh. I don’t have much experience at all in dealing with Church decisions with leadership or changes and things of that nature. But I have talked to a few pastors growing up in America who all at some point struggle with Church members when something changes in their Church, they get angry and strife happens. Like reconstruction, Bible translations, carpet, class changes, staff changes, outreach events, dress attire and so on…. Like I said I don’t have much experience, but ill take a stab at it from this text. You know why there are issues like that in the Church? Because like Jonah, people even Church members care more about their preferences and desires than they do about God’s Word and God’s purpose for the Church. They care more about themselves than lost people.

2. God draws this connection with Jonah caring about the plant, to God’s care for the people of Nineveh. God made those people, he cared for them by providing them rain and sunshine for their crops and animals to sustain them. He gave them a land to build upon, allowed their woman to give birth to children. He labored over them, and he cares for them. He didn’t desire that they be destroyed, he desired for them to repent. 120,000 people lived there, along with animals. God cared for them all. Westerville has about 40,000 people and Columbus has almost a million. 120,000 doesn’t seem like much today, but God cared for them. Doesn’t God care for Ohio? For the US? For the World? He is a caring God, we ought to care about people also, lost souls and share the Gospel with them.

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3. Last thing is God cares for the individual. These verses here he is talking to Jonah who is one man. Jonah has rebelled against God tremendously, but God is taking the time to teach him and show him mercy because he cares about Jonah. You know God cares about you this morning; he cares about your circumstance what you’re going through. He cares and knows about your needs, he cares about your family, he cares about your lost son or daughter. And He can provide mercy and grace to you today through Jesus Christ. Nineveh was eventually judged, in the book of Nahum God pronounces judgement on Nineveh and they get destroyed. God punishes their sin, because he is a good and just God. God is merciful but eventually his patience runs out. You and I deserve God’s punishment, we have sinned against God. And God sent his Son Jesus Christ to be born of a virgin two thousand years ago to die on a cross as payment for your sins and my sins. To be buried for three days like Jonah was in the belly of the fish and raised again victorious over death. Don’t test God’s patience this morning, he is showing you mercy by allowing you to hear thing, trust in him today. He bore the wrath that Nineveh deserved that day in , he bore the wrath of God for every one of your sins, lies, cussing, immoral thoughts, Jesus stood in your place. And he sent this young man this morning to preach to you this message of repentance, that you might turn from your sin and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. If you’re lost here this morning, you know you’re not saved, would you call out to God for mercy? And he will answer because he cares for you. He is a God who relents from sending disaster. He is a God who grows us with trials to make us more like his Son Jesus as a believer. And he is a God who cares. Oh, the great mercy of God that he would spare us as the cost of his Son. Let’s pray.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.