| [0.00 --> 6.02] Well, good morning again. A number of weeks ago when I first came, I said I was going to | |
| [6.02 --> 11.62] share four messages on the book of Jonah, and today is message number four. | |
| [12.78 --> 19.08] And before we read from Jonah chapter four, just a reminder that I also challenged in the very | |
| [19.08 --> 26.22] first sermon for you to think about where was there a parallel story in the New Testament | |
| [26.22 --> 31.98] that would teach a similar lesson, and I hope you've thought about that over the last number | |
| [31.98 --> 37.48] of weeks, and towards the end of the sermon, I'll share what I think is that parallel story | |
| [37.48 --> 45.34] that arises out of the story of Jonah, but also out of the nature of the story and the | |
| [45.34 --> 47.40] structure of the story itself. | |
| [47.40 --> 54.40] I wonder if you've ever been asked a probing question. | |
| [54.40 --> 63.24] Now, that's probably happened to you, whether or not it's apparent, why did you do that? | |
| [63.24 --> 71.80] Or a teacher in an oral examination who says to you, please provide me three reasons for | |
| [71.80 --> 78.14] the outbreak of, say, the Second World War. | |
| [78.14 --> 84.68] Or perhaps at a job interview, just like was alluded to with Pastor Chris. | |
| [84.68 --> 96.10] Well, what passage of Scripture would you use to encourage people to step forward into a task? | |
| [96.10 --> 101.44] Or perhaps a police officer pulls you over and say, what's your hurry? | |
| [101.44 --> 104.44] And you have to think. | |
| [104.44 --> 115.76] See, a probing question is by its nature a question that strives towards understanding. | |
| [115.76 --> 125.38] It wants to make you go a little deeper and search out matters a little more thoroughly. | |
| [125.38 --> 127.72] So we have been looking at the story of Jonah. | |
| [127.72 --> 135.52] There are many questions that you could ask about Jonah the person, Jonah the prophet, Jonah | |
| [135.52 --> 136.86] the writer. | |
| [136.86 --> 138.46] Did he write the book himself? | |
| [138.46 --> 140.14] Did he relate the book to others? | |
| [140.14 --> 147.58] Those are all probing, biblical study, theological questions. | |
| [147.58 --> 151.12] Or one could ask the question, summarize the book of Jonah. | |
| [151.12 --> 153.12] And you can do it this way. | |
| [153.12 --> 155.40] Jonah ran. | |
| [155.40 --> 157.46] Jonah repented. | |
| [157.46 --> 161.18] Jonah preached repentance. | |
| [161.18 --> 164.64] Jonah ranted and raved. | |
| [164.64 --> 165.74] Jonah with R's. | |
| [165.74 --> 167.46] Jonah ran. | |
| [167.46 --> 169.46] Jonah repented. | |
| [169.46 --> 172.24] Jonah preached repentance. | |
| [172.24 --> 177.12] Jonah ranted and raved. | |
| [177.12 --> 184.98] And then you could be asked a more probing question, is that really what the story is about? | |
| [184.98 --> 193.70] Maybe you should say, if you run, you cannot hide from the God of the Hebrews because he | |
| [193.70 --> 199.18] is the creator of the heavens and the earth and he will send a storm in your way to stop | |
| [199.18 --> 201.84] you from running. | |
| [201.84 --> 204.30] Or, you know, that's the identity issue. | |
| [204.30 --> 207.16] Or the chapter two. | |
| [207.16 --> 212.86] When you're going down, look up. | |
| [212.86 --> 218.06] And learn that salvation is from the Lord. | |
| [218.06 --> 221.76] Or in chapter three. | |
| [221.76 --> 228.70] When you are given a second chance, take it. | |
| [228.70 --> 233.32] And Jonah was told again, and then he went and he preached repentance. | |
| [233.32 --> 236.56] Well, what would we say about chapter four? | |
| [236.56 --> 238.70] Well, let's take, let's read chapter four. | |
| [238.70 --> 244.66] And I want to begin by reading the last verse of chapter three. | |
| [244.66 --> 250.84] Now chapter three gives the story of Jonah going to preach repentance in Nineveh. | |
| [250.84 --> 258.32] And there is this collective response from the citizens of Nineveh, from the king to the least | |
| [258.32 --> 263.36] person in terms of the social economic strata. | |
| [263.36 --> 267.08] They're all wearing sackcloth and ashes. | |
| [267.08 --> 269.08] And then chapter three ends with these words. | |
| [269.08 --> 276.32] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented. | |
| [276.84 --> 278.40] Take a note of that word. | |
| [278.82 --> 283.86] He relented and did not bring on them the destructions he had threatened. | |
| [285.24 --> 289.46] But to Jonah, this seemed very wrong. | |
| [289.86 --> 291.62] And he became angry. | |
| [291.62 --> 298.70] Let me just stop there for a moment and point out that you could translate the Hebrew to | |
| [298.70 --> 302.86] Jonah, this seemed to be evil. | |
| [305.38 --> 308.78] To say this seemed to be wrong misses the point. | |
| [308.78 --> 311.16] Now, what is evil? | |
| [311.46 --> 312.40] What is wrong? | |
| [312.74 --> 316.02] Well, the relenting of God. | |
| [317.50 --> 319.42] The relenting of God. | |
| [319.42 --> 322.00] To Jonah, this seemed very wrong. | |
| [322.10 --> 323.14] And he became angry. | |
| [323.82 --> 329.58] And he prayed to the Lord, isn't this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home, that | |
| [329.58 --> 332.74] this is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish? | |
| [333.18 --> 341.72] I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God | |
| [341.72 --> 344.16] who relents from sending calamity. | |
| [344.16 --> 348.86] Now, Lord, take away my life. | |
| [349.32 --> 352.18] For it is better for me to die than to live. | |
| [354.24 --> 360.54] But the Lord replied, probing, is it right for you to be angry? | |
| [361.84 --> 365.86] Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. | |
| [366.44 --> 371.60] There he made himself a shelter, sat in a shade, and waited to see what would happen to the city. | |
| [371.60 --> 379.30] Then the Lord provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort. | |
| [379.58 --> 381.96] And Jonah was very happy about the plant. | |
| [382.90 --> 389.08] But at dawn the next day, God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. | |
| [389.08 --> 397.16] When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. | |
| [397.72 --> 403.26] He wanted to die and said, it would be better for me to die than to live. | |
| [404.06 --> 411.06] But God said to Jonah, probing, is it right for you to be angry about the plant? | |
| [411.06 --> 415.70] It is, he said, and I am so angry, I wish I were dead. | |
| [416.92 --> 422.72] But the Lord said, you have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. | |
| [423.30 --> 425.84] It sprang up overnight and died overnight. | |
| [427.42 --> 428.60] Notice it's a question. | |
| [428.60 --> 444.54] This is the word of the Lord. | |
| [445.70 --> 448.54] Have you ever been asked a probing question? | |
| [449.74 --> 454.12] Well, Jonah gets asked three probing questions. | |
| [454.12 --> 456.26] He answers two. | |
| [456.72 --> 458.82] He doesn't answer the third. | |
| [459.88 --> 460.92] That is left. | |
| [462.08 --> 469.76] He answers the first one by going out and sitting east of the city. | |
| [470.58 --> 472.30] And the question is, why? | |
| [472.42 --> 473.44] Well, there are hills there. | |
| [475.42 --> 479.76] And he could now sit on a hill and look down. | |
| [479.76 --> 492.50] Jonah does not articulate anything. | |
| [492.64 --> 495.16] Later he will say, yeah, it is right for me to be angry. | |
| [495.44 --> 498.98] But in this case, he does not give an answer. | |
| [500.52 --> 505.66] But we know that actions speak louder than words. | |
| [505.66 --> 512.02] And Jonah's actions have been demonstrated throughout this story. | |
| [512.36 --> 514.36] He hears a word and he runs. | |
| [514.78 --> 518.16] He gets thrown overboard and swallowed by a huge fish. | |
| [518.34 --> 519.78] And he repents. | |
| [520.14 --> 523.94] He hears a word and he takes action. | |
| [524.94 --> 526.32] He goes and he preaches. | |
| [527.32 --> 530.76] And then he watches the compassion of God. | |
| [531.58 --> 532.84] And he's mad. | |
| [533.68 --> 535.42] He is angry. | |
| [535.66 --> 537.96] He is furious. | |
| [539.24 --> 539.86] Why? | |
| [539.86 --> 543.06] Because God has relented. | |
| [544.26 --> 549.92] And Nineveh, in Jonah's judgment, is a nation that ought to be destroyed. | |
| [550.64 --> 551.84] They are evil people. | |
| [552.20 --> 554.40] They are enemies of Israel. | |
| [554.92 --> 556.28] They are a danger. | |
| [556.72 --> 564.14] Indeed, a number of decades from this point, Assyria, of which Nineveh was the capital, | |
| [564.14 --> 569.34] grew strong enough to take the northern part of Israel into captivity and it disappeared. | |
| [569.34 --> 573.54] Jonah wanted them destroyed. | |
| [573.54 --> 577.32] And he is angry. | |
| [577.32 --> 583.54] And he uses spiritual disciplines to express his anger. | |
| [583.54 --> 584.54] He prays to the Lord. | |
| [584.54 --> 585.28] He prays to the Lord. | |
| [585.28 --> 589.06] And basically he says, I told you so. | |
| [590.06 --> 591.30] I told you so. | |
| [592.94 --> 597.48] You are a God of compassion and grace. | |
| [597.48 --> 599.48] He prays to the Lord. | |
| [599.48 --> 600.48] He prays to the Lord. | |
| [600.48 --> 601.68] He prays to the Lord. | |
| [601.68 --> 603.68] He prays to the Lord. | |
| [603.68 --> 604.78] He prays to God. | |
| [604.78 --> 605.76] Not to praise him. | |
| [605.76 --> 606.88] Not to thank him. | |
| [607.88 --> 610.42] But he prays to God to criticize him. | |
| [611.90 --> 616.10] And then he uses scripture to buttress his criticism. | |
| [616.10 --> 621.86] These words that Jonah uses come from Exodus chapter 34 verses 6 and 7. | |
| [621.86 --> 628.92] And that's the particular story where Moses has asked God to reveal himself to Moses. | |
| [630.04 --> 631.82] And God says, that's fine. | |
| [632.28 --> 637.20] But you can only see my back because you cannot see my face. | |
| [637.76 --> 639.22] And we have a song. | |
| [639.34 --> 644.48] He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock and covers me there with his hand. | |
| [644.48 --> 647.82] So Jonah uses scripture. | |
| [649.38 --> 650.44] Makes you think. | |
| [651.72 --> 653.88] Makes you probe your own actions. | |
| [654.50 --> 656.46] How do I use prayer? | |
| [658.14 --> 659.68] How do I use scripture? | |
| [660.78 --> 665.62] Timothy Keller in a very provocative book that he has on Jonah called The Prodigal Prophet | |
| [665.62 --> 670.84] says that when you use scripture you ought to think very clearly about your use of it. | |
| [671.28 --> 673.20] You shouldn't be bludgeoning people with it. | |
| [673.20 --> 675.58] You shouldn't be bludgeoning God with it. | |
| [676.48 --> 678.60] You shouldn't be using it as a crowbar. | |
| [679.66 --> 684.08] You use it as a mirror to reflect upon yourself. | |
| [685.18 --> 691.62] And Keller says when you use scripture properly it evokes within you a sense of humility. | |
| [691.62 --> 695.70] I know who I am. | |
| [696.90 --> 697.80] I'm a sinner. | |
| [698.94 --> 700.16] I'm self-centered. | |
| [701.12 --> 702.30] I'm a nationalist. | |
| [703.14 --> 704.44] I'm a legalist. | |
| [704.98 --> 706.88] All of those things Jonah was. | |
| [707.34 --> 711.06] Jonah didn't care about the Ninevites as people. | |
| [712.16 --> 713.34] They were enemies. | |
| [714.10 --> 715.32] A threat to his nation. | |
| [716.26 --> 716.94] Get rid of them. | |
| [716.94 --> 719.50] He was a legalist. | |
| [720.06 --> 721.70] I told you so. | |
| [723.06 --> 724.64] He was self-righteous. | |
| [725.68 --> 729.46] Well I'm a recipient of grace but they don't deserve it. | |
| [730.16 --> 730.90] I do. | |
| [731.38 --> 732.16] They don't. | |
| [732.16 --> 739.54] Humility is one thing that needs to come when you look at yourself through the scripture. | |
| [740.80 --> 742.36] Critique needs to come. | |
| [743.32 --> 745.18] I could do this better. | |
| [746.26 --> 749.18] You know think we heard this morning the words of Philippians. | |
| [749.62 --> 754.30] Have this attitude amongst yourselves which is also the attitude of Christ Jesus. | |
| [754.30 --> 761.20] As though he was in the form of God he emptied himself and took on the form of a servant. | |
| [762.82 --> 767.64] And you ask yourself how well am I doing in that regard? | |
| [767.64 --> 774.08] And then Keller points out one more function of scripture and that is to encourage. | |
| [775.36 --> 780.02] To encourage you in your relationship with God because the Lord is your shepherd. | |
| [780.64 --> 781.92] The Lord is your father. | |
| [782.50 --> 784.42] The Lord wants a relationship with you. | |
| [784.88 --> 786.14] He cares for you deeply. | |
| [786.14 --> 797.54] And he will probe and confront you as he does me until he gets his way in our lives. | |
| [799.82 --> 801.94] Is it right for you to be angry? | |
| [804.80 --> 806.36] And Jonah said yeah it is. | |
| [808.04 --> 815.42] And I'm thinking that by prayer and by using scripture I can get you to change your mind. | |
| [815.42 --> 817.46] So I'm going to go sit in the hills. | |
| [818.22 --> 819.34] I'm going to make a shelter. | |
| [820.08 --> 821.68] And I'm going to watch what you do. | |
| [822.48 --> 827.56] And I will approve if you do a Hiroshima and a Nagasaki on Nineveh. | |
| [827.90 --> 833.08] I will approve if you do a Beirut of August 2020 on Nineveh. | |
| [833.32 --> 840.48] I will approve if you drop an atomic bomb or if you let ammonia nitrate explode in the middle of that city. | |
| [840.72 --> 842.54] And all of those people get destroyed. | |
| [842.54 --> 844.32] I will approve. | |
| [844.32 --> 847.32] As a matter of fact I will no longer be angry. | |
| [850.68 --> 852.26] And then ask yourself. | |
| [853.58 --> 857.96] What is my attitude towards people who are different than I? | |
| [859.10 --> 860.56] Who challenge me? | |
| [861.80 --> 863.80] Who maybe even threaten me? | |
| [865.48 --> 869.50] Who would I rather see punished than forgiven? | |
| [869.50 --> 875.02] Who would I rather see punished than forgiven? | |
| [877.96 --> 883.44] And God comes to Jonah and allows a leafy plant to grow up. | |
| [883.50 --> 888.52] We have no idea what sort of plant that is but it must have grown quickly and had broad leaves. | |
| [888.52 --> 893.28] And for the first time in the story Jonah is happy. | |
| [894.40 --> 899.02] For the first time he gets what he thinks he deserves. | |
| [899.98 --> 904.32] For the first time Jonah is appreciative. | |
| [905.98 --> 912.20] Because it's cool sitting here waiting to see what will happen. | |
| [912.20 --> 919.70] Will there be a Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Beirut dumped upon Nineveh upon these people? | |
| [921.78 --> 928.52] And then overnight God sends a worm and the leafy plant dies. | |
| [928.98 --> 931.70] And God sends a hot wind. | |
| [932.70 --> 934.14] And Jonah grows faint. | |
| [934.14 --> 937.82] And Jonah complains. | |
| [937.96 --> 943.28] He says it would be better for me to die. | |
| [946.74 --> 947.34] Stop. | |
| [947.46 --> 948.52] Think about that for a moment. | |
| [950.04 --> 954.64] The amount of despair that Jonah feels personally. | |
| [954.64 --> 962.02] It is better for me to die than to see the compassion of God at work. | |
| [964.34 --> 966.22] It demands reflection. | |
| [968.14 --> 971.34] Reflection on myself and in myself. | |
| [971.90 --> 976.40] Who would I rather see punished than forgiven? | |
| [976.40 --> 981.74] And God comes with a probing question. | |
| [981.84 --> 983.10] Is it right for you to be angry? | |
| [984.04 --> 985.08] Yes it is. | |
| [986.86 --> 987.80] Yes it is. | |
| [987.86 --> 990.14] Who are you to ask me a question like that? | |
| [990.18 --> 991.70] Because I am uncomfortable. | |
| [992.36 --> 993.44] It is hot. | |
| [994.08 --> 995.98] And I'm disappointed in you. | |
| [996.18 --> 999.66] Because you haven't thrown the bomb yet on those people. | |
| [1000.42 --> 1001.60] Yes it is. | |
| [1003.74 --> 1005.06] You ever felt that way? | |
| [1006.40 --> 1008.24] Justified in your anger? | |
| [1009.54 --> 1014.76] Justified in your judgment on people you would rather see destroyed than forgiven? | |
| [1016.76 --> 1018.30] I think we all have. | |
| [1019.24 --> 1024.32] It is hard to read the history of the Second World War and not to be angry. | |
| [1025.40 --> 1030.18] Not to be angry at the blatant destruction of about 10 million people. | |
| [1030.84 --> 1032.52] 6 million of whom were Jews. | |
| [1033.08 --> 1036.18] And they were executed simply because of their ethnicity. | |
| [1036.40 --> 1044.40] And about 4 million were people whether they were gypsies or people with social and physical calamity. | |
| [1045.32 --> 1050.32] Or people who were just not of the right color to fit in. | |
| [1050.32 --> 1063.80] And when I look at that from a historical personal perspective I think I'd rather see those folks who did that executed than forgiven. | |
| [1063.80 --> 1076.72] Except then that famous phrase there but for the grace of God go I kicks in. | |
| [1078.72 --> 1082.64] There but for the grace of God go I. | |
| [1082.64 --> 1083.32] There but for the grace of God go I. | |
| [1083.32 --> 1084.12] There but for the grace of God. | |
| [1084.24 --> 1086.48] Is it right for you to end, I think I would rather see my sin and will be angry. | |
| [1086.48 --> 1087.94] Yes it is. | |
| [1088.02 --> 1093.48] It is better for me now to die than to live. | |
| [1093.48 --> 1096.66] this is not a casual feeling | |
| [1096.66 --> 1099.10] this is something that's rooted | |
| [1099.10 --> 1100.20] deep | |
| [1100.20 --> 1102.10] within Jonah | |
| [1102.10 --> 1107.14] and then God asks | |
| [1107.14 --> 1109.22] another question | |
| [1109.22 --> 1113.06] he makes Jonah consider | |
| [1113.06 --> 1115.06] and I've got to get the wording right on this | |
| [1115.06 --> 1116.72] he makes Jonah consider | |
| [1116.72 --> 1119.64] the character of God | |
| [1119.64 --> 1122.66] notice this | |
| [1122.66 --> 1124.22] and should I not | |
| [1124.22 --> 1125.74] have concern | |
| [1125.74 --> 1128.36] for the great city of Nineveh | |
| [1128.36 --> 1130.18] in which there are more than | |
| [1130.18 --> 1131.94] 120,000 people | |
| [1131.94 --> 1134.64] who cannot tell their right hand from their left | |
| [1134.64 --> 1136.90] and also many animals | |
| [1136.90 --> 1138.96] should | |
| [1138.96 --> 1140.20] I | |
| [1140.20 --> 1142.26] not have | |
| [1142.26 --> 1143.32] concern | |
| [1143.32 --> 1148.54] now Jonah has | |
| [1148.54 --> 1150.56] to make a switch he's no longer | |
| [1150.56 --> 1152.00] thinking about himself | |
| [1152.00 --> 1154.44] and about his anger | |
| [1154.44 --> 1157.84] he now has to think | |
| [1157.84 --> 1161.12] because of this probing question | |
| [1161.12 --> 1163.58] about the character | |
| [1163.58 --> 1165.22] of God | |
| [1165.22 --> 1170.30] should I not have concern | |
| [1170.30 --> 1174.94] God lays out a few details | |
| [1174.94 --> 1177.24] it is a great city | |
| [1177.24 --> 1180.78] it is an expansive city | |
| [1180.78 --> 1182.62] and in that city there are | |
| [1182.62 --> 1185.04] hundreds of thousands of people | |
| [1185.04 --> 1189.22] 120,000 of whom | |
| [1189.22 --> 1191.22] do not know their right hand | |
| [1191.22 --> 1192.62] from their left hand | |
| [1192.62 --> 1194.56] in other words | |
| [1194.56 --> 1195.60] their kids | |
| [1195.60 --> 1198.32] their little kids | |
| [1198.32 --> 1201.16] there was an amazing | |
| [1201.16 --> 1203.50] picture on the news this week | |
| [1203.50 --> 1206.36] about the explosion in Beirut | |
| [1206.36 --> 1207.88] a father was filming | |
| [1207.88 --> 1209.94] as his wife was | |
| [1209.94 --> 1213.18] being rolled into the delivery room | |
| [1213.18 --> 1214.98] for their first child | |
| [1214.98 --> 1216.44] to be born | |
| [1216.44 --> 1217.72] and just as | |
| [1217.72 --> 1219.10] the gurney | |
| [1219.10 --> 1220.68] went into the delivery room | |
| [1220.68 --> 1222.12] the explosion took place | |
| [1222.12 --> 1224.60] and you see the whole delivery room structure | |
| [1224.60 --> 1225.56] just collapse | |
| [1226.12 --> 1227.98] and there is glass | |
| [1227.98 --> 1229.02] all over the place | |
| [1229.02 --> 1229.98] and there is dust | |
| [1229.98 --> 1230.56] and debris | |
| [1230.56 --> 1231.46] all over the place | |
| [1231.46 --> 1232.42] this had been | |
| [1232.42 --> 1233.40] I would assume | |
| [1233.40 --> 1234.96] a fairly sterile | |
| [1234.96 --> 1236.28] situation | |
| [1236.28 --> 1240.04] father got up | |
| [1240.04 --> 1242.72] child was born | |
| [1242.72 --> 1243.92] they named him George | |
| [1243.92 --> 1248.16] and it got on the national news | |
| [1248.16 --> 1250.12] the Canadian national news | |
| [1250.12 --> 1253.90] because of a remarkable moment | |
| [1253.90 --> 1255.52] but you know George | |
| [1255.52 --> 1257.52] who is now less than a week old | |
| [1257.52 --> 1260.02] George doesn't know his right hand | |
| [1260.02 --> 1261.12] from his left hand | |
| [1261.12 --> 1264.18] George doesn't even know his name | |
| [1264.18 --> 1266.78] George doesn't know | |
| [1266.78 --> 1268.12] that his picture | |
| [1268.12 --> 1269.70] has been broadcast | |
| [1269.70 --> 1270.96] around the world | |
| [1270.96 --> 1273.78] George just knows | |
| [1273.78 --> 1275.52] when his diaper is wet | |
| [1275.52 --> 1276.80] and his stomach is empty | |
| [1276.80 --> 1279.10] that's what George knows | |
| [1279.10 --> 1280.68] and George knows | |
| [1280.68 --> 1281.48] that his mother | |
| [1281.48 --> 1283.20] seems to be the source | |
| [1283.20 --> 1285.26] and answer to his most immediate needs | |
| [1285.26 --> 1286.20] and every once in a while | |
| [1286.20 --> 1287.26] dad shows up too | |
| [1287.26 --> 1289.42] that's what George knows | |
| [1289.42 --> 1294.48] his parents are concerned for him | |
| [1294.48 --> 1299.22] God is concerned for him | |
| [1299.22 --> 1302.82] should he not be concerned | |
| [1302.82 --> 1304.88] for people who do not know | |
| [1304.88 --> 1305.84] their right hand | |
| [1305.84 --> 1307.26] from their left hand | |
| [1307.26 --> 1309.70] and of course we say | |
| [1309.70 --> 1311.24] of course you should be concerned | |
| [1311.24 --> 1313.02] and then he says | |
| [1313.02 --> 1315.94] and there are many animals besides | |
| [1315.94 --> 1319.06] many animals besides | |
| [1319.06 --> 1321.82] you know soon it will be Thanksgiving | |
| [1321.82 --> 1323.84] it's only a couple months away | |
| [1323.84 --> 1325.68] and a song will sing | |
| [1325.68 --> 1327.04] let all things now living | |
| [1327.04 --> 1328.38] a song of thanksgiving | |
| [1328.38 --> 1329.68] to God the creator | |
| [1329.68 --> 1331.84] triumphantly raise | |
| [1331.84 --> 1334.04] who fashioned and made us | |
| [1334.04 --> 1336.06] protected and stayed us | |
| [1336.06 --> 1338.26] who guides us and leads us | |
| [1338.26 --> 1340.78] to the ends of our days | |
| [1340.78 --> 1342.86] God's concerned for us | |
| [1342.86 --> 1345.02] but he's concerned for all | |
| [1345.02 --> 1347.44] living things | |
| [1347.44 --> 1353.32] should I not be concerned | |
| [1353.32 --> 1357.70] and I look | |
| [1357.70 --> 1359.42] and I listen | |
| [1359.42 --> 1361.84] to the needs in the world | |
| [1361.84 --> 1365.30] and should I not be concerned | |
| [1365.30 --> 1367.62] as an image bearer of God | |
| [1367.62 --> 1371.44] Jonah sat outside the city | |
| [1371.44 --> 1372.78] and waited | |
| [1372.78 --> 1376.84] Jesus stood outside the city | |
| [1376.84 --> 1378.48] and wept | |
| [1378.48 --> 1381.20] how I would have gathered you | |
| [1381.20 --> 1382.80] as a hen gathers her chicks | |
| [1382.80 --> 1384.12] under her wings | |
| [1384.12 --> 1387.80] but you would not | |
| [1387.80 --> 1389.16] but he didn't get angry | |
| [1389.16 --> 1392.36] he just kept writing | |
| [1392.36 --> 1394.72] until they arrested him | |
| [1394.72 --> 1395.84] crucified him | |
| [1395.84 --> 1396.84] buried him | |
| [1396.84 --> 1399.38] and then he confronted them | |
| [1399.38 --> 1400.00] with saying | |
| [1400.00 --> 1401.16] there's a new day | |
| [1401.16 --> 1402.94] a new day | |
| [1402.94 --> 1403.88] a new day has dawned | |
| [1403.88 --> 1406.32] and we're going to celebrate life | |
| [1406.32 --> 1408.52] and the message of salvation | |
| [1408.52 --> 1410.16] comes to the world | |
| [1410.16 --> 1411.44] through the Jews | |
| [1411.44 --> 1413.12] but it is for all people | |
| [1413.12 --> 1414.82] regardless of ethnicity | |
| [1414.82 --> 1415.88] and race | |
| [1415.88 --> 1418.50] it is for all people | |
| [1418.50 --> 1421.58] regardless of social economic status | |
| [1421.58 --> 1424.40] it is for all people | |
| [1424.40 --> 1428.02] regardless of gender orientation | |
| [1428.02 --> 1431.60] it is for those | |
| [1431.60 --> 1432.60] who are made | |
| [1432.60 --> 1433.64] in the image | |
| [1433.64 --> 1434.70] of my father | |
| [1434.70 --> 1435.38] salvation | |
| [1435.38 --> 1437.26] is from | |
| [1437.26 --> 1438.64] the Lord | |
| [1438.64 --> 1442.08] but notice | |
| [1442.08 --> 1444.82] that Jonah has | |
| [1444.82 --> 1446.18] no reply | |
| [1446.18 --> 1448.30] to the question | |
| [1448.30 --> 1449.76] should I | |
| [1449.76 --> 1450.44] not | |
| [1450.44 --> 1451.02] be | |
| [1451.02 --> 1451.80] concerned | |
| [1451.80 --> 1453.40] there's no answer | |
| [1453.40 --> 1456.02] and here's the key | |
| [1456.02 --> 1457.28] anybody have an idea | |
| [1457.28 --> 1458.22] you can speak up | |
| [1458.22 --> 1460.06] what story I'm thinking of | |
| [1460.06 --> 1462.08] in terms of the New Testament | |
| [1462.08 --> 1463.00] that parallels | |
| [1463.00 --> 1465.02] the Old Testament story of Jonah | |
| [1465.02 --> 1467.96] the prodigal son | |
| [1467.96 --> 1469.98] or the parable of the waiting father | |
| [1469.98 --> 1471.90] Jonah 1 and 2 | |
| [1471.90 --> 1473.74] is the story of Jonah running | |
| [1473.74 --> 1475.76] and repenting | |
| [1475.76 --> 1479.10] the story of the youngest son | |
| [1479.10 --> 1481.60] chapters 3 and 4 | |
| [1481.60 --> 1483.42] is the story of the oldest son | |
| [1483.42 --> 1485.84] who rants and raves | |
| [1485.84 --> 1487.26] at his father's generosity | |
| [1487.26 --> 1489.72] and his father goes out to him | |
| [1489.72 --> 1490.92] and invites him to come in | |
| [1490.92 --> 1491.68] but | |
| [1491.68 --> 1493.10] we're not told | |
| [1493.10 --> 1495.48] if the oldest son comes in or not | |
| [1495.48 --> 1498.66] and we're not told | |
| [1498.66 --> 1501.04] what Jonah's reaction is | |
| [1501.04 --> 1504.04] and there is a clear reason for it | |
| [1504.04 --> 1505.78] because I'm Jonah | |
| [1505.78 --> 1508.24] and you're Jonah | |
| [1508.24 --> 1512.72] and we need to answer God's probing question | |
| [1512.72 --> 1516.66] is it right for you to be angry | |
| [1516.66 --> 1520.88] should I not be concerned | |
| [1520.88 --> 1524.30] answer this question | |
| [1524.30 --> 1526.18] who would you rather see judged | |
| [1526.18 --> 1526.98] and condemned | |
| [1526.98 --> 1529.68] rather than forgiven | |
| [1529.68 --> 1533.54] and God comes and he says | |
| [1533.54 --> 1535.14] I sent my son | |
| [1535.14 --> 1538.34] and he endured the cross | |
| [1538.34 --> 1539.70] why? | |
| [1539.84 --> 1541.02] well the book of Hebrews says | |
| [1541.02 --> 1543.12] for the joy that was set before him | |
| [1543.12 --> 1546.12] so that he might be able to gather | |
| [1546.12 --> 1548.96] the Jonas of this world in | |
| [1548.96 --> 1552.38] along with all the repentant people | |
| [1552.38 --> 1555.04] regardless of their background | |
| [1555.04 --> 1557.56] regardless of their color | |
| [1557.56 --> 1559.96] regardless of their language | |
| [1559.96 --> 1561.60] regardless of | |
| [1561.60 --> 1563.02] and you fill in the blank | |
| [1563.02 --> 1565.06] that I might gather | |
| [1565.06 --> 1566.30] for God so | |
| [1566.30 --> 1567.24] loved | |
| [1567.24 --> 1568.36] the world | |
| [1568.36 --> 1571.12] there is a | |
| [1571.12 --> 1572.06] commentator | |
| [1572.06 --> 1573.28] who says | |
| [1573.28 --> 1574.58] the book of Jonah | |
| [1574.58 --> 1575.34] was written | |
| [1575.34 --> 1576.18] by Jonah | |
| [1576.18 --> 1576.74] who told | |
| [1576.74 --> 1577.72] either by himself | |
| [1577.72 --> 1579.08] or who told the story | |
| [1579.08 --> 1579.90] to a secretary | |
| [1579.90 --> 1581.02] who wrote it down | |
| [1581.02 --> 1583.10] in order to share | |
| [1583.10 --> 1583.94] with his people | |
| [1583.94 --> 1585.80] that he got it | |
| [1585.80 --> 1586.40] in the end | |
| [1586.40 --> 1587.78] and that's why | |
| [1587.78 --> 1588.80] he shared the story | |
| [1588.80 --> 1591.52] that's a nice way | |
| [1591.52 --> 1592.32] to think about it | |
| [1592.32 --> 1592.90] I think | |
| [1592.90 --> 1595.46] but I want to ask | |
| [1595.46 --> 1597.60] what is your response | |
| [1597.60 --> 1599.36] as I need to ask | |
| [1599.36 --> 1600.56] what is my response | |
| [1600.56 --> 1601.52] to the quote | |
| [1601.52 --> 1603.36] probing question of God | |
| [1603.36 --> 1608.32] should I not be concerned | |
| [1608.32 --> 1611.52] and God's concerned | |
| [1611.52 --> 1612.06] for me | |
| [1612.06 --> 1614.28] he's concerned | |
| [1614.28 --> 1614.86] for you | |
| [1614.86 --> 1617.24] he sent his son | |
| [1617.24 --> 1619.04] so that we might | |
| [1619.04 --> 1619.80] call him | |
| [1619.80 --> 1621.38] our father | |
| [1621.38 --> 1622.18] let's pray | |
| [1622.18 --> 1624.08] father God | |
| [1624.08 --> 1624.90] we thank you | |
| [1624.90 --> 1627.22] thank you for the story | |
| [1627.22 --> 1628.64] and for all the thinking | |
| [1628.64 --> 1629.46] it provokes | |
| [1629.46 --> 1630.44] to us | |
| [1630.44 --> 1631.32] in our lives | |
| [1631.32 --> 1633.38] it is our prayer | |
| [1633.38 --> 1634.02] Lord God | |
| [1634.02 --> 1634.62] that as | |
| [1634.62 --> 1635.88] we reflect on it | |
| [1635.88 --> 1636.92] in days ahead | |
| [1636.92 --> 1638.64] that you would | |
| [1638.64 --> 1639.72] help us to see | |
| [1639.72 --> 1640.38] and understand | |
| [1640.38 --> 1641.10] the depth | |
| [1641.10 --> 1641.94] and the dimensions | |
| [1641.94 --> 1643.50] of your amazing grace | |
| [1643.50 --> 1644.90] and the fact | |
| [1644.90 --> 1645.98] that in Christ | |
| [1645.98 --> 1647.50] we are set free | |
| [1647.50 --> 1648.58] from all the chains | |
| [1648.58 --> 1649.48] that bind us | |
| [1649.48 --> 1651.62] we pray that we may | |
| [1651.62 --> 1653.16] grow into that freedom | |
| [1653.16 --> 1654.96] that we may become | |
| [1654.96 --> 1656.34] celebrative of it | |
| [1656.34 --> 1658.14] and that we may be able | |
| [1658.14 --> 1658.86] to demonstrate | |
| [1658.86 --> 1659.64] that freedom | |
| [1659.64 --> 1661.14] the attitudes | |
| [1661.14 --> 1662.32] and the behaviors | |
| [1662.32 --> 1663.34] that we have | |
| [1663.34 --> 1665.46] attitudes and behaviors | |
| [1665.46 --> 1666.38] that honor you | |
| [1666.38 --> 1667.48] and glorify Jesus | |
| [1667.48 --> 1669.08] for the great gift | |
| [1669.08 --> 1670.16] of amazing grace | |
| [1670.16 --> 1671.46] in his name we pray | |
| [1671.46 --> 1673.00] amen | |
| [1673.00 --> 1675.40] to give you特別 | |
| [1675.54 --> 1676.42] upon | |
| [1676.42 --> 1678.38] shand | |
| [1678.38 --> 1680.18] and | |
| [1680.18 --> 1682.26] to | |
| [1683.60 --> 1683.74] listen | |
| [1683.74 --> 1686.12] to | |
| [1688.78 --> 1689.16] and | |
| [1689.16 --> 1690.76] you | |