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Introduction: A.
A Familiar Story 1.
God calls Jonah to preach judgment upon Nineveh. 2.
Jonah refuses … thrown overboard … swallowed by fish
… repents/prays to God. 3.
God calls Jonah again … he goes … they repent. 4.
Jonah upset with God … we’re left with a question
and a cliffhanger ending. 4:11 B.
A Not So Familiar Lesson 1.
It was not just a lesson of judgment and repentance … 2.
It was to help believers (then and now) see the need to
have a heart like God toward all. 3.
Only in this way can our repentance be truly linked
to restoration. Discussion: I.
Repentance & Restoration For Us A.
Jonah: Not Unlike Certain Christians Today 1.
Our understanding of repentance may be limited to
‘self.’ 2.
We may know that God is merciful toward us. Ch.
2 3.
Some may even know of His mercy toward ‘others.’ 4:2 4.
Too many, however, have an “us” verses “them”
mentality B.
The Book was Written for Believers 1.
Jonah needed to learn to have a compassionate heart upon
the lost. 4:9-11 2.
This book was written with this lesson in mind. 3.
The
question and cliffhanger-like ending impresses this very point
upon believers to ponder, reflect, judge … and restore what is
lacking. II.
Is Our Heart Like God? A.
Jonah vs. Pagans 1.
Jonah had more compassion on a plant than 120,000 precious
souls, let alone animals. 4:10 2.
Even the sailors (1:11-14)
and the king of Nineveh (3:6-9)
had more compassion than Jonah. B.
What is Our Heart Like? 1.
Like Jonah? 2.
Or,
like God? a. God purposed that those who love Him be conformed to the image of His Son. Rom. 8:29
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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