1 00:00:30,099 --> 00:00:32,339 Turn to Jonah, chapter three. 2 00:00:32,339 --> 00:00:37,459 Tonight, the person that was going to sing a special has fallen 3 00:00:37,459 --> 00:00:40,019 ill. And so this is what you get right here. 4 00:00:40,419 --> 00:00:41,579 I am sorry for that. 5 00:00:41,579 --> 00:00:43,619 But who would like to hear me sing a solo? 6 00:00:44,579 --> 00:00:47,379 A couple, A few of my favorites? 7 00:00:47,379 --> 00:00:50,019 Yes, they have said they want to hear me sing a solo. 8 00:00:50,019 --> 00:00:56,019 Now we know who has bad judgment or bad hearing or is just 9 00:00:56,019 --> 00:00:57,859 against me and wants to see me embarrass myself. 10 00:00:57,859 --> 00:00:59,459 It could be all three, I don't know. 11 00:01:00,179 --> 00:01:03,539 But Jonah chapter three is what will be this evening. 12 00:01:03,699 --> 00:01:05,779 And I hope this will be a help to you tonight. 13 00:01:05,779 --> 00:01:07,619 I want to think about this topic. 14 00:01:08,419 --> 00:01:13,139 Dealing with discouragement and discontentment. 15 00:01:13,539 --> 00:01:16,339 Dealing with discouragement and discontentment. 16 00:01:17,299 --> 00:01:19,899 Typically, when you hear messages preached from the book of 17 00:01:19,899 --> 00:01:24,179 Jonah, the focus is in Jonah chapter one and Jonah chapter two, 18 00:01:24,259 --> 00:01:26,299 which has a whole lot packed into it. 19 00:01:26,299 --> 00:01:29,629 It's incredible how little Jonah is as far as it's just. 20 00:01:29,629 --> 00:01:30,309 It's just two. 21 00:01:30,949 --> 00:01:35,709 It's two and a half pages in my Bible, but it is jam packed full 22 00:01:35,709 --> 00:01:36,469 of good stuff. 23 00:01:36,709 --> 00:01:40,309 And I'll tell you, chapter three and four hit hard. 24 00:01:40,869 --> 00:01:45,549 They hit hard, I would say personally hits harder for me in 25 00:01:45,549 --> 00:01:47,669 chapter three and four than it does one and two. 26 00:01:48,069 --> 00:01:51,229 Chapter three and four is after Jonah has already rebelled 27 00:01:51,229 --> 00:01:52,389 against God, run away. 28 00:01:52,709 --> 00:01:57,589 And then God prepares a fish and the fish swallows up, or whale 29 00:01:57,589 --> 00:02:02,109 follow, swallows up Jonah, and then ends up spitting him out after 30 00:02:02,109 --> 00:02:03,789 he prays a prayer of repentance. 31 00:02:03,869 --> 00:02:10,509 And so now you have Jonah, who is, you would imagine, a very repentant 32 00:02:10,589 --> 00:02:13,069 prophet and close to God. 33 00:02:13,629 --> 00:02:17,269 He was brought to the depths of the earth, he said, and from the 34 00:02:17,269 --> 00:02:18,989 depths of the earth he prayed. 35 00:02:19,309 --> 00:02:23,389 And God had that whale spit him out onto the shore. 36 00:02:23,549 --> 00:02:26,349 And now he's where he was supposed to be all along. 37 00:02:26,749 --> 00:02:26,909 He. 38 00:02:26,979 --> 00:02:31,499 He is now in Nineveh, not by boat, but by the will of God Almighty, 39 00:02:31,499 --> 00:02:32,179 through a fish. 40 00:02:32,819 --> 00:02:37,139 You can just imagine as he's walking there on shore thinking, 41 00:02:37,139 --> 00:02:39,059 well, that was quite a trip. 42 00:02:39,859 --> 00:02:41,419 You think you've had some bad trip. 43 00:02:41,419 --> 00:02:42,739 That was quite a trip. 44 00:02:42,978 --> 00:02:43,819 Can you imagine? 45 00:02:43,819 --> 00:02:44,419 Can you just. 46 00:02:44,419 --> 00:02:45,219 Can you see him? 47 00:02:45,219 --> 00:02:46,259 Can you smell him? 48 00:02:46,339 --> 00:02:48,499 Can you imagine how bad it must have been? 49 00:02:49,619 --> 00:02:50,739 And that's Jonah. 50 00:02:51,219 --> 00:02:53,959 A lesson learned, you would think. 51 00:02:55,559 --> 00:02:58,079 And so as we read Jonah chapter three, I want you to see 52 00:02:58,079 --> 00:03:01,479 in verse number one, we'll read the whole chapter, all 10 verses, 53 00:03:03,239 --> 00:03:07,239 it says, and the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, 54 00:03:07,399 --> 00:03:11,799 saying, arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city and preach 55 00:03:11,799 --> 00:03:14,519 unto it, the preaching that I bid thee. 56 00:03:15,479 --> 00:03:19,559 So Jonah arose and went unto Nineveh according to the word of 57 00:03:19,559 --> 00:03:20,039 the Lord. 58 00:03:20,829 --> 00:03:24,429 Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days journey. 59 00:03:25,069 --> 00:03:28,069 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey. 60 00:03:28,069 --> 00:03:31,509 And he cried and said, and here's the message from the prophet 61 00:03:31,509 --> 00:03:37,869 of God yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown. 62 00:03:39,069 --> 00:03:41,749 Now that's the shortest message you can imagine ever hearing. 63 00:03:41,749 --> 00:03:44,589 Can you imagine if I got up here and preached a message that 64 00:03:44,589 --> 00:03:44,909 short? 65 00:03:45,309 --> 00:03:46,269 I can't either. 66 00:03:47,569 --> 00:03:48,449 But that's what he did. 67 00:03:48,929 --> 00:03:52,609 I would say that likely if this was all he truly preached. 68 00:03:52,769 --> 00:03:55,009 I think that also may show his heart. 69 00:03:55,649 --> 00:04:00,769 I see a lot of judgment here, but I don't see an appeal for people 70 00:04:01,089 --> 00:04:02,449 to turn to God. 71 00:04:03,329 --> 00:04:11,729 And all correct preaching, when preached in this way with strong 72 00:04:12,129 --> 00:04:16,459 judgment, ought to have an appeal for people to follow and to 73 00:04:16,459 --> 00:04:19,019 come after and follow hard after God. 74 00:04:19,259 --> 00:04:20,539 You don't see that here. 75 00:04:21,099 --> 00:04:22,779 Now look at verse number five, please. 76 00:04:23,659 --> 00:04:28,819 So the people of Nineveh believed God and proclaimed a fast 77 00:04:28,819 --> 00:04:33,219 and put on sackcloth from the greatest of them, even to the least 78 00:04:33,219 --> 00:04:33,739 of them. 79 00:04:34,219 --> 00:04:38,219 For word came unto the king of Nineveh and he arose from his throne 80 00:04:39,189 --> 00:04:43,789 and he laid his robe from him and covered him with sackcloth and 81 00:04:43,789 --> 00:04:45,109 sat in ashes. 82 00:04:45,509 --> 00:04:49,189 Now this is what revival looks like, or this is what I don't know 83 00:04:49,189 --> 00:04:50,309 if should even say revival. 84 00:04:50,709 --> 00:04:52,309 These were people that were not saved. 85 00:04:52,389 --> 00:04:55,189 This is what it looks like when a nation comes to God. 86 00:04:55,509 --> 00:04:58,949 And so in verse seven, and he caused it to be proclaimed and published 87 00:04:59,349 --> 00:05:02,629 through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, 88 00:05:02,869 --> 00:05:08,929 let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock taste anything. 89 00:05:09,489 --> 00:05:11,889 Let them not feed nor drink water. 90 00:05:12,049 --> 00:05:15,249 This fast is even going to be appropriated to cattle. 91 00:05:15,489 --> 00:05:17,089 He is not messing around. 92 00:05:17,329 --> 00:05:21,209 He is taking no chances when it comes to the judgment that is 93 00:05:21,209 --> 00:05:22,849 imminent upon him and his people. 94 00:05:23,409 --> 00:05:27,049 And then in verse number eight, but let man and beast be covered 95 00:05:27,049 --> 00:05:30,649 with sackcloth and cry mightily unto God. 96 00:05:30,649 --> 00:05:36,529 Yea, let them turn everyone from his evil way and from the violence 97 00:05:36,529 --> 00:05:38,049 that is in their hands. 98 00:05:38,529 --> 00:05:39,969 I love verse number nine. 99 00:05:41,089 --> 00:05:47,209 Who can tell if God will turn and repent and turn away from his 100 00:05:47,209 --> 00:05:50,049 fierce anger that we perish not? 101 00:05:51,569 --> 00:05:53,889 I think I have an answer to verse number nine. 102 00:05:54,689 --> 00:06:00,059 I think the answer is, Jonah, if there was one person that would 103 00:06:00,059 --> 00:06:03,899 have heard that prayer other than God himself, There was one person 104 00:06:04,299 --> 00:06:09,419 that knew how God would treat repentance in this severity. 105 00:06:11,419 --> 00:06:14,219 And then it says here verse number 10. 106 00:06:15,099 --> 00:06:19,179 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. 107 00:06:19,259 --> 00:06:23,819 And God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do 108 00:06:23,819 --> 00:06:26,459 unto them, and he did it not. 109 00:06:27,009 --> 00:06:29,089 Now, let's look right into the very next verse. 110 00:06:29,649 --> 00:06:33,969 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly. 111 00:06:34,289 --> 00:06:36,289 And he was very angry. 112 00:06:36,449 --> 00:06:37,569 Do you know what that means? 113 00:06:37,569 --> 00:06:40,289 It means that he burned inside. 114 00:06:40,529 --> 00:06:43,889 That he was literally boiling up inside of him. 115 00:06:44,369 --> 00:06:46,209 He was angry, upset. 116 00:06:46,289 --> 00:06:48,769 He was mad at God. 117 00:06:49,249 --> 00:06:50,289 Can you imagine? 118 00:06:50,529 --> 00:06:54,539 Can you imagine if I were to preach tonight and let's say 10 teenagers 119 00:06:54,539 --> 00:06:58,699 or 20 people within the congregation came and got their hearts 120 00:06:58,699 --> 00:07:02,819 right with God and repented, and then I walk out of here angry, 121 00:07:02,819 --> 00:07:05,539 mad and upset because God did what he did in their hearts? 122 00:07:06,499 --> 00:07:08,179 That sounds ridiculous. 123 00:07:09,459 --> 00:07:14,259 It sounds unbelievable, but it's way worse than that. 124 00:07:14,259 --> 00:07:18,819 Here, an entire nation, from the top to the bottom, from the king 125 00:07:18,819 --> 00:07:23,179 to the cattle, show a sign of repentance. 126 00:07:23,259 --> 00:07:29,899 And he is mad at God because God gave him the same thing that 127 00:07:29,899 --> 00:07:32,539 he had received in his own life. 128 00:07:32,619 --> 00:07:35,899 The goodness, the grace and the mercy of God. 129 00:07:35,979 --> 00:07:37,899 This guy was messed up. 130 00:07:38,699 --> 00:07:39,979 This guy was messed up. 131 00:07:40,219 --> 00:07:43,779 In chapter three and four, you really find out how messed up he 132 00:07:43,779 --> 00:07:44,139 was. 133 00:07:45,419 --> 00:07:48,059 So this chapter is not just about Jonah. 134 00:07:48,789 --> 00:07:51,589 I think when we read chapters like this, we should see ourselves 135 00:07:51,989 --> 00:07:56,029 and we should look at Scripture and ask ourselves, is there 136 00:07:56,029 --> 00:07:57,349 any Jonah in me? 137 00:07:58,549 --> 00:08:02,509 Even faithful believers can become discouraged when they should 138 00:08:02,509 --> 00:08:03,589 be rejoicing. 139 00:08:04,549 --> 00:08:09,349 Even longtime Christians can find themselves bitter when they 140 00:08:09,349 --> 00:08:11,349 should be boasting of God's goodness. 141 00:08:12,629 --> 00:08:15,989 God's work in the Book of Jonah, I believe here, is twofold. 142 00:08:16,789 --> 00:08:21,749 All throughout the Book of Jonah, you see God passionately pursuing 143 00:08:22,309 --> 00:08:25,269 a people that are far from him. 144 00:08:25,669 --> 00:08:28,469 The Assyrians were very far from God. 145 00:08:29,269 --> 00:08:36,869 But I also see a tender heart, God's heart, as he deals with, of 146 00:08:36,869 --> 00:08:39,109 all people, his own prophet. 147 00:08:39,829 --> 00:08:43,549 And he's running after that prophet the whole way through the 148 00:08:43,549 --> 00:08:43,829 Book. 149 00:08:44,509 --> 00:08:50,349 And he's seeking after this prophet's heart while bringing salvation 150 00:08:50,349 --> 00:08:51,709 to an entire nation. 151 00:08:52,669 --> 00:09:00,429 And we have a picture more so of that one righteous heart than 152 00:09:00,429 --> 00:09:02,349 we do of the wicked sinners that came to him. 153 00:09:02,669 --> 00:09:04,269 Let's see that heart tonight. 154 00:09:04,509 --> 00:09:10,029 And let's ask ourselves, is any of that heart reflecting or reflect 155 00:09:10,029 --> 00:09:16,178 upon me first, let's consider this. 156 00:09:16,178 --> 00:09:18,458 We should rejoice with those that rejoice. 157 00:09:19,658 --> 00:09:23,618 Verse one again says, but it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and 158 00:09:23,618 --> 00:09:25,258 he was very angry. 159 00:09:27,098 --> 00:09:29,498 Check this prayer out, Verse number two. 160 00:09:30,138 --> 00:09:32,458 And he prayed this prayer. 161 00:09:32,458 --> 00:09:36,378 I'm sorry, this prayer is unbelievable. 162 00:09:36,729 --> 00:09:40,729 I just want you to think about God's prophet and the setting of 163 00:09:40,729 --> 00:09:42,169 what all just took place. 164 00:09:43,529 --> 00:09:46,009 This is his prayer to God. 165 00:09:47,209 --> 00:09:53,649 And he prayed unto The Lord and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was 166 00:09:53,649 --> 00:09:56,969 not this my saying when I was yet in my country? 167 00:09:57,769 --> 00:10:01,769 Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish God. 168 00:10:01,929 --> 00:10:02,189 This. 169 00:10:02,339 --> 00:10:05,579 This is why I didn't want to obey you and I didn't want to preach 170 00:10:05,579 --> 00:10:06,099 your word. 171 00:10:06,099 --> 00:10:08,339 This is the very reason why. 172 00:10:09,459 --> 00:10:11,459 And then he says, here's the reason. 173 00:10:12,179 --> 00:10:15,299 For I what knew. 174 00:10:15,939 --> 00:10:19,899 I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to 175 00:10:19,899 --> 00:10:24,179 anger, and of great kindness and repentest thee of the evil. 176 00:10:24,659 --> 00:10:25,219 Whew. 177 00:10:25,779 --> 00:10:26,819 What a prayer. 178 00:10:27,059 --> 00:10:27,859 What a prayer. 179 00:10:27,859 --> 00:10:28,419 Warrior. 180 00:10:28,419 --> 00:10:31,829 Now, this is that fervent prayer, but in the wrong way. 181 00:10:31,829 --> 00:10:35,189 The fervency is going the wrong direction, but it is fervent. 182 00:10:35,989 --> 00:10:37,189 It's unbelievable. 183 00:10:38,709 --> 00:10:43,189 But again, as hard as it is to read and think of where his heart 184 00:10:43,189 --> 00:10:47,749 could have been, I think if we are honest with ourselves, we can 185 00:10:47,749 --> 00:10:51,509 maybe see some of our own heart as we see his. 186 00:10:51,669 --> 00:10:55,429 The Bible says in Romans 12:15, rejoice with them that rejoice 187 00:10:56,119 --> 00:10:58,679 and weep with them that weep. 188 00:10:58,919 --> 00:11:03,079 This is a verse that we use in our household very regularly, and 189 00:11:03,079 --> 00:11:04,079 it has been going on. 190 00:11:04,079 --> 00:11:06,519 I'm not going to tell you which child that we started this 191 00:11:06,519 --> 00:11:10,119 with, but I like doing this. 192 00:11:10,119 --> 00:11:20,079 But it's been 11 and a half years, so I'll tell you this, it 193 00:11:20,079 --> 00:11:24,039 ain't Opal, although we preach it to Opal, too, and did recently. 194 00:11:24,999 --> 00:11:30,239 In fact, yesterday, that little monkey, she was playing a 195 00:11:30,239 --> 00:11:34,239 game with the other kids and she came barging into my room and 196 00:11:34,239 --> 00:11:36,599 she said, they won't let me win. 197 00:11:37,079 --> 00:11:42,279 And she was upset because they won and wouldn't let her win, and 198 00:11:42,279 --> 00:11:43,679 she would not have any. 199 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:46,039 She wouldn't rejoice that someone else won. 200 00:11:46,039 --> 00:11:48,919 She could only find satisfaction if it blessed her. 201 00:11:49,729 --> 00:11:53,649 And so we use that scripture reference very frequently. 202 00:11:53,809 --> 00:11:57,889 Rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep. 203 00:11:58,209 --> 00:12:01,489 When heaven was cheering, Jonah was pouting. 204 00:12:02,449 --> 00:12:04,689 Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. 205 00:12:04,689 --> 00:12:05,409 Assyrians. 206 00:12:06,689 --> 00:12:10,689 They were an intensely wicked people, and they were known for their 207 00:12:11,169 --> 00:12:12,129 brutality. 208 00:12:12,369 --> 00:12:16,049 They were notorious for their intense cruelty. 209 00:12:16,609 --> 00:12:21,009 They were known for mass executions, for displacing people 210 00:12:21,009 --> 00:12:22,969 and families after conquering them. 211 00:12:22,969 --> 00:12:24,449 And they were even known for. 212 00:12:24,449 --> 00:12:27,289 There are things I cannot even make mention of in this room tonight 213 00:12:27,289 --> 00:12:28,129 because of the audience. 214 00:12:28,209 --> 00:12:32,209 But they were known for mutilations and psychological terror 215 00:12:32,209 --> 00:12:33,449 that they instilled on people. 216 00:12:33,449 --> 00:12:37,489 And they were known for forced exiles after defeats and everything 217 00:12:37,489 --> 00:12:37,889 else. 218 00:12:38,129 --> 00:12:38,689 Listen. 219 00:12:38,929 --> 00:12:43,339 The Israelites and the Assyrians were mortal enemies. 220 00:12:44,859 --> 00:12:49,899 The Israelites had had long waited for God's judgment on this 221 00:12:49,899 --> 00:12:50,699 wicked people. 222 00:12:51,899 --> 00:12:54,779 Can you think of any people groups that you think, well, God's 223 00:12:54,779 --> 00:12:56,939 judgment must surely be coming on them. 224 00:12:57,899 --> 00:13:01,979 God's hand of wrath must surely be being stayed if he hasn't 225 00:13:01,979 --> 00:13:03,899 judged them harshly yet. 226 00:13:04,299 --> 00:13:07,139 And maybe we think, I just hope that God will give them what 227 00:13:07,139 --> 00:13:07,739 is theirs. 228 00:13:08,499 --> 00:13:12,179 That's the way that the Israelites felt about the Assyrians 229 00:13:15,379 --> 00:13:16,979 when mercy came though. 230 00:13:17,699 --> 00:13:23,379 When mercy came instead of judgment, Jonah's heart became bitter 231 00:13:24,179 --> 00:13:25,619 instead of being joyful. 232 00:13:26,339 --> 00:13:28,019 Bitter instead of joyful. 233 00:13:29,779 --> 00:13:33,859 It should not bring joy to see anyone remain in darkness. 234 00:13:35,939 --> 00:13:41,859 It shouldn't bring joy to any believer that any person would die 235 00:13:42,259 --> 00:13:43,139 in darkness. 236 00:13:46,339 --> 00:13:48,899 It shouldn't bring us joy to see that in any way. 237 00:13:51,779 --> 00:13:53,059 I would even say it this way. 238 00:13:53,059 --> 00:13:55,419 I don't know if you've read through the Psalms before, but some 239 00:13:55,419 --> 00:13:56,819 of the Psalms are a little dark. 240 00:13:58,579 --> 00:14:01,059 You ever read what's called an imprecatory psalm? 241 00:14:01,459 --> 00:14:01,769 The. 242 00:14:01,839 --> 00:14:07,719 The imprecatory Psalms are the ones of God's psalmist proclaiming 243 00:14:07,719 --> 00:14:11,599 and praying for the destruction and defeat of his enemy. 244 00:14:11,599 --> 00:14:11,999 Right. 245 00:14:12,079 --> 00:14:16,479 And I'll be honest with you, I have never personally felt liberty 246 00:14:16,479 --> 00:14:18,719 from God to pray those prayers. 247 00:14:19,199 --> 00:14:21,599 So in case you're wondering if, you know, has he ever prayed 248 00:14:21,599 --> 00:14:23,199 a prayer like that on me, I have not. 249 00:14:23,439 --> 00:14:24,159 I have not. 250 00:14:25,199 --> 00:14:27,279 I've never felt the liberty to do that. 251 00:14:28,489 --> 00:14:32,569 God has given us accurate recordings of imprecatory psalms 252 00:14:32,569 --> 00:14:36,529 in the hearts of psalmists, but that does not give us liberty 253 00:14:36,529 --> 00:14:42,169 to desire and pray for hellfire and judgment on other people. 254 00:14:42,649 --> 00:14:45,009 So this is kind of a funny illustration, but Hannah has told 255 00:14:45,009 --> 00:14:47,369 me multiple times I haven't called you Hannah in a long time. 256 00:14:47,369 --> 00:14:48,889 That's kind of weird, even just saying that. 257 00:14:48,969 --> 00:14:51,609 If she ever calls me Aaron, I'm in trouble when I call her Hannah. 258 00:14:51,609 --> 00:14:52,329 It's just weird. 259 00:14:52,569 --> 00:14:56,269 But anyways, so just so you know, that's my wife. 260 00:14:56,829 --> 00:14:58,509 I call her other names too, but. 261 00:14:58,909 --> 00:15:03,149 So when she was in high school, she was on a basketball team, 262 00:15:03,549 --> 00:15:04,749 you know where I'm going here. 263 00:15:05,069 --> 00:15:07,349 And she tells me frequently, not frequently. 264 00:15:07,349 --> 00:15:10,749 She's told me multiple times where right before games, their team 265 00:15:10,749 --> 00:15:11,949 will pray together. 266 00:15:12,509 --> 00:15:16,269 And whenever this one girl on her team was given the opportunity 267 00:15:16,269 --> 00:15:21,269 to pray, she would always pray an imprecatory psalm against the 268 00:15:21,269 --> 00:15:21,789 other team. 269 00:15:22,149 --> 00:15:24,629 And so she'd use a verse like Psalm 10:15. 270 00:15:25,349 --> 00:15:30,989 Break thou the arm of the wicked, and the evil man, seek out 271 00:15:30,989 --> 00:15:33,509 his wickedness till thou find none. 272 00:15:34,389 --> 00:15:36,549 You know, can you imagine that right before a ball game? 273 00:15:36,549 --> 00:15:37,269 And that'll really. 274 00:15:37,269 --> 00:15:38,268 That'll really light your fire. 275 00:15:38,268 --> 00:15:40,269 That'll get you to Go, you know, on three. 276 00:15:40,269 --> 00:15:41,109 One, two, three. 277 00:15:41,349 --> 00:15:42,469 Break their arms. 278 00:15:44,149 --> 00:15:45,269 Can you imagine that? 279 00:15:46,229 --> 00:15:49,029 It shouldn't bring joy, though, to see anyone remain in darkness. 280 00:15:49,649 --> 00:15:53,809 And I don't think it's a. I don't think a heart that would pray 281 00:15:53,809 --> 00:15:57,649 that way reflects the heartbeat of God. 282 00:15:59,169 --> 00:16:03,649 It should bring joy, though, to see sinners turned to the Lord 283 00:16:03,649 --> 00:16:04,449 Jesus Christ. 284 00:16:05,249 --> 00:16:05,889 Of course. 285 00:16:06,609 --> 00:16:07,769 Luke 15:7. 286 00:16:07,769 --> 00:16:12,649 I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner 287 00:16:12,649 --> 00:16:13,649 that repenteth. 288 00:16:13,809 --> 00:16:15,209 You know what Jonah had? 289 00:16:15,209 --> 00:16:18,589 Good doctrine, great doctrine. 290 00:16:19,149 --> 00:16:20,189 Read verse two again. 291 00:16:20,189 --> 00:16:21,629 Chapter four, verse two. 292 00:16:22,029 --> 00:16:25,549 Jonah had great doctrine, but he had a bad heart. 293 00:16:26,909 --> 00:16:30,549 I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful and slow 294 00:16:30,549 --> 00:16:32,189 to anger and of great kindness. 295 00:16:33,309 --> 00:16:36,509 God's looking down saying, is this a real prayer? 296 00:16:37,389 --> 00:16:38,429 I say in jest. 297 00:16:39,629 --> 00:16:42,029 Can you imagine that prayer as it went up before God? 298 00:16:42,889 --> 00:16:46,729 Talk about smacking the ceiling and bouncing back off. 299 00:16:47,209 --> 00:16:51,449 Just not a prayer that God would have blessed. 300 00:16:52,169 --> 00:16:56,409 Jonah's theology may have been correct, but his attitude was corrupt. 301 00:16:57,049 --> 00:17:01,569 Jonah had hatred in his heart for someone that Jesus loved, in 302 00:17:01,569 --> 00:17:02,489 fact, a whole nation. 303 00:17:03,689 --> 00:17:09,659 Jonah was bitter towards these people to the point where he would 304 00:17:09,659 --> 00:17:12,659 have been the one to pray an imprecatory psalm on those people 305 00:17:12,899 --> 00:17:17,139 and rather see them die in darkness and hell for eternity than 306 00:17:17,139 --> 00:17:19,779 to come and have an opportunity and experience the same 307 00:17:19,779 --> 00:17:22,779 mercy and grace and forgiveness that was extended to 308 00:17:22,779 --> 00:17:23,699 his own heart. 309 00:17:25,059 --> 00:17:25,539 Wow. 310 00:17:26,099 --> 00:17:27,059 You know, it's possible. 311 00:17:28,259 --> 00:17:29,219 I hope you hear this. 312 00:17:29,299 --> 00:17:34,189 It's possible to be doctrinally sound, but spiritually 313 00:17:34,189 --> 00:17:34,589 sour. 314 00:17:35,629 --> 00:17:36,669 You ever been there before? 315 00:17:38,109 --> 00:17:39,309 We know what's right. 316 00:17:40,109 --> 00:17:43,269 We know who God is, and we've got the truth that will take our 317 00:17:43,269 --> 00:17:45,469 Bibles and wave the answer back to heaven. 318 00:17:46,749 --> 00:17:49,069 But we do it with the wrong disposition. 319 00:17:50,029 --> 00:17:51,149 Position matters. 320 00:17:51,709 --> 00:17:52,989 So does disposition. 321 00:17:53,789 --> 00:17:56,189 Look at Jesus, John, chapter one. 322 00:17:56,269 --> 00:18:00,869 He was full of truth, and that's the stand we all ought to 323 00:18:00,869 --> 00:18:01,149 take. 324 00:18:02,589 --> 00:18:04,189 But he was full of something else too. 325 00:18:04,989 --> 00:18:05,949 Full of grace. 326 00:18:07,949 --> 00:18:13,469 In all of your truth seeking and truth telling, is it seasoned 327 00:18:14,269 --> 00:18:19,949 properly so that other people even have a taste for it? 328 00:18:22,989 --> 00:18:28,709 Is your heart right or is it just what you know? 329 00:18:29,509 --> 00:18:31,349 Are our hearts right before God? 330 00:18:31,749 --> 00:18:35,669 Knowledge of God's grace should soften our hearts, not harden 331 00:18:35,669 --> 00:18:36,309 our hearts. 332 00:18:37,029 --> 00:18:40,149 And I would even ask this question, what good is our theology 333 00:18:40,309 --> 00:18:43,829 if it does not change our hearts towards sinners that Jesus 334 00:18:43,829 --> 00:18:44,709 died to save? 335 00:18:45,909 --> 00:18:49,189 Does your heart beat in the same rhythm as God's for the people 336 00:18:49,429 --> 00:18:52,469 that you disagree with in life? 337 00:18:53,439 --> 00:18:58,479 I want you to think in your mind someone that I don't like or 338 00:18:58,479 --> 00:18:59,599 I disagree with. 339 00:19:00,959 --> 00:19:05,439 And now I Want you to ask, is my heart towards that person? 340 00:19:06,239 --> 00:19:09,518 The same heart that God has for that person? 341 00:19:10,639 --> 00:19:11,279 Ugh. 342 00:19:12,639 --> 00:19:14,719 I'm glad I'm asking and not having to do it. 343 00:19:15,919 --> 00:19:16,799 This is hard. 344 00:19:17,599 --> 00:19:18,799 I say that jokingly. 345 00:19:19,159 --> 00:19:21,399 God's beat me up enough already, already over this. 346 00:19:21,719 --> 00:19:22,839 But think about that. 347 00:19:23,319 --> 00:19:26,959 Does your heart mirror God's heart for the person that maybe isn't 348 00:19:26,959 --> 00:19:27,799 your favorite person? 349 00:19:30,039 --> 00:19:30,839 This is important. 350 00:19:31,399 --> 00:19:33,239 This has to do with our theology. 351 00:19:34,679 --> 00:19:41,079 Theology that does not live itself out philosophically and correctly. 352 00:19:41,399 --> 00:19:45,319 What good is makes us smarter, I suppose. 353 00:19:45,639 --> 00:19:47,159 I'll tell you what it also does. 354 00:19:47,559 --> 00:19:49,239 It makes us more accountable. 355 00:19:50,839 --> 00:19:53,239 I'm accountable for what I know of God. 356 00:19:54,439 --> 00:19:58,079 And if I choose to know what I know and not act upon it and let 357 00:19:58,079 --> 00:20:02,519 it transform my life, I will answer to God for that. 358 00:20:04,759 --> 00:20:11,239 Is there a person or like Jonah, is there a group of people 359 00:20:11,239 --> 00:20:15,529 that you know that you do not love or like, like God loves? 360 00:20:16,009 --> 00:20:20,009 Do we believe the lie that we can be right with God while also 361 00:20:20,889 --> 00:20:22,969 be bitter with people? 362 00:20:24,329 --> 00:20:29,009 Do we lie to ourselves and say that we are right with God when we 363 00:20:29,009 --> 00:20:31,209 refuse to be right with people? 364 00:20:32,089 --> 00:20:35,689 And that starts in our homes and in our churches. 365 00:20:36,089 --> 00:20:40,089 But I believe it also extends into our relationships with the unsaved. 366 00:20:40,739 --> 00:20:46,299 If my heart will not be right for people whom Jesus died for, can 367 00:20:46,299 --> 00:20:48,019 my heart be right before God? 368 00:20:49,219 --> 00:20:50,339 It cannot be. 369 00:20:50,979 --> 00:20:55,579 And so I challenge you tonight to make your heart beat like God's 370 00:20:55,579 --> 00:21:00,339 heart beats and ask God to renew a right spirit within you. 371 00:21:02,499 --> 00:21:07,269 The title's encouraging, at least dealing with discouragement 372 00:21:07,269 --> 00:21:08,309 and discontentment. 373 00:21:09,989 --> 00:21:11,669 But the message is hard to hear. 374 00:21:12,069 --> 00:21:12,949 It really is. 375 00:21:13,189 --> 00:21:18,069 It's hard to hear a warning to. 376 00:21:18,069 --> 00:21:19,909 I would say maybe the choir here. 377 00:21:20,389 --> 00:21:25,229 Right theology is meant to produce right compassion, and correct 378 00:21:25,229 --> 00:21:27,109 doctrine produces correct living. 379 00:21:27,509 --> 00:21:30,669 Let's not be people that boast in our knowledge of God if that knowledge 380 00:21:30,669 --> 00:21:32,069 is not transforming us. 381 00:21:33,089 --> 00:21:39,889 Remember that Jesus, his strongest rebukes were to those who 382 00:21:39,889 --> 00:21:42,769 were his, if you will, smartest Bible students. 383 00:21:44,529 --> 00:21:49,009 His strongest rebukes were those that knew His Word the best. 384 00:21:49,569 --> 00:21:53,609 The scribes, the Pharisees, the ones that spent all of their 385 00:21:53,609 --> 00:21:58,289 time reading everything about it and memorizing the Torah and memorizing 386 00:21:58,289 --> 00:22:01,249 Scripture and knowing what it says and knowing what it means and. 387 00:22:01,829 --> 00:22:02,949 And going beyond that. 388 00:22:04,229 --> 00:22:05,589 That was everything to them. 389 00:22:06,069 --> 00:22:09,909 Man, talk about missing the boat, talk about having the Scriptures, 390 00:22:10,069 --> 00:22:13,109 talk about having, you know, everything that should give you the 391 00:22:13,109 --> 00:22:16,629 right theology, but coming out with the wrong theology and also 392 00:22:16,629 --> 00:22:17,828 the wrong type of living. 393 00:22:18,389 --> 00:22:21,109 Jesus came and he rebuked them harshly. 394 00:22:21,509 --> 00:22:24,909 And so if we sit here tonight and we're not right. 395 00:22:24,909 --> 00:22:29,149 And our heart doesn't beat like God's heart beats for people 396 00:22:29,149 --> 00:22:32,989 in our family, people we work with, for people that we are in church 397 00:22:32,989 --> 00:22:36,349 with, for people that are out there in the world that need Jesus. 398 00:22:36,509 --> 00:22:41,389 If we say that we know him and we do not, the truth, we lie. 399 00:22:42,109 --> 00:22:43,469 And we say we lie. 400 00:22:44,509 --> 00:22:47,949 We say we know him because we know His Word. 401 00:22:49,309 --> 00:22:52,589 But he will reveal more of himself as we obey His Word. 402 00:22:52,589 --> 00:22:56,329 Be ye not hearers only, but doers of the Word. 403 00:22:57,689 --> 00:23:03,009 And so I think we can also consider this, that we should stop 404 00:23:03,009 --> 00:23:08,249 counting our wounds and see others wounds. 405 00:23:08,889 --> 00:23:11,209 Look at verse number three in chapter four, please. 406 00:23:13,049 --> 00:23:15,049 So verse one and two is really bad. 407 00:23:15,689 --> 00:23:16,809 It gets worse. 408 00:23:17,369 --> 00:23:18,329 Can you imagine? 409 00:23:19,049 --> 00:23:24,649 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me. 410 00:23:25,189 --> 00:23:26,709 That sounds a little suicidal. 411 00:23:27,669 --> 00:23:28,949 Or pray as idle. 412 00:23:28,949 --> 00:23:30,669 I don't know what that would even be called when you're asking 413 00:23:30,669 --> 00:23:31,109 God to. 414 00:23:31,109 --> 00:23:31,749 I don't know. 415 00:23:32,229 --> 00:23:36,229 That's not a word for it is better for me. 416 00:23:37,029 --> 00:23:37,869 Underline that. 417 00:23:37,869 --> 00:23:41,829 Better for me to die than to live. 418 00:23:42,629 --> 00:23:50,069 Then, said the Lord, man like, okay, surely God is going to set 419 00:23:50,069 --> 00:23:54,319 him straight and just annihilate him with truth. 420 00:23:55,519 --> 00:23:57,519 Instead, God asks a simple question. 421 00:23:58,719 --> 00:24:04,039 In fact, Jonah's message to the Ninevites was much harsher than 422 00:24:04,039 --> 00:24:05,359 this question is to him. 423 00:24:05,679 --> 00:24:09,319 And we don't see the Assyrians rebelling against God in this passage. 424 00:24:09,319 --> 00:24:10,799 We see them turning to him. 425 00:24:11,039 --> 00:24:15,799 We see Jonah turning away from God and wicked people turning to 426 00:24:15,799 --> 00:24:16,159 him. 427 00:24:16,719 --> 00:24:19,439 And God just asks a simple question. 428 00:24:20,479 --> 00:24:22,479 Doest thou well to be angry? 429 00:24:23,679 --> 00:24:24,399 Ouch. 430 00:24:25,439 --> 00:24:25,999 Ow. 431 00:24:26,479 --> 00:24:28,719 You know, that had to have hurt. 432 00:24:29,439 --> 00:24:33,839 God knows just what to say to prick the heart appropriately, doesn't 433 00:24:33,839 --> 00:24:34,079 he? 434 00:24:34,879 --> 00:24:36,479 Do thou well to be angry. 435 00:24:36,799 --> 00:24:37,519 Verse 5. 436 00:24:37,599 --> 00:24:39,359 So Jonah went out of the city. 437 00:24:40,239 --> 00:24:41,039 Did he respond? 438 00:24:41,039 --> 00:24:47,129 By the way, my children, when I speak to you, respond. 439 00:24:47,609 --> 00:24:48,409 They know that. 440 00:24:49,129 --> 00:24:50,169 They know that well. 441 00:24:50,249 --> 00:24:55,489 And when it doesn't happen, I relearn them well, when I speak to 442 00:24:55,489 --> 00:24:56,729 them, they ought to respond. 443 00:24:58,569 --> 00:25:00,129 That's just common courtesy. 444 00:25:00,129 --> 00:25:03,049 But between a father and a child, it's an expectation. 445 00:25:03,209 --> 00:25:04,649 It's a training opportunity. 446 00:25:05,049 --> 00:25:06,249 But let me tell you something. 447 00:25:06,889 --> 00:25:12,629 Jonah is directly commuted to communicated to by God himself. 448 00:25:14,229 --> 00:25:15,629 And Jonah doesn't reply. 449 00:25:15,629 --> 00:25:17,029 At least we don't have record of it. 450 00:25:17,189 --> 00:25:18,149 We know what he does. 451 00:25:19,029 --> 00:25:23,269 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city 452 00:25:23,429 --> 00:25:27,709 and there made him a booth and sat under it in the shadow till he 453 00:25:27,709 --> 00:25:31,109 might see what would become of the city. 454 00:25:31,589 --> 00:25:33,909 There's still a little sliver of hope in his heart. 455 00:25:34,389 --> 00:25:37,669 A Little opportunity for a little morsel of joy to spring up 456 00:25:37,669 --> 00:25:38,389 into root. 457 00:25:39,069 --> 00:25:42,749 And that joy looks like this seeing the suffering and annihilation 458 00:25:43,069 --> 00:25:46,269 of people who desperately need Jesus Christ. 459 00:25:46,829 --> 00:25:49,309 Ugh, man, your heart is so far away. 460 00:25:50,429 --> 00:25:51,109 Verse 6. 461 00:25:51,109 --> 00:25:53,309 And the Lord God prepared a gourd. 462 00:25:53,869 --> 00:25:56,589 Remember before what he did, he prepared a whale. 463 00:25:56,989 --> 00:25:58,229 Now he's preparing a gourd. 464 00:25:58,229 --> 00:25:59,469 He's preparing all these things. 465 00:25:59,709 --> 00:26:03,309 Notice all the things that he's preparing are for the one that 466 00:26:03,309 --> 00:26:04,269 shouldn't need it. 467 00:26:04,999 --> 00:26:06,759 The guy that knows God and his word. 468 00:26:07,159 --> 00:26:09,639 But God's having to really work hard with this one. 469 00:26:10,199 --> 00:26:12,599 He's really having to work hard with this self righteous guy. 470 00:26:13,799 --> 00:26:17,479 God prepared a gourd and made it to come up over Jonah that it 471 00:26:17,479 --> 00:26:20,999 might be a shadow over his head to deliver him from his grief. 472 00:26:22,119 --> 00:26:25,239 So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. 473 00:26:29,079 --> 00:26:32,559 Do I. I mean this is what brought him joy. 474 00:26:34,079 --> 00:26:41,319 Did thousands, did a whole people group turning to Jesus under 475 00:26:41,319 --> 00:26:42,399 his own preaching. 476 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:46,799 I mean that brought him anger. 477 00:26:47,679 --> 00:26:51,279 But God gives him a little shade and he's happy. 478 00:26:52,639 --> 00:26:53,359 Imagine. 479 00:26:54,959 --> 00:26:59,349 So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd, but God prepared. 480 00:26:59,349 --> 00:27:00,429 Here's another thing he prepared. 481 00:27:00,429 --> 00:27:04,629 He prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day and it 482 00:27:04,709 --> 00:27:07,669 smote the gourd, that it withered. 483 00:27:09,029 --> 00:27:13,429 And it came to pass when the sun did arise, that God prepared 484 00:27:13,509 --> 00:27:16,309 another thing, a vehement east wind. 485 00:27:16,549 --> 00:27:21,749 And the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted and wished 486 00:27:21,749 --> 00:27:23,999 in himself to die. 487 00:27:24,559 --> 00:27:32,319 And said again, it is better for me to die than to live. 488 00:27:33,039 --> 00:27:37,519 And God said to Jonah, doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? 489 00:27:38,239 --> 00:27:45,119 And he said, I do well to be angry even unto death. 490 00:27:46,399 --> 00:27:51,919 Then said the Lord, thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which 491 00:27:51,919 --> 00:27:56,279 thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow, which came up in 492 00:27:56,279 --> 00:27:58,159 a night and perished in a night. 493 00:27:58,879 --> 00:28:03,759 And should not I spare Nineveh, the great city, wherein 494 00:28:03,759 --> 00:28:08,599 are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern 495 00:28:08,599 --> 00:28:10,479 between their right hand and their left hand. 496 00:28:11,839 --> 00:28:14,579 We don't know exactly what that means, but. 497 00:28:14,649 --> 00:28:17,809 But if you can't discern your right hand from your left hand, you're 498 00:28:17,809 --> 00:28:19,969 not just like some of the people that I know that really aren't 499 00:28:19,969 --> 00:28:22,329 very good at that, that are full grown adults. 500 00:28:23,529 --> 00:28:26,969 But I think here it's talking about children, people that can't 501 00:28:26,969 --> 00:28:28,249 discern their left from the right. 502 00:28:29,049 --> 00:28:33,369 120,000 of them is what the scripture talks about. 503 00:28:34,489 --> 00:28:35,849 Eternal souls. 504 00:28:37,689 --> 00:28:41,449 He's in such a place that he can't rejoice over eternal souls 505 00:28:42,649 --> 00:28:48,609 coming to Christ as much as he can rejoice over a dayspring gourd 506 00:28:48,609 --> 00:28:50,649 that gives him a little bit of shade for a moment. 507 00:28:51,129 --> 00:28:58,969 His temporary comfort was more important to him than the eternal 508 00:28:58,969 --> 00:29:01,049 discomfort of souls. 509 00:29:04,489 --> 00:29:10,979 I can't say the word expiring, being extended into eternity forever. 510 00:29:13,059 --> 00:29:18,099 Dying but never dying, Suffering but never extinguishing 511 00:29:18,499 --> 00:29:21,299 their life, extinguishing the second death. 512 00:29:22,579 --> 00:29:25,539 It brought him joy to think that, man, if I could just get a 513 00:29:25,539 --> 00:29:30,579 little shade, man, you talk about, and I'm talking to myself 514 00:29:30,579 --> 00:29:34,639 here, but you talk about comfort living and that bringing 515 00:29:34,639 --> 00:29:36,639 joy and that bringing satisfaction to a life. 516 00:29:37,599 --> 00:29:39,199 That's American living right there. 517 00:29:40,159 --> 00:29:41,359 We're so comfortable. 518 00:29:41,999 --> 00:29:43,119 We're so comfortable. 519 00:29:43,519 --> 00:29:45,439 It's so nice being comfortable too. 520 00:29:45,439 --> 00:29:48,079 I love it, I love it and so do you. 521 00:29:50,079 --> 00:29:51,359 We should recognize that. 522 00:29:53,599 --> 00:29:58,639 But what about the idea that maybe God would have some of us be 523 00:29:58,639 --> 00:30:05,349 uncomfortable for the sake of the salvation of souls that will 524 00:30:05,349 --> 00:30:13,509 eternally continue into existence and hell forever experiencing 525 00:30:13,509 --> 00:30:16,869 the judgment of God needlessly because Jesus has already paid for 526 00:30:16,869 --> 00:30:17,469 their sins. 527 00:30:17,949 --> 00:30:18,829 Imagine that. 528 00:30:20,909 --> 00:30:24,189 Well, we should stop counting our wounds and maybe see others wounds. 529 00:30:24,589 --> 00:30:25,629 Reminds me of a story. 530 00:30:25,629 --> 00:30:30,289 When I was in Virginia I, I was probably 15 or I was probably 531 00:30:30,289 --> 00:30:33,009 16 actually, or 17 for sake of legal reasons. 532 00:30:33,009 --> 00:30:33,569 I was 18. 533 00:30:34,449 --> 00:30:40,489 We were doing a boating trip with a bunch of the teenagers from 534 00:30:40,489 --> 00:30:41,249 our bus ministry. 535 00:30:41,249 --> 00:30:44,689 I served in the bus ministry since I was a kid and I got to help 536 00:30:44,689 --> 00:30:46,769 do a lot of things and even lead some things in that group. 537 00:30:46,769 --> 00:30:51,449 When I was younger and we were doing a boating activity on the Potomac 538 00:30:51,449 --> 00:30:54,129 river we had a boat and we loved going up and down the river 539 00:30:54,139 --> 00:30:56,009 and, and we thought well, we're going to bring out some of 540 00:30:56,009 --> 00:30:56,489 our friends. 541 00:30:56,489 --> 00:30:58,289 And I did that every once in a while. 542 00:30:59,009 --> 00:31:02,809 And so we're up in the Potomac river and we're hitting some waves. 543 00:31:02,809 --> 00:31:05,969 Like there's, there's a decent amount of, decent amount of wind 544 00:31:05,969 --> 00:31:09,329 and it was creating probably like three foot swells. 545 00:31:09,329 --> 00:31:12,769 Nothing crazy, but the perfect, perfect amount for that 546 00:31:12,769 --> 00:31:14,329 area in the boat that I was in. 547 00:31:14,329 --> 00:31:18,129 A little 17 foot open bow, little runabout boat. 548 00:31:19,169 --> 00:31:23,249 It was just perfect, perfect, like nightmare. 549 00:31:23,649 --> 00:31:27,889 And so we're going down the river or up the river and the waves 550 00:31:27,889 --> 00:31:30,929 are like very big, they're not choppy, they're kind of like full 551 00:31:30,929 --> 00:31:32,849 on waves, you know, the ones that you're riding. 552 00:31:33,009 --> 00:31:36,208 And so we're riding these waves and I had the great idea of 553 00:31:36,208 --> 00:31:39,689 allowing one of the other teenagers to drive the boat and so 554 00:31:39,689 --> 00:31:41,169 he took the Helm, if you will. 555 00:31:41,169 --> 00:31:44,809 And I sat in the front of the open bow there in the front of the 556 00:31:44,809 --> 00:31:45,169 boat. 557 00:31:45,169 --> 00:31:47,889 And so he kind of comes back in there, and then he's cruising 558 00:31:47,889 --> 00:31:48,209 along. 559 00:31:48,859 --> 00:31:51,099 And all of a sudden, I'm noticing that the waves are getting 560 00:31:51,099 --> 00:31:54,739 bigger, and we're going faster against the waves and against the 561 00:31:54,739 --> 00:31:55,019 wind. 562 00:31:55,259 --> 00:31:58,539 And I was like, this is fun, but I'm starting to get nervous. 563 00:31:58,699 --> 00:32:03,179 And I never forget, as I was holding onto the rail on the bow, 564 00:32:03,339 --> 00:32:06,139 I kind of just looked back because I saw a big wave coming, 565 00:32:06,139 --> 00:32:08,979 and I knew that was the wave that would be a very real detriment 566 00:32:08,979 --> 00:32:12,379 to us if we hit it at the speeds we were at. 567 00:32:12,699 --> 00:32:15,179 And I remember looking back right before we were about to hit 568 00:32:15,179 --> 00:32:18,139 that wave, saying, dude, for sure, he's about to throttle off. 569 00:32:19,419 --> 00:32:22,419 He had already fell out of his chair and rolled to the back of the 570 00:32:22,419 --> 00:32:22,779 boat. 571 00:32:23,179 --> 00:32:26,139 And we had seven or eight people on the boat. 572 00:32:26,779 --> 00:32:27,739 So what happened? 573 00:32:27,739 --> 00:32:29,659 Well, we went, whoa. 574 00:32:29,819 --> 00:32:30,539 And we took. 575 00:32:30,619 --> 00:32:33,539 We went airborne, and the next big one was coming. 576 00:32:33,539 --> 00:32:36,339 We slammed down into the water, and then we went. 577 00:32:36,339 --> 00:32:40,699 And then when we slammed into the water, the accelerator went bo. 578 00:32:40,939 --> 00:32:41,899 And it floored. 579 00:32:43,219 --> 00:32:47,819 So now we're flooring it, going up this last wave, and we went 580 00:32:47,819 --> 00:32:48,459 airborne. 581 00:32:48,459 --> 00:32:49,299 It was amazing. 582 00:32:49,299 --> 00:32:53,059 The boat stood up like this, and all I remember was literally 583 00:32:53,139 --> 00:32:54,619 hanging on the railing. 584 00:32:54,619 --> 00:32:57,259 I would have definitely been thrown off the boat had I not been 585 00:32:57,259 --> 00:32:58,179 holding on that railing. 586 00:32:58,339 --> 00:32:59,459 My feet were above. 587 00:33:00,019 --> 00:33:01,299 I'm not, like, making this up. 588 00:33:01,299 --> 00:33:02,499 My feet were way up here. 589 00:33:02,499 --> 00:33:04,019 I was holding onto the railing. 590 00:33:04,019 --> 00:33:06,419 We came down and slammed into the water. 591 00:33:06,659 --> 00:33:07,699 Boat shut off. 592 00:33:07,699 --> 00:33:08,979 Battery got ripped out. 593 00:33:09,899 --> 00:33:12,059 A bunch of stuff flew out into the water. 594 00:33:12,379 --> 00:33:14,299 I immediately stopped. 595 00:33:14,459 --> 00:33:17,779 All I can remember was it was silent after that, and we were all, 596 00:33:17,779 --> 00:33:18,459 like, in shock. 597 00:33:18,539 --> 00:33:21,139 And I remember just looking around, and I immediately started 598 00:33:21,139 --> 00:33:25,179 counting heads, making sure that every person was on the boat. 599 00:33:25,338 --> 00:33:27,059 Thank the Lord, every person was on the boat. 600 00:33:27,059 --> 00:33:30,499 And I'm not in prison today, but I was 18, and we were fine anyways, 601 00:33:30,499 --> 00:33:33,819 you know, so why tell that story? 602 00:33:33,979 --> 00:33:38,909 Well, like, a couple minutes after we had grabbed a few things 603 00:33:38,909 --> 00:33:42,509 out of the water, one of the guys said, whoa, Aaron, like, you're 604 00:33:42,509 --> 00:33:43,109 bleeding. 605 00:33:43,269 --> 00:33:46,229 And I looked down, and my arms were just, like, all red. 606 00:33:46,229 --> 00:33:47,989 They were just bleeding a lot. 607 00:33:47,989 --> 00:33:50,309 And the water makes it look worse than it is, you know, so, you 608 00:33:50,309 --> 00:33:51,669 know, I was a teenager, too, so I kind of felt cool. 609 00:33:51,669 --> 00:33:53,109 Like, I'm bleeding everywhere, and, like, look at me. 610 00:33:53,109 --> 00:33:53,829 This is cool. 611 00:33:54,149 --> 00:33:55,269 You know that feeling, guys? 612 00:33:55,269 --> 00:33:56,069 I know you do. 613 00:33:56,309 --> 00:33:57,349 So I thought it was kind of Cool. 614 00:33:57,349 --> 00:33:58,869 But I mean it was a lot, it was a lot of blood. 615 00:33:58,869 --> 00:34:02,969 I didn't even recognize my own situation because I was so focused 616 00:34:03,129 --> 00:34:06,249 on thinking that, you know, I'm responsible for these other people, 617 00:34:06,409 --> 00:34:08,489 I need to make sure they're on the boat at least. 618 00:34:08,889 --> 00:34:09,609 And they were. 619 00:34:09,609 --> 00:34:12,409 But I was focused on that while I was bleeding. 620 00:34:12,889 --> 00:34:15,729 Well, I think that should be somewhat of the mindset that we need 621 00:34:15,729 --> 00:34:20,209 to have and seeing the hurt that other people have as opposed 622 00:34:20,209 --> 00:34:23,609 to focusing on our own wounds, our own selves. 623 00:34:24,169 --> 00:34:28,049 Jonah said, therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life 624 00:34:28,049 --> 00:34:33,419 for me, for it is better for me to die than to live. 625 00:34:34,139 --> 00:34:35,499 That's really discouraging. 626 00:34:35,499 --> 00:34:41,019 Jonah praying to be killed by God is a really weird prayer first 627 00:34:41,019 --> 00:34:45,219 of all, but it really shows his heart and that he was so self 628 00:34:45,219 --> 00:34:48,619 focused he was of no good to the work of God. 629 00:34:48,699 --> 00:34:51,139 I would say this, that that heart wasn't any different than when 630 00:34:51,139 --> 00:34:52,059 he had preached though. 631 00:34:52,779 --> 00:34:59,399 However, God is bigger than all of that and God used him despite 632 00:34:59,799 --> 00:35:03,079 his heart against these people. 633 00:35:03,799 --> 00:35:09,399 And God can use any dull tool in his shed if he so desires. 634 00:35:09,559 --> 00:35:11,319 And that's what he did in his providence. 635 00:35:11,719 --> 00:35:14,119 But man, his heart is still here in this bad place. 636 00:35:14,199 --> 00:35:17,079 Jonah's focus shrank to just seeing himself. 637 00:35:17,319 --> 00:35:20,359 And I call this the better for me philosophy. 638 00:35:20,539 --> 00:35:24,808 So some people live as if life's only question is, well, what's 639 00:35:24,808 --> 00:35:25,648 in it for me? 640 00:35:26,048 --> 00:35:31,568 What's best for me and my peeps, my people, my house, myself? 641 00:35:32,208 --> 00:35:33,408 What's in it for me? 642 00:35:33,968 --> 00:35:38,048 Well, this view and this type of living will for a believer lead 643 00:35:38,048 --> 00:35:43,488 to discouragement and disparity and unfulfillment. 644 00:35:43,888 --> 00:35:47,688 Because God has created us to do something so much more than to 645 00:35:47,688 --> 00:35:49,688 just be comfortable and satisfy our own selves and our own 646 00:35:49,688 --> 00:35:50,188 desires. 647 00:35:51,139 --> 00:35:56,139 So the Bible says in Acts 20, verse 35, I have showed you all things 648 00:35:56,139 --> 00:36:00,819 how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak and to remember 649 00:36:00,819 --> 00:36:05,139 the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to 650 00:36:06,179 --> 00:36:08,259 give than to receive. 651 00:36:08,659 --> 00:36:15,259 And yet Jonah here is thinking it's more blessed to take, even if 652 00:36:15,259 --> 00:36:19,319 it means his own life for his own sake. 653 00:36:21,559 --> 00:36:22,839 That's serious stuff. 654 00:36:23,559 --> 00:36:27,599 It's really serious stuff, you know, and I don't make light of this 655 00:36:27,599 --> 00:36:31,079 at all, but there are people that think thoughts like this, very 656 00:36:31,079 --> 00:36:35,759 self harming thoughts and it's dangerous thinking. 657 00:36:35,759 --> 00:36:38,879 It's not godly thinking and it would never please the Lord and it 658 00:36:38,879 --> 00:36:41,839 would hurt the people that are around you that you think don't care 659 00:36:41,839 --> 00:36:42,359 about you. 660 00:36:42,769 --> 00:36:48,689 Let me Tell you something, it would destroy people here to see 661 00:36:48,689 --> 00:36:50,129 something like that happen to you. 662 00:36:51,649 --> 00:36:54,689 And never believe the lie that says nobody cares. 663 00:36:54,929 --> 00:36:56,609 That's a lie from the devil. 664 00:36:57,329 --> 00:37:00,729 And if you think those thoughts, you should go seek help 665 00:37:00,729 --> 00:37:02,929 from someone that wants to help you. 666 00:37:03,249 --> 00:37:05,649 There are people that care about you and love you. 667 00:37:05,969 --> 00:37:08,369 And so when you have thoughts like that, you need to get help. 668 00:37:08,779 --> 00:37:09,579 You need to get help. 669 00:37:09,899 --> 00:37:15,819 And we have groups just that are tailor made without judgment, 670 00:37:16,939 --> 00:37:20,219 with help on the way ministries, just like that. 671 00:37:20,219 --> 00:37:23,819 And I'd encourage you to even go to our pastor, Pastor Stone, and 672 00:37:23,819 --> 00:37:26,939 ask him and seek guidance and counsel, maybe his wife or lady, 673 00:37:28,859 --> 00:37:31,979 but take those thoughts seriously and get help. 674 00:37:34,349 --> 00:37:37,029 Discouragement can cause people to give up, give up on trusting 675 00:37:37,029 --> 00:37:39,949 God, giving up on helping others, and maybe giving up on life 676 00:37:39,949 --> 00:37:40,429 itself. 677 00:37:41,069 --> 00:37:44,189 Choosing to rejoice, though, is a matter of the will. 678 00:37:44,269 --> 00:37:46,189 There's always something to rejoice in. 679 00:37:46,189 --> 00:37:48,989 The scriptures say this, rejoice in the Lord always. 680 00:37:49,149 --> 00:37:51,789 And again I say rejoice. 681 00:37:52,749 --> 00:37:55,429 He wouldn't tell us to do something that we are not able to 682 00:37:55,429 --> 00:37:55,709 do. 683 00:37:56,109 --> 00:37:58,509 He's saying there's something to rejoice in. 684 00:37:58,669 --> 00:38:01,319 Find it and rejoice in it. 685 00:38:01,719 --> 00:38:03,319 Rejoice in the Lord always. 686 00:38:03,719 --> 00:38:07,359 We might not be thankful for everything, but we can learn to be 687 00:38:07,359 --> 00:38:10,519 thankful in everything that the Lord allows us to go through. 688 00:38:10,679 --> 00:38:13,399 The Bible says in everything give thanks. 689 00:38:13,639 --> 00:38:16,759 For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 690 00:38:17,479 --> 00:38:24,439 And so instead of getting bitter about the thing, use proper 691 00:38:24,439 --> 00:38:31,919 theology and allow it to help you help yourself and to allow you 692 00:38:31,919 --> 00:38:36,199 to encourage yourself in the Lord like David did to help yourself 693 00:38:37,959 --> 00:38:40,679 and find an area in your life. 694 00:38:41,079 --> 00:38:45,239 And if you can't see any good in your own life, to be able to rejoice 695 00:38:45,399 --> 00:38:50,919 in what God is doing currently in the lives of somebody else, there's 696 00:38:50,919 --> 00:38:52,199 always something to rejoice in. 697 00:38:52,759 --> 00:38:55,439 Then there's the better for you philosophy, and that's the better 698 00:38:55,439 --> 00:38:56,519 for you philosophy. 699 00:38:57,079 --> 00:38:59,719 We're out of time, so I won't read it, but maybe you want to write 700 00:38:59,719 --> 00:39:00,599 this passage down. 701 00:39:00,919 --> 00:39:06,199 Philippians, chapter one, verses 21 to 26 are amazing verses 702 00:39:06,199 --> 00:39:06,999 on this topic. 703 00:39:07,639 --> 00:39:11,199 The first verse just says, for me to live is Christ, but to die 704 00:39:11,199 --> 00:39:15,759 is gain nevertheless, to abide in the flesh, it's more needful for 705 00:39:15,759 --> 00:39:16,039 you. 706 00:39:17,319 --> 00:39:19,939 Paul knew what what was best for him. 707 00:39:20,099 --> 00:39:21,219 It was to be with Christ. 708 00:39:21,699 --> 00:39:24,659 But he recognized that wasn't best for them. 709 00:39:25,059 --> 00:39:26,979 And so he wanted what was best for them. 710 00:39:27,299 --> 00:39:31,059 And so he found contentment in that lot. 711 00:39:31,699 --> 00:39:33,139 And that's the way that we should live. 712 00:39:33,219 --> 00:39:34,339 To live is Christ. 713 00:39:34,659 --> 00:39:37,139 Life is ministry and ministry is life. 714 00:39:37,139 --> 00:39:39,059 Live for the Lord and give him all you have. 715 00:39:39,299 --> 00:39:42,259 As long as God gives you breath, he has given you purpose. 716 00:39:42,499 --> 00:39:44,339 Find purpose and pursue that. 717 00:39:45,049 --> 00:39:48,409 If you've quit serving, or maybe you've quit trying, or you've 718 00:39:48,409 --> 00:39:52,609 quit reading your Bible, or you've quit caring about souls, now 719 00:39:52,609 --> 00:39:56,729 is the time to come to the altar tonight and change your philosophy 720 00:39:57,129 --> 00:39:59,289 to a better for you philosophy. 721 00:40:00,089 --> 00:40:00,928 And to live. 722 00:40:00,928 --> 00:40:03,689 Understand that to live is Christ and I encourage you to live 723 00:40:03,689 --> 00:40:04,169 for him. 724 00:40:04,489 --> 00:40:05,689 To die is gain. 725 00:40:05,929 --> 00:40:08,089 Eternity with Christ is far better. 726 00:40:09,209 --> 00:40:09,849 Far better. 727 00:40:10,619 --> 00:40:13,859 But until then, we live for the benefit of others and for God's 728 00:40:13,859 --> 00:40:14,299 glory. 729 00:40:14,859 --> 00:40:20,859 Paul's perspective, it shifted from what I want to what others need. 730 00:40:23,179 --> 00:40:26,138 A pastor once visited a nursing home and met an elderly woman 731 00:40:26,138 --> 00:40:27,179 confined to bed. 732 00:40:28,139 --> 00:40:31,339 Her body was frail, her voice was weak. 733 00:40:31,739 --> 00:40:35,579 On her nightstand was a handwritten list titled People to 734 00:40:35,579 --> 00:40:36,259 Pray for. 735 00:40:36,259 --> 00:40:42,639 Today she prayed for missionaries, her pastor, her children, 736 00:40:42,719 --> 00:40:44,639 and the kids in Sunday school. 737 00:40:45,519 --> 00:40:48,799 When asked if she ever got discouraged, she smiled and said, 738 00:40:49,199 --> 00:40:49,919 oh no. 739 00:40:50,319 --> 00:40:54,239 As long as I can pray for someone else, God still has a purpose 740 00:40:54,239 --> 00:40:54,719 for me. 741 00:40:56,159 --> 00:40:58,319 When you're discouraged, serve someone else. 742 00:40:58,719 --> 00:41:01,679 A self centered life will lead you to despair. 743 00:41:02,239 --> 00:41:06,709 A Christ centered, otherly focused life will lead you to joy. 744 00:41:07,589 --> 00:41:11,389 And so Jonah's discouragement came from a heart that was out of 745 00:41:11,389 --> 00:41:12,629 step with God's heart. 746 00:41:12,869 --> 00:41:16,109 He cared more about his comfort than about God's compassion 747 00:41:16,109 --> 00:41:17,189 and other souls. 748 00:41:17,989 --> 00:41:23,189 When we face discouragement, we can rejoice in God's mercy, especially 749 00:41:23,189 --> 00:41:24,309 when he shows it to others. 750 00:41:25,029 --> 00:41:30,639 We can refocus our heart on his purposes rather than our own 751 00:41:30,639 --> 00:41:31,359 preferences. 752 00:41:31,679 --> 00:41:35,839 And then we can remember that true joy is found not in what's better 753 00:41:35,839 --> 00:41:38,559 for me, but what is better for others. 754 00:41:40,559 --> 00:41:41,759 Psalm 42:11. 755 00:41:41,919 --> 00:41:44,879 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? 756 00:41:45,359 --> 00:41:47,919 And why art thou disquieted within me? 757 00:41:48,399 --> 00:41:52,799 Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him who is the health 758 00:41:52,799 --> 00:41:55,119 of my countenance and my God. 759 00:41:56,799 --> 00:42:02,039 And we read the last verse in the book of Jonah and should not 760 00:42:02,039 --> 00:42:05,439 I spare Nineveh, that great city wherein are more than six score 761 00:42:05,439 --> 00:42:08,719 thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand 762 00:42:08,719 --> 00:42:09,679 and their left hand? 763 00:42:10,159 --> 00:42:15,759 The last phrase is so intentional and so overlooked. 764 00:42:16,159 --> 00:42:17,119 What does it say? 765 00:42:18,319 --> 00:42:20,159 And also much cattle. 766 00:42:21,049 --> 00:42:21,449 Huh? 767 00:42:21,449 --> 00:42:22,169 God, why? 768 00:42:22,409 --> 00:42:27,609 Why did you tell us that God cared more about the cattle in Nineveh 769 00:42:29,529 --> 00:42:32,609 than Jonah cared about the souls that would spend eternity in 770 00:42:32,609 --> 00:42:34,649 hell if his heart didn't get right? 771 00:42:36,329 --> 00:42:37,369 How condemning. 772 00:42:38,089 --> 00:42:39,719 How perfectly poignant.