[0.00 --> 6.68] I can invite you to turn once again to the book of the prophet Jonah, Jonah chapter 3. [6.80 --> 12.14] For those of you who've been watching on live stream or have been present for the last two Sundays, [12.52 --> 15.50] we've looked at Jonah 1 and Jonah 2. [15.70 --> 19.98] Today we'll look at Jonah 3, and I'll be back, the Lord willing, in a few weeks, [20.02 --> 23.60] and we'll complete it and look at Jonah 4. [24.48 --> 29.78] I want to just challenge you to sit down some point and just read the whole of the book. [29.78 --> 31.88] It's 67 verses long. [32.48 --> 37.24] It takes less than 20 minutes to read it, even as you read it very slowly. [38.24 --> 46.14] And like I said last week, I would like to ask you also to think very clearly about the words that are being used. [46.28 --> 49.40] For example, Jonah went down to Joppa. [49.86 --> 56.08] He went down into, under the deck of the ship that he tried to flee on. [57.48 --> 59.36] And then he went down into the water. [59.78 --> 65.78] You know, as long as we go away from the Lord, we're always going to go down. [67.24 --> 75.12] But now Jonah has been, as we ended last week at the end of chapter 2, vomited out onto dry land. [75.12 --> 83.76] And so today I would like to look at the journey of this man on his mission and ask the question, [84.76 --> 88.92] would you like to have an opportunity for a do-over? [88.92 --> 95.14] And with that question in mind, let me read from Jonah chapter 3. [95.80 --> 96.70] It's 10 verses. [97.78 --> 103.84] Just follow along on the screen if you like, or if you have your own Bible with you, then follow along there. [103.84 --> 106.46] So verse 10 of chapter 2 said, [106.46 --> 112.00] The Lord commanded the fish and had vomited Jonah onto dry land. [112.76 --> 118.72] Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time. [119.76 --> 125.06] Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you. [126.48 --> 129.14] And Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. [129.14 --> 131.94] Now Nineveh was a very large city. [132.48 --> 134.84] It took three days to go through it. [135.78 --> 139.22] Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city, proclaiming, [139.54 --> 142.40] 40 more days and Nineveh will be overthrown. [143.66 --> 145.42] The Ninevites believed God. [146.18 --> 151.18] They declared a fast and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. [152.36 --> 156.04] And when the news reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, [156.04 --> 161.62] took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat down in the dust. [162.50 --> 165.08] Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh. [165.96 --> 174.60] By the decree of the king and his nobles, do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything. [175.72 --> 181.42] Do not let them eat or drink, but let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. [181.42 --> 184.66] Let everyone call urgently on God. [185.26 --> 188.18] Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. [188.92 --> 189.84] Who knows? [190.94 --> 198.46] God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish. [199.82 --> 203.80] When the Lord saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, [203.90 --> 208.62] he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. [208.62 --> 210.62] This is the word of the Lord. [212.36 --> 214.90] So would you like to have an opportunity for a do-over? [216.96 --> 218.58] Just think about that for a moment. [219.94 --> 222.96] Now I'm not just simply saying, you know, a little thing. [223.06 --> 224.90] I'm talking about a big thing. [225.04 --> 229.38] How about going to school and doing that over, [229.52 --> 232.32] but this time taking your studies a bit more seriously? [232.32 --> 239.44] How about the career choice that you made? [241.92 --> 243.68] Are you happy in what you've done? [245.06 --> 247.44] Would you like to have an opportunity for a do-over? [249.82 --> 251.34] Or how about marriage? [251.34 --> 256.30] Or how about not having children? [259.08 --> 262.40] Would you like to have an opportunity for a do-over? [264.26 --> 272.18] Those are difficult questions to ponder because they get to the heart of who you are as a person. [272.18 --> 281.60] The reality is, is that all of us would benefit from a do-over. [282.98 --> 284.48] We've said the wrong thing. [286.08 --> 287.56] We've done the wrong thing. [288.72 --> 290.34] We've been in the wrong place. [291.66 --> 293.26] We've developed the wrong attitude. [294.84 --> 296.72] We'd like to go back and say, [297.42 --> 298.74] I'm not doing that again. [298.74 --> 302.04] I'd like to have a do-over. [303.16 --> 304.18] Jonah heard from God, [304.28 --> 305.82] Go to that great city. [305.94 --> 308.34] Its wickedness has come up before me, [308.44 --> 310.22] and I want you to preach against it. [310.36 --> 310.98] And Jonah said, [311.06 --> 312.26] No, I'm not going to go. [313.10 --> 315.28] And he ran in the opposite direction. [315.90 --> 323.24] Instead of going about 550 miles or 800 kilometers from where he lived to where Nineveh was, [323.60 --> 324.62] and you have to go over land, [324.62 --> 330.32] he decided to go down to Joppa and took a ship of Tarshish to go to the opposite direction, [330.88 --> 333.16] 2,500 miles roughly, [334.48 --> 335.70] but at least he could sail, [335.80 --> 336.58] didn't have to walk. [337.66 --> 338.02] He said, [338.08 --> 338.82] No, I'm not going. [339.08 --> 339.52] Why? [340.78 --> 341.12] Well, [342.00 --> 345.96] Nineveh was a great and a wicked city and an enemy of Israel, [345.96 --> 349.64] and Jonah didn't want anything good to happen to them. [349.92 --> 350.80] He hated them. [350.92 --> 352.46] He was a racist. [352.88 --> 354.42] He was an imperialist. [354.66 --> 356.02] He was a nationalist. [357.36 --> 360.90] And he gets confronted by his identity. [361.10 --> 365.06] The sailors in the midst of a storm that God sends says, [365.16 --> 365.84] Who are you? [366.96 --> 367.64] I'm a Hebrew. [367.64 --> 374.28] I'm a follower of the God who created the heavens and the earth, the sea. [376.38 --> 379.00] And the sailors threw him overboard at his instruction, [379.46 --> 380.72] and then they stopped. [380.96 --> 384.08] When everything was done, the storm was gone, [384.18 --> 389.84] they stopped and they sacrificed not to Elohim, but to Yahweh. [389.84 --> 393.26] And the distinction is something like this. [393.36 --> 395.32] Both are names of God, [395.44 --> 399.14] but Elohim is sort of a generic name. [399.82 --> 400.18] God. [401.66 --> 403.04] Well, when you use Yahweh, [403.56 --> 405.22] you think about Father, [406.32 --> 408.00] one with whom you have a relationship. [409.40 --> 411.34] And they celebrated. [412.56 --> 416.00] They gave sacrifices to Yahweh. [417.00 --> 418.42] But Jonah went down. [419.84 --> 421.64] He went down as a Hebrew [421.64 --> 424.86] who had failed to live up to the purpose of the Hebrews. [425.02 --> 427.78] I will bless you, God had said to their founder, Abraham, [428.02 --> 430.30] so that you will be a blessing to the nations. [431.98 --> 432.96] Jonah went down. [433.78 --> 436.00] And in his distress, he cried out to God. [436.10 --> 437.36] He turned toward the temples. [437.50 --> 441.56] Mentioned twice in his psalm, in his prayer. [442.04 --> 445.60] He turned toward the temple because in the temple is the Ark of the Covenant, [445.60 --> 448.84] and on the Ark of the Covenant is the mercy seat. [448.84 --> 454.14] And within the Ark of the Covenant is the copy of the moral law given to Moses on Mount Sinai, [454.14 --> 456.00] the known as the Ten Commandments. [456.78 --> 459.12] And Jonah recognized he had fallen far short. [459.58 --> 461.38] And he turns for the mercy of God, [461.38 --> 464.72] and he ends up giving this shout of understanding. [464.72 --> 467.18] Salvation is from the Lord. [468.88 --> 471.72] Instead of going down any further, [472.34 --> 476.66] he's now brought up and vomited out, [477.26 --> 479.10] and he gets a do-over. [480.24 --> 483.58] The word of the Lord comes a second time to Jonah. [483.58 --> 486.94] Jonah, go to Nineveh, that great city, [487.88 --> 491.28] and give them the message that I will give to you. [492.48 --> 493.68] And Jonah goes. [494.78 --> 497.80] If he had to walk, it's about 800 kilometers, [498.06 --> 501.00] and if you can walk about 40 kilometers a day, [501.28 --> 506.48] you're going to have lots of time to think about the message that you need to give. [506.48 --> 511.38] The reality is that he had time to reflect and think. [512.50 --> 515.14] And we know as you've read further in the story, [515.64 --> 521.18] you know that ultimately Jonah is not very happy with God. [522.96 --> 525.28] Because the God who had extended him mercy [525.28 --> 530.38] was also the God who was going to extend mercy to the Ninevites. [530.38 --> 535.30] And while Jonah appreciates mercy, [536.30 --> 538.80] he doesn't want mercy to go to them. [539.02 --> 539.30] Why? [540.24 --> 544.56] Well, he was very concerned about quantity. [546.12 --> 549.74] There's a quantity of miles, kilometers that he has to go. [549.84 --> 550.66] That's one thing. [551.24 --> 556.16] But there is also a great quantity of people in Nineveh [556.16 --> 559.02] and in the Assyrian empire, [559.02 --> 561.74] and they were on the border of Israel, [561.74 --> 563.62] and they were a threat. [564.04 --> 565.06] They were big. [565.16 --> 566.10] They were powerful. [566.24 --> 567.46] There were many of them, [567.56 --> 570.18] and Israel was so small. [571.32 --> 572.60] You know, it'd be better [572.60 --> 575.76] if things went negatively for the Ninevites. [577.34 --> 580.18] And the Ninevites were already on edge. [581.28 --> 584.12] And I think we all identify with that a little bit. [584.84 --> 587.32] Because, you know, we're dealing with COVID-19, [587.32 --> 591.60] and everybody's a bit on edge, a bit reflective. [591.96 --> 594.16] When you walk past somebody in a store, [594.26 --> 596.40] you want to make sure that you don't get out of, [596.66 --> 597.92] or get too close to them. [598.14 --> 599.68] And if you do get close to them, [599.72 --> 602.26] you're quick to say that Canadian phrase [602.26 --> 603.04] that we all like, [603.08 --> 603.54] I'm sorry. [605.32 --> 605.56] Right? [605.90 --> 607.54] We're all changing. [607.62 --> 608.74] We're all bit on edge. [608.82 --> 610.60] Well, the Ninevites were on edge, [610.68 --> 612.68] and they were ready to lash out [612.68 --> 615.68] because they were themselves afraid. [616.10 --> 616.46] Why? [616.64 --> 619.62] Well, three things historians have pointed out. [619.92 --> 622.02] They were suffering from famine. [623.86 --> 625.74] And also, Kevin mentioned that, you know, [625.82 --> 628.78] there is a locust plague hitting. [629.30 --> 631.18] People will suffer from famine, [631.64 --> 634.26] and that makes them afraid for themselves [634.26 --> 636.84] and for their children and for their future. [637.98 --> 640.52] And when other people come to their meager supplies, [641.32 --> 642.84] they are ready to lash out [642.84 --> 645.10] and to build walls. [646.78 --> 649.24] There were plagues in the time. [650.54 --> 652.74] People died because of illness, [652.94 --> 655.38] because of communicable diseases. [655.38 --> 657.82] And again, we can identify. [659.26 --> 660.48] And then there was something else [660.48 --> 663.96] that had happened in 763 B.C. [664.82 --> 667.24] There had been a solar eclipse. [668.58 --> 671.66] And solar eclipses were always identified [671.66 --> 674.76] as an omen for bad stuff to come. [676.52 --> 680.60] They were seen as scary experiences. [680.60 --> 685.42] And so the Ninevites were on edge. [686.14 --> 689.12] Here, this powerful group of people. [690.74 --> 692.34] And Jonah was worried [692.34 --> 695.50] about the quantity of them [695.50 --> 698.44] and the quantity of their hatred [698.44 --> 702.36] and the quantity of their danger. [704.06 --> 705.76] And God says to Jonah, [706.32 --> 706.64] Go. [706.64 --> 712.32] And you tell them what I want you to tell them. [713.94 --> 715.20] And Jonah goes. [716.70 --> 717.34] Why? [717.54 --> 720.60] Well, because God is a God [720.60 --> 724.26] who holds creation in His hand and His power. [724.66 --> 727.48] And if you look at the story very carefully, [727.84 --> 731.74] you will note that God is always providing something. [733.06 --> 734.88] He provides Jonah with a mandate. [735.10 --> 735.32] Go. [735.32 --> 736.82] He provides them with a message. [736.94 --> 738.46] Preach against that wicked city. [738.80 --> 740.10] He provides a storm. [740.22 --> 741.64] He provides a great fish. [742.06 --> 743.94] He will, and we'll see that next time, [744.28 --> 746.52] He will provide a gourd, a plant. [747.02 --> 749.70] He will provide a hot wind. [750.62 --> 753.42] He will provide a message. [756.02 --> 758.36] But God also provides second chances. [758.52 --> 760.28] And that's where it's really important for us [760.28 --> 762.38] to reflect on and to think about [762.38 --> 763.50] for a few minutes. [763.50 --> 765.66] In your life, [765.66 --> 768.38] do you need a second chance? [769.88 --> 773.06] A second chance to heal a broken relationship? [774.12 --> 776.32] To say, please forgive me? [777.18 --> 780.76] To take responsibility for your action, [781.24 --> 782.32] for your word? [782.32 --> 783.32] God comes. [783.32 --> 787.02] And God comes, and He creates hope [787.02 --> 789.50] because He is a God who's ready to forgive [789.50 --> 793.48] and a God who is ready to renew and to restore [793.48 --> 797.78] because He is not a God so much concerned about quantity, [797.94 --> 799.78] although He is concerned about that too. [799.92 --> 801.40] We'll see that in chapter 4. [801.40 --> 804.72] But He's a God who's concerned about quality. [806.48 --> 809.52] The quality that you have as a person [809.52 --> 814.52] and the quality that the person beside you has as a person [814.52 --> 817.12] and the quality that the people, [817.26 --> 818.74] the citizens of Nineveh [818.74 --> 821.32] and the citizens of Assyria have [821.32 --> 823.36] as people, as persons, [823.36 --> 826.46] despite their wickedness, [826.72 --> 829.00] despite their acts of violence. [830.24 --> 835.60] And that quality is the quality of being made in the image of God. [835.60 --> 840.02] You and I are reflective of God. [841.70 --> 845.28] You and I are called to care for the creation. [846.62 --> 849.12] We are called to care for each other. [849.54 --> 851.50] One of the earliest lessons of the Scriptures, [852.40 --> 857.22] Cain asks of God about his brother Abel, [857.34 --> 858.86] Am I my brother's keeper? [859.98 --> 861.60] And the answer is yes, you are. [862.60 --> 864.08] You're also your brother's brother [864.08 --> 866.14] or your sister's sister [866.14 --> 867.22] or sister's brother [867.22 --> 868.82] and sister's keeper. [869.98 --> 874.10] God expects of us that we will care for each other. [874.26 --> 876.62] And when we act with wickedness [876.62 --> 878.76] and violence against each other, [878.76 --> 880.66] He is angry [880.66 --> 885.40] because He knows that inevitably [885.40 --> 887.26] wickedness and violence [887.26 --> 889.48] will lead to the disintegration [889.48 --> 892.52] of family and of relationships [892.52 --> 893.66] and of nations [893.66 --> 896.56] and it will lead to the disintegration [896.56 --> 898.70] of the fabric of the universe [898.70 --> 899.54] and the world [899.54 --> 901.22] in which He has placed us [901.22 --> 902.56] as stewards and caregivers. [904.14 --> 905.48] And so He gets angry. [906.90 --> 907.74] And He says, [907.88 --> 911.00] I will not allow it to continue. [911.00 --> 917.26] And so what He does is He sends a servant [917.26 --> 923.00] to do what many people think is ridiculous. [924.06 --> 927.28] He should have sent a scientist [927.28 --> 931.06] or a social scientist [931.06 --> 933.54] or an engineer. [933.54 --> 935.72] But a preacher? [935.72 --> 938.62] You send a preacher? [939.36 --> 941.40] To face wickedness [941.40 --> 942.86] and violence? [944.62 --> 946.14] I don't know if you watch the news. [946.24 --> 947.76] I suspect all of us watch the news. [947.90 --> 949.76] But, you know, a couple of days ago [949.76 --> 950.70] John Lewis died. [951.98 --> 954.36] He was one of the six leaders [954.36 --> 957.26] of the civil rights movement [957.26 --> 958.52] with Martin Luther King. [958.52 --> 960.38] He was one of the guys [960.38 --> 961.80] who walked across that bridge [961.80 --> 963.50] in Selma, Alabama. [964.40 --> 965.70] Suffered a fractured skull. [967.84 --> 969.28] He wanted to be a preacher. [969.74 --> 971.18] Never did become one. [971.24 --> 972.62] He went to seminary. [973.62 --> 974.90] Because he stuttered. [975.92 --> 977.24] He preached to the chickens [977.24 --> 979.60] at home on his farm. [980.26 --> 980.80] He said, [980.90 --> 981.82] I even married some. [981.90 --> 982.60] I buried some. [982.72 --> 983.52] Gave them funerals. [983.52 --> 986.24] You think, [986.56 --> 986.92] a preacher? [988.60 --> 989.58] And yet he preached. [990.52 --> 991.32] Nonviolence. [992.64 --> 994.90] You stand up, he says. [995.10 --> 997.00] You speak up, he said. [997.16 --> 998.82] You march, he said. [999.28 --> 1001.74] You'll sit down in protest. [1003.32 --> 1004.82] But you don't engage in violence. [1005.98 --> 1006.32] Why? [1008.90 --> 1010.88] Because the person who opposes you [1010.88 --> 1012.10] is an image bearer of God. [1012.10 --> 1014.44] And one of the striking things, [1014.50 --> 1015.90] I watched it on the news last night [1015.90 --> 1018.06] in a reflection on his life. [1019.02 --> 1021.04] One of the police who beat him up [1021.04 --> 1023.26] on the bridge in Selma [1023.26 --> 1024.98] asked to see him [1024.98 --> 1027.20] and asked for forgiveness. [1028.78 --> 1030.76] A very moving moment. [1032.66 --> 1033.30] It's what a preacher [1033.30 --> 1035.64] with a message of hope [1035.64 --> 1036.96] and grace [1036.96 --> 1038.28] and do-overs [1038.28 --> 1040.04] can accomplish. [1040.04 --> 1042.64] And God said to Jonah, [1043.52 --> 1044.06] Go. [1045.46 --> 1046.52] Give the message [1046.52 --> 1047.52] I will give you. [1047.60 --> 1048.96] I don't care what you think of [1048.96 --> 1050.26] over the next 20 days [1050.26 --> 1052.50] as you walk towards Nineveh. [1052.74 --> 1053.48] The message [1053.48 --> 1055.00] I will give you. [1055.90 --> 1057.36] It's eight words long. [1058.72 --> 1060.80] It's five words in Hebrew. [1063.00 --> 1064.28] Yet 40 days [1064.28 --> 1064.78] in Nineveh [1064.78 --> 1065.74] will be overthrown. [1065.74 --> 1069.94] If my homiletics professor [1069.94 --> 1071.76] had read that, [1071.84 --> 1073.42] if I had handed that in [1073.42 --> 1074.76] as one of my sermons, [1075.20 --> 1076.26] yet 40 days [1076.26 --> 1076.98] and Toronto [1076.98 --> 1078.26] will be overthrown. [1079.08 --> 1080.40] Yet 40 days [1080.40 --> 1081.84] and just fill in the blanks. [1082.92 --> 1083.68] He would have said, [1084.14 --> 1084.42] F. [1085.08 --> 1086.30] There's no introduction. [1087.30 --> 1088.70] There's no exegesis. [1089.66 --> 1091.18] There's no testimony. [1091.50 --> 1092.46] There is no illustration. [1092.84 --> 1094.50] There's nothing of interest. [1094.62 --> 1095.88] There's just a threat. [1097.62 --> 1099.52] There's no hope here. [1101.40 --> 1102.76] Yet 40 days [1102.76 --> 1104.26] and Nineveh [1104.26 --> 1105.26] will be overthrown. [1109.14 --> 1110.44] And Jonah moves [1110.44 --> 1111.38] with a message [1111.38 --> 1113.06] into the heart of that city. [1113.30 --> 1114.26] Three days journey [1114.26 --> 1115.26] across to go. [1115.26 --> 1117.84] He goes a day in, [1117.92 --> 1118.64] sort of gets into [1118.64 --> 1119.72] the center of the city. [1120.58 --> 1121.46] And he preaches. [1121.60 --> 1122.40] Yet 40 days [1122.40 --> 1122.84] and Nineveh [1122.84 --> 1123.68] will be overthrown. [1123.78 --> 1125.40] Now does he change it at all? [1125.76 --> 1126.52] Well, yeah. [1126.64 --> 1127.18] We don't know [1127.18 --> 1127.86] how many days [1127.86 --> 1128.82] he preached this thing. [1129.86 --> 1130.82] How many days [1130.82 --> 1132.20] did he sit outside the city? [1133.12 --> 1133.84] Did he start, [1133.96 --> 1134.94] say, 40 days [1134.94 --> 1136.54] and then the next day [1136.54 --> 1137.52] 39 days [1137.52 --> 1138.40] and then the next day [1138.40 --> 1140.18] 38 and 37, 36? [1140.44 --> 1141.64] Did he get down to one? [1142.78 --> 1143.60] We don't know. [1143.60 --> 1145.92] That's the power of story. [1146.60 --> 1147.80] It invites you in. [1148.00 --> 1149.04] It makes you think. [1149.24 --> 1150.38] It makes you ponder. [1150.60 --> 1151.84] It makes you reflect. [1152.32 --> 1153.50] It makes you wonder. [1154.76 --> 1156.34] It makes you decide. [1157.82 --> 1158.70] Yet 40 days [1158.70 --> 1159.08] and Nineveh [1159.08 --> 1160.02] will be overthrown. [1160.82 --> 1162.00] Yet 17 days [1162.00 --> 1162.48] and Nineveh [1162.48 --> 1163.46] will be overthrown. [1163.98 --> 1165.04] Yet 18 months [1165.04 --> 1166.44] before there's a vaccine [1166.44 --> 1168.22] for COVID-19. [1168.48 --> 1169.80] How will you survive [1169.80 --> 1171.12] for another 18 months? [1171.12 --> 1173.38] Well, the answer is [1173.38 --> 1174.38] by the grace of God. [1175.48 --> 1176.00] All right? [1176.04 --> 1177.10] That's how we survive. [1177.62 --> 1178.80] By the grace of God. [1179.20 --> 1179.54] Yet, [1180.00 --> 1181.68] yet 40 days. [1182.44 --> 1185.00] What a ridiculous message. [1187.40 --> 1188.54] And notice what it says. [1189.02 --> 1189.78] The Ninevites [1189.78 --> 1191.52] believed God. [1191.52 --> 1195.28] Know this [1195.28 --> 1196.38] as you function [1196.38 --> 1197.18] as a church, [1197.70 --> 1198.46] as a community [1198.46 --> 1199.54] of redeemed people [1199.54 --> 1200.10] within, [1200.30 --> 1200.94] you know, [1201.00 --> 1202.28] this community [1202.28 --> 1203.58] and the broader creation. [1204.16 --> 1204.90] Know this. [1205.94 --> 1206.46] Salvation [1206.46 --> 1207.60] is of the Lord. [1208.96 --> 1209.88] That doesn't mean [1209.88 --> 1211.08] you shouldn't develop [1211.08 --> 1212.34] sermons and programs [1212.34 --> 1213.34] dealing with skill. [1213.52 --> 1213.98] The Apollos, [1213.98 --> 1214.52] you know, [1214.56 --> 1215.92] Apollos was one of the great [1215.92 --> 1217.40] preachers of the New Testament, [1217.40 --> 1218.46] but he sat down [1218.46 --> 1219.70] with Priscilla and Aquila, [1219.70 --> 1220.40] and they taught him [1220.40 --> 1221.10] a better way. [1222.54 --> 1223.80] So there's nothing wrong [1223.80 --> 1224.98] with developing skills [1224.98 --> 1226.96] and doing all of those things, [1227.12 --> 1228.76] but you put your hope [1228.76 --> 1229.52] and trust [1229.52 --> 1231.02] in the power of God [1231.02 --> 1232.12] to open, [1232.78 --> 1233.64] closed hearts [1233.64 --> 1234.78] and minds. [1235.34 --> 1236.76] That's where the hope is. [1237.32 --> 1238.74] So you keep telling the story. [1239.52 --> 1241.76] You keep proclaiming the word. [1241.76 --> 1244.08] You keep praying to God [1244.08 --> 1246.18] that he will open hearts [1246.18 --> 1247.46] and minds. [1248.46 --> 1250.70] And then the people of Nineveh [1250.70 --> 1252.32] changed. [1253.76 --> 1256.18] The city wasn't overturned, [1256.22 --> 1258.76] but they were overturned. [1259.94 --> 1261.44] From the greatest of them, [1261.50 --> 1261.84] it says, [1261.92 --> 1262.64] to the least. [1263.04 --> 1264.04] From the merchants [1264.04 --> 1265.56] in the society [1265.56 --> 1267.08] to the people [1267.08 --> 1268.56] who swept the floor [1268.56 --> 1270.38] or who picked up the garbage [1270.38 --> 1272.78] or who had lower standing [1272.78 --> 1274.32] socially and economically [1274.32 --> 1275.28] in the city, [1275.70 --> 1277.14] probably at that time [1277.14 --> 1277.94] the slaves. [1278.44 --> 1279.36] From the greatest [1279.36 --> 1280.26] to the least, [1280.48 --> 1281.74] doesn't involve the king yet, [1281.80 --> 1283.16] the word comes to him later, [1283.82 --> 1284.78] and to the nobles. [1286.46 --> 1287.80] They believed God. [1289.06 --> 1290.86] And they put on sackcloth. [1292.18 --> 1293.44] And they repent. [1293.66 --> 1294.66] What does that mean? [1294.66 --> 1296.62] Well, they turned [1296.62 --> 1297.46] from their wicked [1297.46 --> 1299.12] and violent ways. [1299.52 --> 1301.04] They began to treat [1301.04 --> 1303.04] image bearers of God, [1303.86 --> 1305.04] their neighbors, [1305.42 --> 1307.54] with respect that they deserve [1307.54 --> 1310.14] despite their color, [1310.94 --> 1312.06] their race, [1312.78 --> 1313.60] their gender, [1314.20 --> 1315.16] their language, [1315.54 --> 1317.28] their social economic status. [1317.66 --> 1319.90] They pursued justice [1319.90 --> 1322.86] and righteousness. [1322.86 --> 1325.48] Gerald Van Der Zande, [1325.76 --> 1327.42] he's passed away now, [1327.52 --> 1328.54] but he had a lot to do [1328.54 --> 1329.98] with Citizens for Public Justice. [1330.46 --> 1331.36] He has a book. [1332.36 --> 1332.86] I encourage you [1332.86 --> 1333.56] to read sometime. [1334.12 --> 1335.12] But the title [1335.12 --> 1336.10] is intriguing. [1337.24 --> 1337.78] It says, [1338.16 --> 1338.80] Justice, [1339.60 --> 1341.64] not just us. [1344.46 --> 1345.02] Justice, [1345.68 --> 1348.14] not just me. [1350.14 --> 1350.74] Justice. [1350.74 --> 1350.88] Justice. [1351.40 --> 1353.94] They began to pursue justice. [1354.98 --> 1356.46] And then the word came [1356.46 --> 1357.26] to the king. [1357.90 --> 1359.32] And the king said, [1359.92 --> 1360.94] Everybody [1360.94 --> 1363.66] has to get engaged. [1364.72 --> 1367.26] There is a federal command [1367.26 --> 1368.08] that says, [1368.20 --> 1370.18] Everybody wear sackcloth. [1371.20 --> 1372.32] That's an interesting thing [1372.32 --> 1373.12] to reflect on [1373.12 --> 1375.38] in the day of mask wearing [1375.38 --> 1376.04] or not. [1376.92 --> 1378.50] Does everyone do it? [1378.50 --> 1382.18] Does it get mandated federally? [1383.02 --> 1384.90] So far in our nations, [1385.08 --> 1385.38] Canada, [1385.50 --> 1386.24] the United States, [1386.34 --> 1387.56] it hasn't been mandated [1387.56 --> 1388.84] federally. [1389.56 --> 1390.94] But you begin to wonder [1390.94 --> 1391.90] whether it should be. [1392.90 --> 1394.26] Whether we're effectively [1394.26 --> 1394.96] fighting [1394.96 --> 1398.42] what is changing our lives [1398.42 --> 1400.26] and making us think. [1401.12 --> 1402.10] The king says, [1402.24 --> 1402.70] Everyone, [1403.36 --> 1404.78] including your animals, [1404.78 --> 1407.20] and they don't eat [1407.20 --> 1407.98] and drink either. [1408.56 --> 1409.66] I grew up on a farm [1409.66 --> 1411.44] and, you know, [1411.52 --> 1412.14] in Ontario, [1412.36 --> 1413.60] it was cold in the wintertime [1413.60 --> 1415.20] and our cows stayed inside. [1415.62 --> 1416.72] But every once in a while, [1416.82 --> 1417.94] the pipes would freeze. [1418.98 --> 1420.02] And then the cows [1420.02 --> 1421.44] didn't have water. [1422.18 --> 1423.10] And when you came [1423.10 --> 1423.88] into the barn [1423.88 --> 1425.16] and the cows [1425.16 --> 1425.98] hadn't had water, [1426.08 --> 1426.68] you were greeted [1426.68 --> 1427.62] with a chorus [1427.62 --> 1429.58] of complaint. [1429.58 --> 1434.88] And it just was [1434.88 --> 1436.68] on and on and on. [1436.90 --> 1437.44] So you quickly [1437.44 --> 1438.44] got out the blowtorch [1438.44 --> 1439.50] and by we had [1439.50 --> 1440.30] a fair number [1440.30 --> 1441.76] of amount of experience [1441.76 --> 1442.96] of having frozen pipes. [1443.06 --> 1443.46] So we knew [1443.46 --> 1444.04] where the pipes [1444.04 --> 1444.90] were likely to freeze. [1445.42 --> 1446.12] And then quickly [1446.12 --> 1447.36] you get the blowtorch out [1447.36 --> 1448.58] and pretty soon [1448.58 --> 1449.86] you're treated [1449.86 --> 1451.06] to this wonderful [1451.06 --> 1454.36] sound of running water. [1454.36 --> 1456.32] and then it comes [1456.32 --> 1456.96] to the cows [1456.96 --> 1458.46] and slowly but surely [1458.46 --> 1461.38] the moos reside [1461.38 --> 1462.78] and reside. [1463.50 --> 1464.96] And it is quiet. [1465.14 --> 1465.94] It is still. [1466.18 --> 1467.02] There is peace. [1467.82 --> 1468.82] There is satisfaction. [1469.32 --> 1469.86] Can you imagine [1469.86 --> 1471.10] how hard these people [1471.10 --> 1471.88] had to work [1471.88 --> 1473.34] to keep their cows [1473.34 --> 1473.96] from drinking [1473.96 --> 1477.00] in a hot climate? [1478.76 --> 1479.44] Perhaps [1479.44 --> 1481.66] the Lord, [1481.84 --> 1482.50] it says, [1482.50 --> 1483.64] perhaps the Lord [1483.64 --> 1485.14] will have compassion [1485.14 --> 1486.48] and turn [1486.48 --> 1487.66] from his fierce anger. [1487.90 --> 1489.24] And we have to turn [1489.24 --> 1491.26] from our evil ways [1491.26 --> 1492.64] and our violence. [1493.78 --> 1494.86] And they do. [1496.26 --> 1497.56] And God turns [1497.56 --> 1498.42] from his anger [1498.42 --> 1499.82] and he relents. [1500.60 --> 1501.56] Now there's an interesting [1501.56 --> 1502.56] way of looking [1502.56 --> 1503.22] at this [1503.22 --> 1504.52] because you can [1504.52 --> 1505.16] ask yourself [1505.16 --> 1505.68] the question, [1506.02 --> 1506.98] is this a repentance [1506.98 --> 1507.84] that leads [1507.84 --> 1509.12] to extended life [1509.12 --> 1509.78] on this earth [1509.78 --> 1511.04] or is this repentance [1511.04 --> 1511.72] that leads [1511.72 --> 1512.58] to salvation [1512.58 --> 1514.14] that has extended [1514.14 --> 1515.06] life with God [1515.06 --> 1515.58] in heaven? [1516.86 --> 1517.46] And there are two [1517.46 --> 1518.20] schools of thought [1518.20 --> 1518.64] on this. [1520.26 --> 1521.46] One school of thought [1521.46 --> 1522.34] is it's repentance [1522.34 --> 1523.06] that leads [1523.06 --> 1523.86] to change [1523.86 --> 1524.56] of behavior [1524.56 --> 1526.06] on this earth. [1526.40 --> 1527.32] There's a pursuit [1527.32 --> 1529.02] of no more justice [1529.02 --> 1529.90] and of no more [1529.90 --> 1530.60] evil ways [1530.60 --> 1531.50] and of doing [1531.50 --> 1532.20] what is right [1532.20 --> 1533.02] and of doing [1533.02 --> 1533.86] what is kind [1533.86 --> 1534.60] and of doing [1534.60 --> 1535.28] what is loving. [1536.48 --> 1536.96] And the reason [1536.96 --> 1537.82] why some scholars [1537.82 --> 1538.72] say that [1538.72 --> 1539.32] is because [1539.32 --> 1540.90] the Ninevites [1540.90 --> 1541.86] apparently never [1541.86 --> 1542.78] give up their idols. [1542.92 --> 1543.68] They never give up [1543.68 --> 1544.30] their gods [1544.30 --> 1545.56] and they never [1545.56 --> 1547.36] refer to God [1547.36 --> 1548.58] as Yahweh [1548.58 --> 1549.62] as the sailors [1549.62 --> 1550.10] had done [1550.10 --> 1550.90] in chapter 1. [1551.52 --> 1552.60] They refer to God [1552.60 --> 1553.26] as Elohim. [1554.40 --> 1555.58] Sort of general, [1555.98 --> 1556.32] generic. [1557.90 --> 1558.98] And so their repentance [1558.98 --> 1560.44] involves [1560.44 --> 1561.98] a change [1561.98 --> 1563.06] of lifestyle [1563.06 --> 1565.12] but not necessarily [1565.12 --> 1565.64] a change [1565.64 --> 1566.12] of heart. [1567.26 --> 1567.92] And then there are, [1568.06 --> 1568.54] there's the other [1568.54 --> 1569.24] school of thought [1569.24 --> 1569.74] that says, [1570.20 --> 1570.52] no, no, [1570.56 --> 1571.64] it involves both, [1571.70 --> 1572.62] a change of heart [1572.62 --> 1573.52] or lifestyle [1573.52 --> 1574.28] and a change [1574.28 --> 1574.88] of heart [1574.88 --> 1575.88] as well. [1576.72 --> 1577.52] And if you read [1577.52 --> 1578.60] in the Gospel [1578.60 --> 1581.50] of Matthew [1581.50 --> 1582.44] chapter 12, [1583.56 --> 1583.78] you know, [1583.84 --> 1584.76] Jesus is asked [1584.76 --> 1585.74] by the Pharisees, [1585.84 --> 1586.06] teacher, [1586.22 --> 1586.84] we want to see [1586.84 --> 1587.82] a sign from you. [1588.48 --> 1589.48] And he answered, [1589.60 --> 1589.94] a wicked [1589.94 --> 1590.68] and adulterous [1590.68 --> 1591.68] generation asks [1591.68 --> 1592.40] for a sign [1592.40 --> 1593.54] but none will be [1593.54 --> 1594.00] given it [1594.00 --> 1594.84] except the sign [1594.84 --> 1595.88] of the prophet Jonah. [1596.78 --> 1597.38] For as Jonah [1597.38 --> 1598.14] was three days [1598.14 --> 1598.80] and three nights [1598.80 --> 1599.26] in the belly [1599.26 --> 1600.22] of a huge fish, [1600.72 --> 1601.76] so the Son of Man [1601.76 --> 1602.62] will be three days [1602.62 --> 1603.30] and three nights [1603.30 --> 1603.76] in the heart [1603.76 --> 1604.32] of the earth. [1604.96 --> 1605.84] The people of Nineveh [1605.84 --> 1606.50] will stand up [1606.50 --> 1607.10] as a judgment [1607.10 --> 1608.14] with this generation [1608.14 --> 1609.10] and condemn it. [1610.02 --> 1611.20] Now notice these words. [1612.48 --> 1614.00] For they repented [1614.00 --> 1614.98] at the preaching [1614.98 --> 1615.86] of Jonah [1615.86 --> 1618.78] and now one greater [1618.78 --> 1619.38] than Jonah [1619.38 --> 1620.04] is here. [1621.40 --> 1622.44] They repented [1622.44 --> 1623.52] at the preaching [1623.52 --> 1624.06] of Jonah [1624.06 --> 1624.98] and they will [1624.98 --> 1625.50] stand up [1625.50 --> 1626.04] and condemn [1626.04 --> 1626.58] the present [1626.58 --> 1627.20] generations [1627.20 --> 1628.18] of the Pharisees [1628.18 --> 1629.08] and the Sadducees [1629.08 --> 1630.36] who want to see [1630.36 --> 1630.84] a sign. [1632.88 --> 1633.66] I'll leave you [1633.66 --> 1634.74] to debate that [1634.74 --> 1636.00] and ponder it. [1636.96 --> 1637.94] Was it just simply [1637.94 --> 1639.82] a repentance [1639.82 --> 1640.74] of lifestyle? [1640.94 --> 1642.00] Because in a hundred [1642.00 --> 1642.56] years, [1642.66 --> 1643.08] Nahum, [1643.28 --> 1643.72] the next, [1643.86 --> 1644.52] another prophet [1644.52 --> 1645.44] will say that [1645.44 --> 1646.58] Nineveh is a city [1646.58 --> 1647.10] of blood [1647.10 --> 1648.60] and there is [1648.60 --> 1649.36] no hope for it. [1650.52 --> 1651.44] So if there was [1651.44 --> 1652.00] a repentance, [1652.00 --> 1652.92] it wasn't passed [1652.92 --> 1654.44] on to the next [1654.44 --> 1655.00] generation [1655.00 --> 1656.32] of people. [1658.32 --> 1659.68] But it was [1659.68 --> 1661.34] a change [1661.34 --> 1663.34] and God [1663.34 --> 1664.70] relents. [1665.86 --> 1666.78] And he gives [1666.78 --> 1667.88] not only Jonah [1667.88 --> 1670.10] but he gives [1670.10 --> 1670.96] the Ninevites [1670.96 --> 1672.92] a second chance, [1673.92 --> 1675.32] another opportunity. [1675.32 --> 1678.42] he withholds [1678.42 --> 1680.00] his fierce anger. [1682.14 --> 1683.06] And Jesus [1683.06 --> 1684.18] at one point [1684.18 --> 1686.30] comes to the city [1686.30 --> 1686.94] of Jerusalem [1686.94 --> 1690.72] and he cries. [1692.72 --> 1693.78] He's not angry. [1695.78 --> 1696.84] He's just sad. [1696.84 --> 1697.56] Oh, [1697.62 --> 1699.16] how I would have [1699.16 --> 1699.88] gathered you [1699.88 --> 1700.42] together [1700.42 --> 1701.60] as a chick [1701.60 --> 1702.84] gathers her wing [1702.84 --> 1704.18] or as a hen [1704.18 --> 1705.34] gathers her chicks [1705.34 --> 1706.42] under her wings [1706.42 --> 1708.14] but you [1708.14 --> 1709.86] would not. [1711.78 --> 1712.78] And he goes [1712.78 --> 1713.48] into the city [1713.48 --> 1715.52] and he gets [1715.52 --> 1715.98] condemned [1715.98 --> 1718.68] and he is taken [1718.68 --> 1719.78] outside of the city [1719.78 --> 1721.96] and he gets [1721.96 --> 1722.46] crucified [1722.46 --> 1724.50] and buried [1724.50 --> 1727.14] and three days [1727.14 --> 1727.58] later [1727.58 --> 1729.68] the earth [1729.68 --> 1730.34] can no longer [1730.34 --> 1730.98] hold him [1730.98 --> 1732.62] because his [1732.62 --> 1733.56] father in heaven [1733.56 --> 1735.24] opens [1735.24 --> 1737.52] the grave [1737.52 --> 1738.86] and Jesus [1738.86 --> 1739.84] comes forth [1739.84 --> 1741.88] and with Jesus [1741.88 --> 1744.62] there is no need [1744.62 --> 1746.38] for a do over. [1748.38 --> 1749.66] He has paid [1749.66 --> 1750.24] the price. [1750.24 --> 1753.20] you are free [1753.20 --> 1754.16] if you are [1754.16 --> 1754.88] in him. [1756.48 --> 1756.96] Free [1756.96 --> 1758.48] to do what? [1759.36 --> 1760.62] To tell a story. [1761.88 --> 1762.86] A story [1762.86 --> 1763.98] of how God [1763.98 --> 1765.54] has changed [1765.54 --> 1766.28] your life [1766.28 --> 1768.12] and turned [1768.12 --> 1769.16] it upside down [1769.16 --> 1770.96] and made you [1770.96 --> 1771.44] whole [1771.44 --> 1772.84] and made you [1772.84 --> 1773.30] well. [1774.46 --> 1775.22] And when you [1775.22 --> 1776.30] tell that story [1776.30 --> 1778.14] you release [1778.14 --> 1778.76] the power [1778.76 --> 1779.38] of God [1779.38 --> 1780.98] into the lives [1780.98 --> 1781.50] of others. [1781.84 --> 1782.42] Let's pray. [1784.30 --> 1785.32] Lord our God [1785.32 --> 1786.44] we wish [1786.44 --> 1786.98] to walk [1786.98 --> 1787.92] close to you [1787.92 --> 1790.26] to trust you [1790.26 --> 1792.16] to be obedient [1792.16 --> 1792.78] to you [1792.78 --> 1794.56] and yet [1794.56 --> 1796.06] in all honesty [1796.06 --> 1797.22] we run from you [1797.22 --> 1798.40] from time to time [1798.40 --> 1798.74] because [1798.74 --> 1799.82] we think [1799.82 --> 1800.68] what you are asking [1800.68 --> 1801.26] of us [1801.26 --> 1802.02] is too much [1802.02 --> 1803.40] and sometimes [1803.40 --> 1804.14] we even think [1804.14 --> 1804.76] it is ridiculous. [1804.76 --> 1807.70] and yet [1807.70 --> 1808.68] you ask us [1808.68 --> 1809.62] simply to trust [1809.62 --> 1809.94] you [1809.94 --> 1810.78] and to trust [1810.78 --> 1811.32] the power [1811.32 --> 1812.12] of the story [1812.12 --> 1813.44] that you want [1813.44 --> 1813.86] to tell. [1815.42 --> 1816.42] We thank you [1816.42 --> 1817.02] for the story [1817.02 --> 1817.48] of Jesus. [1818.16 --> 1818.62] We pray [1818.62 --> 1819.06] that you would [1819.06 --> 1819.96] write on our hearts [1819.96 --> 1820.62] every word [1820.62 --> 1822.78] and we thank you [1822.78 --> 1823.78] that we in him [1823.78 --> 1824.62] have an opportunity [1824.62 --> 1825.90] to come to you [1825.90 --> 1826.32] again [1826.32 --> 1827.14] and again [1827.14 --> 1827.84] and again [1827.84 --> 1829.44] to ask for forgiveness [1829.44 --> 1830.56] to ask for strength [1830.56 --> 1832.30] to do what it is [1832.30 --> 1833.28] you want us to do [1833.28 --> 1835.04] so that your kingdom [1835.04 --> 1835.72] comes [1835.72 --> 1837.34] and so that your will [1837.34 --> 1837.80] is done. [1838.06 --> 1838.88] So hear us Lord [1838.88 --> 1840.24] and indwell us [1840.24 --> 1841.18] by your spirit [1841.18 --> 1842.90] and help us [1842.90 --> 1843.78] to repent [1843.78 --> 1845.66] as required [1845.66 --> 1846.78] in Jesus name [1846.78 --> 1848.04] so that we may [1848.04 --> 1848.88] always walk [1848.88 --> 1850.52] close with you. [1851.52 --> 1852.00] Amen.