[0.00 --> 9.12] I'm scheduled to come here a number of times in the next number of weeks and so I thought [9.12 --> 15.70] I would like to look at a narrative story in scripture that is a familiar one and that [15.70 --> 16.92] is the story of Jonah. [17.52 --> 24.70] And so over the next number of times when I'm here, I'm going to focus on each subsequent [24.70 --> 26.54] chapter of Jonah. [26.54 --> 34.14] It's not a very long book, I'm tempted almost to read the whole thing, but I'm only going [34.14 --> 35.72] to read chapter one this morning. [36.34 --> 40.94] But I'm going to invite you and those of you who are watching on live stream and who are [40.94 --> 45.78] part of Emanuel Church to spend some time looking at the book of Jonah. [45.90 --> 48.88] Don't just simply read the words. [50.36 --> 51.40] Two challenges. [52.10 --> 55.94] Take a look at its structure, how it is structured. [55.94 --> 61.60] You'll find that chapters one and two have a parallel in chapters three and four. [62.36 --> 63.46] And then here's the challenge. [64.40 --> 69.28] And I will reveal the answer at some point if I don't forget, but I don't think I will. [69.48 --> 70.34] But here's the challenge. [70.48 --> 77.16] See if you can find in your mind and in your heart and in your experience a parallel story [77.16 --> 79.28] out of the New Testament. [79.28 --> 88.52] Just see if you can find in your heart and your mind a parallel story out of the New Testament. [89.16 --> 95.26] The Hebrew writers of the Old Testament were very skilled. [95.26 --> 98.80] They were thoughtful. [98.80 --> 103.74] They were led by the Holy Spirit of God, but they were very skilled. [104.26 --> 112.20] And when you read the book of Jonah, you need to remember that Jonah, who we presume to be [112.20 --> 117.42] the author, was looking back at his experience. [117.42 --> 121.02] He wasn't writing about it as it was happening. [121.84 --> 124.06] He was looking back at it. [124.20 --> 126.36] It was history for him. [127.30 --> 129.76] And it becomes history for us. [130.52 --> 134.30] And we need to try to find ourselves in the story. [134.80 --> 138.10] So let me read from Jonah chapter one. [138.10 --> 145.32] The word of the Lord came to Jonah, the son of Amittai, go to the great city of Nineveh [145.32 --> 150.86] and preach against it because its wickedness has come up before me. [151.84 --> 158.34] But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. [158.48 --> 162.04] He went down to Joppa where he found a ship bound for that port. [162.04 --> 168.10] After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. [169.54 --> 175.42] Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea and such a violent storm arose that the ship [175.42 --> 176.62] threatened to break up. [178.50 --> 183.74] All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own God. [184.78 --> 189.46] And they threw the cargo into the sea to begin to lighten the ship. [189.46 --> 194.20] But Jonah had gone below deck where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. [195.60 --> 199.14] The captain went to him and said, how can you sleep? [199.66 --> 201.66] Get up and call on your God. [202.82 --> 207.44] Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish. [209.12 --> 215.50] Then the sailors said to each other, come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible [215.50 --> 216.66] for this calamity. [216.66 --> 220.68] They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. [222.20 --> 227.04] And so they asked him, tell us who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? [227.54 --> 230.04] What kind of work do you do? [230.46 --> 231.52] Where do you come from? [232.08 --> 233.04] What is your country? [233.88 --> 235.46] From what people are you? [236.80 --> 238.18] And he answered, I'm Hebrew. [238.18 --> 244.64] And I worship the Lord, the God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land. [245.56 --> 246.90] This terrified them. [246.98 --> 249.32] And they asked, what have you done? [249.32 --> 256.28] They knew he was running away from the Lord because he had already told them so. [257.24 --> 260.84] The sea was getting rougher and rougher. [261.70 --> 266.40] So they asked him, what should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us? [267.46 --> 273.22] Pick me up and throw me into the sea, he replied, and it will become calm. [273.22 --> 279.04] I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you. [279.88 --> 283.86] Instead, the men did their best to roll back to the land. [284.74 --> 289.98] But they could not, for the sea was growing wilder than before. [290.24 --> 296.72] Then they cried out to the Lord, please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man's life. [296.72 --> 303.86] Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased. [305.08 --> 310.22] Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. [311.34 --> 317.66] At this, the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. [318.56 --> 325.92] Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days. [326.72 --> 327.66] And three nights. [328.22 --> 329.68] This is the word of the Lord. [332.00 --> 335.24] So what have you been doing over the last number of months? [336.36 --> 339.08] You've had time to do different things. [339.72 --> 340.60] School has been out. [340.60 --> 349.70] Perhaps if you have children at home, you had to do some homeschooling, and you discovered the challenging work of a teacher. [349.70 --> 358.92] Or perhaps you've had to work from home, and you've discovered the importance of keeping a routine. [360.70 --> 372.06] Or perhaps you have indulged ever more into social media, and you have become much more adept at finding your way around the internet. [372.06 --> 377.78] Or perhaps you have been reading more. [378.78 --> 383.90] The newspaper, magazines, books, fiction, and nonfiction. [384.72 --> 389.20] What have you been doing over the last three months? [390.84 --> 391.56] Complaining? [393.18 --> 394.40] Binge-watching? [394.40 --> 394.90] Binge-watching? [395.30 --> 395.74] Binge-watching? [396.36 --> 398.98] I've painted the interior of our house. [400.72 --> 402.36] Our marriage is still together. [403.98 --> 411.22] One of the things that happened is that this man died in the time. [412.10 --> 414.72] His name is Ravi Zacharias. [415.54 --> 421.96] Ravi Zacharias was born in India, converted to the Christian faith in his teenage years. [421.96 --> 425.56] he was about 17, he had attempted to commit suicide. [427.26 --> 431.00] And as a result of that attempt on his life, [431.88 --> 436.66] he was confronted by the reality of who Jesus was, [437.66 --> 440.78] and he committed his life to Christ [440.78 --> 445.12] by the sovereign grace of God, working in his heart. [446.32 --> 451.16] He moved to Canada, went to now what is Tyndale Seminary, [451.96 --> 455.44] became part of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, [456.18 --> 459.94] and established a ministry of apologetics. [459.94 --> 466.62] That is, he went around to people to defend the Christian faith. [468.14 --> 471.76] He's been doing that for years and years, going to college campuses, [471.76 --> 476.22] and has a whole ministry that is now based in the state of Georgia. [476.22 --> 482.28] He was diagnosed with cancer earlier, or late last year, early this year, [482.50 --> 486.20] and died rather quickly in May of this past year. [486.20 --> 493.88] He had a blog and a radio program entitled, [493.88 --> 498.00] Let My People Think. [498.00 --> 502.84] Let My People Think. [502.84 --> 510.38] In other words, let my people grow deeper into the Christian faith, [511.22 --> 514.82] thinking about not only its doctrines, [515.28 --> 517.52] but also its practices. [517.52 --> 524.86] thinking about how we can best address the issues of the day. [525.60 --> 531.76] Thinking about how we can best walk in the footsteps of Jesus. [531.76 --> 536.28] In response to his death, [536.28 --> 540.58] I began to read one of his books once again, [540.58 --> 545.80] because I wanted to come to a deeper sense of appreciation [545.80 --> 549.18] for the impactful ministry he has had. [549.24 --> 552.72] And if you have had time now to explore the internet, [552.92 --> 553.86] you'll know about YouTube, [554.14 --> 556.44] and you just have to put his name onto YouTube, [556.44 --> 561.06] and you get all sorts of different videos and clips of his work. [561.06 --> 565.16] He is a very thoughtful, convicting speaker, [565.82 --> 571.18] and I think you would benefit from hearing what he has to say. [571.24 --> 571.72] But he said, [572.24 --> 575.58] Let my people think. [577.12 --> 579.68] And as I was reflecting on that, [579.76 --> 584.96] and reflecting upon the need to lay open God's word, [584.96 --> 589.22] I thought, maybe we should think a little bit more about Jonah. [589.82 --> 592.00] Now Jonah is a very popular topic, of course, [592.50 --> 596.62] because Sunday school classes can be built around him. [597.38 --> 601.24] Vacation Bible school themes can be built around what happened. [601.38 --> 607.06] I mean, kids just love this whole idea of storms and whales or great fishes [607.06 --> 609.82] and living inside of a fish for three days. [609.92 --> 613.82] I mean, you could make something dramatic of that. [614.96 --> 617.54] But you really want to ask, [617.96 --> 621.60] what do we know about Jonah, [621.96 --> 626.56] and do we really believe that Jonah existed? [626.78 --> 628.62] Because there's much debate about that. [629.10 --> 633.58] Who believes that a fish could be so big to swallow a man, [633.68 --> 635.90] to allow to live inside of the stomach, [636.20 --> 637.94] full of gastric acid? [637.94 --> 642.68] What would his skin have looked like three days later [642.68 --> 645.94] when he was ejected in a whole blast of protein? [648.64 --> 649.36] Really? [649.76 --> 651.60] Can you really believe that happened? [653.30 --> 655.32] Maybe it's not real. [655.58 --> 658.38] Maybe it's just a fictional story [658.38 --> 661.34] created out of a man's imagination [661.34 --> 663.70] to drive home a point. [665.76 --> 667.70] Maybe it's a parable, [668.82 --> 671.48] a fantastical story [671.48 --> 674.78] to make us think. [676.68 --> 678.32] What do you know about Jonah? [679.34 --> 681.54] Well, Jonah is mentioned [681.54 --> 684.48] not only in the book that bears his name, [684.48 --> 687.56] but also in 2 Kings chapter 14. [687.78 --> 688.66] He was the one. [689.16 --> 690.66] This is Jeroboam II, [690.86 --> 692.68] who was the king [692.68 --> 694.06] in the northern part of Israel. [694.34 --> 696.36] The land had divided, [696.56 --> 698.00] so there was Judah to the south [698.00 --> 699.96] and Israel to the north. [700.18 --> 701.78] And Jeroboam II, [702.46 --> 703.68] not the first king, [703.78 --> 705.32] but the second Jeroboam, [705.74 --> 706.60] was king, [706.60 --> 711.66] and his reign ended in 753 B.C. [712.54 --> 714.16] So he was the one [714.16 --> 716.60] who restored the boundaries of Israel [716.60 --> 718.98] from Labohamath to the Dead Sea [718.98 --> 720.94] in accordance with the word of the Lord, [721.34 --> 722.30] the God of Israel, [722.48 --> 724.60] spoken through his servant Jonah, [725.12 --> 726.40] son of Amittai, [726.56 --> 728.52] the prophet from Gath-Hippar. [729.96 --> 732.62] So Jonah's mentioned in the scriptures [732.62 --> 734.48] in another place. [734.48 --> 737.14] It puts us, then makes us aware [737.14 --> 739.02] of his time frame. [740.64 --> 741.82] And he was a prophet [741.82 --> 743.48] who spoke words of encouragement [744.02 --> 745.52] to Jeroboam II, [746.24 --> 747.60] who, however, [748.06 --> 749.50] was one who was described [749.50 --> 750.72] he did what was evil [750.72 --> 751.98] in the eyes of the Lord. [752.46 --> 755.52] And yet the Lord blessed his work and reign, [755.88 --> 759.98] and he was allowed to expand Israel [759.98 --> 761.38] to its former borders, [761.58 --> 762.34] to the north, [762.34 --> 765.18] to the land that was controlled [765.18 --> 766.36] by the people [766.36 --> 768.00] or the kingdom of Damascus. [768.00 --> 771.18] That had been part of David's reign [771.18 --> 771.84] and kingdom, [772.20 --> 773.34] and Jeroboam II [773.34 --> 775.82] pushed the boundaries back [775.82 --> 777.54] to the north. [778.00 --> 779.48] So his boundaries [779.48 --> 780.82] butted up against [780.82 --> 781.58] the boundaries [781.58 --> 783.78] of what would be called in time [783.78 --> 785.34] the Assyrian kingdom. [785.34 --> 788.76] And the Assyrian kingdom [788.76 --> 792.74] became a fairly large one, [792.88 --> 795.68] and you will see Nineveh, [795.80 --> 797.14] you see the letters, [797.30 --> 797.96] the Assyrian kingdom, [798.10 --> 799.02] and right above that, [799.14 --> 800.84] you'll see it's a little unclear, [801.50 --> 804.54] but that's where the city of Nineveh was. [804.54 --> 807.10] So the Assyrian kingdom [807.10 --> 808.60] was coming up [808.60 --> 809.60] in influence [809.60 --> 810.82] and power [810.82 --> 812.54] at the time of [812.54 --> 813.36] Jonah. [814.32 --> 815.56] It was recognized [815.56 --> 817.80] as a formidable [817.80 --> 819.00] opponent. [820.50 --> 821.52] In time, [821.72 --> 823.60] in 721 BC, [824.52 --> 826.26] the Assyrian empire [826.26 --> 827.64] would destroy [827.64 --> 828.98] the northern part [828.98 --> 830.88] of the land of Israel [830.88 --> 833.40] and take the northern Israelites [833.40 --> 834.64] into captivity [834.64 --> 837.36] from which they never recovered. [839.18 --> 840.70] So Jonah was [840.70 --> 841.90] aware [841.90 --> 843.88] of the Assyrians [843.88 --> 845.04] and [845.04 --> 847.14] of their growing impact [847.14 --> 847.88] and power. [848.78 --> 849.96] This is a picture [849.96 --> 851.12] of the reconstruction [851.12 --> 852.72] of one of the gates [852.72 --> 855.48] of the city of Nineveh, [855.90 --> 857.00] and then beside [857.00 --> 858.06] that [858.06 --> 858.48] is [858.48 --> 859.90] words from [859.90 --> 860.80] the prophet [860.80 --> 861.56] Nahum. [862.72 --> 863.62] He comes about [863.62 --> 864.78] a hundred years later [864.78 --> 866.54] than Jonah, [866.88 --> 868.24] and Nahum writes, [868.44 --> 869.54] woe to the city [869.54 --> 870.56] of blood, [870.68 --> 871.48] full of lies, [871.60 --> 872.36] full of plunder, [872.52 --> 873.62] never without victims. [873.72 --> 874.54] That's verse 1. [875.12 --> 876.30] And then verse 19, [876.82 --> 878.68] nothing can heal you, [879.12 --> 880.62] your wound is fatal, [881.18 --> 882.60] all who hear the news [882.60 --> 884.04] about you clap their hands [884.04 --> 884.84] at your fall, [885.40 --> 887.02] for who has not felt [887.02 --> 888.54] your endless cruelty. [890.24 --> 890.98] Those are the words [890.98 --> 891.62] of Nahum [891.62 --> 892.82] to Nineveh, [892.98 --> 894.58] to the Assyrian Empire, [894.74 --> 896.16] a hundred years or so [896.16 --> 897.74] after Jonah, [898.68 --> 900.50] reflecting on the history [900.50 --> 901.70] and the conduct [901.70 --> 903.18] of the Assyrians. [903.84 --> 904.96] They were known [904.96 --> 905.90] for their cruelty. [906.60 --> 907.52] They were known [907.52 --> 909.12] for their attitude [909.12 --> 910.90] towards their enemy, [911.42 --> 912.68] to destroy them, [912.68 --> 914.08] to beat them down, [914.24 --> 915.22] to celebrate [915.22 --> 917.18] their defeat. [918.58 --> 919.96] So here we are. [921.18 --> 922.12] We have Jonah, [922.70 --> 923.34] a prophet [923.34 --> 924.74] in the northern part [924.74 --> 925.84] of Israel, [926.54 --> 927.86] encouraging the king [927.86 --> 929.62] who has been successful, [930.30 --> 931.68] who is very aware [931.68 --> 933.56] that to the further north [933.56 --> 935.28] and to the east [935.28 --> 938.20] arises this empire, [938.20 --> 940.04] which in time [940.04 --> 941.62] will have very [941.62 --> 943.44] destructive impact [943.44 --> 944.78] on the people [944.78 --> 945.64] of Israel. [946.96 --> 948.54] And God says [948.54 --> 949.50] to Jonah, [950.06 --> 952.70] go to Nineveh, [953.02 --> 954.28] that great city, [954.94 --> 956.18] and preach [956.18 --> 957.58] against it. [959.18 --> 960.32] And Jonah says, [960.40 --> 960.60] no. [962.28 --> 963.00] I ain't going. [964.76 --> 966.20] Alexander Maslow [966.20 --> 968.38] was quoted by John Ortberg, [968.74 --> 971.06] and Maslow gets credit [971.06 --> 973.38] for writing a summary [973.38 --> 976.36] in the words of Dr. Seuss. [977.82 --> 979.20] I would not go there [979.20 --> 979.68] in a boat. [980.16 --> 981.22] I would not go there [981.22 --> 981.74] in a float. [982.16 --> 983.26] I would not go there [983.26 --> 983.84] in a gale. [984.02 --> 985.12] I would not go there [985.12 --> 985.68] in a whale. [986.12 --> 987.96] I do not like the people there. [988.50 --> 989.70] If they'd all died, [989.78 --> 990.82] I would not care. [991.68 --> 992.62] I will not go [992.62 --> 993.72] to that great town. [994.14 --> 995.30] I'd rather choke. [995.30 --> 996.88] I'd rather drown. [997.56 --> 998.34] I will not go [998.34 --> 999.36] by land or sea. [1000.06 --> 1001.52] So stop the talk [1001.52 --> 1003.02] and let me be. [1005.70 --> 1006.34] Jonah says, [1006.42 --> 1006.64] no. [1009.46 --> 1010.68] Imagine for a moment [1010.68 --> 1012.68] that you were a rabbi, [1012.90 --> 1014.02] a Jewish rabbi, [1014.64 --> 1015.92] in 1941, [1016.92 --> 1019.02] and that you lived [1019.02 --> 1020.42] in greater Europe, [1020.42 --> 1022.96] and God came to you [1022.96 --> 1023.36] and said, [1023.50 --> 1024.86] go to Berlin [1024.86 --> 1028.28] and preach against it. [1030.80 --> 1032.00] Would you go? [1032.00 --> 1036.48] By that time, [1037.02 --> 1038.68] the war had started. [1039.98 --> 1041.04] Concentration camps [1041.04 --> 1041.70] were packed. [1042.98 --> 1043.66] Jews were being [1043.66 --> 1045.32] transported en masse. [1046.98 --> 1048.74] Millions would die. [1050.34 --> 1051.10] Would you go? [1052.44 --> 1053.88] Would it make any sense? [1053.88 --> 1060.26] Let my people think. [1060.26 --> 1063.02] Let my people think. [1064.68 --> 1066.02] And so Jonah says, [1066.14 --> 1066.32] no. [1067.62 --> 1068.88] And Jonah decides [1068.88 --> 1070.56] that he's going to run. [1071.50 --> 1072.98] So he goes from his home [1072.98 --> 1074.06] down to Joppa, [1074.38 --> 1075.84] and he gets on a ship [1075.84 --> 1076.26] to Tarshish. [1076.26 --> 1076.78] Tarshish. [1077.04 --> 1077.26] Now, [1077.74 --> 1078.98] notice something, [1079.56 --> 1080.72] because you have to [1080.72 --> 1081.50] slow down [1081.50 --> 1082.76] when you read Scripture, [1083.04 --> 1084.72] because every word [1084.72 --> 1086.40] and every sentence, [1086.56 --> 1087.56] every phrase [1087.56 --> 1088.86] can be packed [1088.86 --> 1089.60] with meaning [1089.60 --> 1090.74] once you begin [1090.74 --> 1091.90] to unravel it [1091.90 --> 1092.66] a little bit. [1094.44 --> 1095.72] Notice that Jonah [1095.72 --> 1098.00] paid his own fare. [1100.78 --> 1102.32] He paid for a ticket, [1103.00 --> 1105.02] which was very unusual [1105.02 --> 1105.98] in the day. [1105.98 --> 1107.40] if you would travel [1107.40 --> 1108.02] by ship, [1108.10 --> 1108.70] because they were [1108.70 --> 1109.88] all cargo ships [1109.88 --> 1111.36] or military ships. [1111.52 --> 1113.00] There weren't cruise liners [1113.00 --> 1114.42] and passenger ships. [1115.08 --> 1116.50] No, you could buy a bed [1116.50 --> 1117.32] and then get from [1117.32 --> 1118.36] point A to B. [1118.94 --> 1119.92] No, you would go [1119.92 --> 1120.54] on a ship [1120.54 --> 1121.62] and you would barter. [1121.74 --> 1122.82] I'll sweep the deck. [1123.54 --> 1124.82] I'll cook the food. [1125.24 --> 1126.32] I'll help you load [1126.32 --> 1127.12] and unload [1127.12 --> 1131.80] in exchange for a trip, [1132.00 --> 1133.40] because I'm at A [1133.40 --> 1134.68] and I need to get to B [1134.68 --> 1135.46] and I know you're [1135.46 --> 1136.08] getting to be, [1136.16 --> 1137.16] you're going to be. [1138.68 --> 1139.68] But Jonah doesn't barter. [1141.24 --> 1142.28] Jonah pays the fare. [1143.60 --> 1145.86] He is a man of means. [1146.30 --> 1149.02] He is a person of influence. [1150.28 --> 1152.82] He can direct his own life. [1152.82 --> 1155.22] And he says, [1155.42 --> 1157.20] I will not go there in a boat. [1157.32 --> 1159.28] I will not go there in a float. [1160.52 --> 1161.76] Let them all die. [1161.88 --> 1163.10] I do not care. [1164.70 --> 1166.20] And so he goes his own way. [1166.60 --> 1167.94] Instead of going to Nineveh, [1168.04 --> 1169.34] he goes to Tarshish. [1170.26 --> 1171.74] And we think that Tarshish [1171.74 --> 1173.74] is probably located roughly now [1173.74 --> 1176.74] where the Gibraltar is located [1176.74 --> 1178.02] in Spain. [1178.42 --> 1180.10] For that time, [1181.12 --> 1182.22] it would be seen [1182.22 --> 1182.84] and known [1182.84 --> 1184.28] as the end of the world. [1185.24 --> 1187.34] As far as he could go, [1188.12 --> 1190.46] Jonah would go. [1193.52 --> 1194.56] And then, [1195.56 --> 1197.26] God sends a storm. [1200.52 --> 1201.98] Jonah has sinned. [1201.98 --> 1205.28] He has refused to obey God. [1206.46 --> 1210.08] And sin always has its consequences. [1211.34 --> 1212.52] You lie. [1212.68 --> 1213.26] You cheat. [1214.14 --> 1215.74] You practice injustice. [1216.64 --> 1218.56] We live in a moral universe. [1219.84 --> 1222.74] And sin always has its consequence. [1223.86 --> 1225.88] Sin puts you in a prison. [1226.96 --> 1228.60] Sin eats you up [1228.60 --> 1231.54] from the inside to the outside. [1231.98 --> 1233.66] I don't recall the name [1233.66 --> 1234.60] of the movie right now, [1234.70 --> 1236.26] but I watched a movie [1236.26 --> 1237.44] about Mr. Rogers. [1237.60 --> 1238.70] Do you remember Mr. Rogers? [1238.80 --> 1239.44] He was nominated [1239.44 --> 1240.70] for an Academy Award [1240.70 --> 1242.66] with Tom Hanks. [1244.52 --> 1246.26] And Mr. Rogers meets [1246.26 --> 1247.48] a guy named Lloyd. [1247.92 --> 1250.30] And Lloyd hates his father. [1251.36 --> 1252.88] And it's eating him up [1252.88 --> 1254.36] on the inside. [1255.78 --> 1257.24] If you want to watch a good movie, [1257.32 --> 1258.74] let me recommend that one to you. [1259.26 --> 1259.52] All right? [1259.52 --> 1262.20] Because it's a story [1262.20 --> 1263.66] about overcoming. [1264.14 --> 1264.82] Mr. Rogers, [1265.00 --> 1266.52] as some of you probably know, [1266.94 --> 1268.44] was a Presbyterian pastor [1268.44 --> 1269.54] for over 30 years. [1269.74 --> 1270.58] But he focused [1270.58 --> 1271.66] on children's ministry. [1271.80 --> 1272.80] He didn't talk overtly [1272.80 --> 1273.96] about Jesus so much, [1274.04 --> 1276.20] but he wanted to help children [1276.20 --> 1279.46] deal with their feelings [1279.46 --> 1280.82] and their fears [1280.82 --> 1282.36] and their experiences. [1283.00 --> 1284.26] There's a line in that movie [1284.26 --> 1286.56] that continues to sort of [1286.56 --> 1287.94] grab my attention. [1288.14 --> 1288.44] He says, [1288.60 --> 1288.98] Death, [1289.36 --> 1292.30] death is often not talked about. [1293.66 --> 1296.78] But if we mention death, [1298.22 --> 1300.42] then by mentioning it, [1300.94 --> 1302.72] it becomes manageable. [1302.72 --> 1307.88] And, you know, [1307.92 --> 1309.36] he deals with this person, [1309.58 --> 1309.90] Lloyd, [1310.06 --> 1313.66] whose life is being torn apart [1313.66 --> 1315.60] by his anger [1315.60 --> 1317.38] and by his pain, [1317.58 --> 1319.10] by his sin, [1319.18 --> 1320.24] as well as the sin [1320.24 --> 1321.36] of his father. [1321.52 --> 1323.50] It's a complicated story [1323.50 --> 1326.00] and yet a universal story. [1326.00 --> 1329.16] And the reality is [1329.16 --> 1330.74] that's what sin does. [1332.18 --> 1333.96] Sin eats away [1333.96 --> 1335.24] and breaks [1335.24 --> 1337.06] and tears [1337.06 --> 1337.92] and destroys. [1338.74 --> 1339.98] God sends a storm. [1342.56 --> 1343.74] And the storm grows great. [1343.86 --> 1344.76] Now these sailors [1344.76 --> 1346.28] are experienced people, [1347.22 --> 1348.88] but they notice [1348.88 --> 1349.84] that this storm [1349.84 --> 1351.36] seems to be extraordinary. [1352.82 --> 1354.38] And they begin to wonder [1354.38 --> 1355.66] who is the cause? [1355.66 --> 1356.70] What is the cause? [1356.98 --> 1358.00] This isn't natural. [1358.20 --> 1360.10] This isn't the way [1360.10 --> 1361.64] we have experienced it [1361.64 --> 1362.90] in the past. [1366.48 --> 1367.96] And then they cast a lot. [1369.46 --> 1370.58] And think about [1370.58 --> 1371.70] what they asked Jonah. [1373.28 --> 1374.32] Who are you? [1376.20 --> 1377.34] What do you do? [1378.92 --> 1380.44] Where do you come from? [1382.44 --> 1384.04] Who do you serve? [1384.04 --> 1386.58] Those are questions [1386.58 --> 1387.72] of identity. [1388.24 --> 1389.28] Remember the story. [1389.40 --> 1390.60] This is not the parallel story [1390.60 --> 1391.08] I'm looking, [1391.38 --> 1392.40] having you look for [1392.40 --> 1393.70] for the story of Jonah. [1393.78 --> 1394.58] But remember the story [1394.58 --> 1395.12] of Jesus [1395.12 --> 1396.50] as recorded in [1396.50 --> 1397.94] Mark chapter 4. [1398.02 --> 1398.90] He falls asleep [1398.90 --> 1399.42] in a boat [1399.42 --> 1400.76] and the storm comes [1400.76 --> 1401.78] and the disciples [1401.78 --> 1402.44] wake him [1402.44 --> 1403.76] and they say, [1403.84 --> 1404.58] aren't you afraid? [1404.78 --> 1405.56] And he gets up [1405.56 --> 1406.10] and he says, [1406.80 --> 1408.38] peace be still. [1408.38 --> 1412.16] And the wind abates [1412.16 --> 1413.98] and the storm abates [1413.98 --> 1415.76] and the apostles [1415.76 --> 1416.48] look at him [1416.48 --> 1417.72] and ask this question. [1418.20 --> 1421.16] Who then is this [1421.16 --> 1422.76] that even the winds [1422.76 --> 1423.54] and the waves [1423.54 --> 1424.52] obey him? [1425.36 --> 1426.18] Jonah's asked [1426.18 --> 1427.26] an identity question. [1427.34 --> 1427.86] Who are you? [1427.92 --> 1428.68] Where are you from? [1428.96 --> 1429.88] What are you doing? [1429.96 --> 1430.72] What's your purpose? [1430.84 --> 1431.60] What's your place? [1431.70 --> 1432.68] Who are your people? [1432.68 --> 1435.26] I am a Hebrew [1435.26 --> 1437.94] and I serve the God [1437.94 --> 1441.12] who created the land [1441.12 --> 1442.60] and the sea [1442.60 --> 1447.02] and they are deathly afraid. [1450.06 --> 1451.78] They are deathly afraid [1451.78 --> 1454.24] because the great God [1454.24 --> 1454.96] is the God [1454.96 --> 1457.28] who created the land [1457.28 --> 1458.26] and the sea [1458.26 --> 1460.62] and they are feeling vulnerable. [1462.68 --> 1463.92] And they do everything [1463.92 --> 1464.76] that they can. [1465.90 --> 1468.02] They throw the cargo overboard. [1468.78 --> 1469.76] Now stop to think [1469.76 --> 1470.74] what that means a minute. [1471.84 --> 1473.78] They're throwing their product, [1473.96 --> 1475.34] their wages overboard. [1475.50 --> 1476.14] They're throwing [1476.14 --> 1478.02] their future overboard. [1478.68 --> 1479.86] This is not just simply [1479.86 --> 1481.12] a matter of lightening [1481.12 --> 1482.58] their ship. [1482.68 --> 1484.92] This is a matter of surviving [1484.92 --> 1486.02] and then entering [1486.02 --> 1487.66] into abject poverty. [1488.64 --> 1489.52] There's no insurance [1489.52 --> 1490.32] at that point. [1490.32 --> 1493.06] They are putting themselves [1493.06 --> 1494.42] at great risk. [1496.10 --> 1496.86] And the captain, [1497.12 --> 1499.70] he marshals all the resources [1499.70 --> 1500.98] that he can, [1501.84 --> 1502.90] directing his sailors [1502.90 --> 1504.18] but then looking [1504.18 --> 1506.24] for this other passenger [1506.24 --> 1508.40] who is sleeping [1508.40 --> 1510.14] below deck. [1510.86 --> 1512.10] See, this is the ship [1512.10 --> 1512.84] of Tarshish. [1513.52 --> 1514.50] If you read the stories [1514.50 --> 1515.06] of Solomon, [1515.20 --> 1516.04] he had a whole fleet [1516.04 --> 1516.72] of these ships. [1517.46 --> 1519.04] These were not small boats. [1519.04 --> 1521.90] This was a ship [1521.90 --> 1523.34] that had multiple decks. [1523.50 --> 1524.18] It could be driven [1524.18 --> 1526.06] by ore and by wind. [1526.76 --> 1528.70] And they had all sorts [1528.70 --> 1529.76] of cargo that delivered [1529.76 --> 1530.84] here or there. [1531.20 --> 1532.50] And Jonah was below deck. [1533.50 --> 1534.62] And he was sleeping. [1535.00 --> 1536.00] And the captain comes [1536.00 --> 1536.38] and says, [1536.74 --> 1536.94] you know, [1536.98 --> 1537.74] wake up! [1538.64 --> 1540.76] The captain berates him. [1542.50 --> 1544.08] Pray to your God. [1544.08 --> 1544.14] God. [1545.14 --> 1545.88] We've got to have [1545.88 --> 1547.22] everything going [1547.22 --> 1549.30] going for us. [1550.12 --> 1552.12] That is how scary it is. [1552.60 --> 1554.26] And recognize this thing [1554.26 --> 1556.40] that you hear so often today [1556.40 --> 1558.16] in the context of COVID-19. [1558.42 --> 1561.04] We're all in this together. [1561.72 --> 1564.80] We all are on the same boat. [1564.80 --> 1568.66] So mobilize your resources. [1570.18 --> 1571.28] Do what is right. [1572.76 --> 1574.06] And here's one of the lessons, [1574.24 --> 1574.62] I think, [1574.92 --> 1576.08] that we need to learn [1576.08 --> 1577.22] from the story [1577.22 --> 1579.20] that is recorded in Jonah. [1580.48 --> 1581.52] The pagans [1581.52 --> 1583.44] come off [1583.44 --> 1585.14] more favorably [1585.14 --> 1586.92] than the prophet [1586.92 --> 1588.12] of God. [1590.22 --> 1591.68] The pagans [1591.68 --> 1593.78] do everything right. [1595.96 --> 1596.92] And therefore, [1597.32 --> 1598.14] as Christians, [1598.36 --> 1599.18] we need to learn [1599.18 --> 1599.78] a lesson [1599.78 --> 1600.62] and that is [1600.62 --> 1601.86] that we respect [1601.86 --> 1603.16] everyone [1603.16 --> 1604.30] regardless [1604.30 --> 1605.62] of their beliefs. [1608.16 --> 1609.52] And we treat them [1609.52 --> 1610.38] as we would like [1610.38 --> 1611.06] to be treated, [1611.42 --> 1612.06] respectfully. [1614.46 --> 1615.44] The pagans [1615.44 --> 1616.20] do what is right. [1616.32 --> 1617.34] They say to Jonah, [1617.52 --> 1618.66] what should we do? [1618.76 --> 1619.38] Jonah says, [1619.48 --> 1620.66] toss me overboard. [1620.66 --> 1621.68] And they said, [1621.78 --> 1622.94] we can't do that. [1624.30 --> 1625.36] And so rather [1625.36 --> 1626.68] than toss them overboard, [1626.90 --> 1628.10] they dig [1628.10 --> 1630.22] really hard [1630.22 --> 1631.04] into the water. [1631.12 --> 1632.08] The Hebrew word [1632.08 --> 1632.62] actually [1632.62 --> 1633.64] for their rowing [1633.64 --> 1634.90] is that they're digging. [1635.28 --> 1636.00] They are putting [1636.00 --> 1637.10] every effort [1637.10 --> 1639.36] into getting to shore. [1640.06 --> 1641.42] But they can't. [1642.12 --> 1642.80] So tell us, [1642.86 --> 1643.18] they say, [1643.24 --> 1644.06] who is responsible [1644.06 --> 1645.20] for making this trouble [1645.20 --> 1645.76] for us? [1646.10 --> 1646.94] What kind of work do you do? [1647.24 --> 1648.08] Where do you come from? [1648.32 --> 1649.06] What is your country? [1649.42 --> 1650.44] From what people are you? [1650.44 --> 1651.66] I am a Hebrew. [1653.00 --> 1654.28] And the ship gets flooded. [1656.36 --> 1657.86] And they toss them overboard. [1660.28 --> 1661.44] And it's like a flip [1661.44 --> 1663.02] of a switch. [1664.72 --> 1667.16] And it's quiet. [1667.16 --> 1672.42] And notice the response [1672.42 --> 1673.74] of the pagan sailors. [1675.22 --> 1677.08] They are afraid. [1679.88 --> 1680.90] They have prayed. [1680.90 --> 1681.26] Lord, [1681.80 --> 1683.90] do not hold the sin against us [1683.90 --> 1685.82] of throwing this guy overboard. [1686.18 --> 1688.24] But they are afraid. [1690.08 --> 1691.60] And they bring sacrifices. [1691.60 --> 1693.44] Now the important point here, [1693.82 --> 1694.38] I think, [1694.44 --> 1695.98] is often lost on us [1695.98 --> 1697.60] out of our own experience. [1697.94 --> 1700.28] Because we often come to God [1700.28 --> 1701.86] and we say to God, [1702.30 --> 1704.86] if you do this for us, [1704.90 --> 1706.16] if you help us, [1706.38 --> 1707.72] then we will, [1708.38 --> 1709.62] and we'll fill in the blanks, [1709.66 --> 1710.46] we will believe, [1710.64 --> 1712.14] we will dedicate our lives to you, [1712.20 --> 1713.06] we will serve you. [1713.06 --> 1716.22] But we're in a foxhole now, God, [1716.34 --> 1717.84] and we need your help. [1719.52 --> 1721.22] But that's not what happens here. [1721.22 --> 1725.54] They are responding [1725.54 --> 1727.18] after the danger is over. [1728.18 --> 1730.02] After the crisis is gone. [1730.58 --> 1731.92] The storm is gone. [1732.32 --> 1733.46] The waves are calm. [1733.84 --> 1736.00] The wind is calm. [1736.78 --> 1738.14] They're making progress. [1739.32 --> 1740.28] And they are afraid. [1740.80 --> 1742.96] And they offer a sacrifice. [1743.68 --> 1745.16] And the Hebrew catches it here. [1745.24 --> 1747.52] They offer a sacrifice to Yahweh, [1748.20 --> 1749.74] to the God of covenant. [1749.74 --> 1753.84] They become, it seems, [1754.86 --> 1757.84] believers in the God of the Hebrews. [1758.62 --> 1761.52] The God who created the heavens and the earth. [1761.96 --> 1762.32] Why? [1762.84 --> 1765.28] Not because of what he will do for them [1765.28 --> 1767.98] in the future, [1768.76 --> 1771.28] but what he has done for them [1771.28 --> 1773.20] in the past. [1774.36 --> 1775.48] And what has he done? [1775.82 --> 1778.16] He has accepted the sacrifice of one. [1778.16 --> 1778.26] One. [1779.26 --> 1780.96] To benefit the all. [1783.22 --> 1783.92] And later, [1784.46 --> 1786.12] the New Testament will teach, [1786.74 --> 1788.72] it is better that one man should die, [1789.78 --> 1792.22] than that all the nation should perish. [1792.22 --> 1800.00] He has taken the substitutionary sacrifice of Jonah [1800.00 --> 1803.90] and liberated from death [1803.90 --> 1806.16] the pagan sailors [1806.16 --> 1810.52] who have tossed him overboard. [1810.52 --> 1840.50] He has taken the [1840.50 --> 1841.50] a book of the Bible, [1841.50 --> 1841.72] a fiction, [1841.72 --> 1843.12] a story. [1843.12 --> 1844.56] I want to say to you, [1845.96 --> 1847.28] the resurrection of Jesus [1847.28 --> 1848.60] is a greater miracle [1848.60 --> 1851.08] than the creation of a great fish [1851.08 --> 1852.16] with an antechamber [1852.16 --> 1854.44] in which Jonah might have had a bench [1854.44 --> 1854.88] and a pillow. [1857.80 --> 1859.76] The resurrection of Jesus [1859.76 --> 1864.46] demonstrates the power of God [1864.46 --> 1866.84] and the concern of God. [1867.84 --> 1869.74] So let us think. [1870.62 --> 1872.80] What lessons do we learn [1872.80 --> 1875.64] about our identity [1875.64 --> 1878.36] as people redeemed [1878.36 --> 1880.54] in Jesus Christ? [1880.54 --> 1885.82] We are the messengers to the world, [1885.82 --> 1890.84] the tellers of the story of God's power, [1891.50 --> 1894.02] and God's power is demonstrated [1894.02 --> 1895.10] throughout this thing. [1895.64 --> 1896.52] There is a call. [1897.74 --> 1898.94] There is a commission. [1899.78 --> 1901.18] Go to that great city. [1902.02 --> 1903.62] People often don't like the commission [1903.62 --> 1904.82] and preach against it. [1906.32 --> 1907.32] Preach against it. [1907.32 --> 1909.86] We are talking about a God of love, [1909.94 --> 1910.92] not a God of wrath. [1911.94 --> 1912.34] Really? [1913.98 --> 1914.46] Really? [1915.04 --> 1916.00] I will tell you something [1916.00 --> 1916.92] that I hate. [1917.48 --> 1918.96] I hate COVID-19. [1920.08 --> 1921.54] I hate that virus. [1922.10 --> 1923.80] I hope scientists will discover [1923.80 --> 1925.64] a tool that will crush it [1925.64 --> 1927.60] absolutely and completely. [1928.46 --> 1929.38] And I think that is [1929.38 --> 1931.66] a perfectly justifiable hate. [1931.66 --> 1936.02] God hates sin. [1937.40 --> 1939.28] And he wants to crush it completely [1939.28 --> 1941.76] because it destroys relationships. [1942.24 --> 1944.36] It eats people up from the inside. [1944.78 --> 1946.90] It destroys the relationship with God, [1947.28 --> 1948.72] the relationship with themselves, [1949.06 --> 1950.44] the relationship with others, [1950.74 --> 1952.28] the relationship with the world. [1953.46 --> 1954.66] I was listening to the news [1954.66 --> 1956.26] coming up here this morning. [1957.12 --> 1959.76] One of the great destroyers in the world [1959.76 --> 1961.96] is what we do with our solid waste, [1962.28 --> 1964.96] with our telephones and computers [1964.96 --> 1965.76] and televisions [1966.30 --> 1968.04] that we can no longer use. [1968.64 --> 1971.86] And we just simply pile them up [1971.86 --> 1973.86] and then poor villages [1973.86 --> 1976.20] in Vietnam and in other places [1976.20 --> 1977.60] strip out the wire [1977.60 --> 1979.98] and the rest goes into landfill. [1981.26 --> 1983.04] You stop to ask yourself, [1983.04 --> 1985.04] what do we do [1985.04 --> 1987.20] with the care of this world? [1988.10 --> 1990.10] God is sovereign. [1990.84 --> 1992.12] And he comes to Jonah [1992.12 --> 1993.04] and he says, go. [1994.14 --> 1994.90] And Jonah says, [1994.98 --> 1996.14] no, I will not go. [1997.30 --> 1999.44] I would rather that they all die. [2000.96 --> 2002.26] And God reminds him, [2002.30 --> 2002.70] he says, [2002.96 --> 2004.38] I am the God of the Hebrews. [2006.58 --> 2008.54] And what were the Hebrew nation [2008.54 --> 2010.14] set aside for? [2010.50 --> 2012.12] Well, remember the words to Abraham? [2012.12 --> 2014.06] I will bless you [2014.06 --> 2016.86] so that you will be a blessing. [2017.50 --> 2018.46] To who? [2019.24 --> 2020.34] To the nations. [2021.16 --> 2022.28] To the people. [2022.60 --> 2023.92] And what does Jesus say? [2024.76 --> 2028.76] Go and make disciples of all nations [2028.76 --> 2033.54] and surely I will be with you always [2033.54 --> 2035.44] to the end of the age. [2035.44 --> 2038.06] So I'm going to invite you [2038.06 --> 2039.94] to think, [2040.48 --> 2042.96] who am I [2042.96 --> 2044.64] in Jesus? [2045.60 --> 2048.72] And what does God want me to do [2048.72 --> 2052.28] with those with whom [2052.28 --> 2054.62] I have relationship? [2056.10 --> 2057.70] The sailors on our boat. [2057.70 --> 2060.92] we're all in it together. [2062.36 --> 2064.28] How can we best share? [2065.50 --> 2067.36] How can we best bless? [2068.16 --> 2069.52] It may be as simple [2069.52 --> 2071.96] as wearing a mask [2071.96 --> 2074.96] or touching an elbow [2074.96 --> 2078.24] or encouraging people [2078.24 --> 2078.26] or encouraging people [2078.26 --> 2079.82] to believe [2079.82 --> 2081.78] that God [2081.78 --> 2083.96] will have the last word. [2086.64 --> 2087.74] So what do you think? [2088.78 --> 2089.46] Let's pray. [2090.64 --> 2091.40] Father God, [2091.50 --> 2092.86] thank you for this day. [2093.86 --> 2095.40] Thank you for this opportunity. [2095.76 --> 2096.90] Thank you for your word. [2096.90 --> 2100.08] Thank you for a person like Jonah [2100.08 --> 2102.34] who would dare to reflect [2102.34 --> 2104.40] on a very hard experience [2104.40 --> 2105.22] that he went through. [2107.16 --> 2108.44] Thank you for people [2108.44 --> 2109.68] who will show us [2109.68 --> 2112.82] how we can conduct ourselves respectfully. [2114.36 --> 2116.50] We pray that we may learn the lesson. [2117.12 --> 2118.26] That we may recognize [2118.26 --> 2120.10] that you are sovereign God. [2120.76 --> 2121.90] And that you can [2121.90 --> 2123.36] not only send a great fish [2123.36 --> 2124.58] but raise the dead [2124.58 --> 2126.92] and have the last word. [2127.64 --> 2128.56] We praise you [2128.56 --> 2129.72] and we ask that you would [2129.72 --> 2131.10] equip us to think [2131.10 --> 2131.80] clearly [2131.80 --> 2133.22] and accurately [2133.22 --> 2134.94] and in such a way [2134.94 --> 2135.84] as to honor you. [2136.48 --> 2137.42] In Jesus' name. [2138.08 --> 2138.56] Amen.