INFLUENCE

“Getting Into Alignment with God’s Heart”
Pastor Dan Levy – August 27, 2023

Jonah 3:1-2, 4 — Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you. Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh….Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

Jonah 3:10 — …When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened.

Jonah 4:1-3 — Jonah was really upset and angry. So he prayed: LORD, I knew from the very beginning that you wouldn't destroy Nineveh. That's why I left my own country and headed for Spain.

You are a kind and merciful God, and you are very patient. You always show love, and you don't like to punish anyone, not even foreigners. Now let me die! I'd be better off dead.

Jonah 4:5 — … Jonah then left through the east gate of the city and made a shelter to protect himself from the sun. He sat under the shelter, waiting to see what would happen to Nineveh.

Jonah 4:6 — The LORD made a vine grow up to shade Jonah's head and protect him from the sun. Jonah was very happy to have the vine…

Jonah 4:7-8 — … but early the next morning the LORD sent a worm to chew on the vine, and the vine dried up. During the day the LORD sent a scorching wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah's head, making him feel faint. Jonah was ready to die, and he shouted, "I wish I were dead!”

Jonah 4:9 — But the LORD asked, "Jonah, do you have the right to be angry about the vine?” "Yes, I do," he answered, "and I'm angry enough to die.”

Jonah 4:10-11 — You are concerned about a vine that you did not plant or take care of, a vine that grew up in one night and died the next. In that city of Nineveh there are more than 120,000 people who cannot tell right from wrong, and many cattle are also there. Don't you think I should be concerned about that big city?

Three questions that convict, challenge, and encourage me:

1. Am I content with living a CONSUMER Christianity, or am I committed to living as a CONDUITof God’s goodness and grace?

Jonah 2:1-2 — From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and You listened to my cry.”

2. Am I more concerned about my temporary COMFORT than other people’s eternal SPIRITUAL CONDITION?

Jonah 1:1-3 — The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me. But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

3. I am Jesus’ WITNESS. Who is Jesus wanting to reach with His love THROUGH my life?

Acts 1:7-8 — “He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We are Jesus’ witnesses. Let’s always be a church that carries God’s heart for those who don’t know Jesus.