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Many times the Lord allows trials in our lives with the goal of perfecting us. This second sermon outline, based on the book of Jonah, addresses God's mercy in the midst of trials, and how this can impact our lives.
Key Text: Jonah 3:1 - 4:11
Objective of the Sermon: To lead the listeners to the decision to assimilate into their lives the merciful character of God, in order to be freed from the subtle evil of legalism that destroys their relationships.
Theme: God's Mercy in the Trial
Introduction
1. The Context of the Previous Message: Jonah 1 and 2
- God calls Jonah to preach in Nineveh.
- Jonah’s disobedience: he flees from the Lord’s presence.
- A great storm strikes the ship, and Jonah is thrown into the sea.
- Jonah is swallowed by a fish and repents.
- The fish vomits Jonah onto dry land.
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” 3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. 6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” 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 3:1-10
2. The Explanation
- The word of the Lord came to Jonah again, and this time he obeyed God’s command: v. 1-3a
- Nineveh was a large city, and it took three days to travel through it: v. 3b
- Jonah walked through the city for a day, proclaiming that in forty days the city would be destroyed:
- The Ninevites believed God and repented: v. 5
- Even the king humbled himself before the message: v. 6
- The king proclaimed a collective fast that extended even to the animals. Everyone was to be covered with sackcloth, call on God, turn from their evil ways and violence, and seek the Lord’s forgiveness: v. 7-9
- God forgave the Ninevites and did not destroy the city: v. 10
- However, this greatly displeased Jonah.
But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.
- Jonah 4:1
- Why was Jonah so angry?
- Jonah was a nationalist, and Nineveh was at the top of Israel’s enemies.
- He had a legalistic attitude toward the enemies of his people.
- Jonah did not accept God’s merciful character.
- His pride prevented him from being merciful.
- For this reason, God tested the prophet again.
3. Main Idea
The trial is a great opportunity to abandon pride and assimilate the merciful character of God, which can free us from a legalistic attitude in our relationships with others.
Some characteristics of legalism:
I. Legalism Leads Us to a Victimization Mentality
2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
- Jonah 4:2-3
- Jonah justifies his previous escape: v. 2a
- He knew that God has a merciful, compassionate, patient, and loving character: v. 2
- Jonah’s legalism led him to a victimization mentality: v. 3
- He would rather die than see his enemies forgiven by the Lord.
II. Legalism Manifests as Rebellion
4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.
- Jonah 4:4-5
- The Lord confronts Jonah with a question: v. 4
- Jonah ignores God’s question and insists on the city’s destruction: v. 5
- He sits to watch what will happen to the city, still hoping that God will execute judgment.
- Jonah desires the destruction of the Ninevites.
- The lack of mercy is often the result of a rebellious heart.
III. Legalism Makes Us Extremely Selfish
Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant.
- Jonah 4:6
- The Lord made a plant grow over Jonah’s head to relieve him from the heat: v. 6a
- The plant, which benefited only Jonah, brought him great joy: v. 6b
- Jonah behaves like a spoiled child who only thinks about his own interests.
IV. Legalism is an Attempt at Self-Justification
7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
- Jonah 4:7-9
- However, the next day, God sent a worm that attacked the plant and it withered: v. 7
- God also sent a hot wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah's head, causing him to faint: v. 8a
- Jonah again asks to die: v. 8b
- The Lord asks if Jonah’s anger is reasonable, now because of the plant: v. 9a
- Jonah says he is furious and wants to die: v. 9b
- Jonah’s legalism leads him to believe he is superior to the Ninevites.
- Since God did not respond as he wished, Jonah gave up on living.
V. Legalism Leads Us to a Reversal of Values
10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left - and also many animals?”
- Jonah 4:10-11
The plant was a teaching tool from God for Jonah: v. 10
God instructs Jonah about His merciful character towards people: v. 11
Jonah was reversing the values of life because he did not understand what compassion, mercy, grace, and love were.
Jonah's legalism made him think that a plant was more important than the lives of 120,000 people.
Conclusion
1. Main Idea:
Trials are a great opportunity for us to abandon pride and assimilate the merciful character of God, which can free us from a legalistic attitude in our relationships with others.
2. Application:
- Tribulation is a great opportunity for us to perform a spiritual self-examination.
- Often, God allows us to go through tribulation to shape His character in us.
- God is extremely merciful, and we too should be merciful.
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