Preparation

O. T. #2172 "Preparation"

April 18, 2022

Jonah 4-Part 4

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (Paul wrote this recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

LET IT GLOW

Let's take a minute and read what Billy Graham wrote, found in a devotional, Wisdom For Each Day."

The Cross of Christ is an offense because it condemns the world. It says, "You are sinner"-and we don't like someone pointing out our faults, failures, mistakes, and especially our sins. Christ's blood is the blood of redemption, forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation. By His blood we are released from the guilt of sin and accepted as righteous in God's sight. (Colossians 1:20)

The cross shows the seriousness of our sin, the immeasurable love of God, is the only way of salvation, and gives a new purpose to life. Once you have been to the cross, you will never be the same.

I know that my Redeemer lives. (Job 19:25)

He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. (Matthew 28:6)

I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! (Revelation 1:18)

Jesus lives today  and forever, and so will we! Amen.

Friend, do you know my Jesus?

LET IT GROW

Jonah preached in the city of Nineveh of about 600,000 people. of those, about 120,000 got saved, had a change of heart. One would think this would excite a prophet having preached and such a great revival occurred. but that was not the case with Jonah. It angered him and he left the city. He had such a hated for those evil people that Jonah was not concerned for their soul, that they receive the mercy of God.

Jonah mad himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade. He was looking to see what would become of the city after those 40 days passed. He knew God was not going to destroy it. But it was possible that the people returned back to their sinful ways. If that happened then God would destroy them and Jonah would be glad. Wow!(verse 5)

Shall we take a look at what things God had prepared in this book and in Jonah's life:

• a violent storm (1:4)
• a great fish, a whale (1:17)
• a plant (4:6)
• a worm (4:7)
• a strong wind (4:8).

Each thing had a purpose for Jonah. The storm broke up the secure ship that the runaway Jonah hid inside from God.  The sailors threw Jonah overboard and a whale swallowed him up to take Jonah where God wanted him to be. A plant grew over Jonah in order to deliver him from his misery. Now, Jonah was grateful for the plant. However, a worm came and damaged/ate the plant so it withered it. The strong wind and sun beat down on Jonah so he was faint.

Again, Jonah desired to die instead of live. He was self-centered, who should have recognized his total dependence on God. We will leave the prophet there, hot, sweaty, and mad.

You know, only God can change hearts. We are to share His love and gospel with others. God is in the business of saving sinner from the penalty of their sins. We are to show them His love and share how they can be free.

What has been prepared for you? Are you prepared to die today? Where will you spend eternity?

 

LET IT GO

Jesus, reign in our hearts today.

Thank You for dying on the cross so we could be free.

May every knee bow and every tongue proclaim that Jesus is Savior before death comes.