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A Message from Jonah Series Text: “He prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil,” (Jonah 4:2). Introduction: In Chapter 2 he prays for God to preserve his life, now he seems to want God to end it right away. I will say more about that in the next message when I preach on “The Great Pity Party.” Whatever else you may say about Jonah the prophet, he was extremely accurate in describing the person of God. He tells us at least three things about God in Jonah 4:2: God in mercy withholds that which we deserve and then gives us in grace what we do not deserve. You should not be surprised, for that is the character and nature of God. Jonah recalls how God had spared the Ninevites, although they did not deserve being forgiven. I have already mentioned how barbaric and cruel they were. When you consider the wickedness of the people, you would have to admit that it took a kind, merciful and loving God to forgive Nineveh for their sins. The Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines “kindness” as: “ the state or quality of being kind.” It further describes being “kind” as being “indulgent considerate, helpful, mild, gentle, loving, or affectionate.” When someone treats you right, in turn you do not hesitate or shrink to call them “kind” people. Although there are cruel, heartless people we find along life’s pathway, there are those who are express an abundance of kindness. You can do one of two things with the “kindness of God.” You can either remember it, as when David recalled what Jonathan did for him (2 Sam.9:1-7) or refuse it as you can see in (2 Sam.10:1-6). The Bible reveals many “acts of kindness” from one human being to another. Humans can either be graciously kind or severely cruel. There are many Bible examples of human kindness. I am going to mention three to you: 1. Pharoah’s daughter and Moses (Ex. 2:6-10) 2. David to Mephibosheth (2 Sam.9:1-13) Divine kindness far excels the highest degree of human kindness. I am going to mention several areas where the kindness of God is unmistakably revealed. III. The Kindness of God and His Salvation. We all have to agree that God was kind to extend His offer of salvation unto us. The Bible reminds us and humbles us when it says that we were, “Dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). God did not see any good in us. Our sins separated us from the holy God . In fact the Bible teaches us that our sins hide the face of God (Isa. 59:2), they bring about the withholding of good things from the Lord (Jer. 5:25), Jeremiah 5:25 “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” and they reach unto heaven (Rev.18:5). It was the kindness of God that brought about our salvation, for we did not earn or merit His forgiveness. God planned, provided and procured salvation for all who would come unto Him by Christ, because of the infinite love, kindness, and mercy of an eternal God. It is impossible to fully fathom the love of God toward a sinful humanity. A. He Chose Us I have never tried to claim I have all the answers to the doctrine of election, but I believe we ought to witness of what God has done for us in salvation. As we do that, the “whosoever wills” will come to Christ and the “whosoever will not” people will not come. I do not try to figure out who will be saved and who will not come to Christ. Just give out the Gospel and leave that up to the Lord. B. He Called Us I would never have come to Him, had He not come to me first. He called us to salvation through the hearing of the Word of God. When I could not come to where He was, He came to me. C. He Changed Us Through that divine nature and the work of the Holy Spirit of God, He makes the rebellious cooperative, the unclean clean, the vile pure, the wicked ones holy, and sinners heirs and servants of God. The reason I am involved in the things of God as I am is because he changed my life one day. The Lord put within me a desire for the right things, for holy things, for spiritual things. II The Kindness Of God and His Security It is a blessed, glorious and wonderful thing that the Lord has saved us, but those who are genuinely saved are secure as well. Christ does not save us by His grace and somewhere down the road, when we fail, nullify and void our salvation. Thank God that is not the way things work; the Lord has a different way of doing things. A. We Are Secure Because of Who He Is We are secure because who Jesus is avails for each of us. When God looks at us, he sees us dressed in the righteousness of His Dear Son (2 Cor. 5:21). B. We Are Secure Because Of What He Has Done C. We Are Secure Because Of What He Said Illustration: Roland Hill would say, “He who hears my word and believes Him who sent me, hath eternal life. H-A-T-H; that spells “we’ve got it.” Let me add, if you really are saved you have it now and forever. Note: III The Kindness of God and His Strength Isaiah 41:10 declares--“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” God is still able to give strength when we need it the most. Illustration: In Judges 16:28, as he was tied there in disgrace, beaten, with both of his eyes destroyed, Sampson said to God, “Oh Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once God, that I may be at once avenged of the Phillistines for my two eyes” (Judg.16:28). With each arm being bound to the pillars, he took the columns and pulled them out from under the building. Sampson died in that act, but he killed more in that one incident than he had all the rest of his life. God is able to give strength when you face weakness in your life for many various reason; for instance: 2. When you are having physical problems--- 3. When you are having problems in your family that drain you emotionally--- 4. When you have something to do and you fear there is not strength enough to get the job done. IV The Kindness of God and His Song Illustration: Illustration: I like the song which says: It is a kind God Who cheers our hearts when they get discouraged and at times disheartened. He may do it through a saint, through the Scriptures, or through the Holy Spirit, but He can and will do so. V The Kindness of God and His Supply In Phillipians 4:18-19 the Apostle Paul says: “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” A. Material Supplies (Matt. 6:33) B. Emotional Supplies (Phil.4:7–“hearts and minds”) C. Spiritual Supplies (Gal. 5:22-23–peace, joy, etc.)
VI THE KINDNESS OF GOD AND A SPECIAL HOUSE Several things will characterize that beautiful house: B. Beauty- The most beautiful you could ever see will be there. C. Bountifulness- All you will ever need will be there. Conclusion:
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