Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are










bookstore1.jpg (7975 bytes)

Audio Preaching.jpg (1894 bytes)

music3.jpg (8290 bytes)


"Preach The Word"


A Message from Jonah Series
“The Great Kindness of God”
Dr. Tom Walker

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:
We found Jonah praying in the belly of the great fish, now we find him praying to God again. The content of his prayer is quite different.

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:
1. God is merciful
2. God is slow to anger
3. God is of great kindness.

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.
 We could say so much about God’s kindness.
It is great (Neh.9:17),
Everlasting (Isa.54:8),
shall not depart (Isa.54:10),
manifested (Isa. 54:10),
through Christ (Eph.2:7),
and the cause of man’s salvation (Titus 3:4-7).

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)
She found Moses in among the bulrushes and took him in as her very own.

2. David to Mephibosheth (2 Sam.9:1-13)
David was kind to Miphibosheth because of Jonathan’s love for him. Brought him in though lame on his feet, to sit at the king’s table.

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),
Isaiah 59:2
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

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).
Revelation 18:5
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

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
Eph. 1:4 says, “He has chosen us in him(Christ) before the foundation of the world.”
In John 15:16 Jesus said, “ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.”
It is God who brought about the circumstances in our lives that led to our personal salvation.
We would never have been saved had God left us alone to find our way to Him on our own.

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.
Romans 10:13-15 says:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

C. He Changed Us
The Bible says in 2 Cor. 5:17 we are “new creatures.” There is a new man inside of every believer. The Lord did not renovate the old man, and the old man did not leave, but God puts within the believing sinner a brand new nature. Peter said in 2 Pet. 1:4 we are, “Partakers of the divine nature.”

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
In Philippians 3:9 Paul the Apostle says, “ And being found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

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
I am secure because of what Jesus did at Calvary. When Jesus finished the work of the cross He cried out, “It is finished.”
Salvation is a finished work. We can add to our faith, but salvation is a permanent provision for the children of God.

C. We Are Secure Because Of What He Said
In Jn.6:37 Jesus said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” That means Christ will not turn us out once we have come to Him. He will not reject us (1 Jn. 5:12).

Illustration:
I have read that Roland Hill, a Welsh preacher, used to like to quote Jn. 5:24. In that verse Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

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:
If Satan could wrest one saint from God, he would not be content until he had all of us separated from God and on our way to hell again. It never has happened to one genuine, born again child of God!

III The Kindness of God and His Strength
The Bible is full of verses that verify the fact that God will strengthen and help His people. Here are a few for us to consider.
Psalms 27:14 states–“ Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

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:
I think of Sampson, who told the secret of his strength and lost his power with God. The enemies had taken him, gouged out his eyes, and tied him to the pillar of the temple.

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:
1. When a loved one dies---

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
In Ex. 15:12 Moses sings, “The Lord is my strength and song.”
In Psalms 40:3, the Psalmist says, “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”

Illustration:
Have you noticed on a cold freezing morning how a bird can sing a song? I have watched them from where I sat in a tree stand hunting, and observed them on a limb beside me, singing with gladness, with the snow covering the ground. God is so kind to supply a song for us as we face those chilly times and cold times of life, when little good seems to be happening.

Illustration:
In Acts 16 Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God at midnight. They could have been feeling sorry for themselves due to the fact they were imprisoned. No, they chose just to enjoy their salvation even when in a jail cell. Circumstances do not have to rob you of your joy and song.

I like the song which says:
“Some through the water, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood; some through great sorrow, but God gives, a song, in the night seasons, and all the day long.”

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)
God is so kind to provide for us our families, our church, our jobs, the everyday comforts of life that are ours to enjoy from day to day. Too often we take the everyday material provisions of God for granted.

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
It is so wonderful to think about what Jesus has done for you and for me. In John 14:2 Jesus said, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” How kind for Jesus to love us that much that He might make eternal provision for our welfare and comforts.

Several things will characterize that beautiful house:
(Read Rev.21-22)
A. Brightness- The brightest anything could be will radiate there.

B. Beauty- The most beautiful you could ever see will be there.

C. Bountifulness- All you will ever need will be there.

Conclusion:
God is certainly kind to all of us. Hatred genders cruelty but love genders kindness. He loves you and me in spite of our faults and failures.
God is kind toward His own for He is: indulgent, considerate, helpful, mild, gentle, loving, and affectionate toward us. Let’s extol His kindness. Tell everyone about how good God is and your life will be fuller and richer spiritually. I plan to do that, how about you?

 

 

The Fundamental Top 500

E-Mail Tom Walker
Site created by Tom Walker