INFLUENCE

“Getting My Heart Into Alignment With God”
Pastor Doug Heisel – August 27, 2023

Jonah 2:10 — And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah 3:1-2 — 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 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 being a Christian-Consumer, or am I committed to living as a conduit of God’s goodness and grace to others?

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. How often am I more concerned about my temporary COMFORT than other people’s spiritual condition?

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?

3. Who has the Lord already been working on, and wants to use ME, in spite of ME, in sharing more of His love and grace with them?

Let’s always be a church that syncs our greatest concerns, with the heart of our gracious Heavenly Father!