Bro. Keith brought our revival meetings to a fitting conclusion by reminding us that God loves sinners. The final message came from Jonah 4:5-11. In this passage we see a prophet whose priorities are all out of whack. He was angry with God for showing mercy to sinners, and sat down outside the city hoping God would destroy it anyway. Yet, God shows mercy to the prophet, just as he had the people of Nineveh.
The message challenged us to examine our priorities. Jonah should have rejoiced, like God, at the repentance of Nineveh. He should have been grateful, but instead he was angry. When God is the top priority in our life, his attitude shapes our attitude; the things that bring him joy, bring us joy; and the things that sicken him, sicken us. Jonah's anger with God shows that Jonah was only concerned with himself.
When our priorities are in order, God is first. It means that we walk in the Spirit, in the name of the Son, to the glory of the Father. It means that our life takes on a radical Christ-centeredness. For in Christ, we live and breath and have our being. Our next priority is others. When we are walking in the steps of Jesus we live as he lived. Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many" (see Mark 10:45). Christ served others for the glory of God, and we must also.
God's great love for sinners is demonstrated by his gracious response to their repentance. It is even demonstrated in his response to Jonah. However, it is most clearly demonstrated in his sending his Son into the world to die in the place of sinners. The overarching lesson of Jonah's tale is that God loves sinners. As a ruin sinner reclaimed by Christ's sacrificial atoning death, this truth renews my heart. Thank you, Lord for the Word you have sent our way. Thank you, Keith for obediently preaching it.
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