100:00:00,460 –> 00:00:08,200The goodness and compassion of God- he gives life and breath to those who use200:00:08,200 –> 00:00:15,220it to praise him and he gives life and breath to those who use it to curse him.300:00:15,220 –> 00:00:23,780Now, here’s what that means for us. Try to show kindness to all people, especially400:00:24,420 –> 00:00:30,600Those whose beliefs may offend you or whose behavior may repulse.500:00:30,600 –> 00:00:34,720Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick.600:00:34,720 –> 00:00:38,459I’m pleased you could be with us today and Colin, you bring up an important700:00:38,459 –> 00:00:44,759point there that God in his mercy and grace showers all of us with common grace.800:00:44,820 –> 00:00:49,020Yeah that’s right. Every life is sustained by God, even the900:00:49,020 –> 00:00:52,259lives of those who are rebelling against him.1000:00:52,279 –> 00:00:56,419I can’t even rebel against God without being sustained, even in the act of rebellion1100:00:56,419 –> 00:01:02,160that’s a great irony isn’t it and a God in his kindness and in his mercy gives1200:01:02,160 –> 00:01:08,239good gifts to all people and that is called common grace, God’s goodness to all.1300:01:08,239 –> 00:01:11,260Yeah, and the other thing that’s so important that you pointed out1400:01:11,260 –> 00:01:15,720that Christ died for us while we were still sinners and sometimes I think we1500:01:15,720 –> 00:01:20,440point the finger at what we consider is sin in other people who don’t have a1600:01:20,440 –> 00:01:24,680faith and we take a hard line with certain issues, but when we sin1700:01:24,680 –> 00:01:29,379ourselves we’re quite quick to realise that we need mercy and grace so we can1800:01:29,379 –> 00:01:32,080be pretty hypocritical don’t you think? Well I think one of the things it1900:01:32,080 –> 00:01:38,139points out is that we see sin as you know, an occasionally lapse, those one or2000:01:38,139 –> 00:01:41,300two sins now and again and I had to confess them when I came to Christ and2100:01:41,300 –> 00:01:44,419now, I’m really pretty good person who’s very much deserving of the love of God,2200:01:44,419 –> 00:01:48,919that is a long way from a biblical view of sin and we’ve been learning in Jonah2300:01:49,099 –> 00:01:53,599you know the supposedly mature Christian, that there are layers in this man’s life2400:01:53,599 –> 00:01:58,599in which he finds himself again and again in need of the mercy of God. I need2500:01:58,599 –> 00:02:03,820a Saviour as much today, as we’re recording this program as I needed a2600:02:03,820 –> 00:02:08,119saviour the day I came to Christ and that will be true every day of my life2700:02:08,119 –> 00:02:12,300until finally the work of grace is completed so it’s not as if there are2800:02:12,300 –> 00:02:15,679sinners out there and we’re in a different category there’s just that2900:02:15,679 –> 00:02:20,020we’re in the mercy of God and that has an eternal transforming difference that3000:02:20,020 –> 00:02:24,119should give us a sensitivity to say others need to be here too.3100:02:24,119 –> 00:02:29,199So join us today in Jonah 4 if you can we’re thinking today about God’s mercy3200:02:29,199 –> 00:02:34,039and grace and how we need to extend that to others. Here is Colin.3300:02:34,039 –> 00:02:40,619We’ve been seeing that throughout this book there really is the theme of Jonah confessing3400:02:40,800 –> 00:02:45,860That although he was widely known as a marvelous Prophet,3500:02:45,860 –> 00:02:50,979he really spent much of his life avoiding the God he set out to serve.3600:02:50,979 –> 00:02:55,619And many of us I think are finding that we are a lot like Jonah3700:02:55,619 –> 00:03:02,539and seeing ourselves mirrored in him that we find a new desire to change and to grow.3800:03:02,539 –> 00:03:07,759I think the book also encourages us by the very clear way in which it conveys3900:03:07,919 –> 00:03:11,160that God never lets his children go.4000:03:11,160 –> 00:03:17,240That we may wander from him in many ways, we may go through periods of great hardness of heart,4100:03:17,240 –> 00:03:22,279and yet when God sets his love on you, he will never, never let you go4200:03:22,279 –> 00:03:26,539and that also is Jonah’s testimony to us.4300:03:26,539 –> 00:03:30,759Now the verses at the end of Chapter 4, verse 10 and 11,4400:03:30,759 –> 00:03:36,059really focus in on this marvelous theme of the compassion of God4500:03:36,160 –> 00:03:38,839that runs right throughout the book.4600:03:38,839 –> 00:03:40,199The great irony, of course,4700:03:40,199 –> 00:03:44,000is that although Jonah so obviously received God’s mercy4800:03:44,000 –> 00:03:46,460in his own life in many ways,4900:03:46,460 –> 00:03:49,539he was curiously reluctant about that mercy5000:03:49,539 –> 00:03:53,860coming to other people, especially the people of Nineveh5100:03:53,860 –> 00:03:57,820and we see in that, I think, that it is possible5200:03:57,820 –> 00:04:01,339to be genuinely grateful for your own salvation5300:04:02,300 –> 00:04:05,899and yet curiously disinterested5400:04:05,899 –> 00:04:09,380in the salvation of other people5500:04:09,380 –> 00:04:12,100and that is really the issue that God is addressing5600:04:12,100 –> 00:04:16,019in Jonah’s life in these last verses of chapter four.5700:04:16,019 –> 00:04:18,739He’s teaching Jonah compassion5800:04:18,739 –> 00:04:22,440as God himself has compassion.5900:04:22,440 –> 00:04:24,019Now the theme of compassion,6000:04:24,019 –> 00:04:28,179we pick it really up in chapter three and verse 106100:04:28,179 –> 00:04:31,260where God saw what the people of Nineveh did6200:04:31,279 –> 00:04:33,380when they turned from their evil ways6300:04:33,380 –> 00:04:36,799and it says that he had compassion on them6400:04:36,799 –> 00:04:38,980and he did not bring on them the destruction6500:04:38,980 –> 00:04:41,320that he had threatened and then you remember6600:04:41,320 –> 00:04:44,380in chapter four in verse two that we saw earlier,6700:04:44,380 –> 00:04:47,299Jonah picks up a complaint against God6800:04:47,299 –> 00:04:50,100and he says, oh God, I knew that you were gracious6900:04:50,100 –> 00:04:52,519and I knew that you’re compassionate7000:04:52,519 –> 00:04:54,959and that of course, was Jonah’s complaint.7100:04:54,959 –> 00:04:58,579You are a gracious and compassionate God, he says,7200:04:58,579 –> 00:05:03,140but Jonah was not a gracious and compassionate prophet7300:05:03,140 –> 00:05:05,500and so, we’re seeing that there was a huge contrast7400:05:05,500 –> 00:05:09,679between the heart of God and the heart of Jonah.7500:05:09,679 –> 00:05:12,579This comes home in chapter three in verse 117600:05:12,579 –> 00:05:17,579where God says, Nineveh has more than 120,000 people7700:05:17,980 –> 00:05:21,059should I not be concerned7800:05:21,059 –> 00:05:22,239about7900:05:22,239 –> 00:05:23,899that great8000:05:23,899 –> 00:05:25,459city.8100:05:25,459 –> 00:05:28,500God is concerned about the city.8200:05:29,480 –> 00:05:33,380120,000 people and more he says.8300:05:33,380 –> 00:05:37,739And when I look at the vast population of the city, Jonah,8400:05:37,739 –> 00:05:42,739these people matter to me and they ought to matter to you.8500:05:44,339 –> 00:05:45,579But the truth is, actually,8600:05:45,579 –> 00:05:48,079that Jonah is not concerned about the city.8700:05:48,079 –> 00:05:49,540What is Jonah concerned about?8800:05:49,540 –> 00:05:52,880Verse 10, he is concerned about the vine.8900:05:55,019 –> 00:05:57,380The vine of course, was the good gift from God.9000:05:57,420 –> 00:05:58,660We saw that last week,9100:05:58,660 –> 00:06:01,899God had brought comfort and blessing and joy to Jonah.9200:06:01,899 –> 00:06:04,700And so the contrast is very striking here9300:06:04,700 –> 00:06:06,359as you look at that word concerned9400:06:06,359 –> 00:06:09,260that comes in verse 10, and then in verse 11.9500:06:09,260 –> 00:06:12,380God is concerned about the city, verse 11,9600:06:12,380 –> 00:06:16,399Jonah is concerned about the vine, verse 10.9700:06:17,579 –> 00:06:18,880Now I want you to think about that.9800:06:20,880 –> 00:06:22,679Jonah concerned about the vine,9900:06:23,940 –> 00:06:25,480God concerned about the city.10000:06:26,420 –> 00:06:29,059We’re all concerned about the vine.10100:06:30,700 –> 00:06:33,200We’re all concerned and this is a natural thing10200:06:33,200 –> 00:06:34,519and there is nothing wrong with it.10300:06:34,519 –> 00:06:38,279We are all concerned with the things of this life10400:06:38,279 –> 00:06:41,000and the things that affect us very directly10500:06:41,000 –> 00:06:43,220and very deeply in this world.10600:06:44,260 –> 00:06:45,619We are concerned about our jobs,10700:06:45,619 –> 00:06:48,279we’re concerned about our homes,10800:06:48,279 –> 00:06:50,399we’re concerned about our investments,10900:06:50,399 –> 00:06:51,959we’re concerned about our health,11000:06:51,959 –> 00:06:54,359we’re concerned about our plans for the future,11100:06:54,399 –> 00:06:55,579we’re concerned about the vine,11200:06:55,579 –> 00:07:00,160we’re concerned about the things that are very real to us11300:07:00,160 –> 00:07:03,079and significantly affect us11400:07:03,079 –> 00:07:07,959in our experience of life in this world.11500:07:07,959 –> 00:07:10,000Not wrong to be concerned about the vine.11600:07:11,160 –> 00:07:14,440But here’s God’s questions, surely for us today,11700:07:14,440 –> 00:07:16,359okay, you’re concerned about the vine,11800:07:18,000 –> 00:07:22,440do you share my concern also about the city?11900:07:22,459 –> 00:07:25,380That’s the question that comes from verse 11.12000:07:27,859 –> 00:07:29,559In all the thoughts that are running12100:07:29,559 –> 00:07:31,480through our minds in these days12200:07:31,480 –> 00:07:33,720about our own daily life and the things12300:07:33,720 –> 00:07:36,600that affect us in this material world,12400:07:36,600 –> 00:07:40,019do we care deeply, as God cares deeply,12500:07:40,980 –> 00:07:44,320about the millions of people in our city12600:07:44,320 –> 00:07:48,579who do not yet have saving faith in Jesus Christ?12700:07:48,579 –> 00:07:49,899That’s the contrast.12800:07:50,899 –> 00:07:52,720Jonah, you’re concerned about the vine.12900:07:52,720 –> 00:07:56,880I’m concerned about the city.13000:07:56,880 –> 00:08:00,059More than 120,000 people in Nineveh.13100:08:00,059 –> 00:08:05,059Folks, in our city, about which God also cares,13200:08:06,799 –> 00:08:11,799more than 9.5 million people in this great city13300:08:13,059 –> 00:08:16,559in which God has placed us and its surrounding area.13400:08:16,739 –> 00:08:20,519And many of them do not yet have saving faith13500:08:20,519 –> 00:08:21,739in Jesus Christ.13600:08:21,739 –> 00:08:23,679And God cares for this city.13700:08:23,679 –> 00:08:26,320And surely that is the question that directly13800:08:26,320 –> 00:08:28,799comes out of Jonah in Chapter 4 for us.13900:08:28,799 –> 00:08:31,760If we share God’s heart, we will care14000:08:31,760 –> 00:08:35,859not only about the vine, but about this city as well.14100:08:37,500 –> 00:08:40,799So here’s the great contrast, or the first great contrast.14200:08:40,799 –> 00:08:42,359Jonah’s concerned about the vine.14300:08:42,359 –> 00:08:44,119God is concerned about the city.14400:08:44,159 –> 00:08:49,159It is so easy for us as Christian people,14500:08:49,219 –> 00:08:51,760living in this world with all its pressures14600:08:51,760 –> 00:08:56,760that are very real, to become so concerned about the vine14700:08:58,020 –> 00:09:02,719and yet strangely, unmoved by the plight14800:09:02,719 –> 00:09:05,020of millions of people, think about this,14900:09:05,020 –> 00:09:07,979who face eternity with the worm and the wind.15000:09:09,900 –> 00:09:12,820And that’s the question that God is raising for Jonah15100:09:12,840 –> 00:09:15,659at the end of chapter four.15200:09:15,659 –> 00:09:19,640And I think for us, it raises a very obvious question15300:09:19,640 –> 00:09:22,419because surely all of us will see in some measure15400:09:22,419 –> 00:09:26,200ourselves in Jonah here, and we will therefore ask15500:09:26,200 –> 00:09:29,059this question that comes directly from this passage,15600:09:29,059 –> 00:09:32,760how then can I grow in compassion?15700:09:32,760 –> 00:09:37,299How can I become less like Jonah and more like Jesus?15800:09:37,299 –> 00:09:41,000How can I be less self-absorbed and share the heart15900:09:41,000 –> 00:09:44,119of God in relation to not just thousands16000:09:44,119 –> 00:09:46,580but in our case, millions of people in the city16100:09:46,580 –> 00:09:48,599that we love, in which he has placed us16200:09:48,599 –> 00:09:49,919who do not yet know him?16300:09:49,919 –> 00:09:52,200How can I have a larger heart?16400:09:52,200 –> 00:09:53,760How can I care more?16500:09:53,760 –> 00:09:57,280How can I grow in compassion?16600:09:57,280 –> 00:09:58,559You’re listening to Open the Bible16700:09:58,559 –> 00:10:00,340with Pastor Colin Smith,16800:10:00,340 –> 00:10:03,039and the message called Receive God’s Mercy.16900:10:03,039 –> 00:10:06,679It’s part of our series, How to Avoid a God-Centered Life.17000:10:06,679 –> 00:10:08,840And if you tuned in late or have to leave early,17100:10:08,940 –> 00:10:11,380or if you miss any of our day’s messages,17200:10:11,380 –> 00:10:14,020you can easily catch up or go back and listen again17300:10:14,020 –> 00:10:19,020by coming online to our website openthebible.org.uk.17400:10:19,280 –> 00:10:21,580Open The Bible is supported by our listeners,17500:10:21,580 –> 00:10:23,059that’s people just like you.17600:10:23,059 –> 00:10:25,840And if you already give to support the work,17700:10:25,840 –> 00:10:27,580thank you so much.17800:10:27,580 –> 00:10:30,099If that’s something you’re considering doing,17900:10:30,099 –> 00:10:32,419if you are able to begin a new direct debit18000:10:32,419 –> 00:10:33,840to the work of Open The Bible18100:10:33,840 –> 00:10:36,539in the amount of five pounds per month or more18200:10:36,580 –> 00:10:39,320or a one off gift of 50 pounds or more,18300:10:39,320 –> 00:10:41,260we’d be 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online.19800:11:20,820 –> 00:11:23,940Back to the message now, here again is Colin.19900:11:23,940 –> 00:11:25,739Now, I want to suggest three ways20000:11:25,739 –> 00:11:28,340in which we may grow in compassion20100:11:28,340 –> 00:11:29,640and then we’ll ask that the Lord20200:11:29,640 –> 00:11:31,780would do these things in our hearts.20300:11:31,780 –> 00:11:34,719They all arise directly from the passage here.20400:11:34,739 –> 00:11:38,059There’s three ways in which you can grow in compassion20500:11:38,059 –> 00:11:42,840that better reflects the heart of God.20600:11:42,840 –> 00:11:43,940Here’s the first.20700:11:44,799 –> 00:11:46,039You can grow in compassion,20800:11:46,039 –> 00:11:49,239you will grow in compassion as you rejoice20900:11:49,239 –> 00:11:52,539in God’s unique creation.21000:11:53,460 –> 00:11:55,580Now, I want you to see that in verse 10.21100:11:57,239 –> 00:11:58,739God says to Jonah,21200:11:58,739 –> 00:12:01,919you have been concerned about the vine21300:12:02,880 –> 00:12:07,880even though you did not tend it or make it grow.21400:12:08,859 –> 00:12:10,140Now, the point here of course21500:12:10,140 –> 00:12:12,039is that God did make the vine grow.21600:12:12,039 –> 00:12:13,820God gave life to the vine21700:12:13,820 –> 00:12:16,799and he also gave life to the 120,000 people21800:12:16,799 –> 00:12:18,859and more in the city.21900:12:18,859 –> 00:12:21,900And the case that God is putting to Jonah,22000:12:21,900 –> 00:12:23,700the argument that God is putting to Jonah22100:12:23,700 –> 00:12:26,080is simply this at this point.22200:12:26,080 –> 00:12:29,700If Jonah cared about the God-given life of the vine,22300:12:29,700 –> 00:12:32,320how much more should he care about the God-given lives22400:12:32,320 –> 00:12:34,900of the 120,000 people in Nineveh?22500:12:35,900 –> 00:12:38,979It’s the argument from the creative power of God.22600:12:40,119 –> 00:12:42,599And it reminds us therefore that every person22700:12:42,599 –> 00:12:44,739that you ever meet in your entire life22800:12:44,739 –> 00:12:47,479is a unique creation of God.22900:12:47,479 –> 00:12:52,020Think of this, God never made two snowflakes the same23000:12:52,020 –> 00:12:55,140and he certainly never made two people the same.23100:12:55,140 –> 00:12:58,760Every person you meet, get to know, brush up against23200:12:58,760 –> 00:13:03,059in a line in the grocery store, is a unique creation of God.23300:13:03,059 –> 00:13:05,719There is no one else exactly like that person,23400:13:05,719 –> 00:13:07,580never has been and never will be.23500:13:07,580 –> 00:13:10,820By the way, isn’t that why people are so interesting?23600:13:10,820 –> 00:13:15,700Every person you ever meet is a unique creation of God,23700:13:15,700 –> 00:13:17,700the work of his hands.23800:13:18,960 –> 00:13:23,960So, when you sit down next to someone on a train,23900:13:24,039 –> 00:13:26,219or you’re in line in a grocery store,24000:13:26,280 –> 00:13:29,099or someone else is at the next desk at school,24100:13:29,099 –> 00:13:33,520or the next area or desk at work, or whatever it is,24200:13:33,520 –> 00:13:35,880you might find it helpful to say to yourself24300:13:35,880 –> 00:13:39,640something like this, God made this person.24400:13:40,940 –> 00:13:43,679And there is no one else quite like this person24500:13:43,679 –> 00:13:46,239in all of the world, never has been and never will be.24600:13:46,239 –> 00:13:49,140God cares about this person.24700:13:49,140 –> 00:13:51,239And right now, in God’s amazing providence,24800:13:51,239 –> 00:13:53,619he has put me right next to this person,24900:13:53,619 –> 00:13:56,400so I should care about this person too.25000:13:58,000 –> 00:14:00,799This is a very simple and yet very wonderful thing.25100:14:00,799 –> 00:14:03,739Take an interest in people.25200:14:03,739 –> 00:14:07,099And it will expand your heart.25300:14:07,099 –> 00:14:09,020You will grow in compassion.25400:14:09,880 –> 00:14:11,739Instead of just ignoring someone25500:14:11,739 –> 00:14:13,940God has placed you next to,25600:14:13,940 –> 00:14:15,440take an interest in that person25700:14:15,440 –> 00:14:18,679because that person is a unique creation of God.25800:14:18,679 –> 00:14:19,919And in that moment of time,25900:14:19,940 –> 00:14:24,859God has placed you right next to them.26000:14:24,859 –> 00:14:29,640Every person you ever meet is a unique creation of God.26100:14:29,640 –> 00:14:32,539By the way, that is true even26200:14:32,539 –> 00:14:36,340of the worst people that you meet.26300:14:36,340 –> 00:14:38,280Remember, Nineveh was known26400:14:38,280 –> 00:14:41,260for torture and terror and violence.26500:14:41,260 –> 00:14:43,820These people were notorious from their wickedness.26600:14:43,820 –> 00:14:46,619Remember right in the first verse God says of the book,26700:14:46,739 –> 00:14:49,880God says that their wickedness had come up before Him.26800:14:49,880 –> 00:14:52,440And yet God says about these people26900:14:52,440 –> 00:14:53,960that he has compassion on them.27000:14:53,960 –> 00:14:55,239And He says in verse 11,27100:14:55,239 –> 00:14:59,000should I not be concerned for this great city?27200:14:59,000 –> 00:15:01,239By the way, the glory of God27300:15:01,239 –> 00:15:05,739is seen in the scope of his compassion.27400:15:05,739 –> 00:15:08,640Psalm 145 and verse nine.27500:15:08,640 –> 00:15:11,159The Lord has is good to all.27600:15:11,159 –> 00:15:15,080The Lord has compassion on all that he has made.27700:15:15,119 –> 00:15:18,140His compassion is as wide as his creation.27800:15:19,940 –> 00:15:22,760There is no person so bad, so wicked, so evil27900:15:22,760 –> 00:15:27,039that God does not have compassion for them.28000:15:27,039 –> 00:15:30,880And we want to grow in reflecting that heart of God.28100:15:30,880 –> 00:15:32,039By the way, this does not mean28200:15:32,039 –> 00:15:34,840that God will save all people,28300:15:34,840 –> 00:15:38,159but it does mean that God cares about all people.28400:15:38,159 –> 00:15:39,000Think about this.28500:15:39,000 –> 00:15:44,000God cares about His enemies as well as His friends.28600:15:44,679 –> 00:15:47,000The Lord loves His enemies.28700:15:47,000 –> 00:15:50,359The Lord does good to those who hate Him.28800:15:50,359 –> 00:15:54,500The Lord causes, Jesus says this in Matthew 5, 45,28900:15:54,500 –> 00:15:56,400He causes the sun to rise29000:15:56,400 –> 00:15:58,260on the evil as well as the good,29100:15:58,260 –> 00:15:59,919and He sends the rain29200:15:59,919 –> 00:16:03,380on the unrighteous as well as the righteous.29300:16:03,380 –> 00:16:05,239It was while we were still sinners29400:16:05,239 –> 00:16:08,640that Jesus Christ died for us.29500:16:08,640 –> 00:16:11,440Think about this, the goodness and compassion of God.29600:16:11,440 –> 00:16:13,400He gives life and breath29700:16:13,460 –> 00:16:16,219to those who use it to praise Him,29800:16:16,219 –> 00:16:18,559and He gives life and breath29900:16:18,559 –> 00:16:21,140to those who use it to curse Him.30000:16:22,320 –> 00:16:24,940Every atheist is sustained every moment30100:16:24,940 –> 00:16:27,440by the mercy of God, isn’t that an amazing thought?30200:16:30,039 –> 00:16:31,619Now here’s what that means for us.30300:16:31,619 –> 00:16:35,000Try to show kindness to all people,30400:16:36,559 –> 00:16:41,559especially those whose beliefs may offend you30500:16:42,440 –> 00:16:44,940or whose behavior may repulse you.30600:16:47,219 –> 00:16:52,219Because if you do that, you particularly reflect30700:16:52,280 –> 00:16:54,479the heart of God.30800:16:54,479 –> 00:16:55,900This is what God does.30900:16:57,140 –> 00:17:01,000He has compassion on all He has made,31000:17:01,000 –> 00:17:03,820that is every human person the worst you can think of.31100:17:06,979 –> 00:17:08,160How’d you grow in compassion?31200:17:08,160 –> 00:17:10,920Here’s the first way, you rejoice in God’s creation.31300:17:11,060 –> 00:17:14,420Remember He’s the creator taking interest in people.31400:17:15,780 –> 00:17:18,400Every person you meet is an absolutely unique,31500:17:18,400 –> 00:17:21,859marvelous, glorious creation of God.31600:17:22,959 –> 00:17:25,479And here’s the second way to grow in compassion,31700:17:25,479 –> 00:17:28,920reflect on the human condition.31800:17:28,920 –> 00:17:31,979First way is to rejoice in God’s unique creation,31900:17:31,979 –> 00:17:36,560the second way is to reflect on our human condition.32000:17:36,560 –> 00:17:38,880Notice this in verse 11,32100:17:38,880 –> 00:17:43,619Nineveh has more than 120,000 people, God says,32200:17:43,619 –> 00:17:48,619who cannot tell their right hand from their left.32300:17:50,239 –> 00:17:51,079And then He says,32400:17:51,079 –> 00:17:55,020should I not be concerned about this great city?32500:17:55,959 –> 00:17:58,500Cannot tell the right hand from their left.32600:17:58,500 –> 00:17:59,540Now as we mentioned before,32700:17:59,540 –> 00:18:02,040it is possible that this could be a reference32800:18:02,040 –> 00:18:05,119to young children, it could be there’s 120,00032900:18:05,119 –> 00:18:06,939young children in the city, they’re so young,33000:18:06,939 –> 00:18:08,739they’ve not even got to the point of development33100:18:09,359 –> 00:18:10,839where they can tell right from left.33200:18:10,839 –> 00:18:13,219But I think, and it seems that this is the consensus33300:18:13,219 –> 00:18:15,479at least of those that I’ve read,33400:18:15,479 –> 00:18:17,599the scholars on Jonah and so forth,33500:18:17,599 –> 00:18:20,920it seems much more likely that this is a description33600:18:20,920 –> 00:18:25,520of people who have lost their moral compass.33700:18:25,520 –> 00:18:26,359In other words,33800:18:26,359 –> 00:18:28,780people who are no longer able to discern well33900:18:28,780 –> 00:18:32,880between good and evil or between right and wrong.34000:18:32,880 –> 00:18:33,719And you say,34100:18:33,719 –> 00:18:35,040well why would that be not knowing your right34200:18:35,040 –> 00:18:35,920from your left?34300:18:35,920 –> 00:18:37,060Well just think of it this way,34400:18:37,060 –> 00:18:40,260we use right and left to give direction.34500:18:40,260 –> 00:18:42,119You’re telling someone how to get to your house,34600:18:42,119 –> 00:18:43,619you know you say well you go down the street,34700:18:43,619 –> 00:18:44,459you take the third on the left34800:18:44,459 –> 00:18:46,540it’s a fourth on the right round the corner,34900:18:46,540 –> 00:18:49,619and then you’ll find it on the right hand side.35000:18:49,619 –> 00:18:52,339Now someone who doesn’t know their right from their left35100:18:52,339 –> 00:18:55,020will not be able to follow your instructions,35200:18:55,020 –> 00:18:56,420your directions.35300:18:56,420 –> 00:18:57,260And what will happen35400:18:57,260 –> 00:18:59,319if they don’t know their right from their left35500:18:59,319 –> 00:19:00,900is that they’ll go the opposite way around35600:19:00,900 –> 00:19:03,459and they will soon become completely hopelessly35700:19:03,459 –> 00:19:05,819and utterly lost.35800:19:06,520 –> 00:19:09,380Now I think that’s the meaning here.35900:19:09,380 –> 00:19:13,060And God is saying because they have lost their moral compass36000:19:13,060 –> 00:19:15,099because they have no idea of right and wrong36100:19:15,099 –> 00:19:16,459because they are so sunk36200:19:16,459 –> 00:19:21,319in the culture of violence that pervades their city36300:19:21,319 –> 00:19:23,020they cannot tell their right hand from their left.36400:19:23,020 –> 00:19:24,579should I not be concerned?36500:19:25,619 –> 00:19:26,900Should I not have compassion36600:19:26,900 –> 00:19:31,459with regards to this great city?36700:19:31,459 –> 00:19:34,560And that’s why I say that reflecting on the human condition36800:19:34,560 –> 00:19:36,760will help you to grow in compassion36900:19:36,760 –> 00:19:40,140because it seems to me that that is the force37000:19:40,140 –> 00:19:44,739of what God is saying here in verse 11.37100:19:44,739 –> 00:19:47,000Here are people who cannot tell good from evil,37200:19:47,000 –> 00:19:49,579here are people who confuse them.37300:19:49,579 –> 00:19:53,099Isaiah 5.20 they call evil good, they call good evil.37400:19:53,099 –> 00:19:55,060They are completely and utterly lost,37500:19:55,060 –> 00:19:58,739God says, and I have compassion for them.37600:20:00,699 –> 00:20:03,339Now let’s reflect then for a moment on the human condition.37700:20:03,339 –> 00:20:05,599What does the Bible say about the human condition?37800:20:05,599 –> 00:20:09,920What is the effect of sin in human lives?37900:20:11,140 –> 00:20:13,979Now, the Bible describes this in many ways,38000:20:13,979 –> 00:20:16,099but let me just give to you three38100:20:16,099 –> 00:20:18,719which are probably an easy way to remember it38200:20:18,719 –> 00:20:21,479and to get it lodged in our minds and hearts.38300:20:22,619 –> 00:20:24,579The Bible describes our human condition,38400:20:24,579 –> 00:20:28,219our fallen condition first, in terms of blindness.38500:20:28,219 –> 00:20:31,2192 Corinthians chapter four and verse four.38600:20:31,420 –> 00:20:33,300The God of this world that is Satan38700:20:33,300 –> 00:20:35,979has blinded the minds of unbelievers38800:20:35,979 –> 00:20:38,500so that they cannot see the light of the gospel38900:20:38,500 –> 00:20:43,500of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.39000:20:44,260 –> 00:20:48,579Secondly, our human condition is described as slavery.39100:20:48,579 –> 00:20:51,300I hear the words of Jesus from John chapter eight39200:20:51,300 –> 00:20:54,579in verse 34, I tell you the truth,39300:20:54,579 –> 00:20:58,020anyone who sins is a slave to sin.39400:20:58,020 –> 00:20:59,880Again, that slavery is real.39500:20:59,880 –> 00:21:01,099What does it mean?39600:21:01,920 –> 00:21:04,160It means that the sinner cannot stop sinning.39700:21:05,079 –> 00:21:08,219Slavery, he does not have the power to do so.39800:21:08,219 –> 00:21:11,479He may be able to change one particular form of sin39900:21:11,479 –> 00:21:15,500for another, to move from one brand to another as it were,40000:21:15,500 –> 00:21:18,599but he cannot stop being a sinner.40100:21:19,920 –> 00:21:22,459Thirdly, the Bible describes our40200:21:22,459 –> 00:21:25,040fallen human condition in terms of death.40300:21:25,040 –> 00:21:27,099That is Ephesians 2 in verse one,40400:21:27,099 –> 00:21:29,739as for you, you are dead in your transgressions40500:21:29,739 –> 00:21:33,300and your sins, and again, that death is real.40600:21:33,300 –> 00:21:35,560By nature, we are unresponsive to God.40700:21:35,560 –> 00:21:38,319We do not have the capacity40800:21:38,319 –> 00:21:41,699to change our relationship with him,40900:21:41,699 –> 00:21:43,380and that, of course, is why Jesus said41000:21:43,380 –> 00:21:45,739in John chapter six in verse 44,41100:21:45,739 –> 00:21:48,680no one can come to me unless the father41200:21:48,680 –> 00:21:51,800who sent me draws him.41300:21:51,800 –> 00:21:53,800That’s a very simple way just to reflect41400:21:53,800 –> 00:21:54,800on the human condition.41500:21:54,800 –> 00:21:58,400What is the effect of sin in the human race41600:21:58,400 –> 00:22:00,599in the life of every person born into the world.41700:22:00,599 –> 00:22:05,599Here’s our condition, blind, slaves, dead.41800:22:07,859 –> 00:22:09,599You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith41900:22:09,599 –> 00:22:12,020on Open The Bible with a message called42000:22:12,020 –> 00:22:14,540Receive God’s Mercy, part of the series42100:22:14,540 –> 00:22:18,380based on Jonah, How to Avoid a God-Centered Life.42200:22:18,380 –> 00:22:19,979Don’t forget, you can easily catch up42300:22:19,979 –> 00:22:22,819or go back and listen again to any of our messages42400:22:22,819 –> 00:22:24,140if you come to our website.42500:22:24,140 –> 00:22:27,680That’s at openthebible.org.uk.42600:22:27,699 –> 00:22:29,859You can also find Pastor Colin’s messages42700:22:29,859 –> 00:22:33,060as a podcast on all the main podcast sites.42800:22:33,060 –> 00:22:36,420You can find them by searching for Open The Bible UK42900:22:36,420 –> 00:22:38,819or follow the link from our website.43000:22:38,819 –> 00:22:43,739Our website address again is openthebible.org.uk.43100:22:43,739 –> 00:22:46,099I know many of you listen to podcasts43200:22:46,099 –> 00:22:47,859and we’re excited to tell you about43300:22:47,859 –> 00:22:50,280a new podcast for Open The Bible.43400:22:50,280 –> 00:22:53,060It’s a companion to Pastor Colin’s book,43500:22:53,060 –> 00:22:54,739Hike Through The Bible.43600:22:54,859 –> 00:22:57,140Yeah, and each week I’ll read a chapter43700:22:57,140 –> 00:22:58,900from the book and then I get to discuss it43800:22:58,900 –> 00:23:00,339with some friends.43900:23:00,339 –> 00:23:02,020So if you join us on the podcast,44000:23:02,020 –> 00:23:05,219in 50 weeks, we’ll cover 50 chapters44100:23:05,219 –> 00:23:07,780of the Bible together and in a year,44200:23:07,780 –> 00:23:11,140you’ll have hiked through the entire Bible story.44300:23:11,140 –> 00:23:13,739Now if you think hiking sounds like hard work,44400:23:13,739 –> 00:23:16,300don’t worry, I promise you this hike44500:23:16,300 –> 00:23:18,660will be an easy, gentle pace.44600:23:18,660 –> 00:23:20,219There’s a link to the podcast44700:23:20,219 –> 00:23:22,900and lots more information on our website44800:23:22,939 –> 00:23:26,459at openthebible.org.uk.44900:23:26,459 –> 00:23:28,459Colin, you bring up an important point45000:23:28,459 –> 00:23:30,420in today’s message, probably one45100:23:30,420 –> 00:23:32,859which all of us can identify with.45200:23:32,859 –> 00:23:34,979When I’m focused on my own pain,45300:23:34,979 –> 00:23:37,380on my own perceived injustices45400:23:37,380 –> 00:23:39,719or ways that I’ve been hurt,45500:23:39,719 –> 00:23:41,599then I’m not likely to be able45600:23:41,599 –> 00:23:43,619to show the compassion that I should.45700:23:43,619 –> 00:23:46,660So it’s important to get our eyes off ourselves.45800:23:46,660 –> 00:23:48,579The culture around us is always saying45900:23:48,579 –> 00:23:49,900it’s about you, you know, you,46000:23:49,900 –> 00:23:51,020this, that, and the other46100:23:51,020 –> 00:23:53,300and so we kind of absorb that46200:23:53,300 –> 00:23:55,339and say, well, yes, and we start looking46300:23:55,339 –> 00:23:58,420into ourselves and God cuts right through that.46400:23:58,420 –> 00:24:00,739He says to Jonah, now you’re concerned46500:24:00,739 –> 00:24:02,339about the vine, you’re concerned46600:24:02,339 –> 00:24:03,839about your own stuff.46700:24:03,839 –> 00:24:05,780I’m concerned about the city.46800:24:05,780 –> 00:24:07,579Jonah needs to become more like the Lord.46900:24:07,579 –> 00:24:08,939I need to become more like the Lord.47000:24:08,939 –> 00:24:12,140We’re seeing ourselves in Jonah here again47100:24:12,140 –> 00:24:14,400and God has this great compassion.47200:24:14,400 –> 00:24:16,760You know, here’s the word of the Lord47300:24:16,760 –> 00:24:18,479applied to your life today.47400:24:18,520 –> 00:24:21,959If you’re feeling absorbed in your own problems,47500:24:21,959 –> 00:24:24,000can you look out to someone else?47600:24:24,000 –> 00:24:26,560Can you take an interest in someone else?47700:24:26,560 –> 00:24:29,079It will help you, it will bless you.47800:24:29,079 –> 00:24:30,959A pastor in my own church back47900:24:30,959 –> 00:24:33,920in Scotland used to say, on one of these gray days48000:24:33,920 –> 00:24:35,800where you’re feeling absolutely miserable,48100:24:35,800 –> 00:24:37,719he said what I do is I go to the hospital48200:24:37,719 –> 00:24:39,599and go visit someone in great need48300:24:39,599 –> 00:24:41,160and it would lift my spirit,48400:24:41,160 –> 00:24:43,000reach out and serve someone else48500:24:43,000 –> 00:24:45,900as part of the joy of fellowship together in the church.48600:24:45,900 –> 00:24:47,119Thanks, Callen.48700:24:47,140 –> 00:24:50,140Our message today was called Receive God’s Mercy.48800:24:50,140 –> 00:24:51,619I hope you’ll be able to join us again48900:24:51,619 –> 00:24:54,339for the next message in the series.49000:24:54,339 –> 00:24:56,439You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith49100:24:56,439 –> 00:24:57,859on Open the Bible.49200:24:57,859 –> 00:25:01,540I’m David Pick and I hope you’ll join us again next time.49300:25:01,540 –> 00:25:07,400Jesus49400:25:07,900 –> 00:25:11,260Think about someone who really annoys you.49500:25:11,260 –> 00:25:14,400Do you want to have more compassion for them?49600:25:14,400 –> 00:25:15,540Find out how.49700:25:15,540 –> 00:25:17,680Next time on Open the Bible.