Why Care

Why Care? (Jonah 4:1-11) The human race seems to have a deep-seated tendency to divide the world into “us” and “them”. We often re-enforce these divisions by using terms that define others as something less than human. (Consider various derogatory terms that you have heard) God is not partial (Acts 10:15 & 34; Rom. 2:11; 3:29-30; 10:12-13; Eph. 2:14-19; Gal. 3:26-29) If we show favoritism, we sin (James 2:8) Favoritism makes judgmental (when only God is entitled to judge, because only He sees into the heart) (see Rom. 4:13) Reveals evil desires (wrong motives) in the heart Shows disrespect Causes resentment & division among God’s people Holds back church growth Impedes the work of the Holy Spirit Often comes from taking a fleshly view (a focus on outward appearances) (1 Sam. 16:6-7) Favoritism is a poor witness Mother Teresa said, “If we don’t accept Jesus in one another, we will not be able to give him to others.” In his autobiography, Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. "If Christians have caste differences also," he said, "I might as well remain a Hindu." That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior. Jonah’s hatred exceeded his love for life (Jonah 4:3) and for God If there any particular group of people for which you harbor hatred? If not hatred, indifference? If you hate someone, you are not likely to want to act benevolently towards them Showing Godly love for others often comes at a cost to us Sometimes, like Jonah, our priorities get fouled up

Jonah had more compassion for a plant than he did for the people of Nineveh. Some people I’ve met seem to care more for their dog or cat than for their neighbor God’s character is one of mercy, compassion and love towards all people (Ps. 86:5) God desires that all be saved (Hosea 11:8; Isa. 45:2; 49:6; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pe. 3:9; John 3:15-17; Titus 2:11) God acts in our lives God prepares/tells/appoints/sets/numbers (Heb. manah {maw-naw'}) various elements of his creation to act in our lives For Jonah there was the storm, the fish, the wind, the plant and the worm God does not delight in sending natural disasters (Lam. 3:33) God always responds to true repentance with forgiveness and restoration (Ezek: 18:23-32; 33:11; Deut.13:17; 30:3; 2 Chron. 30:9; Ps. 78:38; Luke 15:20) God held Jonah responsible to understand His character If God held Jonah responsible to understand His character, He holds us all the more responsible, since we have the benefit of His indwelling Spirit If we are His people, then we should mirror His character (Matt. 4:44-45; 18:33; Luke 35-36; Zech. 7:9; Luke 10:33, Heb. 10:34, 1 Pe. 3:8) One Hebrew word for mercy is Checed which means to get inside someone’s skin, to look at where they view life and feel what they are experiencing; to move in and act on behalf of the one who’s hurting. That is exactly what Jesus did when He chose to leave the comfort and glory of Heaven to become one of us. Mercy has also been defined as compassionate treatment, having the disposition to be kind and forgiving. We are required to not only show mercy but to love mercy (Micah 6:8) (implies a deep devotion to/passion for). Whether or not we demonstrate compassion a way of determining whether or not the love of God is in us (1 John 3:17, Jude 1:22) Mercy shows our Christian character and draws others to us, as it drew sinners to Jesus. (Luke 7:44-47) We should therefore care for those who, like the Assyrians, don’t know the truth (Jonah 4:11)

There is a world full of lost people out there. Some of them are across globe, and others, are across the street We should therefore make an effort to share the truth with them (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Rom. 10:14-15) Because of what Christ has done in our hearts, we should be motivated to share His love with everyone, everywhere