In the final scene of this compelling drama the main point of the whole story emerges clearly:  God is merciful by nature and has every right to show mercy to all nations and peoples and we (like Jonah) have no right to think that some are less deserving than others of this mercy.  In their final interaction together we find God drawing Jonah's attitude to the surface.  We discover a deeply held attitude of selfishness and entitlement in the heart of Jonah.  The challenge to us readers is to be reminded that ALL people are only 1 step away from the mercy of God.  There is no room for prejudice.  We ought to ensure that we ourselves have truly received God's mercy and forgiveness and if so, then we are called to be messengers of a) coming judgement and b) the free offer of God's mercy to ALL who respond to Him!  May we become faithful messengers!
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Jonah is given a 2nd chance!  Following the dramatic rescue from the sea, God calls him once again to go and preach judgment to Nineveh because of their wickedness.  Jonah obeys and the people respond with a sincere belief in God!  The king issues a decree that all people should urgently call on God and turn from their wickedness.  In response, God relents and does not send calamity - He is, in fact, a God who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love (mercy). We respond to this story by reminding ourselves that just as Nineveh was under that sentence of judgment because of its wickedness, so also our world is under judgment.  2 Peter 3 helps us gain perspective and so we respond by 1) believing God and receiving His mercy; 2) repenting from evil and pursuing holiness; 3) being faithful messengers to a world that is under this sentence of judgment. 
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Sadly, due to technical difficulties, we have NO audio recording for the sermon today!  In lieu of that, here is the outline of the message:

Jonah: A Story of God’s Persistent and Generous Mercy

THE PERSISTENT AND GENEROUS MERCY OF GOD MADE HIM NOT GIVE UP ON JONAH.

·       God could have done it all alone.

·       God could have given up and raised up another prophet.

 THE PERSISTENT AND GENEROUS MERCY OF GOD LED HIM TO USE ALL MEANS TO BRING JONAH’S ATTENTION BACK.

·       God used the storm

·       God used the sailors

·       God used the big fish

 THE PERSISTENT AND GENEROUS MERCY OF GOD MADE HIM GIVE A SECOND CHANCE TO JONAH

·       God listened to Jonah’s prayer

·       God forgave Jonah

·       God restored Jonah

 The story of Jonah and God it is a great portrait of our story with God.

·       God never will give up on you because of his persistent and gracious mercy.

·       God will use all means to bring your attention to him, because of his persistent and gracious mercy.

·       God is ready to receive you and give a second chance, because of his persistent and gracious mercy.

The main character of the Story of Jonah is God.  It is fundamentally a story of  God's wide and generous mercy which He shows to all kinds of people throughout the 4 chapters of the story.  The key verse of the story is 4:2a - "“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”  It is this characteristic of God which shines through the whole story!  In this first chapter we pay attention to God's mercy shown to the sailors on the ship.  These sailors have no knowledge or understanding of Yahweh, the God who is the Creator of the sea and the dry land.  Even as Jonah is running away from Yahweh, these men are introduced to Him and by the end of the chapter they are offering sacrifices and making vows to Him.  We respond to this story by offering praise and worship to God for his persistent and generous mercy and then through obedience as we realize what He has done for us!  May we truly learn and respond!
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