Jonah – Why His Anger 

Jonah 4:1-4 (NIV) 

¹ But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. ² He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. ³ Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."  

⁴ But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"  

1. A Life Motivated by Law, Religion and Self-Effort: 

      First, motivation by law, religion and self-effort leads to anger 

Second, motivation by law, religion and self-effort lead to resentment and cynicism  

      Third motivation by law, religion and self-effort lead to envy 

Fourth, motivation by law, religion and self-effort leads to a lack of compassion 

Fifth, motivation by law, religion and self-effort lead to superiority over others 

Sixth, motivation by law, religion and self-effort leads towards guilt, condemnation and depression when we fail   

2. A Life Motivated and Transformed by Grace: 

      Grace leads to an inner attitude of gratefulness and thanksgiving 

2 Cor. 6:4, 10 (NLT)

     As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it… Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. 

Helen Keller: I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God 

      Grace leads to an inner attitude of humility 

Grace does not trivialize grace as a cavalier sinner but recognizes a deep wickedness saved by an unimaginable love that leads to inside-out change 

      Grace leads to compassion for those who are different and messed up 

      Grace leads to rest 

Matthew 4:19 (NIV)

      "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men. 

a. Outreach and evangelism is ultimately following Christ Himself, first

 
b. Christ is the ultimate fisher, not me 

c. We follow Him, He changes our hearts, He catches fishes (people) through us  

d. Without Christ, we will have guilt when we catch no fish and we lose heart or we become proud when we catch fish because it is through our own effort.    

Grace leads to a new boldness in new relationships because we are not hyper-sensitive to and no longer controlled by what other think about us 

2 Cor. 6:8 (NLT)

     …We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. 

Luke 23:34 (NIV)

     Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."