So, if last week we saw that heaven is a place we go, is here now, and is coming to earth, what will that new heaven and earth be like? Let’s look today at three truths about this new garden city that will descend to a new heaven and earth. You might just be surprised by what you find there?

We come to the most well-known and widely discussed portion of James’ letter. James wants to make sure we know that genuine saving faith will always results in organic good works of obedience. He does this, not by contradicting Paul’s message of justification by faith alone, but by making sure we know that real saving faith never remains alone. Even the demons have faith.

James is very blunt in his warning to not show partiality and favoritism in the church based on external markers. In fact, he calls it evil, law-breaking, and antithetical to the gospel of God and the mercy shown to us in Jesus. Let’s look today at the problem of partiality and Gospel solution of mercy.

James wants us to live spiritually whole lives. He provokes this by asking us, are you just a hearer of the Word, or are you also a doer of the Word? This morning, we examine the importance of God’s Word, Our Growth, and Generous Giving.

Persevering through trials brings great blessing, but trials also bring the temptation to respond in sinful ways. We need fresh reminders that temptation always comes from within, even if trials come from without, and that God is always good, giving, and gracious. He does not tempt us with evil.

While no one likes trials, James calls believers to view suffering and trials as a gift that leads us toward maturity in Christ. Rather than resenting trials we are called to turn towards God in the midst of trials, seeking his wisdom and recognizing that we are not striving for success in this world. Instead poverty, humility and even suffering can be gifts, if they send us running to the feet of Jesus.

Where is Jonah’s compassion after the repentance of the Ninevites? It’s what God wants to know. God shows that he is both merciful and just in the object lessons to Jonah, and asks us the same question – where is our compassion?

In God’s great mercy, Jonah is given a second chance to obey. Upon his proclamation of the bad news of coming judgment, Ninevah repents displaying their belief in God’s Word. And we see at the heart of God is a desire to extend mercy and a willingness to forgive those that repent.

Here again we are meant to see a compare and contrast between Jonah and the Sailors. While Jonah wants a god of his own making, the sailors just want to find the right god to appease in the storm. In the end we see Jonah just begin to emerge from his shallow spiritual identity and the sailors radical transformation into God-fearers. But what is needed for both is the beautiful pattern of love in a substitute. We all need that, so let’s take two more steps together into the story of Jonah.

More than a great children’s story, the book of Jonah asks us to evaluate whether we understand the heart of God. Jonah in these opening verses pridefully wants a God of his own making who will act according to Jonah’s definitions of mercy and grace. And yet, God begins to teach Jonah a lesson with a merciful storm that will reshape his grasp on God’s gracious heart and lead us to true humility and love for the lost.