God’s Unrelenting Grace Series Pt 5Issues of the HeartMarch 4, 2018 We have been studying the book of Jonah for the past month and seeing the theme of God’s unrelenting grace woven through the events and circumstances of the book. The video a moment ago with the kids telling the story obviously embellished the narrative a bit. Many people, however, think the story ends with chapter 3 and ignore chapter 4. The last chapter is an important part of revealing God’s unrelenting Grace! Chapter 4 shows us that God looks beyond the outward appearances sees the issues of the heart. So let’ look at the chapter, follow along as I read Jonah 4:1-11 The book of Jonah reveals God’s unrelenting grace…I.               Despite a Rebellious Heart (Jonah 4:1-3) But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, "O Lord, is this not 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." One of the most incredible revivals and Jonah is displeased and angry? It is almost mind-blowing to think that Jonah isn’t happy that these people have turned to God and that God’s hand of judgment has stayed. (I have seen this before when a spouse repents of adultery and returns to husband/wife.) A.    I said (v.2) "O Lord, is this not I said when I was still at home?·      Jonah had the heart of the Pharisees who grumbled and complained when Jesus ate and offered mercy to tax collectors and sinners·      His attitude was “they be destroyed and let their sins carry them to hell – they deserve it”·      Self-righteous- and quite possibly more interested what his peers thought of him than God’s character.·      Jonah is attempting correct God!·      The rebellious heart believes and acts as though it knows better than God! B.    I knew (v.2) I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God·   Whoa! Jonah is ticked because God is good, gracious and compassionate!·  Notice that Jonah’s focus is all on himself! (“I” said, “I” knew)Point? Pride and selfishness are issues of the heart. They are at the heart of our rebellion against God! Although Jonah did obey God and go to Nineveh in about 40 days he was back to his old self. He was outwardly obedient but inwardly rebellious!God’s grace is speaking to you today to search and examine the issues of your heart.The last chapter of the book of Jonah reveals God’s unrelenting grace towards him…II.             Despite a Divided Heart (Jonah 4:4-9) But the Lord replied, "Have you any right to be angry?" Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, "It would be better for me to die than to live." But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?" "I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die." ·      Now we dare not miss what rules Jonah here. He seems to be a different person on land than when he was in the fish!·      In tribulation and trial, he is remorseful at ease he is spit