Sermon Notes for 11/10/13
People of the Old Testament 1: Jonah
Jonah: A Prophet Sent to the Enemy Mari Ikeda
1. Jonah runs away (Chapters 1-3)
2. An angry Jonah and a merciful God (Chapter 4)
3. What it means to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43- 47)
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:43-47)
Summary
The city of Nineveh, of the Assyrian Empire, was an oppressive presence for the Israelites. Knowing God's merciful nature, Jonah predicted that when he warned the people of Nineveh, they would turn back to God and would be forgiven. Because he did not want this to happen, he ignored God's call and attempted to flee. God's love and compassion are poured out freely on anyone who repents. No one is exempt from God's love no matter how evil someone seems or how much they have harmed us. Just as God called to Jonah, he calls us to love our enemies. Like Jonah, we may find it difficult to respond to God's call. Remembering that Jesus loved us when we were still his enemies, let us rely on God's love to transform us into people who love our enemies.
For Discussion
1) Why did Jonah run away?
2) How can we love our enemies?
People of the Old Testament 1: Jonah
Jonah: A Prophet Sent to the Enemy Mari Ikeda
1. Jonah runs away (Chapters 1-3)
2. An angry Jonah and a merciful God (Chapter 4)
3. What it means to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43- 47)
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:43-47)
Summary
The city of Nineveh, of the Assyrian Empire, was an oppressive presence for the Israelites. Knowing God's merciful nature, Jonah predicted that when he warned the people of Nineveh, they would turn back to God and would be forgiven. Because he did not want this to happen, he ignored God's call and attempted to flee. God's love and compassion are poured out freely on anyone who repents. No one is exempt from God's love no matter how evil someone seems or how much they have harmed us. Just as God called to Jonah, he calls us to love our enemies. Like Jonah, we may find it difficult to respond to God's call. Remembering that Jesus loved us when we were still his enemies, let us rely on God's love to transform us into people who love our enemies.
For Discussion
1) Why did Jonah run away?
2) How can we love our enemies?