Why are you so angry?

Message by Joshua Mutter – August 14, 2022

Big idea:  That God invites us to exchange our judgment of others for his approach of love

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing 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. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:1-3 NIV

Through this story we are invited to see how our judgment keeps us from appreciating God’s generous love. 

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. – Exodus 34:6-7a NIV

Reflection: In our hearts, who are we judging as being unworthy of good things? 

But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Jonah had gone 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. Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 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.” Jonah 4:4-8 NIV

Through this story, we are invited to reflect on what is behind our out of proportion responses. 

Reflection: When we encounter out of proportion responses, we need to ask ourselves what is really going on.

Through this story, God invites us to see that there is a better way to relate to others.

You can watch the sermon on Youtube here.

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