Ephesians Week 6

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 Ephesians 5   5  1  Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children   2  and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.   4  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.   5  For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [ a ]   6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.   7  Therefore do not be partners with them. 8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light i...
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Jonah 4 (God's mercy vs Believer's Wrath) ?

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We all know the story of Jonah. Jonah's name means dove, but he certainly isn't peaceful like.  He was  disobedient to God (Jonah 1:3), fearful (Jonah 1:9), critical (Jonah 4:1), and bitter (Jonah 4:3, 8)

God told Jonah to go to the rebellious people of Ninevah. Jonah said, "No."  Jonah tried to run from God via a ship.  God caused Jonah to be throw overboard and swallowed by a Big Fish.  He was in the belly of the Big Fish for 3 days..and God caused the fish to spit Jonah out on dry land.  God said, "Go!"  Jonah went... the people did repent from their evil ways.  Did Jonah rejoice... as more people are entering eternal life?  No.... Here is Jonah 4 (all of it) ..

Jonah's Anger and the Lord's Compassion

4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly,[a] and he was angry.2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”
5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. 6 Now the Lord God appointed a plant[b] and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort.[c] So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” 10 And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

Where do we find  mercy? With the  Lord as He displays his quickness to show mercy. We get Divine grace as our Lord is rich in mercy to all that call upon him.  We must examine our own hearts and words towards others. If we keep our eyes on all Christ has done for us and our own reconciliation, we can not become  prideful, arrogant and angry.   I remember as a baby Christian how I would pitch Toddler temper tantrums.... angry for what He allowed or didn't allow.    In my astonishment for God's patience towards me, I desire to be quick to give grace to others.   It IS NOT easy!!!   However, when my eyes are on my own sin. (and not on yours) .it gets much easier.
Least we forget, the Holy Spirit came and went in the O.T.  I don't know anyone who constantly had the Holy Spirit with them.  It wasn't until Christ died, that we had the opportunity to have a helper (the Holy Spirit) who enables us to do the will of God. ... 

This is what Jesus says in John 16...

The Work of the Holy Spirit

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

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