Jun 29, 2025
Neil McClendon, Lead Pastor
Grand Parkway Baptist Church
The Balance of God
Jonah 4:5-11
1. The direction of disobedience, v. 5
Here are some examples from Genesis of how eastward movement symbolizes departure from God’s will…
a) Adam & Eve are put out of the Garden on the east side
b) Cain settles east of Eden
c) The builders of Babel are headed east when they decide to build a tower so as to make a name for themselves
d) Lot separated from Abram and traveled east near Sodom and Gomorrah
Here is how we drift away from God…
1) a fixation on the physical over the spiritual in your priorities
2) a loss of sensitivity
“You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the God. It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” - C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
3) the glorification of feelings
2. God acts sovereignly to reveal His nature and our need, v. 6-8
Three ways God demonstrates His nature…
a) His name- v. 6- “YHWH Elohim”
⁃ YHWH- speaking to Israelites (particular)
⁃ Elohim- speaking to non-Israelites (universal)
b) His sovereignty- “appointed…”
c) His patience- v. 9
Three ways God demonstrates our need…
a) provision- v. 5
b) experience- v. 6
⁃ Matthew 7:1-2
c) isolation- v. 8b
3. God is not ashamed of you, v. 10-11
2 Peter 3:9-10
Mental worship…
1. What does drifting away from God feel like in your life?
2. Are you biggest priorities physical or spiritual in nature?
3. What is the latest thing you could clearly identify as God’s provision?
4. Is there anything you think or feel but you only say to yourself?
5. What are some of your takeaways from the book of Jonah?
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