{"id":29664,"date":"2025-07-13T18:03:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-13T18:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immanuelfamily.org\/?post_type=cpl_item&p=29664"},"modified":"2025-07-14T03:26:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T03:26:00","slug":"i-would-rather-die","status":"publish","type":"cpl_item","link":"https:\/\/immanuelfamily.org\/es\/sermons\/i-would-rather-die\/","title":{"rendered":"I Would Rather Die"},"content":{"rendered":"

I Would Rather Die!<\/h1>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n
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Have you ever asked that question to yourself?<\/p>\n

Why is it that God is wanting us to share the good news about His Son with other people?<\/p>\n

Just think about it.<\/p>\n

We can’t change hearts.<\/p>\n

We have no power to open the spiritually blind eyes of others.<\/p>\n

We lack the strength to convince people of their sins.<\/p>\n

Evangelism almost feels impossible when it’s left to our own strength.<\/p>\n

If God alone converts sinners, brings them from death to life, and transforms them\u2014taking them out from darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son\u2014then why involve us?<\/p>\n

It seems futile, almost unnecessary. Because let\u2019s be honest\u2014evangelism is one of the hardest spiritual disciplines, if not the hardest.<\/p>\n

So why does God call us to share His mercy when it’s impossible for us to ensure that those we share it with will receive it?<\/p>\n

Zooming Out: A Bigger Picture<\/h2>\n

To answer that question, we need to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Too often, we zoom in on evangelism and focus on the awkwardness of it.<\/p>\n

We see how it\u2019s frustrating.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s really a thorn in the flesh.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard. It\u2019s uncomfortable. It\u2019s challenging.<\/p>\n

But unless we step back and see what God is doing through evangelism, we won\u2019t engage in this task.<\/p>\n

We need a bigger picture.<\/p>\n

Lessons from the Jobsite<\/h2>\n

I remember when I was working as an electrician. My boss would often say, \u201cIsrael, you have to step back. There are tasks that are going to be hard and challenging for you on this project, but in order for you to get past those hard and awkward situations, you\u2019ve got to step back and see the whole picture. You’ve got to see the whole project.\u201d<\/p>\n

If not, you’ll get stuck and frustrated by those small parts of the project that bring discomfort.<\/p>\n

In the same way, we need to step back and ask: what is God doing in evangelism that He would call us to it?<\/p>\n

God’s Purpose in Evangelism: Forming Us<\/h2>\n

When we zoom out, we see that evangelism plays an essential role in the life of the church. Despite the awkwardness and discouragement, God is doing something in us through evangelism that He wouldn\u2019t do in any other way.<\/p>\n

What is He doing?<\/p>\n

He is forming us into the image of His Son.<\/p>\n

Paul says in Romans 8: \u201cFor those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.\u201d<\/p>\n

God, in His electing work, brought us from darkness into light, and now He is transforming us to be like Jesus. And one way He is forming us is through evangelism.<\/p>\n

Evangelism Is for Our Sanctification<\/h2>\n

Evangelism isn\u2019t only about reaching others.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about God reshaping us, sanctifying us, and making us like Christ.<\/p>\n

Have you ever considered that evangelism is as much about you as it is about the person you’re trying to evangelize?<\/p>\n

When you share the gospel, you imitate Christ\u2019s love\u2014a love that was difficult, costly, painful, and never convenient.<\/p>\n

By stepping into the risk evangelism brings, you reflect Christ\u2019s sacrificial love.<\/p>\n

The Jonah Problem: Confronting Our Condition<\/h2>\n

Jonah 4:1\u20134 confronts us with a challenge.<\/p>\n

If God\u2019s purpose is to make us like His Son by sharing His love with others, then we have to face this truth:<\/p>\n

We are naturally disposed to hate God and to hate our neighbor.<\/p>\n

As Duane read earlier in the law and prayer, he focused on the reality that we hate others\u2014and we do so naturally.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t like to see ourselves that way. We want to think we\u2019re good people. And yes, by God\u2019s grace we do some good. But fundamentally, there is a disposition in our hearts to not love people\u2014and we see that in Jonah\u2019s story.<\/p>\n

If we are to be conformed to the image of God\u2019s Son, who freely shared God\u2019s love with others, the first step is recognizing our true condition.<\/p>\n

Jonah’s Anger at God’s Mercy<\/h2>\n

Look at Jonah\u2019s anger.<\/p>\n

When you read this story, you almost have to ask, \u201cAm I still reading the Bible?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonah is angry because mercy was extended to people who were going to be judged by God.<\/p>\n

This is God\u2019s prophet\u2014not a pagan, not someone unfamiliar with God\u2019s covenantal promises. He\u2019s God\u2019s spokesman.<\/p>\n

And he\u2019s angry at God’s mercy.<\/p>\n

In Jonah 3:10, we see that God spares Nineveh when they repent.<\/p>\n

But Jonah says, \u201cThat\u2019s evil.\u201d He calls God’s mercy evil.<\/p>\n

The Hebrew emphasizes it: Jonah was exceedingly displeased\u2014he thought it a grave injustice. He called God’s mercy evil.<\/p>\n

Modern Parallels and Misplaced Justice<\/h2>\n

Imagine a modern parallel: Think of terrorist groups that ravage the Middle East, or a man like Larry Nassar, convicted of abusing hundreds of girls.<\/p>\n

Now imagine if a judge said, \u201cYou\u2019re innocent. I\u2019m going to extend mercy to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how Jonah feels.<\/p>\n

And so angry, he can\u2019t think straight.<\/p>\n

In Jonah 4:2, he says, \u201cThat\u2019s why I fled.\u201d<\/p>\n

He believes God\u2019s grace undermines justice.<\/p>\n

In a twist, Jonah now plays the role Nineveh used to occupy\u2014he\u2019s the one acting wickedly.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s upset that the most successful outreach ministry in history resulted in mercy instead of judgment.<\/p>\n

A Twisted View of God’s Character<\/h2>\n

In verse 2, Jonah prays and quotes Exodus 34\u2014but with a twist.<\/p>\n

He says, \u201cI knew you are a gracious God, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not a heretic. Theologically, Jonah is sound.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s reformed\u2014with a capital \u201cR.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet he finds God\u2019s mercy repulsive.<\/p>\n

He leaves something out: God\u2019s justice. That He \u201cwill by no means clear the guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n

God is both just and merciful.<\/p>\n

But Jonah doesn\u2019t want God to be that merciful.<\/p>\n

Our Natural Condition: Hate Toward God and Neighbor<\/h2>\n

This tension is captured in Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 5:<\/p>\n

Q: Can we keep God’s law perfectly?<\/strong>
A: No, because we have a natural tendency to hate God and our neighbor.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Until we understand this, we won\u2019t extend mercy.<\/p>\n

James 4 says it plainly: \u201cWhat causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?\u201d<\/p>\n

We think, \u201cI\u2019ve never wanted to kill anyone,\u201d but hate is the right word. Even in marriage, we sometimes despise the ones we love most.<\/p>\n

That root is hate.<\/p>\n

The Mirror of Jonah<\/h2>\n

The more I study Jonah, the more I realize I\u2019m more like him than I want to admit.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d rather do my own thing. Be comfortable. Ignore society\u2019s problems.<\/p>\n

But evangelism forces us to confront our condition.<\/p>\n

Jonah would rather die than see Nineveh receive mercy.<\/p>\n

How selfish must we be to withhold God\u2019s love?<\/p>\n

The Gospel: Jesus, Not Jonah<\/h2>\n

There are two other prophets who asked for death: Elijah (out of fear) and Moses (from frustration). But Jonah? Jonah sees God\u2019s mercy and wants to die.<\/p>\n

Jonah’s problem? He hates God and neighbor.<\/p>\n

The remedy?<\/p>\n

The gospel.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus is the anti-Jonah.<\/p>\n

Jonah would rather die than see someone else receive mercy.<\/p>\n

Jesus gladly dies so that we can receive mercy.<\/p>\n

Jesus gains nothing\u2014He was already God.<\/p>\n

We add nothing to Him.<\/p>\n

And yet, in His pure, boundless love, He saves us.<\/p>\n

Susanna Wesley: Marvel at Divine Love<\/h2>\n

Susanna Wesley said it best:<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe is being in itself, infinitely happy in the glorious perfection of His nature. He loved us because He loved us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

She marveled at the mystery: what could motivate a perfect God, complete in Himself, to redeem humanity?<\/p>\n

Only love.<\/p>\n

Not obligation.<\/p>\n

Not worthiness.<\/p>\n

Only love.<\/p>\n

Our Response: Be Like Christ<\/h2>\n

So what\u2019s our response?<\/p>\n

We bask in the gospel\u2014this good news that Christ died for sinners like us.<\/p>\n

We embrace the mercy He\u2019s shown and extend it to others.<\/p>\n

We are not hoarders of grace.<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t lose when we give away God\u2019s love.<\/p>\n

We reflect our Savior.<\/p>\n

God doesn\u2019t hoard mercy. He lavishes it\u2014even on those who mock Him.<\/p>\n

Evangelism is how we reflect His mercy.<\/p>\n

Evangelism Is Not Just Duty\u2014It\u2019s Transformation<\/h2>\n

Evangelism isn\u2019t just duty\u2014it\u2019s sanctification.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s how we become like Jesus.<\/p>\n

Loving God and loving neighbor go hand in hand.<\/p>\n

You can’t have one without the other.<\/p>\n

So church, let\u2019s zoom out.<\/p>\n

Evangelism isn\u2019t just a task.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an invitation to be like Jesus.<\/p>\n

By understanding our condition\u2014that we naturally hate God and neighbor\u2014and running to Christ for salvation and transformation, we can embrace evangelism.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s love God.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s love neighbor.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s reflect the boundless love of Christ, who died so we might receive mercy.<\/p>\n

Who refused to remain comfortable and instead expended Himself on the cross for our new life.<\/p>\n

Let us pray.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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