A Community to Redeem

March 14, 2010

Background Scripture: Jonah 3:10 – 4:11
Lesson Passage: Jonah 3:10 – 4:11

The Apostle Peter wrote concerning God that he is patient towards us and not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. These are very eloquent words when thinking of family, friends, and all others that we believe to be lovable people. These same words, however, ring hollow when thinking of our enemies or those that we don’t “particularly care for”. Frankly, we want God to destroy our enemy. We want those that we don’t like to fail and not have success. We don’t want to think of them as our brothers and sisters in God’s family. In fact, we want God’s family to be our little personal experience absent all of the undesirable people we don’t want to be around. Hopefully by now you can see that the attitude we sometimes have towards others doesn’t agree with God’s plans for those same individuals according to Peter. Without a change of heart, we could be setting ourselves up for disappointment when we discover who’s in Heaven when we get there as well as who shows up after our arrival. In this sea of humanity in which we live, mission demands that we have a sense of accountability for unsaved souls. Christians cannot afford to classify people as desirable and undesirable or acceptable and unacceptable. No matter how we attempt to classify people spiritually, we were once in the other category. God and God alone saved us and he is in the process of sanctifying us. If God saved us, who then is beyond his reach? God is the one who judges all.

Israel was separated from the world by God to become a kingdom of priests to bring light to the Gentiles. The book of Jonah is a reminder to the church of what happens when those who God redeems out of the world start to look down on the unredeemed in disdain. This book is a reminder that we are to shall the gospel with every soul. This should be done in the sincere hope that it will instigate repentance and salvation. How were we judged by others before we repented and called upon God for ourselves? Jonah was convinced of God’s grace, mercy, and patience towards sinners. All who have been saved should be just as convinced. Jonah, like many today, did not want the goodness of God to be shown and experienced by his enemies—especially as a result of something he did. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. The Assyrians were the enemy of Israel. They made repeated attacks against Israel and eventually took the northern kingdom into captivity. How dare God save such a people! Israel wanted the Assyrians destroyed not rescued by their own God. Jonah knew God’s character—if the prophet preach and the people hear, God would be gracious, merciful and patient towards them. God was going to bless Israel’s enemy as a result of Jonah’s preaching. God’s message to Jonah indicates that he desires that we have a concern for the souls of men and not get hung up on their past behavior or attitude. It is God’s desire that all repent and be redeemed. Our role, as Christians, is to be agents of redemption and there is a community to redeem.

Robert C. Hudson
March 3, 2010

Mission to the Community

March 7, 2010

Background Scripture: Jonah 1:1 – 3; 3:1 – 9
Lesson Passage: Jonah 1:1 – 3; 3:1 – 9

Today’s lesson opens this Quarter’s emphasis on “Teachings on Community” and this Unit’s theme of “Community with a Mission”. Both the Quarter’s emphasis and the Unit’s theme present relevant concerns for the local church today. Churches should not be socially isolated but rather an integral part of the surrounding community. Further, the church should clearly express itself through its mission to those in the community. This lesson opens up this three month study by considering the mission to be a spiritual voice to a sometimes wayward community. This is not a voice of condemnation but rather a clarion call to the community to change directions before disaster strikes. Ironically, or sometimes unfortunately, the story of Jonah bears much resemblance to the observed behavior of some local church congregations in general and some members of local churches more specifically. Many members want to engage in ministry, however, they do have their preferences as to when and who they are willing to serve. Undoubtedly, Christians have studied the book of Jonah many times. It is beneficial to remind ourselves of some very important facts related to this window of history. First and foremost, God selected the messenger to send to Nineveh. Had Jonah volunteered to go, he probably would have run towards the city rather than attempt to run away from it. God chooses whoever he wants to choose for mission work. Those who are unwilling to serve might still be God’s choice for the work. Secondly, God insisted on providing the message that was to be delivered. He told Jonah to preach the preaching that I bid thee. Jonah did not have to make up anything or try to figure out what needed to be said. His main responsibility was to listen to God’s voice and speak what God told him to say. Some shy away from ministry or mission work because they believe that they are inadequate. Jonah teaches us that through prayer, obedience, and patience we can see God obtain results through our obedient efforts. The third point is that God is the judge. Only God knows the hearts of men and is therefore the only one qualified to judge their character. Since the result of the judgment could have eternal consequences, it is best that one familiar with matters of eternity do the judging. Jonah’s responsibility was to be obedient to God’s calling. Too often we think we know what’s best and therefore believe that our plans deserve to be taken into consideration. As far as ministry is concerned, we are still learning and ever coming into new truths. It should therefore be assumed by the willing missionary that there is still much to be learned that we don’t know. Just as Jonah was sent by God on a mission to the city of Nineveh, local churches today have missions to their surrounding communities. We should gladly take up the call to serve that is embodied in the Great Commission and not be found guilty of ignoring the call or running in the opposite direction as Jonah did.


Robert C. Hudson
March 1, 2010