The Gourd and Grace
Jonah 4:8-11

I. THE PRESSURE OF DESPAIR
A. THE INTENSITY OF AFFLICTION (JONAH 4:8) – “that God prepared a vehement east wind”
1. The Scorching Sun of Trials – “…the sun beat upon the head of Jonah…”
B. THE DESIRE FOR ESCAPE – “…he fainted, and wished in himself to die…”
1. The Clash with Worth – “…It is better for me to die than to live.”
II. THE QUESTION OF ANGER
A. GOD’S PROBING INQUIRY (JONAH 4:9) – “Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd?”
1. The Comfort in Justification – “I do well to be angry, even unto death.”
III. THE PITY FOR THE PERISHABLE
A. THE DISCONNECT OF DEPENDENCY (JONAH 4:10) – “Thou hast had pity on the gourd…”
1. The Brevity of Earthly Things – “…nor madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in
a night.”
IV. THE CALL TO COMPASSION
A. GOD&’S GRACIOUS PERSPECTIVE (JONAH 4:11) – “Should not I spare Nineveh, that great city…”
1. The Value of Souls – “…wherein are more than six-score thousand persons that cannot discern
between their right hand and their left hand…”
V. THE TRANSFORMATION OF ATTITUDE
A. FROM ANGER TO ACTION
1. Choosing Compassion