Chapter 4 tells us once again, Jonah is the type of person who never does anything halfhearted. If he is going to disobey as in chapter one, he's going to do a good job at it again.
I. The Surprise at His Displeasure
1. It is hard to believe. Verse 1
2. We expect the world and the Devil to be upset with revival.
a. Alcohol crowd
b. Gamblers
c. Pornography
d. Abortionists
e. Unholy people
f. Christ rejecters
3. For a Bible-believing preacher to get up and sit with sinners is a surprise.
4. What if a preacher goes a few minutes past 12 in his preaching?
What if a need is presented for missions or for the youth?
5. Does spiritual progress upset us?
6. It is sad when spiritual progress is opposed from within the church.
a. Mark 2:1-12
7. A football player expects the other team to stop him, but not his own teammates.
II. The Selfishness in His Displeasure
1. Jonah’s displeasure was rooted and grounded in selfishness.
2. This selfishness is seen in the pronouns and philosophy of Jonah.
3. In the pronouns
a. “I” used 5 times, “my and me” 5 times as well
b. When selfish people pray, it is mostly about self.
c. They believe the world revolves around them and their experiences.
d. Luke 18:9-14
e. Luke 12:15-21
4. Selfishness in the philosophy
a. Jonah said of God, “You are gracious, merciful, slow to anger, great kindness.”
b. He said it was given in the wrong place to the wrong people.
5. Jonah was upset in God giving grace to Nineveh.
a. They were Israel’s enemy.
b. Jonah wanted them destroyed, not delivered.
c. Jonah’s sin was a sin of pride and prejudice.
III. The Slander from His Displeasure
1. Jonah blamed God in verse 2
a. Because of it he fled.
b. Adam did the same in Genesis 3:8-13
2. Belittling God for showing grace to Nineveh.
a. Take some good point and twist it around so it is made to look like it is their fault.
IV. The Supplication of His Displeasure
1. The book of Jonah speaks much about prayer.
a. The sailors prayed in chapter one.
b. The shipmaster asked Jonah to pray.
c. They prayed about throwing Jonah over.
d. Chapter 2 is all about prayer.
e. The King prayed in chapter 3.
f. Jonah prayed a complaining prayer in chapter 4.
2. Everything about Jonah’s prayer was bad:
a. It did not honor God.
b. It did not edify the person praying.
c. To pray as Jonah prayed, is a sin!
3. Jonah’s prayer was that of a scorner.
a. His request insulted God.
b. It discredited God's wisdom and grace.
c. What about some of the requests we make? Do they insult God? Are they contrary to His will?
4. Jonah's prayer was that of a quitter.
a. Jonah no longer wants to be a part of God's team.
b. Jonah cannot accept the situation under which he must live so he wants out.
1) If we cannot change the situation, we want out.
2) What about 2 Timothy 2:3; 4:5-7
5. God did not answer Jonah’s request:
a. At times we ought to thank God for not answering.
V. The Bottom Line
1. What lessons do we learn?
2. Pray and accept God's will.
3. Except God's wisdom.
4. Don’t try and play God.
