Real Life/Real Faith - Sermon #4

Can Your Faith Take A Beating?

Text: Job 1

Introduction

The historical account of Job has always been remarkable to me. If you have never heard about the life of Job, you should leave hear in awe of God’s sovereignty and Job’s integrity.

When it comes to experiencing the blessings from God, you will never find yourself complaining, saddened or burdened because of them. It is not a very difficult task to thank God for all His blessings. We simply have no problem with the power of God to give us things. However, that can’t always be said about God’s power to REMOVE things from our lives.

Job 1:21 “21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Ecc. 5:15 “15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.”

Now, Job’s life is not primarily about Job experiencing pain and loss, nor does his life answer the question, “Why does God, who is loving and righteous, allow the godly to suffer?” What you will find today is the answer to the question, “How do the righteous suffer?”

Jesus never blind sighted us when it comes to suffering in this world: 1 Peter 3:17 “17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”

1 Peter 4:12-13 “12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Here is the overarching lesson: If God permits, then God is bringing a great benefit for your good and His glory. It is not important that we know the reason, but it is important that we never forget GOD CARES FOR YOU!!!

1) Job’s Real Life Of Blessings

A. Job’s Profile

Character — blameless, upright, feared God, shunned evil.

Family — 7 sons, 3 daughters (they had a strong bond; good parenting)

Possessions — 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, large household (servants)

He never allowed his possessions to take the place of God.

Position — Greatest of all people of the East

Personal holiness — Consecrated his children and made sacrifices for them in leu of the possibility of hidden sin against God in their hearts.

B. Hidden council in heaven

Never expect Satan to remain quiet about your personal walk with God, your Christ centered parenting and God’s public blessings on your life.

Notice Satan’s claims:

Job’s integrity hinges only upon the good things you have given him and the protection you have provided him; Job’s integrity is at best SHALLOW and VAIN.

Satan’s challenge:

Remove your hand of protection and blessing and Job will not hesitate to PUBLICLY CURSE YOU.

Satan desires nothing more than for God to be rejected.

Satan sows doubt in efforts that you will too!!! (Satan uses you)

Your public rejection leads other to start doubting.

Satan knows the people of which your integrity speaks loudly too.

Satan’s reach into your life is NEVER JUST ABOUT YOU!!!

PLASE NOTE: The simple fact of Satan approaching God for permission tells us all who really is sovereign!!!

2) Job’s Real Life Of Heartache

Job 1:13 “13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:”

No sooner did one messenger finish their report, another one showed up.

Have you ever said, “How could it possibly get any worse?”

Notice Job’s entire loss:

Livestock

Camels

Servants

Children

Health.

Satan used common things to attack Job (enemy armies, fire, wind)

Job’s pain was so terrible, he cursed the day of his birth and wished himself dead.

Something to always remember when all you have is confusion about your current trials.....God is still on the throne.

Job should have realized that God was IN CONTROL!

WHY is always an easy question to ask.....we don’t always get that answer immediately.

These events were all a part of God’s LOVING PLAN.

As you will see, God does make His purposes known.

When God’s children are in the furnace, God is there with him!!!

Isa. 43:1-2 “1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, And he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

3) Job’s Real Life Of Critics

Satan used common things to attack Job.

This led his friends to think it was God’s hand.

The approach of Job’s friends was motivated from real concern and sympathy.

His friends were also of the same faith in the same God.

It will go to show you that even Christians can respond with a short-sightedness, envy, assumption, etc....

Their verbal contributions came from a critical spirit.

Never once did the lovingly say, “Tell us how it all happened,” or “How can we help you, pray for you, or help ease your pain?”

They failed to approach Job with a serious mind to understand him.

They quickly jumped to point fingers at him and be judgmental.

They all follow the same thought of logic: (1) God blesses the righteous and afflicts the wicked; (2) God has afflicted Job; (3) therefore, Job must be wicked. Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993), Job 4–37.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 4–37

Of course, their thinking seemed logical, but it was not spiritual. Mortal human beings are far too ignorant to understand fully the ways of God. For us to fit God into our own little “theological boxes” is to limit Him and make Him less than God.

One of the most dangerous things a christian can take out into the world is IGNORANCE about God!!!

As you go out, your life will always encounter other people who need help with life.

To misunderstand God is to make the current burden heavier and drive that person further away from God.

Let notice the accusations and Job responses:

Eliphaz: argues Job is a sinner (4:7-11)

Based on nothing more than facts of life.

Job answers him (6:24-30)

Bildad: argues always acts justly / Job is delaying to repent.

Job answers him (9:1-4, 14; 10:1-7, 14-15)

Zophar: Job’s honesty is empty talk / Job needs to repent.

Job answers him (11:1-6, 13-15)

Job’s friends all make the same mistakes:

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 4–37

(1) they fail to enter into Job’s sorrows and sympathize with him; (2) they have a rigid concept of God and His works, one that is not fully true; and (3) they are too dogmatic and proud to listen to Job and honestly examine their own beliefs.

Elihu does somewhat of a better job, yet provides no help to Job.

God rebukes him.

4) Job’s Real Life Of Integrity

Job 23:10 “10 But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

You might ask, “Does all this suffering actually accomplish anything?”

ANS: When you yield to God it does.

Suffering works FOR US not against us.

Not once did Job curse God, deny God or question His power and holiness.

A. God educates Job on his own understanding of God

Creation (38:4-11)

Inanimate nature (snow/hail, rain/ice)(38:22-30)

Animal life (38:39-39:30)

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 38–42

“Now,” says God, “you have reproved me and argued with me. Give me your answer!” There is only one answer Job can give (40:3–5): “I am vile; I have talked too much about things I do not understand. I will say nothing more.”

After further teaching from God, Job finally repents (42:1-6)

B. God rebukes his friends (42:7-14)

Job’s friends must have him pray for them!

Job’s healing and restoration followed his prayer for his friends.

WOW, what grace it took to do that!!!

Job’s faith was secure enough in God that bitterness did not rule him.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 38–42

Once his fortunes were restored, Job’s friends and acquaintances returned to him to comfort him and encourage him.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 38–42

Some of these same people had undoubtedly criticized him and judged him in the past, but now that was all over.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 38–42

They brought gifts to Job, perhaps as evidence of their sincere sorrow for the mistakes of the past.

Conclusion

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 38–42

The main lesson in the Book of Job is not that you will be rich and powerful when suffering is over, but rather that Almighty God has a purpose in suffering and nothing can thwart that purpose. Even Satan must bow to God’s control, for God always writes the last chapter.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 38–42

God gave him great honor after he suffered as a testimony in an age when there was no written Bible to teach people divine truth.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament Chapters 38–42

The secret of Job’s life was endurance (James 5:11); he trusted God in spite of Satan, circumstances, friends, or loved ones. His faith at times wavered, and sometimes he accused God, but he still endured “as seeing Him who is invisible.”