Joy in Chaos

Me.

chaos [KAY] + [OS] noun

Britannica Dictionary definition of CHAOS

[noncount]

1: complete confusion and disorder : a state in which behavior and events are not controlled by anything

Well, Im not sure if you all knew this but my wife and I have five sons. Chaos perfectly fits a trip to the grocery store. First There is Confusion...... First son, “I don’t like that kind of Macaroni.” Well thats new to me, you ate it last week and said its your favorite. another son, “I hate Macaroni,” another one of them, “The only way to make that mac good is Grandma puts hotdogs in mine but you can’t!” First child again, “Can I get a video game controller!?!” Now to the disorder Eli, our 2 year old, whom will be 3 tomorrow takes off in a full on sprint down the Isle. At that exact moment Sammy our 11 month old begins to cry. The oldest says, “ Well I did like the mac but because his six year old brother does, he now hates it” here It think I can actually fix the definition.

chaos [KAY] + [OS] noun

Pastor Brandon definition of CHAOS

[noncount]

1: complete confusion and disorder : a state in which Pastor Brandon and family take a trip to the grocery store.

We

We all have moments in life when we face Chaos, Really when we face trials. trials of different kinds. Although I gave you a good example of a light hearted version of Chaos I wanted to look at a truer version, one of trials.

Trials are more than just a minor inconvenience such as being late to work, or having to beep your horn because the person in front of you at the stop light is too busy looking at their phone than to notice the light turned green.

Which might I add the treshold for that is probably different for each of us. I am a 6-10 second guy and im giving you a happy toot toot on the horn. There are probably a few others that would wait for a light cycle or two before they would even look at their horn. Then for me if it hits the 30 second mark Im giving them a real, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrp, Which is hey, buddy you, me and the 20 people behind us are going to miss the light so you can like sophies goolash post from last night. #madegoolash #itwasbussinbussin

True trials are those situations we face in life where you feel as if the world is crumbling around you, your faith is being tested, and you aren’t sure how you are going to survive what you are going through. A trial that consumes all of your energy, thoughts and emotions.

God

There are many examples of trials throughout scripture but Lets look to Job, the man who had it all.

Open your bibles and lets turn to Job 1.

Job 1:1-3 “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.”

See i told you he had it all.

His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom. Job 1: 1-5 NIV

Job sounds like a stand-up guy. He was not only successful as in the culture during his time status and wealth might be measured by the size of one’s family. Also it says in the scripture that this man was the greatest of all people of the East. Much later in the book of Job that we will not get to. you will catch a glimpse of what Job did.

Job 29:12-17 NIV 12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them. 13 The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widows heart sing. 14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. 15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16 I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. 17 I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.

Now that we understand who Job was let’s get into what happened.

6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[b] also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan’s answer from roaming the earth going back and forth on it.

The enemy’s characters and names

1 He is an adversary:

That adversary of yours; not a common adversary, but an enemy that comes after you, and fights against you in your cause, and aims at your very souls.

2 The devil

the grand accuser of all; this title is derived from a word which signifies to strike through, or to stab. He would strike a grudge into our natures and poison into our souls.

3 He is a roaring lion

hungry, fierce, strong, and cruel, the fierce and greedy pursuer of souls.

Just like in 1 Peter 5:8 NIV “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8 NIV

God pronounces of Jobs character; he calls him blameless. That takes a lot, I know we are imperfect humans, but as a father, and I know their are a lot of fathers in this room, to make the statement blameless not happening with my kids. I mean they blame each other for everything all the time.

continuing on

9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” Job 1:9-12 NIV

Satan is going to attack. With his response he is not only attacking Job, but he is also attacking God.

Let’s read a little bit

Now this next part is a little like an infomercial but if it was mixed with the things that nightmares are made of.

“13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”Job 1:13-19 NIV

See a horrific infomercial its like but wait, theres more. lets look at these attacks.

1 The Sabeans attacked and made off with the oxen and donkeys, then killing all of the servants

Thats 500 yoke of oxen I did not know what a yoke of oxen was so I looked it up. A yoke is a wooden beam used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs. So that is not 500 but 1000 oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants.

2 A fire burned up and killed all of the sheep and those servants

Thats 7,000 sheep

3 The Chaldeans swept off with the camels killing those servants

that’s 3,000 camels

4 The wind swept the four corners of the house killing Jobs sons and daughters

All seven sons and three daughters.

The worst infomercial ever! but what does Job do? how does he react?

“20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.[c]The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job 1:20-22 NIV

He reacts better than most of us do to real life infomercials. the Shamwow commercial comes on and we lose all trust in family members to find the remote. Get up! Im not sitting on it, I don’t believe you, just check, I am not on the remote.”

Yet He just lost all of his possessions but even worse he lost his sons and daughters. yet he worships the Lord.

After all this losing everything what happens next? Let’s continue.

On another day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” 3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” 4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. Job 2:1-8 NIV

Chapter 1 he loses everything to include his children, but now satan is going after his health.

The precise nature of Job’s illness is uncertain, but let’s look at his symptoms.

Painful and festering soars over the whole body Job 7:5

Nightmares Job 7:14

Scabs that peeled and became black Job 30:28, 30

Disfigurement and revolting appearance Job 2:12, Job 19:19

Bad breath Job 19:17

Excessive thinness Job 17:7, Job 19:20

Fever Job 30:30

pain day and night Job 30:17

Sounds like a medication commercial lets read it again.

trialsandattackitall symptoms may include

Painful and festering soars over the whole body, nightmares, scabs that peel and come back, disfigurement, revolting appearance, bad breath, excessive thinness, fever, pain day and night. trialsandattackitall

9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish[b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:9-10 NIV

Satan came for Job’s health as God did not previously let him do.

also we see in these verses that Job was not only blameless and one of the greatest men of the East, but he was also a very brave man. In his pain and misery when his wife said, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job told her you are talking like a foolish woman?

That is a brave man!

yet Job argues, Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

The consideration of the mercies we receive from God, both past and present, should make us receive our trials and chaos with a Joyful spirit.

Job doesn’t just end that way as we jump ahead to Job 42:12-13 12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters.

God doubled what he had previously owned and he had more sons and daughters.

Job 42:16-17  After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

Job stood joyful through the Chaos and came out on the other side in a better place than before. He gave us a great example of what it is to face trials as believers.

You

What does this mean to us?

We may never face chaos to the degree of Job but that doesn’t mean that we wont face trials.

How do we have joy in chaos?

Stand Firm

Standing firm through faith. Trials only build us through him.

James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James gives us the perfect example of what it means. We face trials, not because God intends us to go through pain, but because those trials through faith gives us wisdom, firm faith, and assurance that our God will get us through. Just like Job, never cursing the Lord no matter the pain.

Similarly, Peter writes, 1 Peter 1:6–7)"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ"

For believers in Christ, being conformed into His image is our desire. Rather than look at trials as meaningless suffering, we can look at them as opportunities to grow in faith.

When Paul had a thorn in his flesh, he prayed for God to remove it. God responded, (2 Corinthians 12:9)"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"

(2 Corinthians 12:9) Paul's reply: "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me"

. Often during times of trial we draw closer to God and experience His love and power in deeper ways. This is cause for great joy.

Matthew 24:13 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

So first we stand firm then we.

2. Stand Tall

Standing tall because we can be in prayer with him!

The point of the Christian life is not to endure as much suffering as we can. Rather, it is to know God and to be conformed to the image of Christ

2 Timothy 2:12–13 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Romans 8:29–30 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Sometimes suffering is part of that

2 Timothy 3:12 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

1 Peter 4:12–14 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

is also simply a reality of living in a world marred by sin. It is appropriate to pray in our trials. In fact, we see examples of people praying in trials throughout the Bible, such as Job, David, and Paul. Even Jesus prayed that, if possible, He would not have to endure the cross. Yet He submitted His will to the Father and endured that suffering to bring salvation to us

Luke 22:39–46 39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus endured "for the joy that was set before him"

Hebrews 12:1–2 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We can pray through trials while still having joy in the midst of the hardships, submitting our wills to God and asking Him to use any life circumstances for our good and His glory.

1.Stand Firm

2. Stand Tall

3. Stand Confidently

Standing confidently with joy in trials because we are sure of the character and promises of God. This world is not our final home!

Philippians 3:20–21 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

We do not grieve over loss as those without hope

1 Thessalonians 4:13 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

Instead, we trust that our Savior is returning. Trials do not derail our life purpose because worldly ease is not the goal of our lives. Eternal joy is just around the corner for the one who endures through the trials and futility of this world

2 Timothy 4:8 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

We are like captives traveling through an underground escape tunnel toward a safe place. As we hold onto Christ, He literally pulls us through this dark place until we emerge in our final and eternal Home. And when we get there, we will have what has been promised: "in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore"

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Sorrow and trials are part of this world, but the joy of the Spirit is the knowledge that God redeems the suffering of this world for good purposes and that the next world will be a place of unending happiness, where every tear is wiped away

Revelation 21:4 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

We

If we were all able to have Joy in Chaos? What would it look like to live like you know God is in control? Would you react like Job? Would you just fold? In the beginning of this message I gave you the definition of Chaos, I also gave you my definition of Chaos. hahah I would like to for a second give you a different deffinition

1 order or·dr noun

Britannica Dictionary definition of ORDER

[noncount]

a : an organized and proper state or condition

God brings order to Choas.

The final theme that we see throughout all of Job, throughout and trials and tribulations in the bible, a common response is to worship him! Worshiping is like putting on a raincoat before you go out in the storm. The raincoat does not change the weather. The raincoat does not change the fact that you have got to go out in it. The raincoat may not even keep you completely dry, but what it can change is your attitude. With a raincoat on you are more confident.

I served in the military for 13 years. and I speeeent my fair share of time outside for days in rain. It sucks, but with your rain gear you can endure. Without it you cant make it.

Lets put on our raincoats today. We may be going through trials, we may be in the midst of Chaos but we can worship him!

Play firm foundation.

After the song everyone close your eyes. Are you facing chaos?

Step out and come foreward.

Keep playing.