When Bad Things Happen Take Time to Worship

Theme: When bad things happen, even to good people, we must never blame God and worship Him.

Scripture: Job 1

Introduction:

What can we learn from Satan’s encounter with God?

Satan tempts man to sin because he hates God and therefore all men, so we must reject his temptations. (I John 3:10-“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” Is it logical to do something good to someone who hates you?)

Satan is the one who tempted Eve to sin and the initiator of mankind’s plunge into sinfulness. Genesis 3

Satan is the one who tried to tempt the Savior of the World to sin and therefore keep the whole world from receiving full salvation in Jesus Christ. Matthew 4

Satan is described by Christ as the fowls of the air who come and devour the gospel and therefore keep those who would receive it form entering into the Kingdom.

Satan is the one who ignorantly filled the heart of Judas to betray Christ to His death which satisfied redemption’s work. Luke 22

Though God allows Satan to carryout evil on the earth, he is still bound by God in his doings.

We must remember the attributes of God.

God is Good, all the time. (Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Psalms 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.)

God can do anything and is not limited by anyone or anything. (Jeremiah 32:17-Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:)

God knows everything and needs no instruction. (Isaiah 40:13-14 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Psalms 139:5-6 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it., 17-18 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.)

He does not need our counsel.

He knows everything about everyone at all times!

He has plans for us that, no matter how difficult the process, He will accomplish.

Though we do not always understand why God does what He does in order to accomplish His plan we do understand His purpose in His plan: to make all believers like Christ. (Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.)

What can we learn from Job’s temptation to sin?

Even good men go through hard times, but are no less accountable for their actions before our all-good ever in control God.

Believers in Christ must respond to temptation in believing obedience.

Believing what God’s Word says about God.

Obeying what God’s Word says about how we treat God and respond to sin.

Conclusion:

Scripture: Job 1

Theme: When going through hard times we must trust our God that He will accomplish His plan for us, worship Him, and never blame Him, remembering that God has promised for us an end that is far greater than their beginning.

Introduction:

V.1-3 Job’s Greatness

Greatness of character-Greatest man in the east

Perfect-a person of integrity, someone that you could count on

Upright-follow the straight and narrow

Feared God

Turned away from evil

Greatness of family-choose from among the teen group

Greatness of wealth

7,000 sheep

3,000 camels

500 oxen

500 female donkeys

Lots of servants

V.4-5 Job’s Goodness (Piety-dedication to God)

Dedication to his family-rose up early

Dedication to His God-sanctified them by sacrificing on each of their behalf to cover their sins

Concern (for his family)

Consistency-continually

V.6-12 Satan’s Wager

Supernatural Assembly

Job’s Amazing Recognition-High School trophy

Satan’s Condemnatory Accusation

God’s Allowance

V.13-19 Job’s Time of Troubles

Time of peace

Destruction of Wealth

Oxen and donkeys

Sheep and shepherds

Camels

Destruction of family

V.20-22 Job’s God-Honoring Response

Mourning

Right evaluation

Worship

Even really good people go through hard times, but with God’s help they can and must maintain their right relationship with God. (Psalms 46:1-3)

When going through difficult times, our Good God is always in control and has a purpose for everything that happens (Romans 8:28-29)

When we go through bad circumstances we must always trust God that He will do what He has planned and never blame Him (Philippians 1:6, I Timothy 5:24)

Conclusion: