Authority
Notes
Transcript
Title of today’s message and prep for some long readings in Job.
Give context on the book of Job so what we are about to read makes sense.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
“Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
“Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
Declare, if you know all this.
“Where is the way to the dwelling of light,
and where is the place of darkness,
that you may take it to its territory
and that you may discern the paths to its home?
You know, for you were born then,
and the number of your days is great!
“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
that a flood of waters may cover you?
Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
Who has put wisdom in the inward parts
or given understanding to the mind?
“Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
Do you make him leap like the locust?
His majestic snorting is terrifying.
“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars
and spreads his wings toward the south?
Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up
and makes his nest on high?
On the rock he dwells and makes his home,
on the rocky crag and stronghold.
From there he spies out the prey;
his eyes behold it from far away.
And the Lord said to Job:
“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
He who argues with God, let him answer it.”
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
Will you even put me in the wrong?
Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?
Have you an arm like God,
and can you thunder with a voice like his?
Thoughts on the scriptures that were just read?
Humbleness or Pride?
Context for today’s verses.
He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.
Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Pray
He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.
Contrast of two, creator & created.
God is omnipotent (a being that is all-powerful, having limitless ability and influence), Omniscient (means having complete and unlimited knowledge, knowing everything, past, present, and future), Omnipresent (being present everywhere, existing in all places simultaneously)
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any.”
What are we? We are not the above text of omni’s.
Created
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
We are self-aware, can reason or think, and can choose or have choice. We are unique in God’s creation. We were created perfect in bringing glory to God.
But within that perfectness we choose to step outside of faith in God and questioned His word. We did what He told us not to do.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
This is man, created, fallen, sinful, needing rescued.
We darkened His creation and it hasn’t been the same since.
Contrast of the ways of above to the ways of the earth.
This is Jesus, from above. John is trying to make that clear within his writings. He is different, He is not of the world. Take note! All His powers, miracles, teachings, are not from here!
He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.
Jesus, left His throne to bear witness from above yet those of the earth or the world don’t receive it.
How does He bear witness? Actions of teachings from above, authority over creation, actions of love.
#1 teachings of heart of genuine concern of others over self, healing on the sabbath verse pulling sheep from ditch. The law, love God, love others.
#2 authority over creation, control over the wind, control of water. stops the wind while on boat and calls Peter to walk on it.
#3 actions of love, dieing on the cross. took upon the wrath of God for His creation, all the believe. Gave life. Gave His body and gave His life!
We either take this as from above and above ourselves or we do not receive this testimony as the world.
For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.
Read John 8:38-47 and breakdown the truth.
I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
From above! Is anything Jesus says or does sinful? It depends...what do I mean it depends? Is Jesus truthful? Do His words hold truth or deceit? Does His teachings hold truth or deceit?
You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
What works of their father, the devil is Jesus referring to? Putting trust, hope, aka faith in themselves or anything else for that matter, outside of God.
Referring to Jesus’ so called conception outside of marriage. Not hearing the truth that has been told so many times, The Holy Spirit came upon Mary! Further truth, Jesus is from above and not from the curse of Adam or Man!
If we love God, we love Jesus! Plain and simple! God creator, sent is only Son! Truth!
Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Why do some choose to ignore truth? Could it be that they love their sin more than Truth?
The father of this world, the devil. Lie’s, selfishness that ultimately leads to murder if left unchecked, a being that is always questioning truth to deceitfully lead to untruth.
Once authority is placed anywhere but God, truth is no longer truth but what we or others say it is. Which is no truth at all. My truth is my truth and your truth is your truth. The blind leading the blind.
But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Either Jesus and the scriptures are from above or not! What do they’re testaments show?
Does it show wordly character or...?
What are we hearing? If what we hear lines up more with the world view over God’s view, run! Run away from the world and run to God!
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Truth!
Jesus’ authority!
Truth, eternal life is found in only One!
Truth, outside of Christ is no life but only wrath for those that add or take away from the truth of God.
Where does this bring us? My hope and prayer is that it brings us to complete submission to the only Truth and the world’s truth is exposed to what it truly is, hopeless and no truth at all.
And we come to the place where Job comes to.
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further.”
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Remember God gives us more than just blind faith. Throughout history and time God’s truths within scripture and Jesus have never been found to be a lie nor will they.
But the truth of this world has been found to be in error over and over and over.
But in saying that...we will never fully understand the ways and thoughts of God.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
And you know what, that’s ok, because of what we do know, is enough!
