That's What Friends are For

Opening

Last Wednesday while on our way to Kuya Sam at his office in National City, we were stopped by the light down the ramp exiting to Plaza Blvd

While waiting for the light to turn green, a guy with a plastic container came walking towards us gestured if we want to donate to their cause

There was something about the guy’s smile in his face that prompted my wife to draw some cash from her purse and gave it to me to give to the guy

I cracked my window open and he handed me a piece of paper that contains some information about what they’re doing

I discretely dropped few bucks in his container and asked him a quick question

I asked him the name of their ministry, and right before the light turned green, he quickly replied and said, “True Vine”

In John chapter 15:1 Jesus Christ said...

John 15:1 NIV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

He explained that as branches, we can only bear fruit if we are attached to the vine

But when the branches are apart from the vine, they cannot bear fruit

Same is true for us, apart from the Lord, we can do nothing

He said to be attached to the vine, His words must remain in us, and we must keep His commands

John 15:14–15 NIV

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

He called us “Friends”

Do you guys remember the song “That’s what Friends are For?” by: Dionne Warwick?

“That's What Friends Are For" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager.

It was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film Night Shift

But it is better known for the 1985 cover version by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder.

BREATHE!

It goes something like this… (play karaoke)

It goes something like this… (play karaoke)

If you know the song, please indulge and join me...

“That’s What Friends are For”

And I never thought I'd feel this way And as far as I'm concerned I'm glad I got the chance to say That I do believe, I love you

And if I should ever go away Well, then close your eyes and try To feel the way we do today And then if you can remember

Keep smiling, keep shining Knowing you can always count on me, for sure That's what friends are for For good times and bad times I'll be on your side forever more That's what friends are for

Well, you came in loving me And now there's so much more I see And so by the way I thank you

Oh and then for the times when we're apart Well, then close your eyes and know The words are coming from my heart And then if you can remember

Keep smiling and keep shining Knowing you can always count on me, for sure That's what friends are for In good times and bad times I'll be on your side forever more That's what friends are for

Jesus is our one “true friend”

For good times, and in bad times, He will be on our side forever more

Because that’s what friends are for...

BREATHE!

If you’re experiencing some sufferings, what could it be?

Not necessarily the kind of sufferings of the early christians and christians living in the “10-40 window” where their lives are actually threatened

We are so very blessed here in America that we don’t have to go through what other christians have gone, or going still going through

erhaps you’re suffering about something, but you do not exactly know what’s causing it Or you totally know the cause of your sufferings but you’re living in a perfect fantasy and opt to deny that you’re going through something It could be that your suffering is financially related? Or it could be some major or minor health issues that causes you to worry? Or maybe it is your “lifetime frustrations” piled up inside your chest? Or it could be your marriage or other relationships?

Perhaps you’re suffering about something, but you do not exactly know what’s causing it

Or you totally know the cause of your sufferings but you’re living in a perfect fantasy and opted to deny that you’re going through something

It could be that your sufferings are financially related?

Or it could be some major or minor health issues that causes you to worry?

Or maybe it is your “lifetime frustrations” piled up inside your chest?

Or it could be your marriage or other relationships that causes you to suffer?

BREATHE!

As we continue with our series for February entitled, “A Journey with Job”, let’s take a look on the second chapter of the book of Job

Let’s find the answer to the question...

Why do we have to suffer?

Go ahead and ask the person next to you… Why do we have to suffer?

And as you turn your Bibles to Job chapter 2, let me give you a quick overview of this chapter in the life of Job

Text: “That’s what Friends are For”

For the second time, Job’s faith was put to test Satan was roaming throughout the earth Then the Lord said to Satan, “have you considered my servant Job?” There is no one on earth like him, God said of Job He is blameless and upright He fears God and shuns evil He maintains his integrity despite his sufferings for no reason skin for skin Satan replied, he dared God to strike Job flesh and bones and he will surely curse Him So, God gave Satan a permission to afflict Job anew Job contracted some kind of skin disease that he had sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head He took a a piece of broken pottery, and used it to scrape his skin as he sat among the ashes Witnessing all these was Job’s wife She told Job, “are you still maintaining your integrity, curse God and die!” But Job strongly disagreed with his wife, and said, “ (GNB) “You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?” In spite of everything he suffered, Job said nothing against God. Job is not calling his wife a fool or a non-sense person, instead, Job is saying that her advice is what is foolish and non-sense At this point, Job’s Life Group came to the scene When Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite heard about all the troubles of Job They set out from their homes, and agreed to meet and go to Job They are off from whatever they’re doing They willingly departed from the cycle of their daily lives to comfort a friend, a Life Group Member They weep together They mourned together Noticeably, none of them said a word, they just sat with Job for seven days and seven nights

For the second time, Job’s faith was put to test

Satan was roaming throughout the earth

Then the Lord said to Satan, “have you considered my servant Job?”

There is no one on earth like him, God said of Job

He is blameless and upright

He fears God and shuns evil

He maintains his integrity despite his sufferings for no reason

BREATHE!

Is God punishing me when I experience sufferings?

People loves to reason out

We always try to find reasons for everything

We tend to justify ourselves by reasoning out at every situation and circumstances

But look on the second part of verse 3 of our text today, it says

Job 2:3 NIV

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.”

For no reason at all, the life of Job was ruined

There are times when we go through sufferings

BREATHE!

We don’t need to find the reason why

It is not actually God that inflicts us with sufferings

It is Satan who roams the earth who does. However, God sometimes allows it

It’s possible that our suffering is the Lord’s way of helping us to grow in holiness

It’s possible that our suffering is the Lord’s way of helping us to grow in holiness

So instead of finding reasons why we suffer, just accept all and grow through your sufferings

God is more interested in changing your mind than changing your circumstances

He is more interested in your character than your comfort

BREATHE!

Skin for skin Satan replied, he dared God to strike Job’s flesh and bones and he will surely curse Him

So, God gave Satan a permission to afflict Job anew

Job contracted some kind of skin disease that he had sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head

He took a a piece of broken pottery, and used it to scrape his skin as he sat among the ashes

Witnessing all these was Job’s wife

She told Job, “are you still maintaining your integrity, curse God and die!”

In the midst of distress and sufferings, we blame God at every instance when things go south for us

Some people curse Him and some commits suicide

But Job strongly disagreed with his wife, and said

Job 2:10 GNB

Job answered, “You are talking nonsense! When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?” In spite of everything he suffered, Job said nothing against God.

id

Job is not calling his wife a fool or a non-sense person,

Instead, Job is saying that her advice is what is foolish and non-sense

BREATHE!

At this point, Job’s friends, his Life Group came to the scene

When Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite heard about all the troubles of Job They set out from their homes, and agreed to meet and go to Job

They left off whatever that they’re doing

They willingly departed from the cycle of their daily lives to comfort a friend, a Life Group Member

They weep together They mourned together

Job 2:12 NIV

When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads.

Job 2:

Noticeably, none of them said a word, they just sat with Job for seven days and seven nights

sometimes we beat ourselves to find the words to say to a suffering or mourning friend, when the best thing to do actually is to say nothing and just sit with the grieving friend

sometimes we beat ourselves to find the right words to say to a suffering or mourning friend

When the best thing to do actually is to say nothing and just sit with the grieving friend

Just sit still and lend your friend a shoulder to cry on

Weeping is a good thing

Solomon said there’s time to weep in..

Ecclesiastes 3:4 NIV

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

And in...

Psalm 30:5 NIV

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm

Psalm 5 NIV

For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David. Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest. But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple. Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies. Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

There’s rejoicing after weeping

BREATHE!

Noticeably, none of them said a word, they just sat with Job for seven days and seven nights

Job 2:13 NIV

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

sometimes we beat ourselves against the wall to find the right words to say to a suffering or mourning friend

When the best thing to do actually is to say nothing and just sit with the grieving friend

Just sit still and lend your friend a shoulder to cry on

When they’re about to cross the Red Sea, while the Egyptians are running after them, Moses said…

Exodus 14:14 MSG

God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!”

BREATHE!

Going back to the question...

Talking Points

Why do we have to Suffer?

Just Remember that Wisdom is ultimately found in God alone

Proverbs 2:6 CEV

All wisdom comes from the Lord, and so do common sense and understanding.

Job suffered for no reason

Whenever we experience some sufferings in life, direction is more important than reason

Instead of asking why, start with a question how?

So, instead of banging your head on the wall asking yourself why, just grow through your sufferings

God is more interested in changing your mind than changing your circumstances

People loves to reason out

On Both Good and Bad Times, God is our Friend

Ecclesiastes 7:14 NCV

When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember: God gives good times and hard times, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring.

We always try to find reasons for everything

Be Part of a Life Group

We tend to justify ourselves by reasoning out at every situation and circumstances

When Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, (Job’s Life Group) heard about his sufferings, they came to him

But look on the second part of verse 3 of our text today, it says

They weep, prayed and reason together

Job 2:3 NIV

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.”

Jesus said in...

For no reason at all, the life of Job was ruined

Matthew 18:20 CEV

Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.

It is not actually God that inflicts us with sufferings

When we are in the company of our respective Life Groups, we enter the Lord’s presence

It is Satan, however, God sometimes allows it

In His presence, we are undone

In His presence, Heaven and earth become one

In His presence, all things are new

In His presence, everything bows before Him

In His presence, we trade our sufferings for joy

Prayer