Something to Look Forward To
Notes
Transcript
As we have discussed in prior messages, there is a lot of fear and dread in our world today. I’m not going to rehash all of that. We all see it. We all feel it. The fear causes division with those who do not share our same views about different issues. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about Coronavirus, Race Relations, Politics, or just living a somewhat normal life, these topics are divisive gender strong feelings from people.
You have probably learned by now that I do not shy away from any of these topics. I try to share a Biblical view on topics but I am not shy about speaking about them. Christians should not live in fear and we should not shy away from speaking the truth of God’s word about the issues in our world. However, we must make sure that we are speaking God’s word and not bending scripture to fit our word.
Last week I preached from the Job 16. This morning we are going to skip forward 3 chapters to Job 19. We are going to look at 5 verses that are packed full of truth and hope.
Turn to Job 19 and we are going to read verses 23-27.
Oh that my words were now written!
Oh that they were printed in a book!
That they were graven with an iron pen and lead
In the rock for ever!
For I know that my redeemer liveth,
And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
Yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself,
And mine eyes shall behold, and not another;
Though my reins be consumed within me.
I. Request (v. 23-24)
Job is speaking during a time when there was no written word of God. The Book of Job is believed to be the first book of the Bible that was physically written. The story of Job falls historically during the time of the Patriarchs of Genesis.
Job’s request is for the truth of God’s word to be recorded for all eternity.
God answered Job’s request
The Book of Job was written down.
Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
God both recorded Job’s words and made them stand for all eternity.
II. Redeemer (v. 25)
What was it that Job wanted recorded for all to be able to read for all eternity?
His statement of faith
I know that my Redeemer liveth
Job believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
A Redeemer is one who purchases something.
Job believed that Jesus would purchase him from the curse of sin.
Job did not know the name Jesus but he knew the man!
And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth
Job believed that his Redeemer would stand physically upon the earth.
This is not his first coming, but his second coming.
Job believed that his Redeemer was coming in power and in glory.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
III. Resurrection (v. 26)
Not only did Job want his statement of faith in his Redeemer recorded, but he also wanted his statement of faith in his resurrection recorded.
“Though after my skin words destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”
Job believed in a physical resurrection for the saints
Job believed he would go to Heaven where God was.
Job’s belief in Redemption was not just escaping Hell, but being reconciled to God.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
IV. Restoration (v. 27)
Job believed that he would have a physical body that was glorified.
The skin worms speak of the physical decay of the body.
Job’s body was perishing from sickness and would continue to decay after death (v. 26)
Job said in verse 27 “Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not not another.
His eyes would be restored. Job would receive a glorified body that would no longer see corruption, sin, and death.
It would be his eyes. He would not see through the eyes of another.
Job repeats that his current body was dying when he says “though my reins be consumed within me”.
Reigns speaks of his vital organs. He body was dying, yet he looked forward to that time when he would get his new body.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Conclusion:
We hear a lot about out past. Our past is full of sins and regrets. When we think about our present, it is filled with conflict, dread, and fear. But, what about our future? We may dread our future because of what might happen, but if that is the case, we have our eyes fixed on the wrong point.
Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Where are your eyes fixed.
When I was growing up, granddaddy and daddy tried to teach me how to drive a tractor. They both told me to pick a spot at the end of the row I wanted to plow and focus on that point. Do not look back. Yet, I found myself looking back to see if I was going straight. The evidence was in the rear. Sometimes I would look down at the plow to see what it was doing. When I did these things, sure enough, my row looked like a snake. However, when I got it right. When I focused on the that point that I would arrive at in the future; not the point where I was or the things behind me, my row was straight.
So, I ask you again, what are you focused on? Where are your eyes fixed? If you don’t see hope for the future, change what and who you are focused on!