The Abundant Life
The Abundant Life – Job 22:21-23 – (Life – 92)
ð In John 10, Jesus healed blind man, dealing w/ accusations from Phar. Begins to describe self as Good Shepherd. Phar. don’t understand reference, but continues. Calls them thieves – been taking from people. Jesus says, as Good Shep, that He, <PP> (RD - vs 10).Consider this life in Christ as it’s described in Bible – <PP> eternal, new, freedom, peace, righteousness, joy, & more!
ð Life we have in Christ is ALL that! (eternal, new, freedom, peace, righteousness, joy, & more!) So why so many of us not appear to have joy; many doubt; don’t share faith. Don’t get wrong – all struggle. <PP> But hasn’t God called to an abundant life - mountaintop living?!
ð We need a guide! Need directions to point us to life God called us live! We ought to live more aware of life God has in mind for us! To do that, we need to look to God and <PP> His word to guide us to that abundant life.
ð In book, possibly oldest, find account of life, TRIALS of Job. By end of 1, lost oxen, camels, flocks, servants, & children! By mid-2, lost health. Encouraged by wife to curse God, die.
o But, response (RD - vs 10). Vs 11-13, 3 friends visit – Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar. Come to comfort – quiet 7 days. Eventually each has advice in response to Job’s wailing.
o AM – want to explore how can get into same sense of despair, to degree, Job felt, in low points of life. Then look at advice we can all use. See how one of friends became unlikely guide to abundant life!
° T – 1st - question all have to answer. If life so abundant in Christ…<PP>
I. Why Do We End Up in the Low Places – the Canyons – of Life?
A. Many reasons – just a fact. We can shout and proclaim our faith – it still happens. <PP> Or, we can be full of doubt and insecurity – still happens. But question is WHY? Let’s look at few:
1. <PP> Financial stress. Money can be problem for many of us. Real problem is DEBT – from experience! God called us to be good stewards. Lack of stewardship causes probs.
2. World conditions. <PP> World around us mess! Wars, racial tensions, horrible events in news, corruption – see it everyday. John tells in 1 John 5:19 (RD). Why our world is what it is – can be stressful as we try to be X-like and world is so…NOT!
3. Relationships. <PP> Whether family, friends, co-workers, even fellow Xians, we are affected by those around us. Usually positively. But – can be negative. Have to deal with it.
4. <PP> Choices we make. May say, “Wait, not true here. This happened, this happened.” Realize that. Can’t choose how things happen. What we CAN choose is how we react. Our response to life’s struggles can be good or can be poor – that’s our choice. <PP>
B. Which get’s us into oh-so-personal aspect – our spiritual lives. <PP> How get into spiritual canyons?
1. 1st – SIN! <PP> (RD - Rom 6:1) In life in Christ, we can’t go on sinning and expect everything to be OK. Can’t expect sinLESSness; but w/out a doubt, unresolved sin in our lives WILL cause stress, self-disappointment. What Isaiah says in 59:1-2 (RD). Separates us from peace.
2. How about flip-side <PP> – a perfectionist attitude. Don’t we sometimes have unrealistic expectations of ourselves? I sin today, I’m worthless - a failure. Maybe it’s unreal expectations of others. “He or she ought to be more than they are.” Not our direct concern, but because of R we have w/ each other, causes distress.
3. Finally – not that this is comprehensive list; many more, but for this AM, finally -<PP> lukewarm Xianity. Like church in Laodicea in Rev 3:16, neither hot nor cold – <PP> literally not useful in any way – we sometimes attempt to sideline Xianity.
a. Like we’re on Lord’s Injured Reserve List. Know what that is? Sports, player injured, placed on IR. Goes to meetings, meals, even travels w/ team – but never in game.
b. Don’t we spiritually sometimes? <PP> Feelings hurt, pride hurt, so we go to meetings, maybe go to meals, but spiritually we never get in the game. And we know that’s not life Christ died for us to live!
C. If not working on Xian life, not guarding personal life, can get down in this world – easy! Easy to get sucked into deception spewing out – evolution, acceptance of everything, “Secret.” Causes doubts, fears. Spiritually, life can grow idle, complacent, disappointing. Find selves trying straddle spiritual fence – can’t!
° T – Let’s get back to Job. Had much reason to despair as anyone. What he do? <PP> Endured! So…
II. What Steps Can We Take to Reach the Peaks – how do we get (back) to that abundant life?
A. Job in pain, distress. <PP> Lost all. Told by friends must be sinner or God wouldn’t do this. In ch 4-5, 15, 22 <PP> Eliphaz takes his shots. Tells Job God causes wicked to suffer, therefore, suffering is result <PP> of defying God, therefore…in 5:17-18, he says (RD). He’s all wrong! God doesn’t cause Job’s pain or OURS! <PP> In Matt 5:45, Jesus explains God doesn’t work that way. (RD). <PP>
B. However, truth comes in strange forms sometimes. <PP> Balaam’s donkey spoke truth. In Job 22, Eliphaz gives some advice that works! <PP> He becomes a guide for you and I, provided by God in His word, to reach this abundant life God is offering. For remainder of time this AM, look in Job 22 – see what man unwittingly provides for all of us.
1. Vs 12a (RD). <PP> We need to acknowledge that God is in control – I am not – you are not! God IS! We can’t take care of everyone or every situation. But, God will. JJ – “Life became much easier when I resigned as master of the universe.” God we serve…is in control.
2. Vs 18a (RD). Remember that God gives only good gifts. Jms 1:17 (RD). May have probs and difficulties – not from God! <PP> God longs to bless us – not make life easy, per se, but to care for us. We just have to allow it!
3. Vs 19-20 (RD). As God’s family, we should rejoice because of God’s power and position! <PP> Be glad God is on your side – glad you’re on HIS side! Very similar to what Paul says in Eph 3:20-21. As His people, church, should glory in God’s power. Paul says (RD).
4. Look at Job 22:21 (RD). Understand, Eliphaz saying “cuz you’re a sinner, being punished.” Again, not God works. May pay consequence of sin, but not God’s direct involvement. BUT – what we can learn from what Eliphaz says is:
a. <PP> Be sure you know God! Heb 11:6 addresses this. Writer of great book, in great faith chapter says (RD). Have to know God to live on mountaintop!
b. More than intellectual – know Him intimately! How? Eliphaz answers that for us too…
5. Vs 22 (RD). <PP> Know God through His word! His words, the instructions to receive from His mouth are in THIS book!
a. Psalm 119 all about love of God’s word. Pick nearly any vs, we’ll read 119:97, but could pick nearly any. (RD). Knowing God’s word allows us to know God.
b. What better route to living abundantly than intimately knowing God!?
6. Look at vs 23 (RD). Setting aside Eliphaz’ misconceptions, his intention absolutely correct! To live on abundantly – <PP> get sin out of your life! Eliphaz wrong about Job; right in principle. God cannot have R w/ sin! With sin in life, we can’t be in proper R w/ Him! Again – not perfection, but making the effort!
7. Eliphaz begins to wind down now. But, before he closes, he basically sums up his speeches with 2 final points. 1st found in vs 24-28 (RD). When facing trials, doubts, fears<PP> – trust God to lift you up. James 4:8-10, James echoes idea. Our hope is in God. Our expectation is that God will see us through. We just have to go to Him. (RD) Know God will lift you up!
C. Final encouragement from this unlikely guide found back in vs 27 (RD). <PP> Pray. Pray for strength, wisdom, endurance, courage, peace. So glad to hear Dana’s Wed night lesson. Talk more about prayer tonight in fact. But, in order to live this abundant life, we have to! Pray! <PP>
1. Abe Lincoln said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. <PP> My own wisdom, and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day.” Your wisdom won’t work – mine won’t! No one has sufficient wisdom – not Oprah, not Dr. Phil, not Keith Ablow – none of them – but, God will help!
2. Referring back to James, this time 1:5, see again, repetition of principle (RD). God CAN & WILL help us with our difficulties and our doubts. We just have to be willing to go to him in prayer and implore His help. <PP>
ð Life in Christ is <PP> supposed to be an abundant life – not perfect or stress-free <PP> or anything physical – but a mountaintop life of the abundance of HIS blessings! But so much gets in way – distracts us from that intimate R w/ God. But, it’s there! It’s available for us to live…IF WE WILL!
ð We ought to live more aware of life God has in mind for us! To do that, we need to look to God and His word to guide us to life on the mountaintop. God really does want us to live an abundant life. <PP> He has even shown us how. The directions are all in this book…if we’ll follow His will. <PP>
ð Initial step toward abundant life is belief in Christ – placing Him in charge of life & being obediently immersed into Him. We can help with that this AM, or just talk about it. Just accept His offer of this abundant life! <PP>
ð Perhaps it is this AM that you need to recommit your life to Christ and want this family’s help to get back into that abundant life.
o Listen, WHATEVER your situation is – whether you need to be immersed into Christ, or just want us to pray with you that you get life back on track – we CAN help. We can work toward this mountaintop together!
o Don’t think coming down this aisle makes you a bigger sinner than anyone else here…it makes you honest! And shows you’re willing to ask God for HIS and our help! Job’s friends tried to help – didn’t do too well. Let us help knowing that God can and will lift you up!