Saints,
Here again are my rough notes from the Sunday sermon. I apologize for not having them as a more detailed expression of what was preached. Prayerfully, we will begin putting the sermon MP3 on iTunes.
Job Seeks God in Suffering
Job 2:11-13 & 3:1-26
The Three Friends Arrive
They had planned to meet and show sympathy and comfort.
They had not recognized him from a distance by his disfigurement.
How did they know to come?
How long of time had passed since the disasters till their arrival?
Common courtesy was that the guests would not speak till spoken to. So for seven days and seven nights they silently waited. Mourning the dead 7 days was a common practice.
Job Wishes He had Never Been Born
The expression of grief and pain
Job breaks forth is an emotional Lament
3:3-10 are rhetorical in nature, and often a curse. They call in the “fairness” of life. Her we get a glimpse of the despondency and depression that is now setting in. He did not just want to hold onto his life as satan had accused, but he was looking at the purposelessness of continuing on.
3:11-16 Job wonders his reason for having been born.
3:26 The lack of rest from affliction is a problem that many of us face. The failure to have hope in future grace bewilders us. Note that Job had no idea of the coming Savior or the richness of God’s kingdom. This is where the Christian turns for truth to set them free despite circumstances.
The silence is a customary way of morning and grieving with a friend.
The three friends represent 3 geographical and thus cultural perspectives. We often get a variety of “Advisements” when we have problems. Job contains 3 cycles of speech looking at suffering. Like a great play, this story has passion and drama, Job however is very real.
This is an apologetic on suffering. The pain we can relate to, but moso we need to relate to know God.
3 tests in Job
• Disaster test, sudden loss both material and biological
• Emotional and physical
• Theological test
Here Job will be tested in his discernment of the experience. This is his most detailed challenge.
Read Verses here
The sudden burst of communication is the rending of Job’s heart.
It is not a pity party
He is finding that he is falling into the foolish talk his wife had advised him.
See the pain involved. Satan had started the first two tests, material and emotional. Now the natural course takes its course.
God is not ignoring Job’s Pain. He is building up in Job a time of learning, of character, and of discernment. These can only come through the pain of waiting and meditation on the issues at hand rather than rushing through them. We must take time to meditate and explore the word. What led the Pharisees to their missing the mark was their failure to think the Gospel through, they stopped at their first and most self serving conclusions.
Job has not been having his times of worship. (In the end he will return to worship)
Persevering Pastor is a cornucopia of musings that are meant to encourage those in ministry to not give up in the race for Christ as our prize. It comes from one who still has moments of struggle but basically is enamored by Christ's call to live for His glory.
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Rom 5:3-6)
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. (Psalm 69:6)
Sunday, April 11, 2010
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