Job 40:15-24

Job has gone on long enough so now God answers Job.  This section tells us about the greatness and power of God and our need to depend on it, respect it.  The answers are not the ones Job might like, for his pain and suffering are still a mystery to Job.  I like this section because God speaks of his creation of what we would call dinosaurs.  The Behemoth, a huge Herbivore created at the same time as humans vs. 15.  The leviathan is a huge creature with a double row of plating, which has the ability to breathe fire.  The only living example of fire emitting creature is the Bombardier Beetle.  I do not want to get lost in a discussion about Paleontology.  When God speaks to Job it is apparent that God expects Job to have seen and know these two creatures.  God’s question to Job is “are you the one with power?” “do you possess wisdom beyond mine?”

            I think this is a question we all face in life.  Matthew 24:12 says “because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”  We see on the news that children are shot playing near their home, or people are killed while watching a movie.  We ask God are you there?  We lose our job, our health, someone we love, and we ask God are you here?  Where is justice?  Suddenly we feel broken, vulnerable, and confused like Job.

1. Things we face are bigger than we are.

            Medical issues that seem like Behemoths

            Addictions, sinful desires, habits, relationship issues, that threaten us like a Leviathan.

            Injustice that hurts our hearts

            A vicious world which fills us with fear.

2.  Roller Coaster of life

            1884 the first coaster at Coney island traveled at 6 miles an hour.

            1912 Zippin Pippin 40 miles an hour

            1974 the cyclone traveled at 60 miles an hour

            Today they fly between 120 and 150 miles an hour

            All in an effort to dislodge your sense of security

            But Job was dislodged from his reference point

            When our life becomes dislodged from it reference point  

3. But God is here and in control

            When he speaks to job, no answer just assurance of control

            All of God’s words equal “Job trust me.”

            Matthew 24:13

             John 12:25

            John 16:33

Job 21:1-16  “Life’s Contradictions”

INTRODUCTION: “NOBODY LOVES YOU WHEN YOUR DOWN AND OUT.”

It does not take us long get to Jobs place during adversity.  Job goes through the cycle of morning.  First is denial “this really isn’t happening, then there is anger this must be a mistake, now Job lands on the idea that life is not fair.  Remember Job has gone from totally blessed to total distress, in the blink of an eye.  We all deal with adversity in different ways, some cry in their brokenness, others get angry, some seek revenge, yet they are all from the same place.

1. THE WICKED PROSPER

           A.  THE WICKED LIVE LONG
            B. THEY GAIN POWER
            C. THEIR CHILDREN ARE MANY  AND  HAPPY
            D. THEIR HOMES ARE FREE OF FEAR
            E. ALL THEIR BUSINESS PROSPERS
            F. THEY DIE IN PEACE

2. WE DO NOT KNOW THE WHOLE STORY

            A. WE DO NOT SEE THE MISERY IN THEIR HOME
            B. RELATIONSHIPS
            C. THE GREED, WORRY, SELFISHNESS AND BROKENNESS
3.  HOW CAN WE LIVE
            A.  OUR SITUATION HELPS GOD.  22:2-3
            B. EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARS FRUIT… JOHN 15:2
            C. BUILDS OUR FAITH JAMES 1:2-4
            D. GOD WANTS NONE TO PERISH NOR IS HE SLOW 2 PETER 3:9
            E. GOD CAUSES THE RAIN TO FALL ON THE JUST AND UNJUST MATTHEW 5:43-48
            F. YOUR TRUE WEALTH IS IN HEAVEN. 2 COR 4:16-18
            G. AL RIFFLE “IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL”

 CONCLUSION:             We all go through times when we feel like Job, and we all respond differently, but all we search for answers let us take some time and allow God to bring us back to the knowledge that how we react to suffering is important the God and the world.  Let us remember our treasure is n heaven.  Let our heart sing, “It Is Well With My Soul”

Job 2

Job 2:1-12 the cosmic battle

Luke 22:31 “Satan has requested to sift you like wheat”

James 5:11

Ezekiel 14:14-20

“Have you considered my servant Job?”

In chapter 1 when the servants come to give Job the bad news it has a story like quality “I alone have escaped to tell you” that falsely leads some to believe that Job is a fable or fictional story. Yet we know from James and Ezekiel that Job was indeed a real person.  Ezekiel 14:14 places Job in the big three, Noah, Daniel and Job.

Job is the first Biblical Book to be written.  Job lives in the land of Uz, this puts Job 5 or 6 generations from Noah, because Uz is the great grandson of Noah. Moses makes no reference to Job so we have no help in placing exactly when Job lived.

Job gives us two views, one in heaven and the second as Job and his friends see it.

Job gives us information about a question that troubles us deeply, why do bad things happen to good people?  The theology which Job adhered to is that bad things happen to us because we have sinned; Jobs friends have the same theology as Job.  The events of Job’s life counters everything that Job believes, except the idea that God is in ultimate control.

Job also flies in the face on the American health and wealth gospel, where if you have faith, think positive, and only good things will happen to you. You will not find many tv preachers bringing up Job.

1.      God has ultimate authority 2:3

2.      God allows angels and people to act freely 2:6

3.      God is honored by the life of Job

4.      Job is held up as am example of what people should be especly Satan

5.      All creatures will give an account before God

6.      Job never knows why this all happened to him

The life we live everyday is important.

1.      It matters to God it honors or dishonors God

2.      It is a witness to all the beings that surround us human and spiritual

3.      Live a life where God will point to you and say “Have you considered my servant?”

Esther 3:1-6 “BOW TO NONE BUT GOD”

Esther 3:1-6 “BOW TO NONE BUT GOD”

Ester, Nehemiah and Ezra are the last of the books of history, and they cover the period of restoration.  The last of these books ester, is centered Persia.  While Ezra and Nehemiah give us a look at what is happening in Jerusalem, back in Persia events are happening that deeply affect them.  Most of the time we focus on Ester, but today I want to focus on her uncle Mordecai.

1. MORDECAI WOULD NOT BOW DOWN

            A. IS IT RESPECT OR WORSHIP?
            B. THE ROYAL OFFICALS STIR UP THE TROUBLE
            C. DANIEL, SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNGEO
                        A. WORSHIP THE IDOL
                        B. STOP PRAYING TO GOD
            D. PETER AND JOHN HEALING AND TALKING ABOUT JESUS
            E. REVELATION 6:9-11
            F. REVELATION 13:15-17

2. NO BIG THING

            A. BEND A KNEE, BOW YOUR HEAD IT MEANS NOTHING
            B. PRETEND TO WORSHIP, HIDE YOUR PRAYERS, DON’T TALK ABOUT JESUS
            C. GET THE TAT AND GET TO EAT
            D. GO ALONG IT MEANS NOTHING
            E. IT’S JUST A SMALL LIE AND EVERY ONE DOES IT
            F. GET THE NEW TOY, OR TAKE THE VACATION AND FORGET YOUR TITHE
            G. MORDECAI AND HAMAN KNEW BETTER

3. WHAT HAPPENS

            A. PEOPLE BECOME CONVICTED OF THEIR SIN
            B. HAMAN IT’S PRIDE
            C. GREED, LUST, DECEPTION, THEFT, GOSSIP.
            D. “I FELT JUDGED BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO LEAVE US”
            E. TO STAND UP AND SAY NO, IS TO CONDEMN
            F. TO NOT GO ALONG BRINGS JUDGMENT, GUILT
            G. JOHN 16:5-11

Conclusion: our church took a stand, this is what the bible teaches and we will follow it.  taking that stand cost us in more ways than one.  each and every day we are called to stand for Jesus, often we do not even see it.  Often we fail to stand up as we should.  Yet when we do stand up for our faith, we have a great effect on our world.  Some people will not like it but in the end god will use your uncompromised faith to change someone’s heart, and eternity.

Nehemiah 13:14

Nehemiah 13:14

Nehemiah was not only the one who guided the rebuilding of the wall and the temple.  Nehemiah was also a reformer of the spiritual life of Israel.  None of these reforms were popular but he did them.  As he recounts them, he prays that what he has done has honored God and will be remembered.  He prays that God will also remember those who have not faithfully served God.  This week will be an important week in the life of our Church.  A day of reform that may cost us, and yet like it was for Nehemiah, it is something that must be done.

1. THE NEED FOR REFORM

            A. ALLOWED AMMONITE AND MOABITES IN THE TEMPLE AND THEIR LIVES.

            B. CHIEF PREIST GAVE TOBIAH AN APARTMENT IN THE TEMPLE.

            C. THE LEVITES AND MUSICIANS LEFT THE TEMPLE TO WORK FIELDS TO SURVIVE.

            D. THEY WORKED ON THE SABBATH

            E. THE MEN TOOK WIVES FROM ASHDOD, AMMON, AND MOAB (WHO DID NOT FOLLOW GOD BUT LEAD THE JEWS ASTRAY.)

2. NEHEMIAH’S REFORMS

            A. THE READING OF THE LAW

            B. PURIFING THE TEMPLE

            C. RESTORING THE LEVITES AND PROVIDING FOR THEM

            D. STOPED ALL TRADE ON THE SABBATH

            E. STOPPED INTERMARRAGE

3. NEHEMIAH’S PRAYERS

            A. I PRAY I HAVE DONE WHAT IS RIGHT

            B. I PRAY THAT WHAT I HAVE DONE HONORS YOU GOD

            C. REMEMBER MY LOVE FOR YOU GOD

4. THINGS THAT SHAKE YOUR RESOLVE

            A. POPULAR OPINION

            B. PERSONAL DESIRES

            C. AFECTION FOR OTHERS

CONCLUSION: Like Nehemiah we have been called to live not only the forgiveness of God but in obedience to God.  To show respect and honor to Jesus through our actions.  Some of our actions will not be popular or may cost us.  In the end we must seek God with all our heart, mind and strength.  Then we pray the prayer of Nehemiah.  “Lord I pray I have honored you, I pray I have pleased you.”  “Lord give me peace.”

Point: We do our best to honor God, knowing that will remember it.  God will remember the sacrifices you have made.

Nehemiah 13:14   
¹⁴ Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.

Nehemiah 13:22   
²² Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

Nehemiah 13:29   
²⁹ Remember them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

Nehemiah 13:31   
³¹ Remember me with favor, my God.

Nehemiah 4:10-15 “Facing Opposition”

Nehemiah 4:10-15  “Facing Opposition”

INTRODUCTION:  I was looking at Nehemiah and I could not help but think it could be our monthly newsletter.  I believe we can find some inspiration in this book for our own lives.  I hope you have been reading along with us on our trip through the Bible, which is now in Nehemiah.  John Lennon imagined a world where people lived only for themselves and only for today, and in a very real sense we live in that world.  “Whatever” “it is what it is”  are the most common and most hated things we say.

1. NEHEMIAH AND THE PEOPLE FACE OPPOSITION

            A. THE TIREDNESS OF THE PEOPLE

            B. THE CLUTTER THAT WAS GETTING IN THE WAY

            C. THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WERE ENEMIES WERE PLANNING AN ATTACK

            D. SOME PEOPLE OPPOSED THEIR WORK

            E. THE OTHER JEWS DISPARAGING REMARKS

2.  THEIR PLAN OF ACTION

            A. STATIONED PEOPLE TO DEFEND THE WORKERS

            B. GIVE THE WORKERS SOME REST

            C. REMINDED THEM THAT GOD WAS ON THEIR SIDE

            D. REMINDED THEM WHAT THEY WERE WORKING FOR

3.  WHAT WE ARE WORKING FOR

            A. WORKING FOR GOD

            B. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU, THE CHURCH, THE SERMONS, OR THE MUSIC

            C. IT’S ABOUT REACHING THE LOST

            D. WE WORK IN THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD TO REACH THE LOST

            E. OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

            F. OUR HUSBANDS OR WIVES

            G. FOR THE LOST IN OUR COMMUNITY

            H. FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WILL COME HERE TO FIND JESUS 40 AND 50 YEARS FROM NOW.

CONCLUSION:  We all face opposition.  Fatigue, rubble and clutter in our lives, disorganization in the church.  There are nay Sayers, some openly hostile and others are just discouraging.  People who for whatever reason oppose our living for Jesus.  But if we remember who we are working for and what we are working for and defend and protect each other.  We will finish the work God has assigned us to do, and change the lives of people 40 and 50 years from now.

Ezra 1:1-4

Ezra 1:1-4

Israel has been a sitting empty and without rule, with most of its Jewish population in exile.  Babylon took the people away then when the conquer Israel.  Persia will defeat Babylon and takes over Israel.  Cyrus king of Persia makes the proclamation that the Temple be restored.

The work would start under the rule of Cyrus, then Darius, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes.  Ezra is the priest, Nehemiah is the politician, some others who figure into this time are Daniel, Ester.

Cyrus’s proclamation could have come from his encounters with Daniel.  But in the first year of his reign he honored the one true God.

The people start a rebuilding project that will cover the reign of three Persian kings. 

1.  TO FULFILL THE WORD OF THE LORD

            A. SPOKEN BY JEREMIAH (JER 25:11)

            B. 70 YEARS IN EXILE  (JER 29:10-14)

            C. THE TIME FOR BABYLON  29:10

2.  GOD MOVES THE HEART OF CYRUS

            A. NO MILITARY CAMPAIN, WAR OR REVOLT

            B. THE LORD USES NEHEMIAH OR DANIEL

            C. CYRUS FEELS CALLED BY GOD TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE AND RETURN THE PEOPLE.

            D. THEN THE PEOPLE GET EXCITED

3.  GOD’S PLANS WILL BE FULFILLED

            A. PLANS FOR THE WORLD (its JUDGEMENT AND END)

            B. PLANS FOR OUR NATION (IT’S PART IN HISTORY)

            C. PLANS FOR THIS CHURCH (TO REACH THE PEOPLE IN OUR AREA)

            D. PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE (TO HONOR GOD, BE A WITTNESS TO HIS FORGIVENESS)

            E.  PLANS TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE YOU SHARE LIFE WITH.

            F.  NOT BECAUSE OUR STRENGTH, POWER, RIGHTOUSNESS.

            G. NOT BY MIGHT AND NOT BY POWER ( Zec 4:6)

Conclusion :  God has great things to do in the life of this church and in your personal life.  We may not see it today.  Perhaps we feel like exiles, broken and powerless.  But God has a plan for this church and for you personally.  We have been Gow Memorial, Loomis, Middle inlet, Faith Presbyterian, and now Faith EPC.  All through our history of ups and downs and transformations, God has been at work to change our lives and the lives of the world around us.  God has amazing things ahead for you, and for our church.