WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:03.640 Church book, it's page 523. 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:13.179 And Johnny's going to be looking at Job's response to his three friends, 00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:18.219 his three friends who had gave misunderstood views of suffering, 00:00:18.760 --> 00:00:20.039 as we were looking at last week. 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:21.800 We'll read the entire chapter. 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:27.280 So if we're ready, we'll start in verse 1. 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:30.880 Then Job replied, 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:27.280 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:57.280 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:27.280 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:57.280 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:02.640 If you say, How will we hound him, since the root of the trouble lies in him? 00:03:03.159 --> 00:03:08.099 You should fear the sword yourselves, for wrath will bring punishment by the sword, 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:11.080 and then you will know that there is judgment. 00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:16.080 Thanks. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:46.060 Thank you. 00:03:46.080 --> 00:04:16.060 Thank you. 00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:25.079 And as we look at this section, you're going to need to be dressed in full combat gear. 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:32.259 Because as we look at these chapters, we are entering into a battle. 00:04:32.259 --> 00:04:37.599 And as we enter into the battle, we need God's help. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:40.240 So let's pray together. 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:50.759 Our Father God, we thank you that you are always understanding. 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:56.480 You are always aware of what is going on in our lives. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:05.039 Whatever our struggle, whatever our suffering, whether it's private or whether it's public, 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:09.840 you are a God who speaks into the midst of it. 00:05:11.140 --> 00:05:15.439 And we recognize too that sometimes that struggle is a battle. 00:05:15.439 --> 00:05:19.980 And we wonder how we will ever get through. 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:27.959 And so we pray and we ask that your word would speak comfort and speak hope 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:39.740 and show us the way forward as we live in this world with all its struggles and with all its heartaches. 00:05:39.740 --> 00:05:43.460 We pray for your help in this in Jesus' name. 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:44.620 Amen. 00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:53.060 Well, every time we suffer, we do enter into a battle. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:06:00.100 A battle where we fight and we wrestle with God up close and personal. 00:06:00.340 --> 00:06:02.560 It's a hand-to-hand combat. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:07.639 We shake our fists at God and we complain, 00:06:07.639 --> 00:06:15.079 How can you, a loving God, allow this disability to happen to my child? 00:06:16.540 --> 00:06:19.860 We try to force a submission through our questions. 00:06:20.840 --> 00:06:28.459 Why do you, a powerful God, not stop the suffering that my wife has to live with every single day? 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:32.879 We throw in our punches in frustration. 00:06:33.539 --> 00:06:41.299 How can I trust a God who includes earthquakes, disease and suffering in his plan for people? 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:44.979 The battle is fierce. 00:06:45.979 --> 00:06:48.299 It's bloody and it's brutal. 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:56.539 But it's only in the heat of the battle that our faith becomes active. 00:06:56.540 --> 00:07:01.840 A faith that enables us to deal and to cope with suffering. 00:07:03.080 --> 00:07:06.060 And that's what we discover as we look at Job. 00:07:07.340 --> 00:07:12.340 When Job suffered, he wrestled with his God. 00:07:13.340 --> 00:07:18.960 From chapters 4 to 27, he enters into this battle with frustration, 00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:23.200 but he emerges with faith. 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:29.379 A faith where he shouts at God, but he's still at peace with God. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:35.279 A faith that begins to question God, but he's still trusting in God. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:41.240 A faith that complains to God, but he finds comfort in his God. 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:49.840 You see, true faith lives with this tension that God is all-powerful and he's all-loving, 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:55.800 but yet he allows suffering and he permits suffering. 00:07:55.800 --> 00:08:02.199 And we stand in the middle, wrestling with these truths. 00:08:02.520 --> 00:08:08.400 And we stand in the middle, entering into this battle with the fact that God is all-loving, all-powerful, 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:11.120 but permits suffering and allows suffering. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:21.220 But it's only in the heat of the battle that we discover that the power of God becomes more reassuring 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:25.959 and the love of God becomes more immense. 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:32.899 If we're to know that, we've got to enter into the battle. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:35.980 And that's what we're going to do this morning. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:41.639 We're going to walk with Job as he wrestles with his suffering. 00:08:42.439 --> 00:08:47.319 Keep your Bibles open then because we're going to be reading through different sections. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:55.439 There are three main accusations, three main punches or blows, if you like, that he fires out at God. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:59.560 The first is this, that his pain has no meaning. 00:09:00.680 --> 00:09:07.259 Look at Job's pain starting at chapter 6, verse 1 or verse 2. 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:10.220 Chapter 6, verse 2. 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:15.740 If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales, 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:20.240 it would surely outweigh the sand of the seas. 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:22.620 Chapter 7, verse 2. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:33.080 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages, 00:09:33.400 --> 00:09:39.240 so I have been allotted months of futility and nights of misery have been assigned to me. 00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:43.720 When I lie down, I think, how long before I get up? 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:47.180 The night drags on and I toss till dawn. 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:50.820 My body is clothed with worms and scabs. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:53.800 My skin is broken and festering. 00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:55.480 Verse 11. 00:09:57.080 --> 00:10:00.180 Therefore, I will not keep silent. 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:03.700 I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit. 00:10:04.040 --> 00:10:07.340 I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.360 Verse 16. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:12.080 I despise my life. 00:10:13.040 --> 00:10:14.600 I would not live forever. 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:16.420 Let me alone. 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:19.180 My days have no meaning. 00:10:19.179 --> 00:10:25.219 You see, to Job, his pain and his suffering is meaningless. 00:10:25.599 --> 00:10:27.679 He's crying out to God with the question, 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:30.239 what's the point of all this suffering? 00:10:30.419 --> 00:10:31.899 What's it going to do to me? 00:10:32.099 --> 00:10:34.339 And what's it going to do for anybody else? 00:10:35.859 --> 00:10:37.399 Chapter 10, verse 1. 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:45.600 I loathe my very life. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:49.159 Therefore, I will give free reign to my complaint. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:53.279 I will speak out to God in the bitterness of my soul. 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:55.439 Well, what is his complaint? 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:57.579 Well, look at verse 8. 00:10:59.279 --> 00:10:59.980 He says, 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:20.539 Verse 12. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:23.819 You gave me life and you showed me kindness. 00:11:24.319 --> 00:11:26.539 And in your providence, you watched over my spirit. 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:30.179 But then all these bad things have happened. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.980 I've lost all my wealth. 00:11:32.339 --> 00:11:33.419 I've lost my health. 00:11:33.599 --> 00:11:35.339 And I've lost all my family. 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:37.779 Verse 18. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:41.839 Why then did you bring me out of the womb? 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:46.320 I wish I had died before any eye saw me. 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:50.920 To Job, his life is meaningless. 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.280 It's pointless. 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:56.980 There seems to be no purpose to all of this suffering. 00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:04.300 Now, I wonder how often do we shout this complaint and question at God? 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:09.200 Because if you've never shouted at God in this way, 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:12.460 maybe you should learn to do so. 00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:18.300 Whether you experience it yourself or you see it from far off. 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:22.140 Because it's only in the heat of the battle 00:12:22.140 --> 00:12:26.300 where we come complaining and questioning with God 00:12:26.300 --> 00:12:30.879 that our faith actually becomes active. 00:12:33.180 --> 00:12:36.640 The second fight that Job has with God is this, 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:38.440 that the wicked prosper. 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:43.520 Job's angry at God that innocent people like himself suffer 00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:47.440 while all the wicked people who carry on and do what they want 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:48.759 don't. 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:51.259 Look at chapter 21. 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:55.060 Verse 7. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:05.120 Chapter 21, verse 7. 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:08.720 Why do the wicked live on, 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.620 growing old and increasing in power? 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:15.060 They see their children established around them, 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.759 their offspring before their eyes, 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:18.940 their homes are safe and free from fear. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:21.360 The rod of God is not upon them. 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:23.519 Their bulls never fail to breed, 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:25.659 their cows calve and do not miscarry. 00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:28.039 They send forth their children as a flock, 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.720 their little ones dance about. 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:32.580 They sing to the music of tambourine and harp. 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:35.040 They make merry to the sound of the flute. 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:37.779 They spend their years in prosperity 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:40.420 and go down to the grave in peace. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:43.180 Yet they say to God, 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.980 leave us alone, God. 00:13:45.540 --> 00:13:47.899 We have no desire to know your ways. 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:52.000 Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:57.139 You see, this is what makes Job so angry and so annoyed. 00:13:57.620 --> 00:14:00.240 This is why Job wants to fight with God. 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:03.700 Because it seems like God does nothing about it. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.159 Look at verse 17. 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:11.220 Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:14.340 The reality is, 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:17.279 the wicked seem to carry on and do whatever they like 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.799 and nothing ever happens to them. 00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:21.059 And it all seems so unfair. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:26.259 And that's why Job wants to pick a fight with God. 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:29.860 He recognises that God is in control of his life. 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:32.279 He's in control of the world in which he lives. 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:35.379 But it seems that God does nothing about it. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:41.220 And this isn't just the experience of Job. 00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:43.600 We see it today all the time. 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:47.000 Those who have acted corruptly 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:50.659 get rewarded with big fat pensions. 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:54.459 While the hard working get their pensions cut. 00:14:56.719 --> 00:15:01.000 And all of this leads Job and us to one conclusion. 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:05.379 His third battle with God. 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:10.399 That God is just not concerned for his life. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:16.480 In his suffering, Job continues his cry to God. 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:18.899 This meaningless pain that he's living with. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:21.039 Watching while the wicked prosper. 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:24.860 And yet Job in the middle of it all seems to get no answer. 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:28.259 Look at chapter 23, verse 2. 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:39.039 Even today my complaint is bitter. 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:42.860 His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:47.960 If only I knew where to find God. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:50.799 If only I could go to his dwelling. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:54.099 I would state my case before him. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:56.439 And fill my mouth with arguments. 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:59.659 I would find out what he would answer me. 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:02.639 And consider what he would say. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.219 Verse 8. 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:07.039 But if I go to the east. 00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:09.219 God's not there. 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:11.340 If I go to the west. 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:13.680 I can't find him. 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:17.000 When he is at work in the north. 00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:18.899 I don't see him. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.920 And when he turns to the south. 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:23.480 I catch no glimpse of him. 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:28.360 And for Job this seems to be the heart of the battle. 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:30.440 This is where it's raging. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.980 This is where the blows are being delivered. 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:35.460 God knows all that's happening. 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:39.379 God claims to be all loving and all powerful. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:43.340 But yet God seems to be so unmoved and unconcerned. 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:47.019 And so distant and far away that he can't get close to him. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:50.519 And Job is not going to let this go. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:52.860 And so he continues to fight with God. 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:56.040 Chapter 27, verse 2. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:08.319 As surely as God lives. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.500 Who has denied me justice. 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:14.680 The almighty who has made me taste bitterness of soul. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:17.140 As long as I have life within me. 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:19.100 The breath of God in my nostrils. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:22.120 My lips will not speak wickedness. 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:24.920 And my tongue will utter no deceit. 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:27.579 I will never admit God. 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:30.640 That you are in the right till I die. 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:33.259 I will not deny my integrity. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:39.759 So here is a real and living faith. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.680 Of a believer. 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:46.039 Who is wrestling deeply with his suffering. 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:50.539 We might be uncomfortable with some of his questions. 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:52.019 And some of his complaints. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:54.420 And the way he talks with God. 00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:56.000 But you know what? 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:58.140 It's not wrong to shout at God. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:18:00.559 And it's not wrong to question God. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:04.539 In fact at the very end of the book in chapter 42. 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:06.619 God makes it very clear. 00:18:06.899 --> 00:18:11.099 That he never ever charges Job with any wrong doing. 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:13.639 In everything that Job said. 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.799 God said. 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.099 Job spoke. 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.359 What was right. 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:21.019 It's not wrong. 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.000 To fight with God. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:27.200 When we suffer. 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:30.119 This is the kind of battle. 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.859 That we enter into. 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:35.460 And you think of your own personal struggles. 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.119 And your own suffering. 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:39.180 Or the things that you've had to endure. 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.079 Or the questions that you have. 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:43.240 If you look out into a broken world. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:45.240 Where so much goes wrong. 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.099 And God says. 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.079 I'm all powerful. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.019 And I'm all loving. 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:49.839 And we're asking. 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.359 Why? 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:50.859 Why? 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:51.480 Why? 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:51.539 Why? 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:51.619 Why? 00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:55.659 Our pain seems meaningless. 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:58.740 The wicked just seem to prosper. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:02.319 And God seems unconcerned. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:07.279 But it's only in the middle of this fight. 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:10.119 In the frustration of it all. 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:13.920 That our faith begins to emerge. 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:19.180 And that's what we see with Job. 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:28.960 not only is there an accusing faith but there is this pursuing faith even though job has many 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:39.340 questions and complaints he doesn't give up on longing for his god two things here we see that 00:19:39.340 --> 00:19:49.019 he longs for a faith in a powerful sovereign god you see as job contemplates all this suffering and 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:57.099 all the struggle that he goes through he knows that god stands behind it all go back to chapter 12 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.720 verse 7 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:16.279 chapter 12 and verse 7 as he looks out on his own experience of suffering and all that goes on in 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:24.779 the world we read this chapter 12 verse 7 but ask the animals and they will teach you or the birds 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:29.559 of the air and they will tell you or speak to the earth and it will teach you or let the fish of the 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:39.059 sea inform you which of all these does not know that the hand of the lord has done this 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:49.299 verse 13 to god belong wisdom and power counsel and understanding are his 00:20:49.299 --> 00:21:00.639 what he tears down cannot be rebuilt the man he imprisons cannot be released if he holds back the 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:08.020 waters there is drought if he lets them loose they devastate the land 00:21:08.020 --> 00:21:22.360 god remains in absolute control look at verse 16 to him belong strength and victory 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:30.439 god alone acts with supreme authority he's reminding himself that there is nothing that happens in this 00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:38.119 world and there is nothing that happens in our lives without his knowledge and without his permission 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:45.959 and that's why job is longing to meet with god chapter 13 verse 3 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:58.360 but i desire to speak to the almighty and to argue my case with god verse 15 though he slay me 00:21:58.360 --> 00:22:06.200 yet will i hope in him i long for him i desire him 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:18.519 in fact job knows that trusting in this powerful sovereign god is the safest and the most secure place to be 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:23.160 chapter 14 verse 14 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:35.480 chapter 14 and verse 14 if a man dies 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:46.200 will he live again all the days of my hard service i will wait for my renewal or my restoration to come 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:55.400 you will call and here here's the here's the words of faith you will call and i will answer you 00:22:55.400 --> 00:23:05.400 you will long for the creature your hands have made surely then you will count my steps but not keep track 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:12.440 of my sin my offenses will be sealed up in a bag you will cover over my sin 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:19.800 you see in the heat of this battle job fights for answers from god 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:22.440 he doesn't get any 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:27.559 but he learns to trust that god will remember him 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:36.759 he will restore him he will renew him he is going to call to him and job will answer and that god 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:41.319 verse 15 is longing for the person that he has made 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:46.839 with all his questions job knows that god's power 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:51.720 is more reassuring than all of his suffering 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:57.960 so not only does he have faith in a powerful and sovereign god 00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:01.799 he has faith in a loving redeeming god 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.319 go to chapter 19 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:17.639 without any let up job continues in his accusations and his questions he's still in that fight he's still 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:27.319 arguing with god verse 7 of chapter 19 though i cry i've been wronged i get no response 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:37.480 though i call for help there is no justice his anger burns against me sorry verse 11 his anger burns 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:44.599 against me he counts me among his enemies his troops advance in force they build a siege ramp against me 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:49.960 they encamp around my tent he's shouting at god these things 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:57.319 he's not content with the way things are 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:07.160 but it's here again in the midst of the battle that his face begins to to come through verse 23 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:19.240 oh that my words were recorded that they were written on a scroll that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:32.519 or engraved in rock forever it's like job is anticipating his death and in preparation he wants his entire life recorded and well little no 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:37.880 did little did job know that his life would be recorded that's what we have right here 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:49.240 he wants everybody to know the truth of his innocent suffering life but how in the midst of all of that suffering he had faith in a loving 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:56.200 redeeming redeeming god verse 25 i know that my redeemer lives 00:25:57.319 --> 00:26:04.120 and that in the end he will stand upon the earth it's the image there of god standing over him 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:15.240 and looking upon his life and redeeming him verse 26 and after my skin has been destroyed yet in my flesh i will see 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:17.240 he god 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:23.960 you see while job fights for answers 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.519 he doesn't get any 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:31.559 but job trusts that god is going to redeem him 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:34.839 that god is going to raise him from the grave 00:26:35.640 --> 00:26:37.640 that god has not forgotten him 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:41.320 that one day with all of his questions 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:45.800 job knows that god's love is going to surround him 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:51.480 it does surround him and he will see his god verse 27 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:55.080 i myself will see him with my own eyes 00:26:55.079 --> 00:27:00.519 i and not another how my heart yearns 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.119 within me 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:11.240 you see the battle with suffering is intense 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:15.159 in fact it's so tough we're probably 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:18.359 reading through this and looking at this and we're wondering 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:22.119 how would i ever survive my own suffering 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:27.959 and should i ever enter into suffering how am i ever going to get through this battle 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:33.319 well job had immense faith 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:38.839 but we have an advantage over job 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:42.519 which guarantees our survival 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:46.439 whatever you are going through whatever you are in 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:50.200 we have an advantage over job 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:52.839 that guarantees our survival 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:55.639 you see job was looking forward 00:27:56.359 --> 00:28:01.240 to something god would do he didn't know what god was going to do but he knew he would do something 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:03.720 but he he just looked forward in faith 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:11.400 we on the other hand are looking back in faith to something god has done with absolute certainty 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:15.319 you see our powerful sovereign god 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:18.599 and our loving redeeming god 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:23.160 came into the battlefield of this world 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.880 in the person of jesus christ 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:28.600 god would come down 00:28:28.600 --> 00:28:28.680 god would come down 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:31.080 and suffer with us 00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:33.960 he would fight the battle for us 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:37.080 so our faith today is not 00:28:37.080 --> 00:28:42.520 in some kind of in our faith it's not a faith in our ability to have faith 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:45.480 our faith is in a warrior 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:49.560 our faith is in a fighter who has entered the 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:52.120 intensity of the battle for us 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:57.799 and we look at christ as he entered the heat of the fight on the cross 00:28:58.439 --> 00:29:03.079 we look at christ who struggled and he fought in the darkness of the grave 00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:06.039 he went into battle 00:29:07.239 --> 00:29:08.679 he fought suffering 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.719 i'm going to quote 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.919 from joanie 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:19.960 she's a lady for 40 years who suffered immensely 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:23.720 and in these latter years of her life 00:29:25.800 --> 00:29:28.279 she lives with excruciating pain 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:30.200 every single day 00:29:31.560 --> 00:29:32.840 and this is what she says 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:38.120 when your heart is being wrung out like a sponge 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:43.000 when you feel like salt is being poured into your wounded soul 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:47.720 you don't want a thin pale emotional jesus 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:51.400 who relates only to lambs and birds and babies 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:54.279 you want a warrior jesus 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:57.880 you want a battlefield jesus 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:04.119 at different times in my life i've enjoyed the old pictures of jesus 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:09.240 cradling cute lambs or walking around with blow-dried hair 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:13.319 clad in white robe looking like it just arrived from the dry cleaner 00:30:14.839 --> 00:30:15.799 but these days 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:18.279 these warfare days 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:22.359 those old images just don't cut it for me 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:27.000 i need a battlefield jesus at my side 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:32.519 down here in the dangerous often messy trenches of daily life 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:36.680 i need jesus the rescuer 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:40.359 ready to wade through pain 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:43.559 through death and hell 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.639 to find me 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:48.039 to grasp my hand 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:50.440 in love and power 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:53.079 to bring me safely through 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:57.799 you see jesus wrestled 00:30:58.679 --> 00:31:01.240 with the powers of death and hell 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.240 and he overcame 00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:06.119 his death proves to you 00:31:06.919 --> 00:31:07.879 that he loves you 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:11.079 his resurrection proves to you 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:14.519 that he has power to hold you in his hand 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:17.480 and rescue you for eternal life 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:19.559 our faith 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:23.240 is in a victorious warrior 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:27.400 who walks with us in the suffering 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:32.120 as we fight with our questions as we shout our complaints 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:36.839 we have a battle-worn warrior 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:40.680 who will walk with you every step of the way 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:46.039 and who will guarantee your absolute survival 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:48.279 and bring you home 00:31:51.000 --> 00:32:02.120 let's pray together 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:14.759 read from first peter just listen to these words 00:32:19.639 --> 00:32:21.000 in his great mercy 00:32:22.679 --> 00:32:24.119 he has given us new birth 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.359 into a living hope 00:32:27.719 --> 00:32:30.439 through the resurrection of jesus christ from the dead 00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:35.000 and into an inheritance that can never perish 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:37.399 spoil or fade 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:41.319 which is kept in heaven for you 00:32:43.959 --> 00:32:44.679 listen to this 00:32:45.479 --> 00:32:46.839 who through faith 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:51.239 are shielded by god's power 00:32:53.639 --> 00:32:57.079 until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed 00:32:57.959 --> 00:32:58.919 in the last time 00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:01.799 in this we greatly rejoice 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:04.519 though now for a little while 00:33:05.719 --> 00:33:07.319 we have had to suffer grief 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:09.799 in all kinds of trials 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.359 in all kinds of battles 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.839 and all kinds of struggles 00:33:16.919 --> 00:33:17.879 but these have come 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:20.679 so that your faith 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:23.319 your faith in christ 00:33:24.199 --> 00:33:25.959 of greater worth than gold 00:33:25.959 --> 00:33:28.839 which perishes even though refined by fire 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:32.039 may be proved genuine 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:35.240 and will result in praise and glory 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:37.079 glory and honor 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.920 though we cannot see him 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:42.759 we love him 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.400 we love him 00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:46.840 and even though we do not see him now 00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:49.560 we believe in him 00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:54.600 and we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:59.480 for we are receiving the goal of our faith 00:33:59.480 --> 00:34:00.039 phicamente 00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:03.980 the salvation of our lives. 00:34:05.859 --> 00:34:09.800 Father, for every single person here 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:13.800 who is in the heat of the battle today, 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:18.900 shield them with your power. 00:34:20.759 --> 00:34:24.199 Surround them and protect them with your love. 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:29.900 Fill them with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:34.380 That you are walking with them 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:37.420 and that they will survive 00:34:37.420 --> 00:34:40.219 and you will bring them home. 00:34:43.159 --> 00:34:47.039 For those who have not yet experienced that battle, 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:50.400 for the day that we do, 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:54.480 may our faith rest in Christ, 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:58.159 our warrior, our fighter. 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:02.779 The one who battled hell and death for us 00:35:02.779 --> 00:35:06.559 so that we don't have to. 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:11.519 We trust in you. 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.699 In Jesus' name. 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:14.739 Amen.