WEBVTT 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:10.040 Well, good morning everyone. My name is Alistair. I have the privilege of being the assistant pastor here at Brunsfield and today it is my joy to conclude our series on the book of Job. 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:16.660 Now I'll admit for those of you who are in the building this morning, it is weird looking at me on camera and not being in person. 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:22.940 But the restrictions of ease, which mean that Sabino and I have been able to go to Austria and visit family. 00:00:22.940 --> 00:00:27.920 So please do bear with me as we dive into Job 42 over video. 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:30.500 But before we do that, let's pray together. 00:00:31.740 --> 00:00:38.460 Father, we thank you for this book of Job and we thank you for this chapter that we're going to look at this morning. 00:00:39.060 --> 00:00:48.840 Would the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be pleasing to you, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:56.079 For some of us, the final chapter of Job will bring a sigh of relief. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:01:05.519 Relief that you didn't slog through chapter after chapter of suffering and chaos for the story just to end in more suffering. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:11.719 Relief because as we look at the life and livelihood of Job being restored, 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:17.379 it satisfies our internal desire for a happy ending. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:25.039 And it satisfies our romanticized view of the way life should go. 00:01:25.979 --> 00:01:30.659 The whole movie industry is built upon that natural desire for a happy ending, isn't it? 00:01:31.199 --> 00:01:35.939 We like the stories where the screen fades out at the end and all you read is, 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:38.799 and they all lived happily ever after. 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:45.280 We like the happy endings because deep down, it's what we want for ourselves. 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:50.560 Maybe this ending of the book of Job gives you hope. 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:55.979 Because you're desperate for that similar kind of happy ending in your own life. 00:01:55.980 --> 00:02:03.480 As we journeyed with Job and sat on the ash heap with him in the middle of great suffering, 00:02:03.600 --> 00:02:04.820 maybe you felt at home. 00:02:06.219 --> 00:02:13.319 Maybe you felt like you shared a similar experience with Job because you look at your life and it just hurts. 00:02:15.939 --> 00:02:20.620 Or maybe this ending of Job makes you angry because you see no hope. 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:25.219 Because there doesn't seem to be an end to the suffering in your life. 00:02:27.140 --> 00:02:34.340 This morning I want us to walk through these final 17 verses of Job and see three things from the text. 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:39.900 That Job is humbled, justified and exalted. 00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:45.340 But then I want us to take a step back and look at the whole pattern of Job's life 00:02:45.340 --> 00:02:51.200 and see in a greater sense how that same pattern is in the life of Jesus 00:02:51.200 --> 00:02:55.780 and to see that same pattern in the life of Christians today. 00:02:56.939 --> 00:03:00.939 The book of Job begins with a believer who is blessed. 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:05.860 And because of his great faith, suffering comes his way. 00:03:05.960 --> 00:03:12.500 But in the end, suffering is replaced with tremendous blessing and restoration 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:17.039 as Job is exalted to an even greater place than he was before. 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:21.780 Regardless of how you feel this morning, 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:26.219 regardless of how chaotic and painful your life may be, 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:30.240 regardless of how much agony you're in in this moment in time, 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:35.259 that same pattern is true in the life of every Christian. 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:39.979 If you're a Christian here this morning, we are told in no uncertain terms 00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:43.120 that we will suffer because of our faith in Jesus. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.719 But we are promised that suffering is not the end. 00:03:49.519 --> 00:03:53.539 For the Christian, that happy ending we long for is our future 00:03:53.539 --> 00:03:55.620 and nothing can take that away from us. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:04:01.659 So we're going to look at Job chapter 42 under three headings 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:05.860 and then briefly take a step back and bring the whole series to a close. 00:04:06.980 --> 00:04:11.259 So the first thing that we see in this passage is that Job is humbled. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:14.759 In verses 1 to 6, Job is humbled. 00:04:15.819 --> 00:04:20.060 So Job has just listened to God's two marvellous speeches 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:25.300 that pull the curtain back for Job to get a glimpse of the greatness of God. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:28.600 This marvellous God who's in control of creation, 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.660 in control of death and the devil. 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:36.779 And so in verse 1, Job confesses that God can do all things. 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:41.600 In verse 3, he acknowledges his ignorance in what he has said. 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:47.340 And in verse 6, after being blown away by the grand view of God, 00:04:47.800 --> 00:04:48.899 he repents. 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:53.399 Job has said things that were wrong. 00:04:54.220 --> 00:04:59.120 In the midst of great suffering, Job has cried out and said that God was unjust, 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:04.620 that God hates him, that God was fighting against him. 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:12.079 In the midst of his agony, there were times when Job lost sight of who God is. 00:05:13.340 --> 00:05:19.079 And so Job was humbled, brought to the point where he recognised how mighty God is 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:22.259 and how small Job is in comparison to him. 00:05:24.099 --> 00:05:29.759 And in the midst of our suffering, sometimes the most helpful thing that can happen to us 00:05:29.759 --> 00:05:35.079 is that we are reminded of how small we are, but how great God is. 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:41.019 But we can't only have an intellectual understanding of that. 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:46.500 We can't put God in a neat little box of doctrine that we're comfortable with. 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:51.379 Sometimes we need a powerful reminder of how great our God is. 00:05:51.419 --> 00:05:56.159 And that reminder often comes in the form of suffering. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:06:03.400 Being brought to the place of humility might just be the medicine we need 00:06:03.400 --> 00:06:08.000 to swallow the hard pill of suffering that will come our way. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:16.439 We need to be reminded so often that God is God and that we are not. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:20.899 And that even in the hardest and darkest of times and situations, 00:06:21.180 --> 00:06:24.420 God is in control and he is good. 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:31.280 Tim Keller helpfully said, as we thought about way at the beginning of this series together, 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:37.819 you don't realise that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. 00:06:39.580 --> 00:06:42.379 So verses one to six, Job is humbled. 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:47.240 And the second thing that we see in this passage is that Job is justified. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:50.360 In verses seven to nine, Job is justified. 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:55.740 So God turns to Job's three friends using Eliphaz as the representative. 00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:58.480 And look what God says in verse seven. 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:04.020 I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken the truth about me 00:07:04.020 --> 00:07:05.920 as my servant Job has. 00:07:06.900 --> 00:07:09.920 Or as the ESV, which is more accurate, puts it this way. 00:07:10.460 --> 00:07:13.520 God says, my anger burns against you. 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:19.139 These are the emotions of a holy God. 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:22.259 Towards those who misrepresent him. 00:07:23.520 --> 00:07:25.699 God isn't just a little bit annoyed here. 00:07:25.780 --> 00:07:31.020 He is furious that Job's friends thought they needed to defend God. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:33.120 It is a burning anger. 00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:35.639 But it's not like ours. 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:38.520 In our anger, we flip the lid. 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:40.220 We lose all sense of control. 00:07:40.660 --> 00:07:47.740 But this is the righteous anger of a holy God against Job's miserable comforters. 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:53.680 In verse eight, God says that these friends did not speak what was right about him. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:08:00.439 Throughout Job's suffering, instead of comforting their friend as they should have, they attacked him. 00:08:01.280 --> 00:08:05.900 They said that his suffering was due to his own sin or sin in his life. 00:08:05.899 --> 00:08:11.539 They misrepresented God as an insensitive enforcer of justice. 00:08:12.239 --> 00:08:19.539 A bit like a merciless and graceless dictator in the sky who calls the shots and destroys everyone who crosses his path. 00:08:19.540 --> 00:08:27.660 But also in verse eight, God defends Job and says that he spoke what was right. 00:08:28.840 --> 00:08:29.439 How? 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:42.200 Because even in his doubts, even in his questions, even in his pain, Job is a genuine believer who always sought to be right with God. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:48.120 And three times in verse eight alone, God says, my servant, Job. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:53.460 God is using a term of dignity, a term of affection. 00:08:53.660 --> 00:08:57.759 It is a sign of the covenant relationship between God and Job. 00:08:57.860 --> 00:08:59.560 This relationship is restored. 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:01.120 Job is justified. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:06.259 Now imagine how Job feels hearing that. 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:17.720 After months or maybe even years, sitting on an ash heap in agony, feeling the crushing weight just of the thought that God has abandoned him. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:21.000 To now be called God's servant. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:24.720 To be said, to be told that he is justified. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:30.860 It is a powerful reminder that through it all, he was not alone. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:37.580 But the Lord, the faithful one, the covenant keeping God was by his side that whole time. 00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:42.600 And in verse eight, the tables turn on Job's friends. 00:09:43.700 --> 00:09:49.340 God tells them to offer burnt offerings for their sins and to go to Job who will pray for them. 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:54.200 And only then God will not deal with them according to their foolishness. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:57.120 So walk in their shoes. 00:09:58.060 --> 00:10:07.740 They need to go to this guy that they have been slating, absolutely slating for chapters and have him pray for them because he was right all along. 00:10:08.680 --> 00:10:11.060 Can you imagine how embarrassed they must feel? 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:17.720 Job takes on the role of an Old Testament priest and he prays for these so-called friends. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.160 But think about how he must feel too. 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:30.360 As he stands and prays for three people who chapter after chapter have dragged him through the mud. 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:34.419 Insisting that he was a sinner and that he was a fool. 00:10:34.419 --> 00:10:40.579 I think that anyone else in that situation would say, no God, they don't deserve it. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:46.439 I don't want to pray for these miserable comforters, for these worthless physicians. 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:51.539 Because it's hard to pray for those who hurt us, isn't it? 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:55.779 When this happens to us, we protest. 00:10:56.199 --> 00:11:00.039 We don't want people to be forgiven for the pain that they have caused us. 00:11:00.459 --> 00:11:04.719 And it is easier to stay angry and to give up. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:07.960 But Job is a godly man. 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:11.980 And instead of refusing, he chooses the path of faithfulness. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:15.200 He denies himself and he obeys God. 00:11:16.160 --> 00:11:19.340 He chooses holiness over hostility. 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:24.220 And Job can do that because he has seen God. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:29.879 He knows that he himself doesn't deserve the loving kindness and grace that God is showing him. 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:33.980 He knows that he is just as sinful as his three friends are. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:36.360 And so he does the right and holy thing. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:40.480 He prays for the forgiveness of those who opposed him. 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:43.600 So Job is justified. 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:54.259 And the fact that Job is humbled and justified are the necessary things that lead to the next point in the text and the climax of the book. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:59.600 The final thing that we see in this text is that Job is exalted. 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:03.500 In verses 10 to 17, Job is exalted. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:09.039 Notice three things in the text that the Lord did to exalt Job. 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:11.840 In verse 10, the Lord restored. 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:14.139 In verse 10, the Lord gave. 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:16.779 And in verse 12, the Lord blessed. 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:23.539 Now, it's important to remember that Job is not a follower of God because of the stuff that God can give him. 00:12:24.539 --> 00:12:26.419 We've seen that throughout the book, haven't we? 00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:36.620 In all of Job's laments, in all of his cries, the thing that took center stage, the thing that grieved him the most was the thought that he was not right with God. 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:40.599 He has been humbled and justified. 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:44.820 And I think Job would be content if his story would have ended there. 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:54.480 Even if he did receive nothing, he would still have loved and trusted God because Job wanted God, not the blessings. 00:12:55.980 --> 00:13:00.720 But the blessings came as a result of that restored relationship with God. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:08.700 God being full of compassion and mercy, exalted Job and gave him twice as much as he had before. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:13.560 His brothers and sisters come over for a celebratory meal. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:21.060 The only meal in the book since the one in chapter one where all of Job's children were killed. 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:24.160 And in verse 11, we see why they come. 00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:29.100 They come and comfort and console Job because of everything he's been through. 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:36.659 Now, I do wonder where his brothers and sisters have been through the rest of the book, but they're here now and they're celebrating with Job. 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:40.820 And they each give him some money and a gold ring. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:43.519 And so Job's wealth is restored. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:49.580 In verse 12, the Lord blessed Job and his possessions are restored. 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:54.420 He gets twice the amount of livestock and animals that he had to begin with. 00:13:54.419 --> 00:14:00.659 And even Job's family is restored as he has seven sons and three beautiful daughters. 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:11.179 So this man who was previously the greatest of the people of the East is now twice as much or has now twice as much than he did before. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:16.719 He is exalted to a greater sense than he was in the beginning of the book. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:28.200 So this man who we have journeyed with, who we've sat in the ashes with, who we have mourned with, who we have cried with, is exalted in an even greater sense. 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:34.220 In his pain, Job cried out for death because he felt alone and abandoned. 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:37.300 But look at how his life actually ends in verse 16. 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:54.819 What do you think the grandkids heard about when they went to see Grandpa Job? 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:59.980 I doubt he told them stories of camel races and big parties or festivals. 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:18.240 But I'm sure that every time someone came across his path, he told them to trust in the unfailing love of a good and faithful God who cares for, who sustains and who walks with his people even through the greatest suffering. 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:21.720 You can almost hear it on his lips, can't you? 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:25.360 Suffer well for the glory of God. 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:31.840 But the end of verse 17 brings us back to the reality of life. 00:15:33.160 --> 00:15:33.899 Job dies. 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:41.620 Sure, he was an old man and he had lived a long and joyful life after his great suffering, but he still died. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:45.340 And death comes to us all. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:49.580 But Job was hoping for something more than death. 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:51.040 Remember in chapter 19? 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:53.980 How his hope was beyond the grave. 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:59.700 How he said, I know that my Redeemer lives and I know that I will stand face to face with God one day. 00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:06.460 It almost leaves the book of Job open-ended, doesn't it? 00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:10.060 It leaves us wondering, what is next? 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:12.440 Where is that final? 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:15.540 Where is that true hope that we've been longing for? 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:22.880 And so as we draw the series to an end and reflect on Job's entire life, 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:32.340 I want us to take a step back and think about the pattern of his suffering and then exaltation. 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:41.000 And how that same pattern is reflected in the life of Jesus and how it will ultimately be reflected in our lives too. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:48.620 And friends, it is in this moment that we see we are even more blessed than Job ever would be. 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:58.360 We see this pattern of suffering and exaltation first and foremost in the suffering and exaltation of God's Son. 00:16:58.919 --> 00:17:01.799 The suffering and exaltation of God's Son. 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:04.720 So Job is unique in a way. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:08.139 He is held out by God as an example of godliness. 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:10.279 His suffering is extreme. 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.720 It is intense. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:18.180 And all of that is supposed to make us think of Jesus, the perfect servant of God, 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:22.419 who is absolutely holy and upright because he is God. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:31.619 The one who went through the most intense and agonizing pain that any human has ever been through and will ever go through. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:35.480 Jesus is God come down. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:40.279 God in the flesh who came to be part of our world and he suffered. 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:44.659 Jesus was rejected by those in his hometown. 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:48.799 Unpopular among those he was sent to save. 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:52.680 Unpopular and hated by the religious leaders. 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:53.559 Mocked by many. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:55.019 Betrayed by a friend. 00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:59.919 And he stood before a crowd of his own people who shouted, crucify him. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:05.579 And in addition to all of his physical torment on the cross, 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:13.019 the more agonizing part of it was bearing the full weight of the wrath of God against the sins of the world. 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:17.180 Jesus knows what it means to suffer. 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:23.480 That is the most important thing to remember in all of our suffering. 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:30.519 And all of our questions about suffering in the world that we do not come to a God who is indifferent about suffering. 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:33.500 But we worship a God who has suffered himself. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:39.539 My friend Andy Robertson summarized it wonderfully with just this little sentence. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.079 We worship a God with wounds. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:51.000 And that mind-blowing truth should transform the way we think about suffering. 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:56.460 So Job's life is a foreshadow of the life of Jesus. 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:58.000 It follows that same pattern. 00:18:58.519 --> 00:19:00.879 Job was blessed and then he suffered. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:04.079 And then he's blessed in abundance and exalted. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:08.980 Philippians 2 shows us that same pattern in the life of Jesus. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.879 The perfect son of God. 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:12.579 Listen to a few verses. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:17.139 Have this mind among yourself which is yours in Christ Jesus. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:23.259 Who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. 00:19:23.379 --> 00:19:29.659 But emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men. 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:36.320 And being found in human form he humbled himself by being obedient to the point of death. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:38.259 Even death on a cross. 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:46.779 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name. 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:49.960 So that the name of Jesus every knee should bow. 00:19:50.480 --> 00:19:52.620 In heaven and on earth and under the earth. 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:58.740 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:06.120 Jesus is God but he humbled himself by becoming a human being. 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:08.700 By suffering and dying on a cross. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:14.519 And then the Lord raises him from the dead and exalted him to the highest place. 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:17.880 Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:21.120 Where he is ruling and reigning over all of creation. 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:24.380 Do you see that pattern? 00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:30.540 Jesus suffered and then was exalted to the greatest place. 00:20:31.540 --> 00:20:38.320 And we need to understand that before we think about how this pattern is played out in our lives today. 00:20:39.540 --> 00:20:42.920 And that's the final thing I want us to think about together for a moment. 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:47.000 The suffering and exaltation of God's people. 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:50.880 The suffering and exaltation of God's people. 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:56.400 So what happened to Job happened in a greater sense to Jesus. 00:20:56.600 --> 00:20:59.700 And it is what will happen to us as Christians. 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:03.880 When we hear the message of the good news of Jesus. 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:07.900 When we are presented with a grand view of the God who saves. 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.360 We are humbled. 00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:13.040 We see his might and his holiness. 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:16.860 And the only right conclusion is to turn to Jesus and repent. 00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:19.939 To confess our unworthiness. 00:21:20.199 --> 00:21:23.399 To confess our sin and to trust in him. 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:29.519 And then through the completed work of Jesus on the cross we are justified. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:34.039 We are given the status of being right before our holy God. 00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:38.119 He took our sin and gifted us his righteousness. 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:43.559 But right now in this life the Bible is clear. 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:46.099 We are still in a broken world. 00:21:46.959 --> 00:21:49.579 We will suffer like everyone else does. 00:21:50.419 --> 00:21:50.819 Death. 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:52.519 Disease. 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.319 Illness. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:54.019 Pain. 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:55.719 Mental health struggles. 00:21:55.899 --> 00:21:56.379 Depression. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:00.559 But for the Christian there is an added element. 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:04.379 Because we will suffer for our faith in Jesus. 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:08.580 We will be opposed because of our faith. 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.700 We will be oppressed. 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:13.340 We will be ridiculed and we will be sidelined. 00:22:14.520 --> 00:22:17.300 For some of our brothers and sisters around the world today. 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:19.500 Being a Christian is a death sentence. 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:23.920 But our hope is not in this life. 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:27.660 We may not be blessed materially like Job is. 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:31.400 The Bible never promises material wealth. 00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.980 Health and prosperity. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:40.620 But the Bible promises a deep seated certain hope of an eternal future. 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:43.279 In the glory of God. 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:46.779 For all those who put their trust in Jesus and live for him. 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:50.680 In the end we will be exalted. 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:54.819 Following Jesus will mean that we are infinitely blessed. 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.980 Not in this life. 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:58.900 Though there are wonderful blessings in this life through Jesus. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:01.120 But our ultimate blessing. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:04.100 And our final exaltation is in the end. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:08.300 The New Testament says that we will be joint heirs with Jesus. 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:12.080 That is a greater exaltation. 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:15.700 One that Job couldn't even begin to comprehend. 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:18.440 Death is not the end. 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:23.300 The eternal glory of God as we are exalted to be with him. 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:27.559 That is the end of the story for everyone who follows Jesus Christ. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:33.879 That's why James says in the passage that was read earlier on in the service. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:37.339 That we should wait patiently for the Lord's return. 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.919 We wait because God is compassionate. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:42.980 God is full of mercy. 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:46.759 And he calls us to suffer well for the glory of God. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:58.599 But God also tells us that all of this life is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs all of the suffering that we face now. 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:04.359 Friends, remember what this whole book of Job has been about. 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:10.339 This book is here to teach us to suffer well for the glory of God. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:13.160 That is the message that we need to persevere. 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:19.800 By the power of the Holy Spirit until that final day when our suffering is no more. 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:26.540 When our happy ending, our eternal life of perfect harmony with God becomes a reality. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:36.620 A day is coming when our compassionate and merciful God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:42.719 As we come into his presence for an eternity and dwell with him in perfect union. 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:47.859 That is the perspective that fuels us to suffer well for the glory of God. 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:51.519 That is the true happy ending that everyone longs for. 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:54.259 And it is the story of all those who trust in Jesus. 00:24:56.599 --> 00:25:00.459 Friends, we don't have all the answers to pain and suffering. 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:06.039 But we do have a God who also suffered and was exalted. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:10.360 And who tells us that even when we suffer, it is not the end. 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:13.920 But we too will be exalted and we will be with him. 00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:17.480 That is the end that we're waiting for. 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:20.640 The return of the Lord, the Lord with wounds. 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:24.960 Who one day will call us out of our suffering. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:28.259 And into a perfect relationship with him. 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:30.599 Let's pray together. 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:35.720 Heavenly Father, we thank you for the book of Job. 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:41.460 We thank you for the wonderful lessons that it has taught us over these last few weeks. 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:46.619 But Father, we ask that you would continue to teach us by the power of your Holy Spirit. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:49.460 To suffer well for your glory. 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:53.660 And to live faithful and obedient lives. 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:55.620 Until that final day. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:58.640 When Jesus comes, the Lord with wounds. 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:02.400 And calls us into your perfect presence for eternity. 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:05.740 We ask all of this in Jesus' name. 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:06.900 Amen. 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.040 Amen. 00:26:07.040 --> 00:26:07.120 Amen. 00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.140 Amen. 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:07.160 Amen. 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.519 Amen. 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.960 Amen. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.000 Amen. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.380 Amen. 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:09.960 Amen. 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:11.019 Amen. 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.500 Amen. 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:11.519 Amen. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:11.540 Amen. 00:26:11.540 --> 00:26:11.580 Amen.