Sow What?! (3)

A.C.T.S • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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Pray

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in the Larue County, Kentucky (just over for hours from Kenton.) From an early age, Lincoln was accustom to hardship, pain and suffering. His mother died when he was 9. His first love died when he was a young man. Later, three of his four children died in childhood. His wife may have been affected by mental illness, and he himself is believed to have suffered from what we would now call clinical depression.

His political path was no easier. This man we view as a unifying hero was largely unpopular in his own times. The media portrayed him as a hapless hick from the backwoods. Eastern society rejected him and his wife because they were from Illinois—then considered the rough western frontier. And when he ran for president, leaders in Southern states made clear that if Lincoln were elected, the country would divide. With 82 percent voter turnout in 1860, he won with less than 40 percent of the popular vote.

Rather than shrink from a leadership nightmare in the making, accepted leadership of a country that was already deeply divided below the surface, knowing his election meant division would soon be obvious on the surface as well. Sure enough, after his election Southern states made good on their threats and began seceding from the union before he even took office. Then, roughly a month after he took office, all-out civil war erupted. His popularity grew during his presidency until, four years after he took office and just six days after the Confederate surrender, he was shot and killed in a final tragedy that helped to bring the nation back together in their grief.

This morning we look back at Abraham Lincoln as one of the finest US presidents. Though none of us knew him personally, there is a sense of selflessness that we glean from Lincoln, that he was committed to the cause. That despite adversity and setbacks, that he was willing to push through at all costs.

And yet, much of the leader that he would go on to be… was a reflection of his intimate acquaintance with sorrow and hardship. You see, despite his difficulties in life, his experiences would ultimalty help to prepare him to lead this nation during one of its greatest moments of tension. His experience would prepare him for the kind of self-sacrifice his presidency would require. And yet… it wasn’t an easy road.

This morning, we all know too well, what’s it’s like to suffer. Each of us, in our own ways has had some sort of difficulty, or setback or struggle in life. Some of us, It seems like it’s one thing after the next, that in a sense, we can’t catch a break… and we wonder: “Lord, what are you up to?” We wonder “God I know you’re good… but right now, life doesn’t feel so good.”

That’s the topic of our conversation this morning. As we examine scripture and consider growth through adversity. The question is this, how can adversity and difficulty, lead to growth. If you have your bibles, turn with me Job Chapter 1. And as you’re turning there this morning, we’re going to continue in our sermon series entitled Sow What?! This week as we look at the life of Job, which many of you know the story, but we will see how God uses difficult times in our life for our good in his glory. And as we consider the story of Job, our Job is to see how he responded when difficult times hit… and to imitate his faith when difficult times come our way. There are 3 things that we learn from Job in terms of how we respond through problems and pain. There are 3 things that we must do. 1. Praise. 2. Proceed (Stay the course) 3. Pray (petitions)?

1. Through Problems and Pain, we Praise

If you’re not already there, turn with me to Job Chapter 1, and as you’re turning there I want to unpack the book of Job and the scene that we encounter this morning. First the book of Job does not name the author, of course all scripture is from God, but we don’t if it was Job or Moses, Solomon or who exactly wrote the book. We also don’t know the exact time timeframe when the book was written, many scholars believe that Job was actually written before Genesis and is the oldest book in the bible ever written.

But while we don’t know these pieces, they’re really less important details… and the main theme this morning, or the central theme of Job is on 2 specific points. 1st. We see that Satan tries to convince God, that the only reason that Job is faithful to God, is because God has been so good to Job. We’ll see in a second that Satan insists, that if God takes away his possessions, his family and his health, then Job will reject God. The 2nd main theme concerns proving the character of God to men. There is underlying theme of if God is good, why does he allow bad to happen? In other words why would a perfect and holy God allow bad things to happen, especially to someone as righteous as Job. So the character of God is brought into focus.

But let’s jump into the text together for a moment. Job 1:1

1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

6 One day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[b] also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” 9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

So, if we stop for a 2nd we’ll notice a number of details about the text. First, we see that Job live in the land of uz not to be mistaken with the wonderful land of oz. but this land is in northern Arabia, next to midian where moses lived for 40 years. And it’s a relatively fertile land, with vegetation, and here Job, kept his 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys and a large number of servants.

We see also that Job had the ideal family, he has his wife, and 7 sons and 3 daughters. Which would have been the picture perfect family at the time. And if his family, and great wealth weren’t enough, he’s also a man that’s blameless. Who loves the Lord, who walks before him faithful, who prays for his children just in case they may have sinned. And yet, a major problem is about to take place.

You see, the tension of the text is built around the Idea, that Satan would challenge Jobs true heart. In verse number 6, we’re introduced to a very interesting scene as God is holding council with his heavenly court as we see in times throughout scripture. And here, Satan or in Hebrew the saw-tawn' comes forward who serves as an accuser or adversary… and he speaks out against Job and insists that the only reason that he fears God is because God has been so good to Job. Then Satan says, strike everything he has and he will cure you… and interestingly enough, God agrees.

Now I want us to notice 2 things for a brief moment, 1st, Satan had to get permission from God to strike inflict this harm on Job. In other words, Satan is a created, fallen angel, and although God, in His providence allows for this attack to take place… God had the final authority. 2ND. We also see that God spares Jobs life, in other words, God doesn’t want Job dead, instead, God will takes what the enemy means for evil and use it ultimalty for Jobs God.

For the bible says: 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

Guys, I want to make sure that we appreciate the level of pain that has just been experienced here. That we don’t glance over the details just because we know how the story ends… but to truly understand the pain and agony that was going on in this moment. You see, I know some of us this morning know what its like to loss a loved one. To loss a son or a daughter, to loss a spouse, or a parent. And in this moment, All of Jobs children, the sons that he had raised their whole lives, the ones that he would have played catch with in the back yard, or maybe taken fishing,the daughters that he had been there to love, and tell stories to, or tuck them in at night before bed. All in one moment, he lost them all.

and yet, for Job, God allowed this to take place.

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Friends, Job tears his clotches in lamenting. He shaves his head. And then he falls to the ground in worship. You see when we look at the text for a moment, the word worship in Hebrew is - šāḥâ To bow down, prostrate oneself

And then Job would say May the name of the lord be Praised – which, this word: bāraḵ, means to bless, kneel

Friends, here’s the point. When difficulty hit. When pain and problems took place in the life of Job. Job assumed a position of Praise and worship. He bows to the ground, he kneels before the Lord and he praises God in his season of life. Friends, I can’t imagine the sort of agony that he was facing, I can’t imagine the sort of pain… but yet, in these moments, when life was it’s hardest, Job praises the Lord.

Can I ask a question… how do you respond when bad things happen to you in life? Is your first instinct to praise God? Do we have the right perspective about the things that happen to us in life? Or, are we quick to curse God. You see, Job responded by blessing God. By kneeing before him, Satan sad that Job would do the opposite, that he would not bless, but curse God. That he would no longer bow his knees before God. In other words, Satan was saying that Job was a fair weather Christian. That as long as things went well, that Job would continue to kneel before the Lord, once things went bad, he would no longer kneel. Friends what about you?

You see, I think of my son carter this morning and my daughter who have both just about wrapped up there baseball and softball seasons. And although they didn’t know how to play the game before, one thing that I’ve been impressed by is there level of learning over the last couple of months. Especially with Taylor, I mean her swing has improved, her love for the game has improved… and her knowledge has certainly improved. One thing that Taylor has learned though, is when she’s out playing 2nd base our out in the outfield, is that she’s in a position of readiness, before the ball is hit her way.

Now will every ball that’s hit come her way? Probably not… but the point is, is that she’s on her toes, her knees are bent, her eyes are looking straight in front of her and she’s ready… in case the ball is hit her way, so that she can make the play that she needs to make. She’s in a position of readiness beforehand.

Friends, what about us this morning. We see jobs response to trouble, we see that he didn’t wait for the play to take place… he didn’t wait for the disater to happen, he was ready beforehand…you see his praise and worship In his life didn’t start on that day, his attitude to the event didn’t happen that day, he was already walking in it… friend, what about you?

You see the bible doesn’t sugar coat it, John 16:33 makes it clear 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Friends, we are guaranteed that trouble will happen… and yet church, we can be encouraged because of Jesus this morning. The struggle your facing, the problem you have, the news you got, you may not be able to make sense of it, and yet… If God is for you… who can be against you this morning? The Holy Spirit is interceding for you this morning, and he is working at all things for your good and for His glory… on friends, would we, this morning, be found ready before the trouble comes. Would we assume a posture of worship and surrender this morning to our Father?

2. Through Problems and Pain we proceed (stay the course)

As we continue with our scripture this morning, we see that despite Jobs loss the bible would tell us in Job 1:22 that in 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Sin - Hebrew word ḥāṭā'

to sin, to miss the goal or path. In other words, I want us to notice that when life went sideways for Job, when things didn’t Go Jobs way… he didn’t change his course. He kept his path

You see, It’s interesting. Even the advice that Jobs wife would give to Job was to his back on God. Again, verse 9 says: 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” and In chapter 1 verse 11, Satan told the Lord But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

You see, there’s this understanding in life that when things don’t go our way in life, we tend to give up on them. And yet job stayed the course.

You see, this morning, we read back through scripture, and we see the interaction between God and Satan, and we see the full story… but as Job is living through this nightmare… he doesn’t give up on God. He doesn’t curse God and die… he stays the course.

You know I found this week an interesting article, it stated that After four or five years of producing abnormally large quantities of milk, that cows become “spent.” Their bodies just give out and they stop producing as much milk. That in the course of time Many suffer a painful infection called mastitis; others become so weak they are unable to stand. And so, rather than feeding a cow that will not produce milk any longer, most of these cows are sent to the slaughterhouse where they are killed; Afterall No milk means no money for farmers.

Here's the point this morning. By all accounts, Job seemed to be living in a land flowing with milk and honey. By all accounts, Job had everything that anyone could ever want. But when the milk dried out, when the tap was turned off, Job didn’t change his course. When things didn’t go Jobs way, he didn’t give up on God.

Friends, this morning, life may not seem like it’s going your way. Oftentimes, we are left to wonder what God is up to… and yet, we must stay the course. In all this Job did not sin… friends… when life is difficult, when life doesn’t make sense, even when it feels like your just going through the motions, you must stay the course.

3. Through Problems and Pain we pray

As we continue with the story of Job this morning, we see that 3 friends are introduced to us. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, and these 3 friends reprensent the best of ancient near east thinking about God and human suffering now for over 30 chapters, we see that there is this debate, between Job and his friends, as they try to reason simply, that Job must have sinned, that God was simply punishing Job because afterall God is just, and so Job must have done something to deserve what happened. But then towards the end of the book we see that ultimalty God speaks. And reminds Job, that God is sovereign and that his ways are always right, even when they don’t make sense to us.

But what I want us to focus on for or last point this morning is that Job is a man of prayer.

The bible tells us: 7 After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.

10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 11 All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.

12 The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 13 And he also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. 15 Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.

16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

So we see here that God restore Jobs family, and possessions… it’s not to say that he could replace his previous children, or that Job didn’t endure difficulty… But ultimaltty, we see that at the end God would go on to bless the later days of Jobs life moreso then the beginning…

But I want us to notice here that through this entire time, that Job is a man of prayer. Both at the beginning of the story as he makes sacrifces for his children in chapter 1, and here at the end the scripture, Job continues in his relationship with God.

You see, when it comes to Job, I can’t help but think of James 5:16 which tells us: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Friends here’s the point, Job wasn’t perfect. But Job prayed. In the midst of his trials and tribulations, even when his own wife told him to turn his back on God. Job never through In the towel. Job continued to be a man of prayer.

I wonder, what about us? When difficulties hit in life, do we tend to push into God? Do we tend to pray? Do we draw close to God? Or do we take a step back?

I’m Going to call Lisa Forward at this time.

And as she’s coming forward, I just want to summarize what Job did in response to His pain and problems. 1st. we see that he Praise God… That even in difficult times, that he maintained a posture of worship. 2nd, we see that Job proceeds on. He stays the course.

3rd. we see that Job prays. That he continues to Go to God, through difficult times.

I’m just going to read one last scripture to us this morning as we close out… 1 Thes 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Guys for you in your own life… How are things going? We know that God is working things out for our good, even when it doesn’t feel that way. But this morning, are you rejoice? This morning are you praying and this morning are you giving thanks?