ARCC Sermons

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January 14th

Our Bible reading today is Job chapters 38,39. It may be short, but no less revealing.

After months, maybe close to a year, per some commentators, all Job wanted was a hearing with God. Well, he was about to get the whole load.

God was about to reveal the magnificent mysteries of creation. And since man (in particular, Job and his three outspoken friends) understood so little of God’s will and work of creation, how could “they” claim to understand God’s ways in reference to Job’s trial?

Job had silenced his friends but didn't convince them. Elihu silenced Job, but didn't humble him. Now it pleased God to step into the conversation...and begin to bring Job right where He wanted him.

“Note the prInciple of God’s timing.”

It seems as though God could have interposed so much sooner in Job’s severe trial. But He didn't. I remember a verse at the end of Isaiah 60...”I am God...At the right time, I will make it happen.”...God’s message through the prophet to the children of Israel...”There is coming a day when the sun will never go down and the moon will never fade...for the Lord will be your everlasting light. There is coming a day when all of your mourning will be over. All of your people will be righteous and you will possess the land forever....(referring to the future new heaven and new earth with God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.) And the message is finished with....”I am God...and at the right time I will make it happen.”

Much suffering would take place in Israel from Isaiah’s prophecy to today...but God’s time for deliverance of His faithful people (Jew and Gentile) is not yet...When it is right, God will make it happen.

Doesn't it seem to us that God could have stepped in for the sake of Job much sooner, and taught he and his friends the true wisdom of God earlier? But He didn't. There was a more perfect time for Him to make that happen. They would need to trust Him.

I'm reminded of the Apostle Paul’s message to the church in Galatia...

Galatians 4:4-7 ESV

“4 But when the “fullness of time had come” (When the time was right...when the time was perfect...), God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the (curse) of the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son/a daughter...then an heir through God.”

There was a right time for God to intervene and speak to Job. And that was good.

But one more time we are reminded that there was something awesomely better...There was a “perfect time” for God to send His Son to save us...and He made it happen!

Thanks, Lord and thanks for Your Word that inspires and encourages us to do life together with You for another glorious day.

Enjoy the rest of the story.

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January 13

Our Bible reading today is Job 35,36,37.

The young messenger, Elihu, in 6 chapters and three distinct speeches, was passionate, to say the least.

In his heart, he believed that the three friends of Job were wrong. “Suffering is not the proof of wickedness, but rather the proof of God being up to something in the life of that person and family.”

And Job had been wrong too. “Suffering in the life of those rightly related to God by faith was not the proof of an Almighty God simply wielding His random will without rhyme or reason.....or, that it was a sign of enmity with God. But instead, that particular suffering was a proof of God’s love...His grace for transforming a heart and life toward God at a new level.

Continuing in the text...Elihu’s words seem harsh at times. Listen to these stinging words to Job from young Elihu...” Will your wealth keep you from distress? Will all the force of your strength keep you from suffering?".., “ “turn from your wickedness...that is, from the vice of complaining against God...and start learning from your affliction” Job 36 ...Wow, some hard words...but necessary.

At the same time, Elihu’s words were full of substance. For instance, in Job 33, Elihu says, “God speaks to man in two ways."

He speaks through dreams and suffering....And, that suffering was for man’s good...not to punish him, but to save him...from pitfalls and judgment. Praise God for that...it reminds us of the Apostle Paul’s message in Romans 8:28...”For all things work together for good for those who love God..”

Another way we can know that Elihu’s words were in harmony with God’s work and will...read ahead to the last chapter and see where Job “repented” before God for his prideful questioning of God after Elihu’s exhortation to that end.

Early on in my Christian life, as a 19 yr old college sophomore, I was encouraged by my pastor, Paul Burleson, to get in the Word and stay in the Word. And I was taught from scripture that the Holy Spirit, (who indwelled me from the day of my conversion to Christ), that same Holy Spirit would infill me with the very life, love, and light of Christ and would always guide me into the truth. So, I would and still to this day, read the Bible anticipating the Spirit to point me to Christ (who is the truth) in those pages and help me to understand The will of God and empower me to live in harmony with the Lord.

So you ask me, “Jim, what do you see of Jesus in Elihu’s last speech to Job?” Well, I see and hear Jesus speaking to Nicodemus. Elihu had a hard message and he delivered it, trusting God with the result. Jesus told an enquiring Jewish religious leader, who had accumulated all the religious merit badges and community appreciation plaques that were offered and earned over years of a religious journey that took him to the top...leadership of the Sanhedrin....and Jesus told him that all those medals meant nothing with God...only a faith relationship with Jesus Christ would do...” the Son of Man must be lifted up and he that believes Him will have eternal life.” In other words, You must be born again...this time spiritually.

That’s a hard message for someone who was counting on all that he had done to get him into God’s favor. And Jesus left the result with the Father.

Elihu was telling the truth. Jesus was and ever will be the truth of eternal life. Jesus is always better.

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January 12th

Our Bible reading today is found in Job 32,33,34.

The debate between Job and his friends is over. After all these weeks and months, nothing has changed. Job’s body is still racked with disease. His flesh has changed colors, not by the sun, but by the rot of infection. His attempts to endure the pain has drained him of strength...so weakness and fatigue have replaced it. Nothing has changed with Job’s suffering.

And nothing has changed with the theology of his friends. They continue to blame Job for God’s judgment. They continue to declare that Job is living in self-righteousness and unconfessed sin...an arrogance that deserves such suffering. **The counselors finished the way they started. They still believed that unrighteous behavior deserved the punishments of God. So they looked upon the terrible condition of Job and deduced that he was really a very bad sinner...who would not repent. They looked upon their own good condition and deduced that they lived righteous lives that gave them an advantage with God. (Reminds me of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day...”O God, I am glad that I'm not a sinner like that pitiful man.”)

If anything changed in 29 chapters of Job’s life with pain, it was Job’s faith...slowly but surely it became a “shaken faith” in who God was...Let me explain: The Suffering Job praised God in the beginning, “My Redeemer Lives”, he sang...and Job believed God strongly in the middle of his suffering declaring, “Though He slay me, I will still put my hope in Him”...but toward the end, Job began to voice doubts about His relationship with God...saying, “I have become an enemy to God”....implying that God had wronged him at some point.

Knowing the end of Job’s story, I can tell you that Job’s faith was restored. But not without an unexpected helper. That’s where the next 5 chapters come in. Beginning with the introduction of a new and somewhat strange character in today’s reading...Elihu. He had one main message...listen for it.

Right off the bat, we learn that Elihu was a young man...much younger than Job and the three friends. How he came to be in the hearing of these four older men is not made clear. But obviously, out of respect, he held his peace until now. And without fear, young Elihu spoke truth. (I Remember Ruth and the charge her uncle gave her in the face of a very hard responsibility...” you were born for such a time as this...”...so was Elihu!)

He reproved Job’s friends. And he reproved Job. The Bible says Elihu spoke to them with words that burned with anger. (I want to liken it to Jesus’ righteous anger against the spiritual corruption promoted by priests and Sanhedrin in Jerusalem...)

Perhaps you have wondered, like me, if Elihu was just another critic who came late to the party. And then we read a little slower, a little closer.

In chapter 32 we hear the beginning of Elihu’s conversation...”I was young and you were aged...I was afraid to speak my opinion...I would let days teach wisdom...I would let number of years express wisdom and understanding...But I knew that it was the spirit in a man, the breath of The Almighty, that made him understand...it’s not the old who are wise or the aged who understand what is right...it’s the Spirit of God within them...” (Reminds me of what Pharoah said to his servants about Joseph...”Can we find a man like this in whom is the Spirit of God.”

Elihu was speaking his main message. Wisdom is found in God. It is the Spirit of God that gives wisdom and understanding. (I'm impressed with the young messenger so far.) But even more, impressed with the fact that Job and his friends were silent. That’s a first

My take on that?...the Spirit of God in Elihu spoke to the spirit of these men and brought conviction to their hearts...”And perhaps they said in their hearts, “I should be still now and know that the Lord, He is God, not me.” (Or they could have taken offense at what the young man said...probably more likely...but I hope not.)

What might Jesus have to say to Job now about suffering and death? I believe Christ, in all of His glory, would show Job his nail-pierced hands and feet and his spear pierced side. And say, “it was and is for the glory of God...so make much of Him now, and He will glorify you later. “

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January 11th

Our Bible reading is Job chapters 29, 30, 31.

After reading yesterday’s texts, we were ready to add Job’s name to the physical record in Hebrews 11...that “Hall of Faith” that included the likes of Abel and Enoch and Noah and Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and Jacob and Joseph and Moses and Rahab and Gideon and Samson and Daniel and martyrs for the Good News of God in Christ...all of whom the world was not worthy...and on and on....people who believed God...in all kinds of circumstances...Trusting in Him for their salvation.

Am I still sold on Job for induction into God’s Hall of Faith?

After today’s reading, maybe not as unanimously as I felt yesterday. Job’s attitude changes a bit...***justifying himself rather than deferring to God’s unseen and still perfect plans for His glory. ...a common default even by committed believers, being pressed beyond measure. Moving on...

These three chapters pretty much end Job’s debate with his friends over the cause of his suffering. These verses comprise Job’s last appeal to God for an understandable and reasonable cause for his months of misery in body and soul. He seems to concentrate on his case rather than on God’s...almost losing sight of the fact that God knows what He is doing...and He doesn't have to tell us. After this year, Job has not changed his mind, even before God. He still doesn't believe his critics that he has earned this pain with his sinning. (Somewhere in there I agree)...And Job continues:

“Would someone who has been known by his close fellowship with God continue in sin this much, this long?” “No...” Job would retort.

Would someone in fellowship with God be the eyes to the blind?...the feet to the lame?...the father to the needy? “Yes, Job would rhetorically answer.” That’s me...You know it’s me.” What’s going on here? Why won't you change things for me?”

“Is not calamity for the unrighteous? Is not disaster for the workers of iniquity? Why don't you see my ways? I don't deserve this. “

“If I have walked with unconfessed falsehood and hastened to deceive...If my steps have turned aside from Your way...and my heart has gone after immorality without remorse...if I have not paid for service rendered in my fields, let thorns grow instead of wheat...all of that together would be a heinous crime, an iniquity punishable by the judges...even to the fires of Abbadon.” Job compares himself with others....another “go-to” place, even for sincere believers, when they are trying to make sense out of heartache on their own.

Job then finishes his closing remarks before the Righteous Judge/Almighty God...(Remember, Job still does not know and understand God’s contest with satan...) “O I wish that You would put in writing the reasons for my suffering. This would surely clear me of all the charges made against me by friend and foe alike.”

Is Job still a champion in the faith? Knowing the end of the story, and knowing the “imperfect” stories of other giants in the faith...I say yes.

But our true champion in the faith is Jesus. Always has been...always will be. Everything about his life and ministry, including his incredible suffering, was never about him....it was always about the Father and His glory and His amazing grace toward us! Amen and Amen!

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January 10th

In our reading today, in Job chapters 24 through 28, we hear a conversation between Job and his friend, Bildad, and Job and God. In the conversations, we hear frustrations, pointed accusations, defensive arguments, and honest questioning. Reminds us of conversations we have had with friends and God. Some of the back and forth can be the result of ignorance, or misguided arrogance, and even desperate longing for answers and truth. So some conversations can become debative, and even combative. But in love, if it leads to truth, it is worth the time and effort.

In yesterday’s reading of the Word, Job told Eliphaz that often times God had terrified him by His awesome power and judgments. But Job, who had a personal faith relationship with God, went on to say, “but even that will not keep me from honest conversation with God...He knows me and welcomes my yearning for the truth.”

And so he says out loud to God, with much respect, concerning God’s righteous prerogative to work HIS WILL with men...

“Is God wrong when He restrains Himself from judging the guilty (like you would have them judged)?” And is God wrong when He chooses to try the innocent?”

And Job continues...”But where will wisdom be found on this? Where is the place of understanding when it comes to suffering? The deep says it’s not in me. The sea says it’s not with me. The living cannot find this wisdom on suffering. The dead cannot find this understanding on suffering. Answer? God alone knows the reason and purpose of it. We trust Him and wait for Him to reveal His eternal purposes.

By the way...This reading brought to mind that the most innocent person who has ever lived on the earth, the Lord Jesus Christ, was crushed under unjust judgment...and it WAS God’s will. And it was and is good news for those of us who believe Him and believe in Him...for His suffering meant our eternal salvation.

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January 9th

In Job chapters 21,22,&23 God reveals the strategy of ambitious, self-righteous men. ...(we could say the strategy of hell). “They tell big lies. And they repeat them over and over and over again.” And though the false accusations of Job’s so-called friends were preposterous, completely absurd and contrary to Job’s nature, people throughout the region believed the lies rather than the plain truth about Job’s life. For years parents would tell their children to follow the example of Job’s relationship with God...and how that relationship demonstrated the showing of mercy and kind generosity to people of all walks of life. But then the lies about Job took on a life of their own and suddenly parents everywhere began to warn their children....”Look, kids, that huge sinner is finally getting what he deserves. Only real bad sinners suffer like Job is. Don't ever trust him.”

This passage also reveals the deep down convictions that Job had about his suffering...#1 God was the one doing the trying of Job’s faith...and #2 When God was through, Job would come out as gold.” (See if you can find some other convictions that Job had about his trials in today’s reading).

And how does this reading relate to the good news of God in and through Christ?

“O that I knew where to find God...”Job cried in his suffering”....” yet, I am terrified at his presence...I am in dread of Him.”

Where do we find God? Is there a place between heaven and earth where we might find Him and not just be totally terrified? Let me suggest “At the Cross...At the cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was thereby faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day.”

See you at the cross...

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January 8th

“Listen to Job’s personal testimony: “O that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! “For I know that my Redeemer lives”, and at the last, he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh, I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”

‭‭Job‬ ‭19:23-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬ ...

The reading before us today, Job chapters 17-20, reveals a faith in the Lord that inspires me to steadfastness in my own walk with Him....especially in times of desperate suffering.

Job’s faith was indeed tested...at every turn it seems. His livelihood was taken from him. His children were all taken from him. His health was taken from him. His wife’s trust was taken from him. The loyalty of his closest friends was taken from him. His reputation was taken from. And his righteous legacy was taken from him. Indeed Job’s faith (in God’s words and actions) was tested. And with God’s power, Job came through with flying colors.

Job’s friend, Bildad, had just visited Job again. On his way out the door, he said in Job’s hearing, “Surely this is the dwelling of the unrighteous...such is the place of him who knows not God.”

And how Job responded to Bildad’s remark is epic. Listen to how Job starts...”For I Know...”(not I hope so, not I think so, but I know so!... Knows with the knowledge of God Himself. And what is it that Job knows so confidently?...”For I know that my Redeemer lives! And at the last, He will stand upon the earth. And though my skin has been destroyed, in my flesh I shall see God...and my heart faints within me for anticipation.”

Wow...that’s a double Wow to me. Job’s faith was in the “living” God...the God who would Himself leave heaven and stand upon the earth one day...the God whom Job himself would see with his very own eyes...and he could hardly wait. And how did that translate into Job facing his pain, his great losses?

“I'm not alone. My Redeemer/Savior Lives to strengthen me, to help me, to uphold me and my words no matter how bad it gets with His righteous right hand.”

“My Redeemer/Savior is more powerful than suffering, more powerful than dying and more powerful than death...Right now...forever...for me! I'm not alone and I am not helpless and hopeless...my God sees and knows and is in complete control. I'm trusting Him again!”

And friends let us say out loud right along with Job...”Our Redeemer Lives” ( on this side of the cross because of the resurrection)....and we too cant wait to see Him with our own eyes...so we keep on keeping on no matter what.

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January 7th

Our scripture reading today in Job (chapters 14-16) reveals hopeful beliefs that made up Job’s faith which encourages mine.

Now, remember, Job is still not comforted by his friends’ attempts at explaining his unfortunate reversals and continuing afflictions in body and soul. (They told him that he was “doing away with the fear of the Lord”. In other words, Job’s “big sin” must be no less than disregarding the humble worship of God and influencing others to do the same. **Wow...they must not have truly known Job at all. God called him a righteous man. They called him a phony. How could anyone stand up under such a bombardment of false accusations? Perhaps it was “who” Job believed...God rather than his self serving companions. And perhaps it was “what” Job believed...truth from God rather than the humanistic philosophy of men.

Here are a few hopeful beliefs that we find Job hanging onto when the pain of loss and being misjudged was coming close to overriding his life and message of faith in God.

#1. Job believed God that “Life is short, not long...and God knows that”...in fact, God determines a person’s days upon the earth. And His determinations are perfect in accomplishing His devine purposes with us and through us. Once again, Job reminds us of the good and great Sovereignty of God...especially when we are struggling with “the whys” of life.

#2. Job believed God that “Life is full of trouble...” including death...but God is in control of all of that too...regardless of how unexpected and cruel it may seem to us...for at the very least, as Job put it, “if we die we shall live again” in perfect harmony and fellowship with God our Savior and Lord...forever.

3. And one more...Job believed God that “Life may seem to unfairly gang up against us, but God is our Advocate, committed to our eternal welfare...and God is our Witness...who says, “I know this man, and his testimony can be trusted.”

What would Job say about Jesus? “He’s the man, not me. I may have suffered unjustly for my own sins in some ways. But Jesus suffered unjustly, not for his own transgressions, but for ours who believe in Him. Yes, Jesus is better! Trust Him!

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January 6th

The passage before us (Job 10-13) is one of my favorites. God had told satan earlier that Job was special to Him. And when God told satan that Job was an upright man, He was saying that his neighbors could count on him to be truthful and fair in all of his dealings. Remember, this was God’s testimony of Job and He knew Job perfectly.

And note, Job believed that God would speak of him in such a way. Why? Because Job’s conscience was clear before God and man. Not perfect. Not sinless. But broken... "search me and know my heart” broken. Job would even say, “My doctrine is pure”...and “I am clean in God’s eyes”....that was not self-righteous talk...that was true spiritual humility, for Job knew who got the credit for such claims...God.

Job would say, “I dont know exactly what God is doing now, but I know that He is doing it...I know that this suffering is God’s sovereign hand upon my life. And He is perfectly righteous...He will only do right things to us.

Now would Job go through dark nights of his soul during his trial? Absolutely. ...But stay with me.

Job would experience suffering like none other on the earth to that day.” Job spoke to God about it...not as though he was sinless, but because he was a “repentant” man...never allowing his sin list to get too long before his brokenness over sin would cause him to cry out to His God...appealing for mercy.

Job’s so-called friends continued to pile on their accusations that Job was a great sinner and that God was punishing him for his arrogant sinning. And Job denied the accusations, time and time again.

Those same friends, listening to Job’s cries to God for relief from his suffering, said: “How can you even talk to God, you sinner.”

And Job would reply, “Who else can I talk to...? (who knows me better? Who loves me more? And who do I love more?)

Job said: “there is no arbiter between us...there is no one else with absolute authority in a matter but God alone...so who else can I appeal to for relief from this affliction?...

Brethren, do you recall John 6, where most of the crowd following Jesus decided to follow Him no more? Jesus looked at the twelve and the women and children around them and said, “Will you leave me too?” And Peter answering for them all....”To whom shall we go, Lord? You have the words of eternal life!”

Job desired the pain be removed. Job desired his loss be restored. Job desired the hurtful circumstances altered.

And then Job says this: “...the Lord gives and He takes away...

though He slay me, I will always hope in Him.”

There are people living today whose suffering is unimaginable. Some of them I know. They hurt, they cry, they wonder why. And they deal courageously and faithfully. Some even better than Job. You ask, how can that be? Answer: They have the Suffering Servant as their advocate and the Holy Spirit as their Comforter.