"You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended (purpose) by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:11). The frustrating fact in the book of Job is that his counselors were not wrong in what they said. The problem was that they did not present God in the proper manner. To them, God was a mean-spirited Being who exacted punishment. Not once do we see them present God's whole counsel, "...that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." Not once did they pray with or for Job. They had a head knowledge but lacked the spiritual insights that an ambassador of the Lord needs to bring God's healing to the soul. Four times in two verses (42:7,8), God reveals Job's relationship with Himself. In identifying Job as "My servant," our Lord vindicates and rewards His servant.

Please note: The 1st seven minutes and 55 seconds sufferer from an unidentified interference. It may be difficult to understand. We apologize. "You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended (purpose) by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:11). The frustrating fact in the book of Job is that his counselors were not wrong in what they said. The problem was that they did not present God in the proper manner. To them, God was a mean-spirited Being who exacted punishment. Not once do we see them present God's whole counsel, "...that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." Not once did they pray with or for Job. They had a head knowledge but lacked the spiritual insights that an ambassador of the Lord needs to bring God's healing to the soul. Four times in two verses (42:7,8), God reveals Job's relationship with Himself. In identifying Job as "My servant," our Lord vindicates and rewards His servant.

Absalom's rebellion cast a dark cloud on David's reign as king of Israel. Be with us tonight as we examine how it had a lasting effect on so many.

There will be no unrighteousness in heaven. Therefore, only those who are righteous will go there. Paul has established the fact that "the is none righteous, no, not one" (3:10). All the world is guilty before God (3:19). Beginning in Romans 3:21, Paul introduced to us the way a person can be declared righteous. He has introduced several terms: Grace: God's unmerited favor Righteousness: God's standard of perfection Redemption: a price that is paid Justification: a judicial act of declaring debts forgiven Propitiation: satisfaction that a debt has been paid

Can God create something that He Himself cannot destroy? The answer is, absolutely not! Job was humbled by the myriad of questions God had asked about His creation. God ends His questions with two animals He created which would bring terror to anyone who would be confronted by them. The behemoth (40:15-24) was (now extinct) a land animal which was practically indestructible by man. It was part of God's creation. God now brings His questioning to a climax with an animal which takes on supernatural proportions. Leviathan!

From Romans 1:1 to 3:20 Paul reveals the wrath of God upon all ungodliness. It is firmly established that we are all ungodly. Beginning in 3:21, and through the rest of the epistle, Paul expounds on the remedy, the good news of redemption in Christ Jesus. This good news is proclaimed to all, both Jew and Gentile, who believe. "But now" (3:21) God reveals His righteousness and how it can be attained by all who believe. There are several terms Paul introduces and expands upon in the following chapters: Grace: God's unmerited favor Righteousness: God's standard of perfection Redemption: a price that is paid Justification: a judicial act of declaring debts forgiven Propitiation: satisfaction that a debt was paid There is one more important word that Paul will introduce. Forgiveness of sin has been paid through the shed blood of our Savior. A child of God is forgiven, but he is not innocent. Then, how does one become "righteous?" The answer is IMPUTATION! "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted (imputed) to him for righteousness" (4:3).

Whirlwinds and Dinosaurs Job 40 In chapter 39, our Lord questioned Job about twelve animals He had created. These animals were common animals which roamed the earth in Job's day. In God's second discourse (chapters 40 and 41), two other mysterious animals are described. Behemoth and Leviathan have more verses (forty-four) devoted to them than the other twelve combined. The obvious question is why God gave so much attention to these fearsome animals in this climactic portion of His message to Job.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than the sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31). In God's questions to Job, eight verses deal with the creation week, twenty-seven with the physical world and its functions, and thirty-three with the nature of animals. These thirty-three verses give clear testimony of God's providential care for all His creation (Morris). The questions God asks Job imply a care for His creation which is far beyond man's comprehension. Job had noted that one could learn about the reality of our Creator by the study of animals (12:7-10). God now mentions twelve animals.

Absalom's exile left David with a dilemma. His indecision left the king vulnerable to manipulation. Be with us tonight as we continue our study in the tragedy that consumed the last years of David's reign. Message: Reading Scripture: 2 Samuel 14

"But now...." What a turning point! Paul has stated two revelations of God in Romans 1: 16-18. In verse 16, the righteousness of God has been revealed. In verse 18, the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness. God will judge all of us according to truth, according to our deeds, and according to the Gospel (2:1-16). The Jew has no advantage over the Gentile. "There is none righteous, no not one (2:17-3:18). Paul's conclusion is that the law merely sets a standard that no one can reach (3:19-20). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (3:23). God's hatred of sin demands justice. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed." How does one become righteous in the court room of God?