Reformed & Expository Preaching

It is easy for fallen man to be judgmental. If we are honest we would much rather fix someone else’s problem than our own because overall we are doing pretty well right? This is not what Christ says, and Christ speaks in a parabolic way showing the absurdity of such a judgmental spirit. So, what is the problem of being judgmental and what is the solution?

Job is not happy with how the Lord has treated him. You would think that Job would be rather content considering that the Lord has blessed him, and allowed him to enjoy a great life. However, now we hear why Job is so upset as he even uses the counselors own words to describe his suffering. Why would Job be so upset if he is merely using the counselors own words to describe his suffering?

The book of Job is moving to a conclusion. Job has silences the counselors to the point where they will no longer argue or speak against him. Job is now entering into his legal proceedings with the Lord. Job wants all the understand why Job is shocked and appalled that such a thing has happened to him. Why is Job so shocked? What right does Job have to claim that the Lord should not bring such suffering and hardship against this man?

The Lord has called us to honor Him and to live a life exclusively for our God. Christ makes this life a challenge when Christ is very explicit that the law is something that cuts to the heart rather than just being an outward superficial conforming. It is impossible for us to conform to the Lord from our heart, and so how do we conform to the Lord? How do we come before the Lord in light of such impossible exhortations?

We can interview numerous people, we can comb the Scriptures, we can dig into the earth, but where is wisdom? This is a rather profound question that Job seeks to answer. The answer to the question may not be as simple as just reading some Scriptures, or interviewing some people. So, what is the answer? Is Job ready to embrace the answer as he feels it being pressed upon him?

Christ tells us not to take an oath, we are not to get vengeance, and we are called to a radical love. If those things are not hard enough we hear that we are supposed to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect. How can we measure up to this standard? Do we just ignore these commands because they are impossible? Do we strive to keep them in the hopes that God will still accept us? What do we do with these difficult commands?

Job is not done speaking and now he is one who affirms that God carries out His justice. Job knows that God will judge the world, but Job carries a deep frustration within himself. On the one hand Job knows the fate of the wicked, he knows that God judges the wicked, but Job’s punishment parallels the wicked’s life. Job does not see how this can be reconciled. So, how do we reconcile Job’s life with the Lord judging the wicked?

Job is getting his case ready before the Lord and he will not back down no matter what the counselors say to him. Job is one who feels the weight of this age, the pursuit of the Lord, and majesty of God. He knows that God is majestic and Job breaks forth in a wonderful declaration of the Lord’s majesty. So, why is Job so frustrated?

Christ goes through the law and lays out the challenge of the seventh commandment. This is another commandment that one might think is rather easy to keep, but is this really such an easy command to keep? Is this one of the least commands or do we make it one of the least commands? What are some of the implications regarding this commandment?