The Book of Job—John Piper
John Piper spoke at Billy Graham's training facility, The Cove, on the Book of Job. John Piper is the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota since 1980 and is one of the great teachers of Jesus Christ of our time ! Check out these notes I wrote on his sermons!
Job—chapters 1 -2—Setting the scene!
Opening Comments
John Calvin preached 159 sermons on Job!
James 5:11 is the point of Job - "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
William Barclay's view on suffering is atrocious.....Barclay said "pain and suffering are never the will of God for his children......"
Open Theism is the most contemporary challenge these days....
Open theists - Clark Pinnick, John Sanders, Greg Boyd
Open Theism - - - John Sanders in his book The God Who Risks "God does not have a specific divine purpose for each and every occurrence of evil.. When a 2 month old child contracts a painful and incurable bone cancer that means suffering and death - it is a pointless evil......The holocaust is a pointless evil......The rape and dismemberment of a young girl is a pointless evil....the accident that caused my brothers death was a tragedy - God does not have a specific purpose in mind for these occurrences"..... (Piper thinks this is wrong)
Open Theism - - - Greg Boyd - Letters from a Skeptic - "When an individual inflicts pain on another individual, I do not think we can go looking for the purpose of God in the event. I know Christians frequently speak about the purpose of God in the midst of tragedy caused by someone else, but this I regard to simply be a piously confused way of thinking." (Piper thinks this is wrong)
Open Theism - - - Greg Boyd - God at War - Neither Jesus or his disciples assumed there had to be a divine purpose behind all events in history. The bible does not assume that every particular evil has a particularly Godly purpose behind it. (Piper thinks this is wrong)
Whoever desires to live a godly life will be persecuted." It is coming, it is coming, it is coming.....
So many people are mad at God and so many pastors say it's ok......It is never ok to be mad at God.......but if you are mad at God, don't be a hypocrite...admit it........The only way not to be mad at God is to have your faith in his sovereign goodness so massively grounded, that when the waves break over you, you have categories in your mind and affections in your heart that can handle that.......
The Book of Job - Notes on chapters 1 and 2
the author, timing and background of Job aren't known because it's universal, and, therefore, is for each one of us today.
On the resurrection of Lazarus - - - John 11 - - Jesus waits 2 more days after being informed Lazarus is very sick - - - and Lazarus dies.....When questioned about why Jesus let him die - Jesus replied because of your faith............Jesus would rather have Lazarus dead if it would produce more faith, then alive if it produced less faith.
Christ's priorities of what he wants for you is so different than your priorities, that if you don't begin to get your mind saturated with Jesus' way of thinking, then you won't be able to make sense out of the pain in your life. You tend to get angrier and angrier - because your priorities are, "if he loved me then....."and you provide a list of all your demands..... and its not his list, it's not the way Jesus thinks, because what he values are hearts that are so enamored with him; hearts that shine more clearly when everything we were leaning on is gone.
We ought to celebrate the positive glorious gifts of God, but the worth of God shines in a powerful way to the world when in the midst of suffering we still don't curse God but say "the Lord gave and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
Satan's aim is to destroy our joy and trust and delight in God, and to make God look worthless in the world's eyes. Everytime someone forsakes God for the world, gets angry at God when part of the world is taken away from them, they highlight the world as valuable....and everytime someone stays with God, when the world is taken away, and praises God, they highlight the value and glory of God
There are 2 ways Satan assaults the glory of God in their lives: pleasure and pain...he uses pain to make us feel that God is powerless and hostile ......and he uses pleasure to make us feel that God is unnecessary.........(from the parable of the sower of the seed - - "the pleasures of the world choke the word of God")...Do you have pleasure or pain in your life today??? Satan is after you and God is after you...........Gods purpose for pleasure is gratitude, and God's purpose for pain is trusting in him in spite of it so that he shines and is more valuable to you than what you lost. God's and Satan's design in pain and pleasure is opposite! ......and life is war........when things are going well and when things are going badly......which is the harder war? when things are bad - its harder physically......when things are going well - its harder in terms of spiritual vitality.........far more kids are destroyed by pleasure than pain.....Piper would rather have a dead kid who believes than a live kid who does not........
God aims to magnify his worth in the lives of his people who treasure him above everything else. This is the reason you were created, this is the reason the universe was created. Sometimes this is seen when people are living lives of gratitude in prosperity, you can see it even more clearly when living lives of joy in suffering. Rejoice in suffering (Romans 5)
God grants to Satan limited power to cause pain. Our God is not frustrated by the power and subtlety of Satan. Satan cant make 1 move without the permission of God almighty! There are not 2 great powers in the universe - and they are vying for me - and I hope God wins! Job teaches 1 power - - he teaches God is supreme - "the Lord has given and the Lord takes away - blessed be the name of the Lord."
"How are you doing?" - - - better than I deserve.........."
Americans are so "rights" driven....I HAVE RIGHTS!......and we transfer it to God as if He owes us anything......little piece of news for you.........God owes you nothing.....Your life is a gift.....you have it on loan from God......you are trustees of every breath you take, every movement of a healthy muscle.....you are a trustee while you have it......and you will not have it much longer.....and you don't deserve to have it at all......and if God takes it, He is doing you no wrong!.........
personal implications -
1. let us join with Job and affirm the absolute sovereignty of God in our suffering.........(our God is in heaven and He does as He pleases)
2. Let your tears flow freely when calamity comes (weep with those who weep; joy and weeping can exist in the same heart! there are all kinds of reasons to have deep unshakable joy when weeping, heaving sobs.......Learn to cry much, especially with others)........
3. Trust the goodness of God and let Him be your treasure and joy.....(the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life - psalm 63:3)
Job—chapters 3- 31—The cycle of speeches !
The Book of Job - Notes on chapters 3 - 31
Side Note>>>>Worship is the ultimate goal of the church - - - not evangelism ........Evangelism and missions is a temporary stop-gap necessary fill-in measure until worship happens........Evangelism and missions exist because worship doesn't.......
These are 29 chapters of bad theology ....... Why are they here????
Like us, Job did well at the beginning, but then, as it continues, the battle then rages on
Job 7:2 - "I am allotted months of emptiness........." So, this was a long term issue.......we think - - -he's made it through the trial in chapters 1-2, but has he???? It continued on.........
In the beginning - - - Job's friends were quiet for 7 days - - - see, people don't need your answer in the time of crisis and pain........they need your company....
At first, the friends wept, mourned, and they sat for 7 days with him.......Sit with people when their suffering is great.........
Job 39-41 - God speaks
OverviewJob 4-14 - - Cycle 1
Job 15-21 - Cycle 2
Job 22- - Cycle 3 - but, Zophar does not speak
Job 39-41 - God speaks
Cycle 1Chapter 3 - Job curses the day he was born...........why did I not die at birth?........his faith is beginning to waiver here............
Friends begin to respond gently, then they become more brutal....
Job 4:7-8 - Eliphaz says, "Those who plow iniquity, reap the same - - - trouble comes as a result of sin",
4v17 - Eliphaz knows we are all sinners...........
5v17 - however, some trouble comes as discipline from God.........
when Eliphaz comes to apply this theology (which is all somewhat true - - sin has consequences (4:7-8) , and God does discipline (5v17)) to Job, however, he is insensitve and superficial........
Ch 4:5-6 - - Eliphaz says, "and now it has come to you, and you are impatient........"
Why does Eliphaz respond here? Why not just let his words go and listen some more?
Ch 5v8 - Eliphaz sayd "I would seek God and to God I would submit my cause"
Ch 5 v 18 - "God wounds but he binds up."........
Piper believes Eliphaz is criticizing Job too simply, too quickly, too superficially (5v8, 5v18)
Job claims in ch 6v10 - "I have not denied the words of the Holy One" 6v24 - Teach me...show me where I've sinned !
Ch 8v3-4 - Bildad says - does God pevert justice........then he talks about his children - - right after they died!!!!..........he applies a principle with such pastoral cruelty....when Bildad doesnt know the situation of the 10 kids - - - saying, they must have committed a huge transgression to receive this awful consequence....
Then he goes after Job - - - Ch 8v6-7 - - "If you seek God.....are pure and upright.....surely the he'll rouse himself for you ........." see Job - you must have some hidden sin in your life - If you'd repent, God will rise up and deliver you.........
Job believes this simple way of viewing life is far to simple and naieve...(big sin - big suffering) Ch 9v22-24 - - Job says, "God destroys the blameless and the wicked...." The wicked prosper and the innocent get killed - - -and God's behind it all" I don't buy your simple theory!)
Ch 10 v6-7 - - Job says Lord "you know I am not guilty"...........Piper believes Job will begin to overstate his own position......maybe not here......because Piper believes he's not wrong to say this here...........later, he is not rebuked for his sin by God, but he is rebuked by the Lord! ......
Zophar speaks - - Ch 11v14-15 - - he's even more harsh - - "If iniquity is in your hands - put it away" - - he challenges Job - - If youre not guilty than lift it up and you will be vindicated...
Job becomes sarcastic - ch12v3 - - "everyone's heard this"........13v4 - worthless physicians.......13v3 - I want to argue my case with God.......
As they go forward, the words become harsher and less credible.......
Cycle 2
Eliphaz - 15v20 - "the wicked man writhes in pain"
Bildad - 18v5 - "the light of the wicked is being put out
Zophar - 20v5 "the joy of the wicked is short
Cycle 3
Eliphaz - 22v5+ - totally brutal -most brutal speech of all - - "is not your wickedness great? there is no end to your inequities.....you have stripped the naked of their clothing........no water to the weary....not given bread to the hungry......sent widows away empty......."
there's not a shred of truth in this at all!!!! Since his theology can't handle Job, so he distorts Job.......when you have a distorted theology, you're going to hurt people.........the only way you can handle reality to fit your bad theology is to distort reality to fit it in there.....
Bildad - 6 verses........probably thinking what eliphaz said is a little much....
Zophar - says nothing...........
The Pattern
Cycle 1 is real long - - everyone's getting there theology out on the table
Cycle 2 is shorter - - much of the same, BUT..... it getting more harsh and less credible
Cycle 3 is real short - - and the 1 sppech is the most brutal...and untrue...the other says a few things and the third says nothing.....
What's happening?
the structure breaks down - - - which is a poetic way saying the theology is breaking down.........at first, Eliphaz's speech had symmetry to it, sensitivity, gentleness, some querying to it, .. and then it gets more brittle, more wooden, less in touch with reality.....
the theology of big sin corresponding to big suffering / big righteousness corresponding to big prosperity does not work!
Job's Faith
Does his faith increase or decrease during these chapters?
ch7v9 - No future after the grave
Ch 10v20-22 - land of gloom and deep darkness is death
Ch14v14 - he raises a question - if a man dies, shall he live again?
Ch19v25-27 - I know that my redeemer lives - and at last he will stand upon the earth, and after my skin has been destroyed, then, from my flesh, I shall see God......
Ch 26v14 - his way are above understanding - the thunder of his power - who can understand?
Ch28v12 - man does not know the way to wisdom - God understands the way to it...
Ch26v6 - I hold fast to my righteousness......my heart does not reproach me for any of my days....I'm not going to agree with my accusers and demeaning God's sanctifying work in my life.
Applications
true theological statements can be false - you read these 3 guys and you agree with them, but its the balance and sensitivity......they hold so tight to their principle, but it's just not true in this case..Job is agood man and righteous....theology can hurt people as well as help them....you can use true statements so badly.......poeple get a little truth and they wreck lives with it......
suffering and prosperity are not distributed in the world in proportion to evil and good they do (ch 21v30 - the wicked are spared in the day of calamity)......what the 3 friends theology just doesn't work in the real world
Nevertheless, God reigns over the affairs of men from the greatest to the smallest ....the sovereignty of God is never questioned by any of the 4 men in this book........
there is wisdom behind the arbitrariness of the world - and it is hidden from man (deut 29:29)
therefore, hold fast to God !
Job—chapters 32 - 37—Elihu speaks !
Overview
Elihu is the only one to speak for 6 chapters !
He brings another perspective to bear here...
He says - friends of Job - you are wrong - - and Job...... you are wrong - - Job is wrong in saying that he has accused God of being his enemy, is arbitrary, without understanding.......and the friends are wrong saying suffering is in correlation with unrighteousness.
Should we assume Elihu is just another bad theology guy? just like the 3???.......
Piper believes Elihu is brought on the scene to share truth....to advance the arguement b4 God speaks and gives the final word.....
God will build on what Elihu has laid.......
However, Elihu says alot of hard things to understand......at times, he's very tough on Job
5 reasons Piper believes Elihu is brought on the scene to share truth
1. the words of Elihu are not as a continuation of what the 3 men were saying (see vv1-2 ch 32) or with Job (v14 - Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches)......(v8 - he claims to be speaking by the spirit !)
2. the writer gives him 6 chapters to talk ! why? It doesnt fit the cycle concept, that were shorter and shorter as the cycle continued........
3. Job does not even try to argue against Elihu. If Elihu was giving bad theology, wouldnt Job respond? he argued forcefully and successfully with the other 3........ (ch 33v32 - if you have anything to say - answer me).......Job must agree with what he's saying!
4. God - in ch42v7 - looks back over the scene of the dialogue, and criticizes the 3 and not Elihu (see ch 42v7 - to Eliphaz- my wrath is kindled against you and your 2 friends and you have not spoken of me what is right as my servant Job has....) no criticizing about Elihu -- - and he went for 6 chapters.......
5. You find new things in Elihu's response - you find answers to Jobs questions - he doesnt take the theology of retribution as a model.......
Analysis
Job is wrong - the root problem with Job is there's a sediment of pride in the bottom of the beaker of his life and when he's upset by the 3....the sediment stirs up with his life of righteousness......and thats a problem
ch 33v8-12 - "But you have said in my hearing-- I heard the very words-- 9 `I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. 10 Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. 11 He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.' 12 "But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man
elihu doesnt like the statement - "I am pure and without sin" and "he considers me his enemy" - and he says you are not right.......
elihu's understanding as to why the righteous suffer is this residue of pride........ in the life of the righteous.....
ch 33v14-19 - For God does speak--now one way, now another-- though man may not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, 16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, 17 to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, 18 to preserve his soul from the pit, [1] his life from perishing by the sword. [2] 19 Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones
2 ways God speaks to man is 1-dreams (verse 14) and 2-pain (verse 19)..........(we don't know when this book is dated - is it pre-Moses??? because obviously he speaks in other ways...........)
why???? - v17 - to turn man from his pride.............why???? v18 - to preserve his soul from the pit.....why???? v18 - to preserve his life from perishing by the sword......
elihu does not picture God as an angry judge when he contemplates the pain of the righteous- - but as redeemer, savior, rescuer....the pain he causes for a reason.........like a surgeon's knife causes pain but the purpose is to cure.......not like an executioner's sword..........
you didnt hear a word of that from the 3 !!!!!!!!!!!!
eliphaz actually gave us a whiff of this when he first spoke - he spoke of chastisement in love - - but he quickly left that idea.....
for us - - - God may not be your enemy - - he may be your surgeon.........
not because your a wicked person - - but in every fallen human being there is remnant of corruption, pride that lies at the bottom and if stirred up, may contaminate and bring reproach upon the Lord
33v12 - he says youre not right - and explains why in vv 17-19........
his 2nd explanation is in 36v6-15.............
ch 36v6-15 - He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights. 7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. 8 But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, 9 he tells them what they have done-- that they have sinned arrogantly. 10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. 11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. 12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge. 13 "The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help. 14 They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines. 15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. .......
v6-7 - the righteous are exalted and the wicked are put to death.......sounds like retribution !!!!
v8 - the righteous can be bound in chains !!!!! held fast by affliction - -- the righteous !!! it can happen.......it does happen to christians.......
v9 - pride - - - but Job could consider God his surgeon here........
v10 - he opens their ears.......so, they're righteous but not sinless..........(psalm 199:71 - It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. ) (Luther said - there are 3 methods of interpreting the bible and all are necessary - 1. meditation 2. prayer 3. testing/trial/suffering)....God has many ways for us to grow - - - one way is affliction.......
v13 - godless respond in anger...they dont cry out for help to God........
v15 - the affliction stirs up and the affliction that delivers him from it........if he will be thrown onto God.....(consider fasting - when we fast from food- it creates physical hunger - so u can transform it to spiritual hunger.......so we can say "this much I want you God- this much I need you" - - - - -if you do this - you will discover sin in your life........why do we get so testy at these times - - snipping at a very little problem - a short fuse - - - at the kids, your wife - - complaining - - why? because we are so dependent on food for our holiness !!!! when we feel good - we treat people better.........thats not real holiness....fasting helps u discern where you are with God........and God may have u fast from certain things - - lose your sight, a child...whatever - - then you will see where your treasure is.....where your joy is
v15 - is the bottom line of his theology.......Job - God is not your enemy - - -he wants you to be pure, holy......and he's pointing out that you're not as good as you think you are by pointing out pride in your life....
the lesson - - - those who suffer as believers should trust God and trust in Christ today - that your sins are forgiven - - and that what we are receiving is not punishment - God is not punitive toward his blood brought children - he does chastise for our good - - if my sins are on the cross - - the bad things that happened to me are not more cross - - the bad things that happen to me are the loving hand of a father, or the loving scalpel of a surgeon and God is mercifully weaning me off a remnant of corruption that exist in all of us
heb 12:10 - Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
its not that we were'nt holy before - but he wants more.....
were all wired that when something goes wrong - we say - what did I do? ........thats not how Elihu looks at it........
1 peter 1:6-7- In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
2 cor 1:8-9 - We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
james 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
threatened faith produces more faith..........everything always falls apart when we try to do a mighty work for God -- this is by design - we must trust him - - - he's preparing us to do the mighty work.......
Job—chapters 38 - 42—God speaks !
Opening
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
all your needs?? remember - he defines need - we do not define needs !!!! he knows your needs! you will not be tested beyond what you are able........
Philipians 4:11 - 13 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
what is all things ? I can do all things - - - including hunger !!!! to be crushed !!!!!! ignored !!!!! have little !!!!! be without clothing !!!!!
here are the all things ??? - - - 2 cor 11:24-30 - Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness
Matt 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
but, how much ????? how about in the sudan??? - - - -all you need to glorify God - - - which may mean NONE
when john and betty stamm were martyred in China, they were in their underwear - it wasnt glorious - - their heads were chopped off - - they were taken out early in the morning - taken off guard - - forced out of their house - - humiliated to the core - paraded thru the streets - - she was forced to watch as they chopped off her husband's head - then they chopped off hers - - were all things added unto them???????
the puritans called it the "great 8" - - - romans 8 - - romans 8:33-37 - Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." [12] 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
eph 3:16-21 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen
I want you to walk away with a theology that can handle that - - and not feel like you're grasping at straws - - you have the word of God - - - his verses - -
The text
pride - is the root of all other sins. It's even in the most godly people we know -- its in all people.........
38v1-2 - Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: 2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?
was'nt it elihu who just spoke for 6 chapters?
42v3 - [You asked,] `Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. - - this is why I think he's speaking to Job
Remember - you're on trial in this life - - not God
Geography - v4 - earth, v8-sea, v12-15 - dawn - .....you can't do it - I can - - and I've always done it.......
most people are too self focused - - - they dont see anything but their problems - - they dont see the sun, mounatins - the magnificience.........
chesterson - "one of the most childlike things about God is he does things again and again and again - - with joy - - - and one of those things is the sun comes up........every day - without fail......and with joy......
v16 - depth of the sea
switches to the world above - v19-21 - origin of light and darkness
v22-30 - snow, hail, rain and frost - - do you know how to do this Job?????
v31-33 - constellations - Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up [God's ] dominion over the earth?
we are in the milky way - a tiny galaxy - in comparisons to the millions.........
v34-38 - rain again - Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?
I'm in charge of these things - and if there's that many mysteries in the physical world - do you really expect to be able to call me to count on the moral universe?
I believe that every electron in every atom in every molecule in every constelation in this universe has a name assigned by God and he is keeping its position by divine appointment
the world of animals - v39 - 41 - lions and birds - - - I make sure the little bugs fly thru the air to provide them food - God
ch39 v1-2 - goats (see the verse in the bible - not 1 bird falls to the ground without God's knowledge) -- - God is BIG !!!
v5-8 - who would even ask such a question????? well, God would...... you think he's nuts - - God says - I set him loose...he looks wild to you - - but he's in order...under my control.....
v9-10 - oxen
v13-18 - ostrich - The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork. 14 She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, 15 unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them. 16 She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain, 17 for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. 18 Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider.
this is a dumb bird - - and God made her that way - - - why dont you sit on your eggs? - - God said - shes not out of control - - shes stupid - and I made her that way - -
v19-25 - horse -
v26 - hawk
v27-30 - eagle
the point - Job - you dont know anything and you cant do anything about these things - so Job back up, and be more humble about these things
job 40 - see the point on pride - The LORD said to Job: 2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!" 3 Then Job answered the LORD: 4 "I am unworthy--how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. 5 I spoke once, but I have no answer-- twice, but I will say no more." 6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: 7 "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 8 "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? 9 Do you have an arm like God's, and can your voice thunder like his? 10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. 11 Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at every proud man and bring him low, 12 look at every proud man and humble him, crush the wicked where they stand. 13 Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. 14 Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
Look at verses 9-13 - - - God says - I use my might to abase the proud, and exult the humble - - its not "might makes it right" - I don't work that way - - the way I work in the world corresponds to the excellence of my name - i deserve worship, love and allegiance - and you dont...........
chapter 42 - Job submits in 3 regards:
submitting to the sovereignty of God - v1-2 - "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.
submitting to the wisdom of God - v3 -You asked,] `Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
- repentance - v4-6 - ["You said,] `Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
ch 42 - - the promise chapter or the restoration chapter - whether in this life or in the next - you will be rewarded - you have never lost anything in the path of obedience that will not be restored 10,000 times in the age to come
take a look at the eternal perspective:
romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
matt 5:10-12 - "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
2 cor 4:17 - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
closing
story of John Bunyan -
story of william cowper -
God has some blessing and purpose in mind for your pain. He has a design for your life - a design for your ministry - - your pain is meant to be a blessing to somebody ...............
one of the great threats in suffering - our consciences rise up and condemn us and we feel we must have done something terribly wrong and its going to damn me because I am so guilty of so much pride and I have been angry at God so many times or I've spoken badly to people and lost my patience........the accusations will come......
remember this 2 cor 5:21 - God made him who had no sin to be sin (or a sin offering) for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
all of our guilt is paid for - - all of our attempts to be righteous is supplied in Jesus.....
romans 3:28 - For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
so when your suffering comes, in the end, your final hope is you have a savior.....not whether your life has been adequate
sing: to affirm your faith - - if you sing it and mean it - youre saved - its an affirmation of faith - don't sing it if you dont mean it.......
on christ the solid rock
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus Name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
Through every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant His blood, support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
Job—Q & A session—many topics
1. focus on bonhoeffer theology - when God calls a man to suffer - he calls him to die......
2. Job 3:25 - What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
the relief of suffering was performed by Christ - - and yet, we've never heard anyone say when things were going well is when I learned most about God.......
should we expect suffering to come? yes - -
should we want it to come? yes and no - - no - protect yourself - lock your doors at night - be safe....
......do you choose to suffer? no, but choose to get in positions of love which in all likelihood will require suffering......
don't look for pain - - but look for people in pain.....look at the cost and you embrace the cost - hebrews 11:25-26 - He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
Piper is a calvanist
free will - if it means ultimate self determination - there's not any verse in the bible that talks about it.....the bible doesnt teach that the ultimate determination of who comes to Christ is ours....then, God is not determining their destination....and thats false...........if free will - means real choice for which you will be held accountable.......then yes it exists.........God chooses who he will save and we must choose in order to be saved - there are hundreds of verses that say humans have to will to be saved - - - but - - they did not determine it - - its not a contradiction - - - - no one comes to the Father without being drawn to Him........
are some born to be damned? - yes.......no one is damned who does not deserve to be damned......election is taught in the Bible......all judgement will be just and God chooses... he has mercy on who he has mercy and those who doesnt - he doesnt.....
armenians - how do u pray when you dont think God has the right to go in and change him? all these quotes are saying to God - take me over - make me rejoice in you !!!!
psalm 119:36 - Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
psalm 119:18 - Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
psalm 90:14 - Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
armenianism is like a curse on this land !
acts 4:27-28 - Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
so, sin is predestined by God?????
Isaiah 53:10 - Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. -
if you believe these verses then:
to sin is not the same as ordaining that there be sin. God never sins - Jesus never sins - but God ordains that there be sin.......if you believe it to be that ordaining the sin is the same as performing sin - then you probably need to throw the bible out......
God's hands are not dirty by managing the dirty hands of the sabeans for stealing the camels........
If God cant manage the world thru sin - - then whats left???
James 5:10-11 - Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Luke 22: 31-34- "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you [1] as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." 33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." 34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
pretribulation - - piper is a post tribulationist - - he believes that christians will suffer and that its dangerous to teach otherwise because we wont be prepared !
this, however, should not be a divisive issue in the church !
1 peter 4:17 - For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
lose their salvation? no....... he believes in eternal security.......its not just making a prayer - - when you profess faith truly, the HS moves in and causes you to stay true to Him.........
- jeremiah 32:40 - I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.
everlasting covenant - new covenant sealed by the blood of Jesus......
church in america today - - you can ask for revival but its a work of the HS - we should evangelize, teach on it - but its Gods work - but I cant predict...... The bible said its gonna get bad at the end of the day matt 24:12-14 - Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. .....
.some will be red hot for God - some will be cold .........it could be a muslim country that could be red hot for Jesus!
Satan - God dialogues - in light of James 2:19 - You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
how much does Satan know? why doesnt Satan get it?
satan always tried to get Jesus to avoid the cross - - - Jesus said to Peter - get behind me satan - - because peter was trying to get him to avoid the cross - - - but then it was satan who incited Judas to betray Christ - - - How does that fit - did he want him or not want him on the cross?
the answer is sin is irrational.....sin is suicidal........have u ever reasoned with an alcoholic? - - they even agree with your reasoning - and then go back and kill themselves with the bottle........doesnt make sense ! sin doesnt make sense....
satan knows he's going to lose in the end - - -the legion of demons said are you here before the time? (when cast into the pigs) but demons know it - -
glory of God is seen in alleviation of suffering (man born blind - lazarus) and the suffering iteslf brings glory.......is it truly both ways - or where is the breakeven point?
(john 21:18-19- I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" )
tradition is peter was crucified upside down.....he didnt feel worthy to be crucified like christ
2 cor 12: 8-10 - Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 cor 4:14-17 - because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
phil 1:20-21 - I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
its not either - or .......glory comes in both situations.......
