Life Is Still Good

LIFE IS STILL GOOD (Outline)

November 8, 2020 - End Time 2 / Last Judgment - JOB 14:1-5

INTRO.: How was your week? Anything exciting happen? (election week) Ups and downs? Gladness or sadness? Or maybe you were filled with wonder. What next? No matter your feelings or emotions: Life is still good. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (ROMANS 8:38, 39).

LIFE IS STILL GOOD. I. Our lives are short. II. God sets our times.

I. OUR LIVES ARE SHORT (COMPARED TO ETERNITY)

A. Verse 1. Earthly life has a few short days. Full of anxiety. Job experienced this truth in his life.

1. A servant came to tell Job the Sabeans stole his oxen and donkeys. Killed his servants.

2. Second servant (while first still speaking) reports a fire burned up his flocks and servants.

3. Third servant (second still speaking) states Chaldeans stole his camels. Killed servants.

4. Fourth servant reports his sons and daughters died in a windstorm. 10 children gone.

B. Verse 2. Short days of life compared to a flower. Blossoms, blooms, and soon withers.

1. Life goes away as quickly as shadow disappears. Fleeting and of no real substance.

2. Jesus used these same comparisons. Mankind not as enduring as he or she thinks.

C. Verse 3a. “You keep your eye on such a man.” Job knew the Lord of Creation watched over him.

D. We might get upset when things do not go the way we want. Or like. That is our human pride in action. Our opinion is the most important. We think everyone should think the exact same way we think. But are we really all that important in the grand scheme of things. One person does not stand out in a world of billions. We are even less significant in the universe. We are only a small speck in the universe. A micro dot on the timeline of history. "Whenever I look up at your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place—what is man that you remember him…” (PSALM 8:3, 4a). One among billions. Our loving, heavenly Father keeps watch over us.

E. The earth rotates on its axis. Revolves around the sun. God’s gracious, powerful plan. The sun rises and sets. Seasons change. The Lord who created all things created order. At times our lives can seem to be completely out of control. Chaos. Often they are just that. How much are we really in control? Why we do not even know what will happen today. Or tomorrow. Much less the rest of this year. Our lives are too short to completely comprehend the undeserved grace of God. What we actually learn and discover is just much more there is to learn and know about God’s great love for us. “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? Indeed, it is a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears” (JAMES 4:14). Life is short. Flowers fade. Mist disappears.

F. We do not despair about the brevity of life. We may accomplish great things. Or not. We do know that the Lord God of Armies keeps his eye on each one of us. Knows us by name. Calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light. The Holy Spirit has worked faith in our hearts. We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. His life was short. His public ministry was only three (3) years long. Our Savior always said and did what was right. Perfect. Sinless. Was crucified. Life was cut short by the wickedness of wicked men. Why? His life and death and resurrection was done for us. "This grace…has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 TIMOTHY 1:10). Our lives are short as the result of sin. Our perfect life in heaven lasts forever. Our loving, heavenly Father watches over us.

LIFE IS STILL GOOD. Imperfect earthly lives are short in comparison to perfect heavenly lives.

II. GOD SETS OUR TIMES (AND PLACES FOR OUR GOOD)

A. Verse 3. Job knew he was insignificant compared to the greatness of God. Few short days.

1. Job also knew the Lord God of Armies kept his eye on him. Watched over him.

2. Judgment came from the Lord. Sins, wickedness, and rebellion demanded a verdict.

B. Verse 4. “Who can produce something pure from something that is impure?” Can anyone do this?