Who Is Really in Control?
Job 1:6-22
Scripture Introduction:
Please turn with me to Job 1:6-22. A number of years ago there was a horrific accident in Milwaukee, a pastor and his family were traveling on I-94 when suddenly his car hit a piece of metal that caused the gas tank to explode and immediately the minivan was a burning inferno. The children were immediately consumed in a ball of fire. Only one child lived long enough to make it to the hospital. The father was interviewed on national T.V and stated he and his wife were trusting the Lord through this horrible ordeal. In Job 1 the horrific drama of Job’s life begins to unfold. In a matter of minutes Job is informed that his ten children were killed by "a great wind" and that through various means his entire personal estate was wiped out. Like Job you may be wondering "What is going on in this world -- and who are the participants? Turn with me to Job 1:6-22.
Introduction:
3 Charged With Brutally Beating Homeless Man -- Downtown Chicago, Sunday Night
Police say Erik Soriano, 24, of south suburban Lansing; David Sanchez, 19, of the 4700 block of South Cicero Avenue, and Luis Recarte, 27, also of the 4700 block of South Cicero, attacked the 40-year-old victim around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night.
"I think there’s something in our culture that is dehumanizing people, making them less than people," said Ed Shurna of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
Miami Heat’s Antoine Walker Was Robbed In His House Monday Night
Police say the robbers were wearing masks when they came to the house of Chicago native and Miami Heat forward Antoine Walker in the 400 block of West Huron Street in the River North neighborhood Monday evening.
Detectives said the robbers took cash, jewelry and a luxury car, but did not harm Walker or two other people... Neighbor Elizabeth Utz expressed concern about safety.
"It’s a very nice, wealthy neighborhood... it’s scary to think that someone would break into your house like that," Utz said.
"There have been other break-ins as well, so this isn’t just the only (one), but what are you going to do when you live in the city?" added neighbor Lydia Lewis.
Our planet is at war, not militarily, not politically, not economically, but a war for the souls of human beings. It is an invisible war between the forces of good (God and his followers) and the forces of evil (Satan and his followers). The battlefield is the souls of men and women, boys and girls... yours and mine. At stake are the future of the planet and the eternal destinies of humankind. Casualties are being strewn all over our nation.
You must not live in self-denial or be AWOL from the battlefield. God’s people are to be actively involved in the battle as a form of worship to Him.
PROPOSITION: Because Christ paid your sin debt, you must faithfully worship Him in a way that will glorify Him regardless of your circumstances.
How do I make sense of this world -- believe there is an invisible war going on. I believe most of us live as if we are enjoying peace time and are busy enjoying the good life failing to worship God in a way that will glorify Him! The majority of Christians are perfectly satisfied to let the few dedicated Christians attempt to rescue the perishing! Who are those involved in this great battle for the souls of men?
What is going on in this world -- and who are the participants?
I. Who is Satan -- the accuser? v. 6-12
Satan is bent on destroying lives, dividing marriages, and contributing to the damnation of souls. Consider his character as it is revealed through his names and titles:
Satan -- the adversary The Devil -- slanderer
Beelzebub -- lord of filth Evil One -- intrinsically wicked
Tempter -- enticing to evil Old serpent -- crafty deceiver
Father of all lies -- great deceiver A roaring lion -- the great destroyer
The god of this age -- controlling the world system
The prince of the power of the air -- ruler over fallen angels
The accuser of the brethren -- opposing believers
A. Satan is free to roam. (6-7)
1. He has direct access to God.
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
a. He is an angel.
Messenger -- created to serve God and His people (Heb. 1:14).
There are vast numbers of them (Rev 5:11) and they don’t die or procreate (Matt 22:30, Luke 20:36)
b. Angels were made to serve God.
The cherubim -- around the throne of God -- high order
Seraphim -- "burning ones" -- passionate praise
Revere God -- cover their faces
Humility -- cover their feet
Fly at the Father’s call -- do will of God
c. Satan chose to rebel against God. Ez 28:11-18
Satan is your accuser also Rev. 12:10 pointing out our sin to God. In that moment you need an Advocate -- Jesus (1 John 2:1; Heb 7:25).
2. He searches the earth for prey.
Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the
LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
B. Satan is your enemy. (9-12)
Satan is your accuser also Rev. 12:10 pointing out our sin to God. In that moment you need an Advocate -- Jesus (1 John 2:1; Heb 7:25).
1. He is shrewd and cunning. (9-11)
Luk 4:13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him he departed from him for a season (until an opportune time ESV).
a. Satan’s contention is the faith of Job is not free of self-interest (9-11).
b. Satan questions the very nature of faith -- self-interest.
2. He is able to manipulate your circumstances. (12)
"I think there’s something in our culture that is dehumanizing people, making them less than people," said Ed Shurna of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
If God does not remove His protection from His people, Satan can have no influence on them or their lives. Satan cannot cause affliction nor can he cause a person to commit sin. It is God¡¦s decision to allow Satan to have a part in His plan.
a. He attempts to blind your mind (2 Cor 4:4).
They have resisted the grace which God gave them, and have refused to yield to the evidences which amply prove the Messiah-ship of Jesus; and therefore their eyes were judicially darkened,
b. He attempts to seduce your heart (2 Cor 11:3).
Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. The word (subtly) implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed
c. He attempts to hinder your ministry (1 Thess 2:18).
Satan does all he can to hinder the preaching of the Gospel, the hearing of the word, and the saints coming together... indeed he can do nothing but by divine permission, nor can he hinder the will of God, and the execution of that, though he often hinders the will of man... Paul should be employed in other work elsewhere.
d. He is allowed to inflict physical harm (Job 1).
e. He tempts your flesh (1 Cor 7:5).
f. He attacks your faith (Gen 3:1).
Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
g. He instigates your persecution (Rev. 2:10).
Satan was the prime mover, or the instigator.
Satan uses the magnitude and timing of trials to try to crush you.
ILLUSTRATION:
Have you ever noticed a parent spoiling his child by allowing him to freely roam, disobey, be out late at night without accountability, talk back to him, etc? At times parents are fearful of losing their child’s love if they restrict their activity or don’t give in to their wants.
Just like a spoiled child who rebels against his parents and/or quits loving them because he didn’t get his way -- we often quit on the Lord, throw in the towel because we don’t like the difficult circumstances God has allowed to come into our life.
Application:
So what? Have you been complaining and rebelling against God because of your circumstances? Quit coming to services because... Quit being a soul winner because... Never started being a witness because... Never went canvassing because... Quit having people in your home because...
Why? We have come to a "Point of self-evaluation¡" by God’s word today. Maybe the real question in Job is not why do men suffer but why do men believe. What is their motive for faith?
Now what? What is the true substance of your faith? Is it the fear of the Lord or is it self-interest. The spirit of Satan is self -- the Spirit of God is others.
▪ Folks, are you more concerned about what God can do for you or how you may serve and glorify Him? Remember, Satan (self) wants God and others to serve him!
In the midst of a satanic attack (evil) on her neighbor and community Lydia Lewis asks What are you going to do when you live in the city?"
◘ God’s people are going to worship Him by being active participants in the battle with Satan regardless of their circumstances.
◘ Who did you serve more this week -- God through others or yourself?
◘ Whose comfort did you think more about this week -- your neighbor who is one heartbeat from hell or self -- fearful of what he might think if you talk to him about Christ?
◘ Did you truly "seek ye first the Kingdom of God"...
▪ Is the life of comfort the only context your faith will survive in?
Pure faith will persevere! You will glorify God when your faith is tested and proven.
How? Make a decision who are you going to love more God or self? Ask God to help you love Him more and more each day -- obey truth as you depend upon the Holy Spirit to enable you.
What is going on in this world -- who are the participants?
Transition Statement: We have seen who the accuser is -- Satan; now let’s look at who is calling all the shots of this drama -- God.
II. Who is God -- Jehovah the Self-Existent One? v. 12-19
A. God’s Omnipotence. (7-8)
1. Satan doesn’t challenge God’s power,
2. God takes pride in His work.
God the Father sees Job as perfect -- result of grace..
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.
God chooses to prove Job’s faith rather than protect it.
The problem of evil is not a problem at all. Why? God demonstrates His power by bringing good out of evil before He shows His justice by destroying it.
B. God’s Sovereignty. (12)
This whole matter is being decreed by God in heaven. God is sovereign over all these events.
1. All (Satan) are in subjection to divine control (6).
God’s sole authority.
2. All (Satan) must answer to God (7).
a. God asked Satan / Adam where he came from because God demands an account.
b. God will one day demand an account from you.
3. All (Satan) must have God’s permission to touch his anointed (12).
Satan’s activities will fulfill God’s purposes.
C. God’s Providence. (13-19)
1. God’s providence overrules Satan’s evil intentions (12).
He can accuse -- God makes the law.
2. God’s providence overrules second causes (13-19)
a. thieves/killers (13-15, 17)
b. wind (18-19)
Rom 9:20-21 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?
Application:
People of faith can and do experience terrible afflictions according to the will of God.
Satan is active and the warfare is real. If you don’t want to be a casualty in this war you must:
a. grow in grace. 2 Peter 3:18
b. put on the armor of God. Eph 6:11
What is going on in this world -- who are the participants?
Transition Statement: We have seen who the enemy is Satan; we have seen who is calling all the shots God but now let’s look at the third person in this exchange, Job.
III. Who is Job -- the worshipper? v. 20-22
Job’s personal response to suffering! Job a testimony to grace!
A. Man is created by God to worship Him. (20)
1. Hardships are an invitation to worship God.
a. tore his rob -- symbolize inner turmoil/shock
b. shaved his head -- depicts loss of personal glory
c. humility
2. Worship is predicated on these truths:
a. the essential pervasion of man
b. the absolute prerogatives of God
c. the fundamental perfection of the divine will.
B. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (21-22)
1. How does Job glorify God?
a. He acknowledges God’s prerogative to do as He pleases.
b. He praises the Lord through the hardship.
c. He submitted to God’s will and sinned not.
2. How does God want you to respond to hardships?
a. He wants you to humble yourself to His will.
We are mere men in the hands of a mighty God.
b. He wants you to draw closer to Him through worship.
Are your burdens being borne in the bitterness and pride of the flesh, or in the grace of God? Mason
Conclusion:
What is going on in this world-- who are the participants? A war -- Satan, God, You...
1) Biblical truth #1: Man’s (Job’s) essential poverty (21a).
The believer in God has no worldly rights -- he has abdicated all rights to be a bond-slave. Our lot in life is to share the cross of Christ!
Luk 14:33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
In our pursuit of worldly contentment, we forfeit spiritual joy, peace and rewards.
2) Biblical truth #2: Absolute right of God (21b).
All belongs to Him therefore He has the prerogative to give or take away.
3) Biblical truth #3: God is good always (21c).
Confession God has right and power. He is good and wise in all He does.
These truths allow the man of faith to rise above his trials no matter the circumstances. Thus, he is able to find comfort in the sovereignty of God and worship Him with a pure motive.
Real worship has less to do with offering sacrifices than with being a sacrifice ourselves? Mason
Do you approve of the way God chooses to work in your life? Or do you respond with complaining and bitterness? The story of Job is about the incomprehensible ways of God!
Now, let’s get back on the battlefield because our planet is at war--a war for the souls of human beings. The battlefield is the souls of men and women, boys and girls... yours and mine. At stake are the future of the planet and the eternal destinies of humankind.
Worship that will glorify Him involves praising Him and serving Him in the times of goodness and in times of hardship. God wants to use you in this great battle for the souls of men?
Because Christ died for you, you must faithfully worship Him in a way that will glorify Him regardless of your circumstances.
