Title: Through it All (Faith in the Midst of Fiery Trials )
Text: Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
The greatest honor and praise that a man can have is a praise that comes from the very mouth of GOD . v2 God commended Job for his Faithfulness and inward greatness that lies not in material things but in the condition of his fixed heart that is focused on the Lord. Satan, the destroyer and accuser of the brethren challenged God to test Job and he also accused Job of a feign faithfulness based only on material things and God’s blessings Job 1:10. As God permitted Satan to try Job with the greatest trials of his life “ Still he holdeth his integrity Chapter 2v3‘ – it means through it all, Job remains faithful to our LORD..” In what ways Job prove himself to be faithful ?
I. MATERIAL LOSS AND CALAMITY WILL NOT PREVENT JOB FROM WORSHIPPING GOD.
Job was a great man both spiritually and materially “ so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.” Job. 1: 1-3 . His first trial Job 1: 13-17 His riches were stolen and taken away. His God-pleasing attitude: Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Job showed to us the first principle of life, that material loss and needs should not hinder a Christian from serving God.
II. EMOTIONAL DEPRESSION ( GREAT SORROW ) WILL NOT PREVENT JOB FROM PRAISING GOD.
Job’s faith was not shaken by the material loss he sufferred. Then Satan tried to attack his emotions. All his 10 children 1v2 Job. 1:18 His sons and daughters died in a calamity . Oh, what unimaginable sorrow a father can experienced seeing his ten children died in an instant. Job 2:13 “ for they saw that [his] grief was very great “ . For sure, Job was a loving and caring father. ( read Job 1:5 ). what could be more precious to the Father than his children In the midst of this great sorrow and heartaches he showed his pious attitude: Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
III. SICKNESS WILL NOT PREVENT JOB FROM SERVING GOD.
As Job triumphed over Satan by his firm Faith on the Lord. Satan was once again ready to unleash his fiery darts on Job. Job 2: 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand; but save his life. Job 2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. This time, Satan wanted to try Job’s faith by Physical torments, smiting his whole body with boils . Adding insult to injury, Job did not find encouraging words from his wife and earthly friends, but they condemend him.
Job 32:3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and [yet] had condemned Job.
Job 2: 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.
Job once again demonstrated his godly and mature character by saying Job 2:10 What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
IV. DEATH and DESTRUCTION will not prevent Job from Trusting GOD.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him .
Through it all, Job learn how to trust in the LORD. In the midst of trials , Job said :
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
By God’s sustaining grace, Job came out victorious over those fiery trials of his life, and showed his deep piety and devotion to the Lord, through these, God was glorified and He bleesed Job.
Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
Job 42:13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. Job 42:14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.
Job 42:15 And in all the land were no women found [so] fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.Job 42:16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, [even] four generations. Job 42:17 So Job died, [being] old and full of days.
Sermon by : Ptr. Yolito " Ting " de Gracia
Landmark Missionary Baptist Church
107 B. Fili St., Sangandaan, Caloocan City
Metro Manila, Philippines 1400
email: tjbaptist@yahoo.com
