Good God Sunday Morning “There was a Man” Sermon – Praise and Study

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil”.

Sermon

Must See Videos Sermons:
“Our Relationship with God relates to relationships with man” -Patterson
Topic “Job” “
Bishop GE Patterson COGIC Morning Manna Sermon-pt2
http://youtu.be/Fx5ZnHtY3eA

(Links Below please honor sites’ regulations)
Bishop GE Patterson COGIC Morning Manna Sermon- pt3
http://youtu.be/2sIHcM9QrJU

Praise
“I Don’t Believe He Brought Me This Far to Leave Me”
Michael Pugh and Le’Andrea Johnson
 

http://youtu.be/8ls64mwDvJw

Study

This morning I am encouraged to speak on a discussion and a word of revelation I and others received on a most recent School of the Prophets Teleconference. It was facilitated by its founder and by our leader Apostle Adrienne Williams. She offered us a new understanding and revelation to consider about the man Job. This discussion was stemmed from the book of Job. We were given specific scriptures, those which readers tend not to really meditate on and in most part are just taken at face value but if analyzed the reader will receive a deeper understanding of Job and the circumstances surrounding him. The discussion originated from the revelatory study of Apostle Harris of Jackson Mississippi.

I will not reiterate the whole discussion which I believe at some point will be discussed again. There were many points of it to consider. I will only mention a few which I discovered after study, research and consideration.

The Book of Job-A Wisdom Book of Hebrew poetry

The book of Job has a somewhat simple structure. Job 1 and 2 are the prologue, written in prose. Job 3:1-42:6 is poetry that consists of a cycle of speeches between Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and later Elihu, and then the dialogue between God and Job. Job 42:7-14 is the epilogue, which is written in prose.

The often-asked question relating to the book of Job is, "Why do the righteous suffer?"

We know from the Scriptures Job as a man of great wealth, who was honored as a man of God. (1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil). We know that God allowed Satan to test Job’s love and loyalty to God ,which Job passed in the end and receives double blessings(42:10 …the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before;42:12 …So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning) .

What was pointed out in the discussion and after listening and reading the scriptures; the question arose was there a problem with the spirit of pride? That even though Job loved the Lord, even though Job served and honored God, because his status was so exalted in his community Job might have became too prideful of self-worth. Even though Job was considered (1:2 the greatest of all the men of the east) maybe he as the old folks would say “got a little beside himself” began to believe the “hype”.

I know by the Word that Job was a good man. I would never dare to attempt or want to take that acclaim from him. God repeatedly says to 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?” …So we know God trusted Job to be loyal until the end. But in an attempt to understand more and to live better for Christ’s sake we must use the Word for more than a historical merit , knowing that even on our best days we need God’s correction .

Does a man deemed perfect still have flaws?

In understanding Job’s flaws we commit to the acceptance of flaws being in all men. We commit to continually searching within ourselves first for our flaws, so as to be perfected in God’s image. We must ask questions such as in Scripture 1:5, Did Job also consider that perhaps he might have unknowingly sinned and offer burnt offerings for himself along with those offered for his sons? ( 1:5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified “them”, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of “them” all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in “their” hearts. Thus did Job continually.)
In reading the scriptures in the book of Job, though Job is continually giving God praise and reverence as his Lord, we should look at how many times Job uses the word “I” , “me” and “my” over and over again in his pursuit to understand why all these horrible things are falling upon him. I am reminded of my past when first answering the call to the ministry. I was living a more Christian life and could not understand why problems were besieging me, murmuring and complaining “Why me?” . That is when a woman of God, Evangelist Battle* asked me one question that has stayed as a help and a warning “Why not you?” We as Christians must understand that as we ask to be perfected in God’s eyes, to do God’s will He will correct us in ways we may feel unwarranted or unnecessary. But He is the Father and we are the children and all is done for His will in our lives and in the lives of others so that His will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

Another understanding received was that of Job’s wife and friends (2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die; 2:11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came everyone from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.) They had little godly wisdom or encouragement to offer Job, because they had no clear understanding of God’s works or possessed a personal relationship with God; Eliphaz the Temanite * did offer some observations and encouragement to repent for any unknowing or hidden sins. (4:1-5:27).

A fourth friend of Job, Elihu* the Buzite (Heb: Alieua ben Barakal the Buzite), begins talking in Chapter 32 and plays a significant role in the dialogue, but his arrival is not described). Elihu the youngest of Job’s friends who had the least of status among them does speak honestly and wisely as a mediator to end the dispute between the other three friends and Job. (32:1 so these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.) Elihu words are an effort of maintaining God’s sovereignty, righteousness and gracious mercy (32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.)(32:5- 37:24)

32:5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. 32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. 32:7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 32:10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. 32:11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. 32:12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: 32:13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

Elihu’s speech ends in the last line of Chapter 37

37:22 “Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. 37:23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 37:24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart”.

I find it encouraging that like Elihu our youth today are being diligent in learning the Word and knowing God for themselves. But know this… they are being observant and assessing if their elders and their leaders are patterning their words and their ways by the Word of God.

Elihu speech maintains that Job, while righteous, is not perfect. Job does not disagree with Elihu and God does not rebuke Elihu as he does Bildad, Zophar, and Eliphaz.

It is fascinating and enlightening that God responds after Job humbles himself and does not dispute the youth’s counsel. (38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.)

Know and See God for yourself – A personal and intimate relationship

It is after God tells and asks Job questions in which speak of God’s magnitude and wonder that Job understands what God is trying to teach him and is humbled and repentant*; and Job is restored to health with a new family and twice as much wealth. *(42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 42:2 I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.)

Don’t get caught up in the Hype.

It is important to note that in ones endeavor to live righteously to never lose sight that we must always strive to stay humble and meek in all our ways and thoughts. It is important to remember that a personal and intimate relationship with God is of the greatest matter to Him. This type of relationship with God should be our goal and our most valued possession, with the understanding that God offers this gift to all who seek Him. It is not man’s status in society; or his belief of self-worth; or even others opinions of his importance that matters to God. Scripture reads “For there is no respect of persons with God”, Romans 2:11. Remember when men proclaim self-worth above others they are indulging in self-pride. Don’t Believe the Hype!

“Upon earth there is not His like, who is made without fear. He beholdeth all high things: He is a king over all the children of pride.” (41:33-34)

Reference:
*Mother of Minister Kimberly (now First Lady Smith)

*Eliphaz (first - born son of Esau) appears mild and modest; in his first reply to Job's complaints, he argues that those who are truly good are never entirely forsaken by divine providence, but that punishment may justly be inflicted for secret sins. He denies that any man is innocent and censures Job for asserting his freedom from guilt. Eliphaz exhorts Job to confess any concealed iniquities to alleviate his punishment. His arguments are well supported but God declares at the end of the book that Eliphaz believed an erroneous view of divine dispensations. Job offers a sacrifice to God for Eliphaz's error. Wikipedia®

*Elihu is a character in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Job. According to the Book of Job, Elihu is one of Job's friends, descended from Nahor (Job 32:2, 34:1). He is said to have descended from Buz who may be from the line of Abraham (Genesis 22:20-21 mentions Buz as a nephew of Abraham).

My Soul Has Been Anchored (a video tribute)

http://youtu.be/_5Ev0xJrZ5U

God’s Blessings –Prophetess Sandra Dukes