Calvary Chapel Sydney

Job 15:17-16:22. Synopsis: No matter how resourceful a person may be, life proves futile without a relationship with the living God. Like for Job who suffered and his friends who proved miserable comforters, the answer to many of our "why" questions are only found by faith in Jesus Christ and God's word. Knowing we have a LORD in heaven who reigns over all brings satisfaction to weary souls. Verses in order of appearance: Job 15:17-26 1 John 1:10 Job 15:27-30 Psalm 146:3-4 Job 15:31-35 Psalm 135:15-18 Job 16:1-5 Psalm 77:11-15 Jeremiah 6:16 Job 16:6-10 Job 16:11-14 Job 16:15-22 Romans 8:24-27

No one is a stranger to trouble in life, and Job faced troubles beyond the experiences of most. His felt his hope had been destroyed by God and that there was no comfort or peace possible for him. In light of the revelation of scripture, we can praise God Jesus Christ is the LORD at hand who supplies hope, salvation and eternal life for all who are troubled today. Verses in order of appearance: Psalm 46:1-3 Job 14:1-6 Psalm 51:5 Job 14:7-12 Job 14:13-17 Psalm 17:15 Philippians 3:20-21 Job 14:18-22 Job 15:1-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Job 15:7-13 Job 15:14-16 Psalm 14:1-3 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In Job's suffering he desired to bring his case before God even if it killed him, for he believed God was his only hope of vindication. Knowing God was sovereign over all did not cause Job to shrink from God in fear, but Job mustered his courage to seek Him. How blessed we are Jesus has endured the cross for the sake of sinners to redeem us, and that we can know God's love and be filled with the fullness of God. Verses in order of appearance: Job 12:1-6 Job 12:7-12 Jude 1:24-25 Job 12:13-25 Isaiah 40:12 Daniel 2:20-22 Job 13:1-12 Job 13:13-19 Isaiah 50:7-9 Romans 8:31-34 Job 13:20-28 Exodus 20:20 Ephesians 3:14-21

Job complained of being weary of life and his friends and circumstances offered no relief. Zophar weighed with this first address of Job by wrongly criticising him, but then he rightly extolled the knowledge and power of God. There is hope for those weary of life in Jesus Christ who is our Life and gives rest for our souls in green pastures.

In Job's first response to Bildad, he wondered how a man could possibly be justified before God who is all powerful, righteous and Judge of all. He lamented there was no mediator, no person who could help him in his struggle. Praise the LORD Jesus is the revelation of God to mankind, the Saviour who justifies sinners by the Gospel of grace. Verses in order of appearance: Job 8:20-22 Job 9:1-4 Job 9:5-13 Job 9:14-20 Job 9:21-24 Ecclesiastes 9:1-2 Job 9:25-31 Job 9:32-35 Mark 6:48-50 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Hebrews 7:25

At his lowest point Job felt like there was no comfort or escape from his dire situation, and we do not need to experience all he did to feel hopeless. Bildad accused Job of maligning God's justice and questioned the sincerity of Job's repentance. Because God is merciful and powerful He chose to redeem sinners, and thus there remained hope for Job and us even when we cannot see it. Verses in order of appearance: Job 7:1-6 Job 7:7-10 Job 7:11-16 Job 7:17-21 Job 8:1-7 Romans 3:9-18 Matthew 5:10-12 Job 8:8-10 Job 8:11-18 Job 8:19-22 Ezekiel 18:23 Jeremiah 2:12-13 Isaiah 54:4-8

Eliphaz supposed Job was responsible for his own suffering, that he was reaping what he had sown. Though well-intentioned, his graceless words were rejected by Job as irrelevant for his case. The disappointment of Job in the ability of his friends to provide comfort he desperately sought is a reminder to all to look to Jesus who gives Living Water that springs into eternal life

After sitting in silence for seven days with his friends, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He wished he had never been born and wondered why he suffered in anguish of soul. In his first statement Eliphaz begins to roughly outline his reasons for Job's trouble without consideration of God's grace and mercy. Verses in order of appearance: Esther 5:13 Job 3:1-10 Job 3:11-19 Matthew 26:24 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Job 3:20-26 Job 4:1-6 Job 4:7-11 Psalm 55:22-23 Psalm 7:14-16 Job 4:12-21 Jeremiah 23:28 2 Peter 1:16-21

After Satan took Job's wealth and children from him, God observed how Job held onto his integrity even when afflicted without cause. God allowed Satan to strike Job with incurable boils. Three of Job's friends visited him with the hope of offering comfort, and grieved in silence as Job wallowed in suffering. When we cannot make sense of suffering, the God of comfort helps us look to Him. Verses in order of appearance: Job 2:1-3 Proverbs 27:6 Job 2:4-6 Job 13:15-16 Job 2:7-10 Deuteronomy 28:27 Ecclesiastes 7:2-6 Job 2:11-13 Job 16:10 Job 19:13-18 Matthew 5:4 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

We are introduced to Job as an upright man in the land of Uz who God protected and provided for bountifully. God allowed Satan to strip everything from him with the aim of Job cursing God. In the midst of profound grief and sadness Job worshipped and blessed the LORD who is compassionate and merciful, and it fitting we do too. Verses in order of appearance: James 5:11 Ezekiel 14:14 Job 1:1-3 Job 1:4-5 Job 1:6-7 1 Kings 22:20-22 1 Peter 5:8 Job 1:8-12 Acts 19:15-16 Romans 9:20-21 job 1:13-16 Job 1:17-19 Job 1:20-22 Isaiah 42:1-7

In this conclusion of the book, James exhorts believers to pray to God and praise Him, knowing the effective, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. Confessing our trespasses to one another for the purpose of prayer is needed, because one person who prays makes a difference to God who saves. Let us turn from sin and choose to do all that pleases God.

James reminds the rich and poor alike the LORD is at hand. Knowing God will one day judge all men we are called to be patient and establish our hearts by faith in Him today. As the farmer waits for the early and latter rain God sends, we turn our eyes to Jesus who causes grace to rain upon us because He is merciful and compassionate.

God is gracious to reveal our sin we never noticed and also His will believers are held responsible to obey. Instead of standing in judgment of brothers or proud boasting, followers of Jesus are to submit themselves with the aim to do God's will. Knowing God's will does not guarantee we are doing it.

James reveals the shocking source of conflicts and quarrels among us, why we fail to be satisfied in life and explains how pride makes God our enemy. For all who will submit to God and humble themselves in repentance, we have assurance of God's grace, forgiveness and presence. How great is God and His grace to us, who draws near us when we draw near to Him.

James 3 shines a spotlight on the tongues of Christians, that an inconsistency can exist between those who profess to have faith in God coupled with mouths that reveal bitter envy, boasting and cursing. Instead of being ambitious to teach, we ought to demonstrate we have been taught by speaking words that bless God and promote peace. Because Jesus Christ is for believers wisdom and righteousness, we also should speak and walk in the meekness of wisdom. Verses in order of appearance: James 3:1-3 Acts 18:24-26 Acts 18:27-28 James 3:4-6 Proverbs 16:27 Matthew 12:35-37 James 3:7-10 James 3:11-13 James 3:14-18 Proverbs 4:5-8 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 Ephesians 5:1-2 Ephesians 5:8-1

James lovingly explained to believers not all faith or belief is the same. Faith without works is dead, is of no profit and cannot save. Using the examples of Abraham and Rahab the harlot, we learn living faith always results in active obedience to what God says. Verses in order of appearance: James 2:14-17 Romans 3:19-28 Hebrews 6:1 James 2:18-20 Proverbs 18:2 James 2:21-24 Isaiah 41:8 John 15:13-17 James 2:25-26 Joshua 2:8-13 Joshua 6:25 John 11:23-26

Because God is merciful, loving and gracious, He reveals sin in the lives of believers we are wise to recognise and repent of like sinful partiality. God shows no partiality, and we ought to speak and do according to the law of liberty, knowing mercy triumphs over judgment. Verses in order of appearance: James 2:1-4 Deuteronomy 10:17 Acts 10:34-35 Acts 10:44-48 James 2:5-7 1 Timothy 6:17-19 James 2:8-11 Matthew 22:37-40 John 13:34 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 2 Corinthians 5:10 James 2:12-13 Matthew 7:1-2 John 7:22-24 Definition of mercy from Webster's 1828 Dictionary: “That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grac

God promises to bless those who endure temptation, and no temptation to sin can originate from God because He is only good and perfect. The Gospel demands people take responsibility for our own sins, and by God's grace sets us free from bondage to do what pleases God.

The book of James begins with earnest exhortation for scattered followers of Jesus to count it all joy when facing various trials knowing God loves them and will keep His promises. Faith in Christ enables us to endure what the flesh would rather evade and will result in us receiving a crown of life.

After writing his initial letter about problems outside the church, Peter writes a 2nd letter about problems inside the church. He offers reminders for his readers about unsound teaching in regards to Jesus' return. He ends this 2nd letter with some sound advice and encouragement as the Lord's return edges closer.