Calvary Chapel Sydney

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.

In this concluding message of the book of Hebrews, believers are challenged to obey and submit to God and to those He has placed in authority. By faith in Christ believers are to be clothed with humility, and the God of peace will make us complete in every good work to do His will. God gives grace to the humble, and grace be with you all.

The epilogue of Hebrews gives practical exhortations on how to have grace towards others with encouragement to follow the faith of those who have gone before us. Instead of being distracted and carried away by strange doctrines, we are to have hearts established by grace. Because of Christ's sacrifice once for all, we can continually offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God

The God who appeared as a consuming fire on Mount Sinai is the same God who established the new covenant by the blood of Jesus Christ. When God shakes the heaven and earth we need not be shaken because we are founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit and recipients of His grace that enables us to serve Him acceptably with godly fear.

God chastens and rebukes His children because He loves them, and this ought to be an encouragement rather than something we despise. He disciplines us for our good, and we are most blessed when we choose to walk by faith in Jesus Christ. It is by grace in Jesus we find rest for our souls and produce the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

The course of this world is one filled with trials and suffering, and it is easy for us to be weary and discouraged along the way. The testimony of God-fearing people who lived by faith prompts believers to consider Jesus and look to Him with joyful expectancy of a good and glorious future.

Faith in God transforms our outlook on life, and this godly perspective will be demonstrated by how we live. By faith in God people looked beyond difficulties, impossibilities and suffering to the almighty God who is and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith in God is fundamental, practical and necessary for all followers of Jesus Christ. This passage considers the victory and power of faith in God to direct His people to live with expectancy of all He has promised. Instead of seeking God to know what to do or where to go, we ought to seek God to know Him wherever we are.