GOD'S DIVINE PROTECTION

ISAIAH 43:1-7

INTRODUCTION

          Sometimes it seems to you that the word of God is not effective and precious. But when you are in danger, when you are in trouble, when there is no light at the end of the tunnel, all of a sudden the word of God becomes a treasure to you. I remember when Saddam Hussein and his troops invaded Kuwait and the Allied forces were sent to defend Kuwait against the military assault of Saddam Hussein. There were prayer vigils in many churches here in the United States. Many people who had not been to church for decades began to attend church services and prayer meetings. Those who probably have not fasted before began to fast. Right now, there is another ominous cloud that hangs over our heads. Since the terrorist attacks on the United States, the sale of Bibles and books on Prophecy has reached all-time high.

          My question is this: What causes people to live independent of God until trouble comes into their lives? This question is not for unbelievers only, but Christians as well. Why do you ignore or reject God’s control of your life, until you hit rock bottom? Why do you ignore the teachings of the word of God until disaster comes?

          The people of Israel in the Old Testament were no different. You would think that since their fathers had seen the miracles and the power of God, they would be obedient to God, but that was not the case. They were like many Christians today. When everything is going well with them, you don’t see them in the house of God. You don’t see them in prayer meetings, Bible study, and Sunday school. But when trouble or calamity strikes, they behave like they are angels. Some begin to question the integrity and the faithfulness of God.

          This text that we are dealing with is a case in point when the kings and the people have disobeyed God. God had warned them through His prophets including the prophet Isaiah, but they did not pay heed to the word of God. God who sees the future from the present prophesied through Isaiah that the rebellion of the kings and the people would end them in captivity. Now they are tired of idol worship. Many of the older generations would die in captivity. King Nebuchadnezzar would kill many of the false prophets who would promise them instant deliverance. Remember that in their rebellion against God, the prophet Jeremiah warned them that unless they repent and turn to God, they would go into captivity for seventy years. They did not repent so true to God’s word, they went into captivity.

          Now the time for their redemption is near. Therefore, God prophesied through His servant Isaiah concerning this redemption and restoration.

I. THE REDEMPTIVE POWER OF GOD V. 1

          In verse 1, the text reads: “But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel.” There is something significant in this verse that I don’t want you to miss. God is the Creator of Jacob.  He is also the One who formed Israel. God is the Creator of the universe. Today, some have formulated other human theories to reject the fact that God is the Creator of the heavens and earth. There is what is called The Big Bang Theory. There is another called Evolutionary Theory, purported by Charles Darwin. This theory says that humans evolved from highly developed animals such as monkeys and chimpanzees. This is what is being taught in schools here in the United States. That is why our children are in trouble; that is why many children are more confused today. That is why some of them are taking their own lives. If a child is made to believe that he/she originated from a monkey, do you realize the psychological damage it would do to his/her image? In effect, the child thinks there is no purpose in life for him/her. There is no hope for him/her. But these theories are from people whose knowledge and intellect are distorted or skewed. God says, "I created you, O Jacob." The word "Creator "used here is the same word whose verb form is used in Genesis 1:1, 27, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. So, God created man in His own image". The word formed is also the same used in the formation of Eve after God had taken one of Adam’s ribs. Therefore, I want to submit to you that you are not in this world by accident. You did not evolve from a monkey or chimpanzee. You were created providentially by God. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. You are a masterpiece from the divine Creator. You are no accident. This passage is also a case against abortion. Abortion is not the plan of God. Abortion is an invention of man to determine who ought to live and who have to die. God is the one who forms the fetus in the womb. It is not formed by accident. God has a purpose for that tiny, helpless, defenseless baby in the womb. God said to Jeremiah the prophet, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

          If you could recall, it was through God’s promise to Abraham that Jacob came into being. When Abraham was born, he was called Abram. When God established a covenant and an everlasting relationship with him, he became Abraham. When Jacob was born, he was named Jacob, meaning a trickster, a deceiver, and a foot grabber. Every person born into this world has a Jacob in him/her. You and I are Jacobs. We have a deceitful spirit in us because we are the offspring of Adam. We have a sinful nature. But when we are saved, we are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. We become the new Israel, the spiritual Israel. After Jacob prevailed with the Angel of God, his name changed from Jacob, the trickster to Israel, meaning for you have struggled with God. God said to Jacob, I have made you a new person. I have removed the dross from your heart. I have made you My own. I have formed you, O Jacob. The word formed is the same used for a potter who forms a pot with clay. This reminds me of Jeremiah 18, when God sent Jeremiah to the potter’s house. There, Jeremiah learned an object lesson that applied to the condition of Israel at that time. As the potter remolds a ruined pot, so can God the Divine Potter form you again whose life has been ruined by sin. No matter how sinful you are God is prepared to transform your life and make you a new person from the inside out.

God tells Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you." Are you a Christian? Do you have a personal saving experience with Jesus Christ? Are you a child of God through Jesus Christ? Then no matter how difficult your circumstance is, no matter how insurmountable your mountains seem, God is saying to you, I have redeemed you. He says again, I have called you by name. Do you know that God knows your name; and He calls you by name? All the people that God saves and uses, He calls them by name. God called Adam by name (Gen. 3:9); God called Noah by name (Gen. 7:1); God called Abraham by name (Gen. 22:15); God called Sarah by name (Gen. 18:13). God called Moses by name (Exod. 3:4); God called Samuel by name (1 Sam. 3:6); God called Jeremiah by name (Jer. 18:1). Jesus called Zacchaeus by name (Luke 19:5); The exalted Christ called Saul by name (Acts 9:4). God knows your name. Then He says, you are Mine! Israel belongs to God. If you are a true Christian, you are a child of God. You belong to God. You are God’s property. God was reminding the people of Judah of His irrevocable covenant with Abraham. If God does not forget His covenant with Abraham, what about His covenant with us through the precious blood of His Son Jesus Christ? Do you have a personal ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ?

II. THE PROVIDENTIAL PRESENCE OF GOD VV. 2-4

          The LORD says, when you pass through the waters, I will be with you. In the second verse, I would like you to underscore the word when in your Bible. God did not say if you pass through the waters. The word if is conditional, but the word when is unconditional. In other words, you will pass through the waters; it is just a matter of time. The waters and the fire are metaphors for problems, difficulties, and pain in life. Contrary to contemporary health and wealth gospel, you will have trouble as a believer in Christ. You will face hardships and headaches, but the LORD has promised to be with you through it all. You see, the Christian life on this side of the world is like a rose flower with a thorn in it. God has not promised us comfort and ease in the Christian life. God has not promised us immunity from difficulties and hardships. He allows the difficulties but He has promised us of His presence. He has promised to walk with us hand in hand in times of trouble. Sometimes God calms the sea; sometimes He allows the sea to calm His children. You see, the safety of a Christian is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God in time of danger. Jesus said, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

          This is the caution: God is not saying that you should deliberately pass through the waters and the rivers. God is not saying to you to walk through fire as those who worship the god of Moloch did. You are not to take this literally. In the case of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego it was their obedience to God that landed them in the fiery furnace. They did not set up the fire themselves. Their enemies set up the fire because they wanted to get rid of them. God preserved their lives and they were not burned. God walked with them in the fire and their hair was not singed. However, during the second, third, fourth, and sixteenth centuries A. D. there were Christians who were burned at the stake. They died as martyrs because of their faith in Christ. God sometimes delivers His people from physical suffering like the case of Daniel and the other three. However, sometimes God does not deliver His children but provides the strength for His children to endure physical suffering or persecution. When John the Baptist was arrested and jailed, God did not intervene and he lost his head. We have seen and heard of people who have taken everything literally and killed people in the name of the Lord. Jim Jones of Guyana convinced about nine hundred people to drink poison and all of them died. There was a man who left a note at the bank of a river and went and drowned.  He said that it was God, who told him to go into the river, when he knew that he could not swim. The voice was not from the LORD; it was the voice of Satan. If you don’t know how to swim, please don’t jump into a swimming pool. You will drown. Our God is a sensible God. He will not let you do something that is stupid.

Another thing is this; God does not open paths in advance of our coming. He does not promise help before help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them. If He does you will never learn to walk by faith. Yet, when we are on the edge of our need, God stretches His hand out (example, the Red Sea, and Peter walking on water).

A story has been told of a believer, Fredrick Nolan, who was fleeing from enemies during a time of persecution in North Africa. Pursued by them over hill and valley with no place to hide, he fell exhausted into a wayside cave, expecting his enemies to find him soon.

          Awaiting his death, he saw a spider weaving a web. Within minutes, the little bug had woven a beautiful web across the mouth of the cave. The pursuers arrived and wondered if Nolan was hiding there, but on seeing the unbroken and unmangled piece of art, thought it impossible for him to have entered the cave without dismantling the web. And so they went on. Having escaped Nolan burst out and exclaimed: Where God is, a spider’s web is like a wall, Where God is not, a wall is like a spider’s web.

          In verse 3, the LORD reminds Israel of who He is. God uses four of His names that point to His greatness and supremacy. God is good to Israel not because they deserve it. God saves you not because of your goodness. God saves you because of His grace. Then God says, I have given Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. When Persia under the leadership of Cyrus released Israel from Babylonian captivity, God gave Egypt, Cush, and Seba into the hands of Persia in exchange for Israel. God exchanges the plight of His people with those who hate them and persecute them. When the enemies of God rejoice in the adversity of God’s people, God redeems His people and punishes the enemies. God says, the righteous will inherit the land but the wicked will be swept away. The sufferings of Christians are temporary, but the sufferings of those who reject Christ are permanent. Jesus says that they are tormented day and night. The intensity of their suffering will not be reduced.

III. THE PROMISE OF GOD’S PROVISION VV. 5-7

          God repeats do not be afraid. God repeats words for emphasis. God is saying to Israel, you are in captivity; you are in a strange land with strange and false gods. Yes, it is natural to be afraid, but God says, I promise you don’t be afraid because I am with you. That is the same promise that God gave to Moses. God said, I am that I am, and Moses said, if they ask me of Your name what should I say? The LORD said to Moses tell them that I AM has sent me (Exodus 4). God says, I will gather your children from the east and west. I will bring them out from the north to the south. God is saying, Israel this seems impossible to you but trust Me. God is saying to you who are in some storms of life, trust Me, for I have your situation under control. Will you trust God or will you let your circumstance overwhelm you? Our God is faithful to His promises. He is the Savior who delivers us not because of our merit but His mercy, not because of our goodness, but His grace. Our God is a caring and gracious God. The scattered exiles will be re-gathered from every geographical location. This promise was primarily for Israel, but it has a broader meaning: All God’s people will be re-gathered when Christ returns to rule the earth. He says everyone who is called by My name. God is saying to Christians who are going through trials, persecution, some heartache, or difficulties, do not be afraid, for I am with you and I will bring you out of that situation. God is saying I will do that for you because I created you for My glory. You see, when God created Adam and Eve, He created them for His glory. When God created you, He created you for His glory. But when Adam and Eve sinned, the human race lost the glory of God. But when Jesus saves you through the divine activity of the Holy Spirit, God restores His glory in your life. God says now you are Mine again through My own blood. God has created you for His glory. The question is what glory does your life bring to God? Any time you sin as a Christian, you stain the glory of God. God finally says "I formed you and made you." Brothers and sisters we are not in this world by accident. You are the special handiwork of God the Creator and Redeemer; you are bought with a precious price. Therefore, God’s divine protection is upon you. God has chosen you, He has sealed you with His Holy Spirit, and He watches over you. Therefore, serve Him with gladness and stop being afraid. Share His love with others. God has your situation under control.

"THE DANGER OF A COMPETITIVE SPIRIT"

JOHN 3:22-30

INTRODUCTION

     The story is told of a Christian who was reduced to such poverty that he had only one pair of shoes, with the soles worn through and his toes sticking out. Depressed and discouraged, he walked down the street mumbling to himself: “I might as well be barefooted as to wear these miserable, uncomfortable shoes.” As he felt himself becoming more and more bitter, he came upon a man sitting on the sidewalk and begging. The poor fellow had no legs. After a moment, the discouraged Christian realized that there was something worse than having old shoes—having no feet upon which to wear shoes. Are you complaining? Think how much worse things could be.

BACKGROUND

          Jesus and His disciples have left Jerusalem for the countryside of Judea. Jesus is spending time with the nucleus disciples. Actually, Jesus Himself did not baptize the people who were coming to Him (4:2). His disciples engaged in baptizing the people. Here it is premature to consider this as believers’ baptism. I believe it was the continuation of the baptism of repentance that was the characteristic of the ministry of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). I also believe that when Jesus gave His consent to His disciples to baptize, He was endorsing and authenticating the calling and ministry of John the Baptist.

          At the same time John was also baptizing at Aenon (“springs of water” or “Fountains”) near Salim (“Peace”). John the Baptist and Jesus were probably not far from each other. We don’t know the exact location where Jesus’ disciples were baptizing. John’s Gospel also tells us that by this time John had not been imprisoned. So this reveals that Jesus was ministering side by side with John the Baptist. But Jesus takes the center stage after John is jailed and executed. John came with the message of repentance as the preparatory work for Jesus the Messiah. And John’s ministry was baptism unto repentance.

          For the Jews to flock to John for baptism was indicative of their admission of need for repentance. Prior to John’s ministry of baptism, the Jews had what is called proselyte baptism that was administered exclusively to Gentiles who wanted to embrace the Jewish faith. The Jews regarded the Gentiles as unclean. Therefore, when a Gentile embraced the Jewish faith he/she was baptized as a form of ritual cleansing and purification. John’s ministry was not about politics or economics; it was strictly a moral ministry.

I.                  A COMPLAINT ABOUT SUCCESS VV. 25-26

          The complaint of Jesus’ success in ministry stems from a dispute between the disciples of John the Baptist and a Jew about purification. Notice that the dispute in question has nothing to do with Jesus. But look at verse 26. Do you see the comparison, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him. Notice that these disciples of John are aware of what John said about Jesus, and yet they refuse to acknowledge that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (1:29). At the back of their minds, Jesus is in competition with their master. There is a touch of resentment in their complaint. The resentment is that Jesus is becoming more successful than their master, John the Baptist and they don’t like that idea. Not only do you detect resentment in their report, but also exaggeration. He is baptizing and all are coming to Him. Take note of the word all and go back and read verse 23. Not everybody was coming to Jesus to be baptized. Some of the people were also going to John to be baptized.

          Ladies and Gentlemen, if you are not careful a competitive spirit can cut your life short. A husband and wife can become competitors when it comes to their children. The husband begins to be jealous that the children are spending more time with their mother and not him. The wife can also have a similar feeling. A competitive spirit can result when you compare your children or family to others. A couple of years ago, a lady professional skater harmed another skater. She even hired a hit man perhaps to kill or hurt her opponent, because she was a better skater than her. The Apostle Paul says that when we compare ourselves with one another we are fools (2 Cor. 10:12).

          The disciples of John were bitter, envious, and resentful for the fact that Jesus was more successful in His ministry than their Rabbi (Teacher). There are many pastors who are jealous of other pastors because of the success of their ministry. They begin to question why his church is big. Why is his church growing and not mine? Why does he receive invitations to preach in conferences and not me? Instead of praying for such a man or woman of God, the pastor begins to find fault with this person. How can you truly pray for a person when you feel like you are in competition with him/her? Some of you are under much pressure and stress because you are in competition with somebody. Due to a competitive spirit some of you have left your job for another and you can barely function as a normal person. You were only thinking about the pay package, but you forgot the task that comes with it. Some of you are cut for out for teaching or administrative assistants, but because of a competitive lifestyle and money, you have become a nurse by force and the stress level of your life is unbearable. I am not talking about seeking promotion and excellence in your work. I think that students must excel in their studies and workers are to excel in their work. I think that Christians are to seek promotion from their employment, but Christians are to refrain from a competitive spirit.

          Some of you can afford a three-bedroom house that can meet your needs, but because the Joneses have bought a six-bedroom house you too are trying to own one. Due to this when you come to church you don’t pay your tithes and you don’t give offering to the Lord’s work (illustration from Larry Burkett). Due to your competitive lifestyle you are working four jobs. You don’t have time to sleep and rest. You don’t even have time to study your Bible and say your prayers. When you come to worship the Lord, you can barely stay awake. When you walk in the sanctuary your countenance looks like somebody who is ready to fight. Am I speaking to somebody? A competitive spirit can easily destroy your life. Let me tell you, our church is not in competition with any other church. Our church and other churches are in the same team. When we build our new sanctuary, we build it to the glory of Christ, but not to prove anything to anybody or church. A competitive spirit can turn a Christian home of love to one of hatred, animosity and dysfunction. Do you feel like you are in competition with someone?

II.   A COMMENT OF APPROVAL OF SUCCESS VV. 27-30

          The disciples of John the Baptist came to him with a complaint that had an air of resentment and competition, but John demonstrated wisdom and spiritual maturity. In effect, they were saying to John, you are losing your edge and influence to the One you baptized and testified about. It is like a congregation saying to their senior pastor, the person you trained is winning more people than you. He is becoming more popular. He has a larger platform than you. That was the problem of Saul, Miriam and Aaron.

          I like John’s response. He says, "A man can receive nothing unless God has given it to him from heaven." John answers his disciples with a declaration of a principle, which disallows the idea of rivalry between himself and Jesus. John’s response to his disciples is an immediate justification of Jesus’ success. This is what John is saying. I have what God has given me, that and no more. John is saying I am doing exactly what God has called me to do and I am content. John cannot be anything more than the forerunner of the Messiah. Ladies and Gentlemen always watch out for those who look for points of disagreement so they can sow the seed of discord, discontent, doubt, and bitterness. In God’s economy, He gives some ministers a larger platform than others for a purpose. Instead of becoming jealous and competitive with another believer, pray and ask God to use him/her for His glory. Choir you are a team and should function as a team. Nobody should try to out sing the others, because that will create disharmony in your singing. If one is gifted in singing solo, don’t be envious. Do your part as a team member (NBA players after game interview).

          The other side of the coin is also true. If you are more gifted than others don’t look down upon those with lesser gifts. If the Lord is blessing your family, work, children, and finances, don’t make fun or look down upon others who may be struggling. If you can sing a solo don’t look down upon your team members who can’t. You and I must learn from John the Baptist. There was no room or any thought in John’s heart for competition or rivalry. Do you consider other African churches in the Metroplex as your rivals? Then your God is too small.

          John says that you and I are responsible to God for what He has given to us. What gifts have God given to you? Are you using the gifts? What ministry opportunity has God opened for you? Are you taking advantage of the opportunity and doing what God has given you? What talents have God given you? Are you using those talents? God does not see success as the secular world sees it. In the economy of God success is defined as faithfulness. Are you faithfully doing what God has called you to do? Are you faithfully using the gifts God has given you to serve Him and others? If the answer is yes, then God is saying you are successful.

          John the Baptist upholds his own ministry (v. 28). John does not regard his office as insignificant and insufficient. He claims that his work has been authorized from heaven. His call and spiritual gifts came to him from heaven. In fact, John magnifies his office. John shows a spirit of contentment that many Christians lack today. I am not talking about settling in for mediocrity. I am talking about real contentment in life where God has placed you. John knew what he was sent to do. Have you discovered what Christ has gifted you to do? The next question is: are you doing it?

          John had categorically denied that he was the Christ and he repeats it to his disciples. John was sent before the Christ but he was not the Christ. John was sent as a voice but not the ultimate voice. John was sent as a herald but not the King. John was sent as a messenger but not the Messiah. When you know your calling, spiritual gifts, and God’s purpose for your life, you save yourself from many untold hardships and headaches. In effect, John is saying to his disciples, I am not in competition with Jesus, who is the Christ. Do you see life as exclusively a competition? Then I submit to you that you cannot have contentment in life. You know why? Because there are some things others can do them better than you. John was not perturbed by Jesus’ rising popularity. When ministers of the gospel are locked in a competitive spirit, they forget God’s calling and anointing upon the individual they are competing with. A competitive spirit among Christians also gives the devil a field day. John had a Kingdom’s perspective, which his disciples lacked. A local church is not the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is greater and broader than any local church. It will take all kinds and shapes of churches to reach people for the Kingdom of God. The question that each believer or church must answer is “Am I staying true to Christ?” Do the life we lead and the message we preach represent Christ? You should ask yourself, Am I doing what Christ has called and gifted me to do?

          In verse 29, John tells a short parable that explains his own understanding of his role in God’s divine drama. John speaks of himself as the friend of the Bridegroom (best man). The friend of the bridegroom was the one who ceremonially handed the bride to her groom; and until he has done it, the groom’s voice was not heard. At a wedding the bridegroom is the important man. Yes, the best man rejoices, but the wedding day is for the groom and the bride. The best man was responsible for many of the details of the wedding. But as soon as he handed the bride to the bridegroom the best man’s work was over. The best man does not expect to take the center stage on the wedding day.

          Instead of expecting John to be filled with resentment and jealousy, he was full of joy because that is what he has been anticipating. John Calvin said, “Those who win the Church over to themselves rather than to Christ faithlessly violate the marriage which they ought to [honor].” The rising prominence of Jesus as upsetting as it might be to John’s disciples, floods John’s heart with joy, because that is what he has worked for. Therefore, John says Jesus must increase but I must decrease. John is saying Jesus must become greater I must become less. John shows us unusual sense of humility. John is saying the exaltation belongs to Jesus Christ, not me. John has put Lucifer to shame (Isaiah 14:12-15). John was content with what God has given him and where God has placed him. Jesus paid a high compliment to John the Baptist for his faithful service (Matt. 11:7-13). Are you contented to be yourself and what God has gifted you to do?

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"THE STORMS OF LIFE"

MATTHEW 14:22-33

INTRODUCTION

          Our world is full of storms. There are snowstorms, hailstorms, and rainstorms. A couple of years ago, Europe suffered a severe rainstorm that took lives and destroyed many properties. Some parts of Texas have suffered damage because of rainstorm. About five or six years ago, there was a severe hailstorm that damaged houses, cars, and even lives here in Texas. One person was killed in Downtown Fort Worth. In fact, our car suffered some damage during the hailstorm. The offices of insurance companies were filled with reports of damage to properties. When such storms occur they affect not only unbelievers but also believers. Just as I am reviewing this message, the country of Turkey has suffered a catastrophic earthquake that has killed hundreds of people and buried several alive. The nation and other international rescuers are digging through the rubble to find some who may be alive. Why is it then that some Christians think that they would be spared from the storms of life?

          Storms of life are inevitable. Every person whether a Christian or non-Christian goes through some kind of storm in life. Even as I am speaking somebody is coming out of a storm. Some of you are in the middle of a storm. There are some who are about to go into a storm. The fact that you are a Christian does not exempt you from a storm. As a matter of fact, the Bible says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched” (Isaiah 43:2). God did not say if you pass through the waters, I would be with you. God knows that there will be storms in life. Why is it then that when there is a storm of life some Christians want a quick fix? They run up and down to this prophet or that prophetess looking for a quick fix? I would like to share with you on the subject: “The Storms of Life.”

I.                  THE NEED FOR SOLITUDE VV. 22-23

          By this time news has reached Jesus that John the Baptist, His forerunner and cousin has been brutally murdered at the instruction of Herod Antipas. Jesus has fed the multitude but they have a distorted view of who He is. They think He is a magician or a miracle worker who has come to alleviate their physical problems and their hunger pangs. Jesus seeks solitude to sort all these out and sends the disciples ahead of Him. By the way, it is good that you and I occasionally seek solitude with the heavenly Father. Jesus goes to the mountain to pray because now John is dead and all eyes are going to be upon Him. The eyes of affection and the eyes of hatred are going to be fastened on Him. He needs instructions, direction, strength, and encouragement from His Father. Behind Jesus is the chilly reminder that His forerunner has been beheaded. Before Him is an ominous gathering of Pharisees and Sadducees on the horizon. On that lonely hilltop, Jesus braces Himself to face that storm of hatred, confrontation, and testing to produce some authenticating sign from heaven. That is why He sends the disciples to the other side of the sea. He needs time by Himself to mourn, and to pray. He asks for strength to face the torrential gale that is gathering forces against Him.

II. DANGER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA VV. 24-26

          As Jesus prays on the windswept hill, the disciples paddle their way across the shivering bronze of the late afternoon sea. With the sun about to set the sea has grown colder and the wind more severe. For ten futile hours they row, all the while moving only discouraging three-and-a-half-miles. Now it is a couple of hours before dawn. Spears of lightning impale themselves on the mountains, and thunder rolls dramatically in the ensuing darkness. Untamed bodies of water heave their bulks to batter the boat’s hull. Ragged waves fray into the night and lash their contempt on the backs of the beleaguered crew. The sting from pellets of water blurs their vision, but in the intermittent flashes of light they see a form making its way over the convulsing sea. Are they beginning to hallucinate from fatigue? They ease off the oars and rub their eyes. Is it a ghost, some spirit sent to hasten their death? All their superstitions about the sea come rushing back to them, and they scream out in terror. Their cries mingle with the moan of the wind when suddenly the ghost speaks. In times of life’s storm fear of the unknown can blur your vision of the nearness and presence of Jesus Christ.

III. A FLICKER OF HOPE IN THE STORM VV. 27-33

          Before you call these disciples a bunch of sissies let me remind you that at least four of them were fishermen before Jesus called them to follow Him. They were professional fishermen. They had been on the sea many times. They had experienced several storms at sea. The last time they encountered a similar massive storm Jesus was inside the boat. He spoke to the sea and the wind and both became silent. In this storm the last person they expected to see was Jesus. What could have been a pleasant trip became a white-knuckled ride through a sea of fear. Their question is, “What hope do we have of surviving a stormy night?" Perhaps you have asked your own question: “Where is God when my world is stormy?” Doubt storms begin to flood your heart: turbulent days when the enemy is too big, and the task too great, the future too bleak, and the answers are too few. What do you do in the eye of the storm when a phantom is also closing in on you?

          What the disciples think is a ghost; a phantom turns out to be their only hope of rescue. The light came for the disciples. A figure came to them walking on the water. It wasn’t what they expected. Perhaps they were looking for angels to descend or heaven to open. Maybe they were listening for a divine proclamation to still the storm. We don’t know what they were looking for. But one thing is sure; they were not looking for Jesus to come walking on the water. It is a ghost, they said, and cried out in fear. To their amazement what they have taken to be a ghost begins to speak to them. Take courage. It is I; do not be afraid. They rub their eyes again and squint into the erratic darkness. They can’t believe what they see. Jesus. And He is walking toward them. The closer He comes, the faster Peter’s heart pounds. Suddenly, the tide of emotion changes from fear to longing. Lord, if it is you tell me to come to you on the water. Jesus extends the invitation to Peter’s outstretched faith, Come. With his eyes fixed on the Savior, Peter begins to walk. And to the breathless amazement of the others in the boat, the water holds him up, holds him up on a sea that is still wild with rage. This is incredible.

          They have seen Jesus do many unbelievable things, but now, now they see an ordinary man, one of their own doing the miraculous, mirroring what they thought only Jesus could do. But a windblown slap from the jealous sea turns Peter’s head and brings him to his knees. In desperation he shouts. Lord, save me. And in that moment of faith, however sinking, Jesus grips Peter’s forearm and pulls him to safety. Let me ask you a question, when you are about to drown in the middle of a storm do you know where to turn for help? Some of you turn to witchdoctors. Some of you turn to psychics. Some of you turn to self-acclaimed prophets or prophetesses. But others who know their God turn to Jesus. Am I speaking to somebody today? Once Jesus boards the boat, the storm subsides. The lesson is over. And what did the disciples learn?

          Through Peter they gained a visual definition of faith, for what more is faith than stepping out in obedience to Jesus and looking to Him to sustain your steps, even when the path of obedience takes you over uncertain and untamed waters. Through Peter they also learned the difference between walking by faith and walking by sight. When Peter fixed His eyes on the Savior, he walked on water. When he turned his eyes to the wind, he sank. This is also a lesson for you and me. In the midst of life’s storm we are not to be anxious about our circumstances, but instead fix our eyes on Jesus the Pioneer and Finisher of our faith. Ladies and gentlemen, the storm of the sea was a lesson to the disciples to prepare them for the spiritual storm of mounting opposition when Jesus would no longer be with them physically. Like the actual storm, their encounter with the Pharisees and Sadducees, the enemies of Jesus was equally sudden, equally threatening, equally demanding in faith to keep their heads above water.

          The disciples experienced two physical storms in their three-and-a-half-year residence with the Savior. In the first storm Jesus was present, only asleep. But in the next one He withdrew to a distant hill. And although He could see them, a blindfold of night prevented them from seeing Him. Why did Jesus withdraw from the disciples? To wean the disciples from sight to faith. To force them to rely less on their physical eyes and more on their spiritual sight. If they were ever to walk by faith, Jesus had to withdraw from their sight. There are some of you who are following Jesus but you are walking by sight and not by faith. Jesus allows a storm now and then to deepen the roots of your faith. Like a tree, the disciples’ trunks must grow stout and our branches must grow firm. Otherwise, they would not be strong enough to stand alone, which one day they must do. This storm was a hard chapter in the textbook of faith. But the lessons the disciples learned that night they would never forget.

In closing let me make two or three applications. First, no follower of Jesus Christ is exempt from life’s storm but the fact of the matter is what do you do with the storms when they come? Since Jesus came in a way the disciples did not expect, they almost missed seeing the answer to their prayers. And unless you look and listen closely, you too risk making the same mistake. God’s lights in your dark nights are as numerous as the stars, if only you will look for them. Second, when some Christians go through storms of life and they see a gentle light on the horizon, they think they are seeing a ghost. They dismiss occasional kindness as apparitions, accidents, or anomalies. Anything but God. The disciples might have thought when Jesus comes He will split the sky. The sea will be calm. The clouds will disappear. You also say to yourself when God comes all pain will flee. Life will be tranquil. No question will remain. And because you look for the bonfire, you miss the candle. Because you listen for the shout, you miss the whisper. But it is in burnished candles that God comes, and through whispered promises He speaks: “When you doubt, look around; I am closer than you think.” Brother or sister in Christ, you should not be moved by the storms of life, because that is our lot as Christians. This cuts across the thinking of many Christians today, for they think the special favor of God is shown by their exemption from life’s storms. Sometimes God calms the storm but at times He allows the storm to calm His child. No matter the intensity and magnitude of the storms of life in which you find yourself today, call on Jesus and He will save you and calm the storms that are raging in your life.

         

         

         

 

"THE RESTORATION OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN"

JOB 42:7-17

INTRODUCTION

          Have you ever stopped to examine weeds? They serve as a reminder of judgment, a result of the curse on the ground after the fall of Adam. But if you look closely, you can see signs of mercy in that judgment. Some weeds have gorgeous flowers: tiny blue bells, ruffled purple blooms, and even magnificent displays of gold. In the same way—even in trials or discipline—if we look closely, we can see beautiful signs of God’s mercy.

In a man’s dream, he had a vision of walking through life on a sandy beach with Jesus by his side. As he looked back at the footprints in the sand, he noticed that at the troublesome spots of his life only one set of footprints marked the sand. The man asked Jesus where the Lord had been during those troublesome times. Jesus replied: “That single set of footprints is mine. Then I was carrying you and your burden.” (By an Anonymous Author)

I would like to share with you on the topic: “The Restoration of a Righteous Man.”

Background

          The background information for our text today is found in Job 38:1-11; 40:1-14, and 42:1-6.

I.                  THE LORD’S VERDICT AND VINDICATION OF JOB VV. 7-9

          After the Lord has spoken to Job from the whirlwind, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as My servant Job has. Why do you think that God is angry with these three friends of Job? God is angry with them because of the harsh things they have said to Job. There are various exchanges between these three friends of Job and Job. Eliphaz’s first speech is recorded in Job 4:1-11; Bildad’s speech is found in Job 8:1-6; and in Job 11:1-6, we find Zophar’s speech. God confronted Eliphaz because he was the oldest of the three friends.

          The first notable thing about Job’s three friends is that when they heard of their friend’s misfortune and his debilitating disease they came to console him. The second thing that is commendable about these three friends is that they spent seven days with their ailing friend in silence. But after the seven days, they started to take matters into their own hands and began to probe Job. They began to give Job some theological lessons. They decided to give Job some words of wisdom. This is a word of caution to every Christian: When you pay a visit to a grieving person, whether a family member, a relative, or a friend and he/she is complaining bitterly to God, don’t draw a conclusion that the person has lost faith in God. Don’t conclude that after all, that person is not a Christian. When a person is suffering or grieving he does not speak straight from the inner recess of his heart. That person is reacting out of his emotions. Just listen to his complaints and pray silently for him (James 1:19).

          What a speedy recovery Job would have had, had his three friends kept silent and prayed for him! God is now angry with the three friends because they had misrepresented Him to Job. They spoke to Job in the name of God. They spoke to Job as if they had received a divine revelation from God. Here God is reprimanding the three friends and vindicating Job. God is saying to these three friends of Job, Job My servant did not sin. His suffering is not the result of sin as the three of you have proposed. In verse 8, God told Eliphaz and the other two friends to take seven bulls and seven rams and go to “My servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves.” Here the role is reversed. God has given His verdict. He has found the three friends guilty of misrepresenting Him and also maligning the name of His servant Job. The lesson is this: please, don’t judge anything in a person’s life that seems mysterious. Don’t offer flippant solutions to human problems or suffering. Know your limitations. You are mortal; you are finite; you don’t have all the answers. Know that you are not God and as such you don’t know everything. Don’t ever play God and assume the role of God. God is displeased with these three friends of Job. God is saying to them go and atone for your sin and My servant Job will pray for you. I will then withdraw My anger from you. What a blow to those who think that they are right in the sight of God, but God has found their counsel wanting. There are some of you here who might have misjudged someone. You have to ask for God’s forgiveness. The next step you need to take is to go to that person and apologize and ask for his/her forgiveness. Until you have done that you will not experience the freedom of spirit and God’s blessings on your life.

          God said, "You have to do this because you have not spoken well of Me what is right as My servant Job." In his affliction, in his pain, and in his loss Job complained bitterly but he did not curse God as Satan had suggested. Job did not lose his faith in God. He did not become a skeptic, cynic, or an atheist. He maintained his faith in God.

          In verse 9, the three friends did what God told them. They provided the burnt offering, and also went to Job to pray for them. There is another great lesson here. When someone offends you, when someone maligns you and God convicts him/her to come to you and ask for forgiveness, be willing to forgive him/her. No matter how unjustly you have been treated, forgive the person and pray for him/her. Job did not withhold forgiveness from his friends. He did not say, “I will let you pay for the way you have treated me.” Job interceded for his three friends. Do you pray for those who slander, insult and accuse you? Can you pray for friends who have become your enemies? That is exactly what our Lord Jesus did for you and me on the cross. When the enemies were mocking, spitting, and hurling all kinds of insult on Jesus, He said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The Lord accepted Job’s prayer. There are some of you here whose friends, family members, and relatives are on the road to destruction. It is only your intercessory prayers that can move God to forgive them and save them. Do you care for your unsaved family, friends, neighbors, and relatives?

II.   THE RESTORATION OF JOB’S LIFE VV. 10-11

          After Job prayed for his friends, God made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. Do you see the practical application here? God restored Job’s life and property not before but after he had prayed for his friends. Here is the application: Forgiveness is essential to your spiritual, physical, and material prosperity. To be unforgiving is to forfeit God’s forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15). Only when Job prayed for those who had rubbed salt in his wounds did he himself find God’s forgiveness and wholeness. There are some of you who are sitting on your blessings. The Lord wants to restore your health. The Lord wants to restore your home. The Lord wants to restore your business, but until you have forgiven those who have hurt or offended you, your blessings will not come. Your own healing comes in part from your reconciliation with others. It is after Job prayed for his friends that he experienced restoration. The Lord has chosen and called us to be instruments of reconciliation as well as to be reconciled where there may be a division, an estrangement, and misunderstanding. Job’s relatives who had kept their distance from the suffering spectacle (19:13-15) now comes back to rejoice with him. These relatives proved themselves to be fair-weather friends. Their comforting and consoling came a little late, but their presents were expensive. When the Lord is on your side, sometimes he makes your enemies to be at peace with you (Prov. 16:7). It is better to forgive and win a friend than to hold on to a grudge and destroy friendships.

          Yes, it hurts for a person to malign, to slander, to backbite, and drag your name in the mud, but when the Lord convicts them, be prepared to forgive them. Let go and let God have His own way. Those who condemned Job became his comforters. Those who had distanced themselves from him have now come to console him. In all these God was saying to them, “You were wrong in judging My servant Job.”

III.           THE LORD BLESSES JOB AGAIN VV. 12-17

          Verse 12 states that the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. Everything he had formerly owned is now doubled: his sheep, camels, oxen, donkeys, and even his life span are twice the proverbial seventy years. The Lord is always faithful to His children. The Lord gives back Job’s children to him. Before the disasters Job had seven sons and three daughters, in His restoration, the Lord gives back the same number of children to Job. If you introduce your children to the Lord and disaster occurs and they die, they are not lost. Some day in the world to come there will be a happy reunion. One day you will see them again when we see Jesus Christ face to face. Someone would protest, but Job got everything back including his children. What about me? My only child died but the Lord hasn’t given me another yet. The Lord knows better than you and I. Continue to pray to Him. He may choose to give you more than one child. He may also choose not to give you any. Whatever the Lord chooses to do is best for our lives. This is the caution: Don’t make God’s restoration and His blessing of Job’s life a criterion for all Christians who suffer. God sometimes restores His children’s health and their material blessings. At other times too, God gives them the strength to endure whatever life would throw at them. Sometimes God says, “My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor. 12:7-9). If Christians are to experience all of God’s blessings in this present world, then heaven will not be any better place to long for. But I tell you heaven is a place to hope for. The trials that we go through in this world cannot be compared with the glory that is to be revealed at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

          Job’s health, his possession, and his ideal family are restored to him. God has vindicated Job. Job lived a hundred and forty years. God doubled Job’s life to enable him see his children’s children to the fourth generation. God did this so that Job can inculcate or pass his faith on to his children to the fourth generation. Job did not waste his life. He died old and full of years. Job lived life to the full. Let me ask you a question. When you sit down to reflect on your life, does it seem to you that you have wasted your life? Are you wasting your life now? Are you experiencing some suffering? Are you wasting your sorrow? It is from Job’s trials that we have this magnificent book called the “Book of Job.” God did not tell Job why He allowed him to suffer intense affliction and disasters. However there are reasons for Job’s suffering.

1.     The Book of Job was written to affirm the fact that the innocent do suffer.

2.     It was written as a rebuttal of the orthodoxy that saw suffering as unjustified.

3.     God sometimes ordains or allows that His children walk in the valley of the shadow, perhaps because it may be there that they would discover His comforting rod and staff. In His inscrutable providence, God sometimes allows His children to go through pain and suffering to bring about His purposes in our lives.

4.     Life is a school and suffering is one of its instructors. The heavenly Father cares too much about His children to let us go on in ignorance. Some lessons are not learned apart from suffering. Therefore, some sufferings are educative to the children of God.

5.     Suffering is not always punitive or corrective. It can be instructive.

6.     Sometimes God allows us to suffer because it provides the opportunity for building our character for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

7.     Suffering is morally therapeutic and preventive.

          The Life of Job teaches us that suffering is the common burden of all humanity and the lonely burden of every person. Yes, suffering can be a punishment for your sin, but it can also be corrective, exemplary and redemptive. Suffering does not mean that God has abandoned us. The purpose of suffering is not seen in its cause but its result. Does suffering make you a bitter or a better person? God was not punishing Job but was testing his faith and refining his character. It was to prove to Satan and to show Job’s critics that he was not serving God because of material blessings. When all these blessings were removed, Job still served God. What happens when bad things happen to good people? They become better people and God turns their suffering into service for His glory. Job is vindicated; his trials are over; and his faith is triumphant. Job could have said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”