Sermon Tone Analysis

We may be headed for hard times but Jesus is still Lord.

“ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Satan Allowed to Test Job

The Prologue (1:1–2:13).

This section of the book describes the events which led to the suffering of Job.

He is pictured at the outset as a man of wealth with a family for whom he cared deeply.

In a dramatic scene set in heaven Satan appears, and is asked by the Lord, “Have you considered my servant Job, … a blameless and upright man?” (1:8).

Satan’s reply is, “Put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse thee to thy face” (1:11).

There follows the first of Job’s great calamities, the loss of his family and his possessions.

Another encounter between the Lord and Satan leads to the physical suffering of Job.

It is this loathsome disease that provides the context for the dialogues which follow.

In all of this the writer is careful to tell us that Job did not sin.

He has resisted his wife’s plea to curse God.

He has resisted the temptation to forsake God because of the loss of his children.

But suddenly the good-natured picture ends with dialogues as we listen to Job’s complaints.

We wonder, has Job given up his faith in God?[1] (ESV)

His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified.

Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts."

This was Job's regular custom.

NIV

We can no please God on our own

Growing in faith ()

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?

as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, Have they not heard?

Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

18 But I say, Have they not heard?

Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

19 But I say, Did not Israel know?

First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

19 But I say, Did not Israel know?

First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

KJV

Walking by faith ( )

7 We live by faith, not by sight.

8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

NIV

Living by faith not by sight ( , )

Living by faith not by sight ( , )

4 "See, he is puffed up;

4 "See, he is puffed up;

his desires are not upright —

but the righteous will live by his faith—

7 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

NIV

Faith speaks ( ; )

NIV

4 "See, he is puffed up;

his desires are not upright —

but the righteous will live by his faith—

NIV

Faith speaks ( ; )

Faith speaks ( ; )

13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."

With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,

23 "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

NIV

Faith appropriates ( )Eph 2:4-10

Faith appropriates ( )Eph 2:4-10

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

NIV

Three cooperating power/factors that work with faith

Three cooperating power/factors that work with faith

1. Hope ( )

11 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

11 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

NIV

2. Love ( )

2. Love ( )

5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

NIV

3. Patience ( )

3. Patience ( )

7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.

In the end it will be burned.

7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.

In the end it will be burned.

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case — things that accompany salvation.

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.