Calvary Chapel Sydney

Luke wrote his account of the life of Jesus Christ so that Theophilus would have ‘certainty of those things in which you were instructed’ (Luk 1:4). In describing what Jesus did and taught, Luke shows both His divine nature and humanity. Learning about His character should cause us as His followers to consider how our lives reflect upon and glorify Jesus in this fallen world. In this passage from Luke chapter 9, Luke describes a number of events where Jesus is interacting with His disciples and with those in need. The pre-eminence of Jesus Christ to change people’s lives is evident through He alone having the authority and power to cast out a stubborn demon. Jesus also explains what living in the Kingdom of God involves which is in stark contrast to many human rules for earthly living. Keeping our eyes on Jesus and having our minds renewed according to His ways (Rom 12:1-2) requires submission to the true eternal King and enables us to truly honour and serve Him as citizens in His kingdom. Verses in order

After defending himself from the false accusations of his friends, Job rested his case. He had a clear conscience that affirmed his righteous standing before God, yet his confidence in justifying himself would be proved wrong. Sinners are wise to humble ourselves before God and to seek Him in repentance, for only God can justify us by grace through faith.

Synopsis: Faced with the loss of respect of society, his health and fellowship with God, Job longed to return to better days, to a time months prior when he was in his prime. Though Job did not realise why God allowed him to suffer, it was according to the wise purposes of God who is merciful and compassionate. By faith in God we cast aside selfish fears and wait on He who brings divine renewal, strength and hope now and forever. Verses in order of appearance: Job 29:1-6 Job 29:7-17 Job 29:18-25 Job 30:1-8 Job 30:9-15 Deuteronomy 13:11 James 5:10-11 Job 30:16-23 Job 3:23-26 1 John 4:18 Romans 8:26 Isaiah 40:27-31

Christmas Day message

Job continued his impassioned response to his friends, confident he was correct where they had erred. After affirming God surely judges the wicked, Job turned his attention to the fear of the LORD who is the source of all wisdom and everlasting life. Job's wake up call was coming, and all who follow Jesus ought to wake to wisdom.

Job responded to Eliphaz and then to Bildad, having weathered their false accusations and, contrary to their assumptions, demonstrated great knowledge of the almighty God. The miraculous and marvelous works we witness are merely the edges of God's ways and when believers view ourselves in light of God's glory we are humbled and rejoice securely in His salvation.

Eliphaz prescribed repentance and returning to the LORD for Job, but Job never departed from the God he lost sight of. Job's confidence in his uprightness was overwhelmed by his fear of the almighty God who stands alone in power and glory. By faith in God Job endured the trials God prescribed for him, and faith in Jesus Christ is our prescription for eternal life through the Gospel.

Synopsis: In light of troubling circumstances, people can be quick to assign blame or say who is at fault. Job's friends claimed he was to blame for the trials he faced, and his interactions with Eliphaz illustrates the need for God's people to walk in love towards one another. We are to be blamed for our sin, but God is gracious through the Gospel to present us faultless before His presence with exceeding joy. Verses in order of appearance: Job 21:17-21 2 Kings 20:19 Deuteronomy 24:16 Job 21:22-26 Job 21:27-34 Job 22:1-3 1 Chronicles 29:17 Ezekiel 18:23 Job 22:4-11 Psalm 143:1-2 Luke 6:34-38 Job 22:12-20 Psalm 147:4-5 Ephesians 1:3-6 Jude 1:24-25

Zophar spoke to Job as one suffering from the inescapable judgment and wrath of God for his hidden sin. Job responded by pointing out serious flaws in the accusations leveled against him and gave evidence that the wicked often seem to prosper. Their interaction is a display of God's grace and love to us, that we would answer God's call to repent of sin, trust in God and walk worthy of God's kingdom.

Job wondered how long he would be tormented by friends who showed him no compassion or pity. Like a flour that springs up in ground burnt with fire, the faith of Job flashed forth to proclaim his Redeemer lived. The Redeemer Job alluded to is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ who redeemed lost sinners and gives abundant life to all who trust Him. Verses in order of appearance: Job 19:1-6 Job 19:7-12 Job 19:13-20 Ruth 1:20-21 Job 19:21-22 Hebrews 4:14-16 Job 19:23-29 Exodus 6:6-7 Ruth 4:14-15 Exodus 33:20 Psalm 17:15 1 John 3:2 John 14:19 John 10:10 Colossians 1:13-15

The trial Job faced broke him, and he expressed a desire for God to vouch for him. Looking at his situation he was unable to see any hope, no light was visible on the horizon. Bildad's second address did nothing to encourage him. Bless the LORD He has sent the Light of the World Jesus to give us a living hope, a pledge of love we receive by faith. Verses in order of appearance: Job 17:1-5 2 Samuel 16:10-12 Job 17:6-10 1 Samuel 17:28-30 Psalm 84:4-7 Job 17:11-16 Job 11:17-18 Job 18:1-4 Job 18:5-11 Job 18:12-18 Job 18:19-21 Romans 8:32-33 1 Peter 1:3-9

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