Tag: Christianity

Job 36-42: God Speaks

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(36) How would you describe Elihu’s attitude (v1-4)?  What warning is there for us?

What is his argument (v5-23)?

(36-37) How would you summarize his words about God in relation to his creation?

(38-41) Finally God speaks.  From where does he speak (38:1)?

How would you describe his words?  What is he doing?

What do God’s words convey about Himself?  About us?

(38-41) Does God explain Job’s suffering?  Does God recount his discussion with Satan from chapters 1-2?

Do God’s words address the issue of suffering at all?  How?

How might his response be helpful for us as we suffer?

(40, 42) How does Job respond?

How should we respond as we read this?

(40, 42) What was Job’s fault in this book (40:6-9)?

How might we share his fault?  Will we repent like he did?

And yet, what does God call him four times in 42:7-8?  How might that encourage you?

(42) What must Job do for his friends?

Who do you know that has been living in folly or that has wronged you that you need to intercede for?

(42) How does the story end?  How will our story end?  How can that encourage us in our suffering?

Sermon Songs: Revelation 6:1-8

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

Behold the Lamb as He opens, Each of the seals – one through four
Now unleashing the four horsemen, Set to conquer and make war
Bringing famine, Disease, and death
As the Lamb jud-ges the earth

The Lamb reigns now let us trust Him, And endure real suffering
Limits judgment – let us praise Him, Repent and obey the King
He reigns today, And forever
Come and behold: the Lamb reigns

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Revelation Quote

On By BrianIn Revelation Quotes

RevQuotes

The progression of the four seals is from lust to conquest (the first seal) to civil war (the second seal) to famine (the third seal) to pestilence and death (the fourth seal). This is the natural progression of man’s inhumanity to man. In other words, God simply allows human sin to come full circle, turn in upon itself, and self-destruct.

– Grant Osborne on Revelation 6 in Revelation (BEC)

Reflections on Job 32-35

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Elihu begins his speeches.  Elihu’s arguments overlap Job’s three friends, but his focus seems to be more on Job’s words against God rather than any prior sin.

  • God the Giver – Elihu rightly says that God is the giver of wisdom (32:8). As Job said earlier, wisdom is found in God.  Are you seeking wisdom from God for your life?  God is also the giver of life (33:4).  Are you using his gift of life well?  Are you wasting his gift in any way?
  • God cannot do wrong – Elihu rightly asserts that God cannot act wickedly or pervert justice (34:10-12). Job’s fault is that he has spoken against God (34:37).  When you don’t understand a situation, do you speak against God?  Or will you trust him?

Q&A#1: Verses for Reflection

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q: What is our primary purpose in life?
A: Our primary purpose in life is to love God and people, in response to His love for us, for the glory of God.

Verses To Reflect on Loving God for His Glory

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?
– Deuteronomy 10:12-13

You shall therefore love the Lord your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always.
– Deuteronomy 11:1

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
– John 14:15

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
– Revelation 2:4

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
– I Corinthians 10:31

Questions To Ponder

What do these passages teach us about loving God?
How do you need to grow in your love for God?

Revelation Quote

On By BrianIn Revelation Quotes

RevQuotes

The primary theme is divine sovereignty, as the Lamb initiates the event, and in three of them the divine passive “was given” (6:2, 4, 8) controls the action. This means that the activities of the horsemen take place only as authorized by God.

– Grant Osborne on Revelation 6 in Revelation (BEC)

Reflections on Job 29-31

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Job remembers his life before when he was honored, and considers his life now when he is ridiculed.  Then he considers various sins he has not committed.

  • Lust and adultery – Job says that he has made a covenant with his eyes, and that his heart has not been enticed. Do you need to make a similar covenant?  In what ways are you guarding your eyes and heart?  In what ways do you need to?
  • Purpose of wealth – Job says he has used his wealth for good. He does not trust in his wealth (which is a good thing since his life demonstrates how quickly it can disappear).  He uses his wealth to help the poor and the traveler.  Are there ways you are trusting in your wealth?  How are you using your wealth to help others?

Job 29-35: Overcoming Sin and Discouragement

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(29-30) How does Job describe his life before his suffering began?

How does Job describe his life now?

Count the number of times Job uses the words “I,” “me,” and “my.”  What does this suggest to you about Job?  What do you think Job needs right now?

(31) List the sins that Job says he has avoided.

In what ways does our culture tempt us with these sins?

Are we serious about overcoming these sins?  Are there any of these sins that you need to repent of?

(32) How would you describe Elihu?

Elihu felt that he must enter the conversation and correct all the wrong thinking.  When are you tempted in this way?  What is needed to overcome?

(33) According to Elihu, what does God do to turn people from evil?  Do you think Elihu is right?

How must people respond to God’s drawing?

(34) What is Elihu’s argument in this chapter?  Where have you heard this before?

(34) What is Elihu’s point in v21-22?  How might this truth help us overcome sin and discouragement?

(35) What does God do for us in v10?  How would this help us to overcome discouragement?  Have you ever experienced this?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Be Patient with Your Slow Growth – Jon Bloom (DG)

Godliness is not your Personality – David Murray

Don’t Speak Up: On the Spiritual Discipline of Silence – Mark Dever (9 Marks)

Sunday is End-Times Warfare – Peyton Hill (FTC)

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping your great God with your local church!