PRAISING IN PAIN
Job & Abraham
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
Main idea: keep focus on Jesus, worship no matter what
Magic: Jesus silk, gray to color or change bag & Jesus picture
INTRODUCTION
West Africa TASTEBERRY
Small, tasteless, coats taste buds
Called MIRACULIN
Everything sour eaten after tastes sweet
LIFE full of bitter and sour things
Easy to get negative, bitter
Miracle drug to turn all sweet = PRAISE
I. JOB
A. BACKGROUND
Read Job 1:1-5
No sin, etc., but suffering coming!
B. TEST ONE
1. TEST 1
Read Job 1:6-11
Satan: Job self-centered, paid off by God
Satan attacks, condemns our motives
Read Job 1:12
FATHER FILTERED – all trials
why God allow this to Job
Prove Job’s motives to angels, us
Job willing servant – do anything to bring glory to God
Read Job 1:13-19
1. Oxen and Donkeys stolen or killed: 13-15
2. Sheep and shepherds killed 16
3. Camels gone, servants killed 17
4. 7 sons and 3 daughters killed: 18-19
2. RESPONSE
Read Job 1:20-22
WORSHIP- first time word used in Bible
define it
explain it
apply it
C. TEST 2
1. TEST
Read Job 2:1-8
2. RESPONSE
Read Job 2:9-10
Attitude or gratitude – praise
MIRACULIN in his soul
Never sinned – attitude of trust through it all
D. RESULT
Blessed with 2x as much
Read Job 42:10-17
LESSONS ABOUT WORSHIP
WORSHIP IS NOT
AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE (USA moving music, clap hands, raise hands, etc. – they did none of that!)
THANKSGIVING – based on liking, thanking for what God did
Worship unconditional love no matter if don’t like it
SUNDAY AM EVENT
WORSHIP IS
MENTAL CHOICE, decision
To trust without answers
God always able even if he isn’t always willing
Daniel 3:17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
FROM HEART, not voice, emotions
Attribuiting worth to God for who and what He is
NOT DEPENDENT ON CIRCUMSTANCES
Today: evaluate worship service by how I reel fterwards
worship is to be how it makes God feel, not us!
TRANSITION
Not just isolated case – seen with Abraham
2nd time worship mentioned in Bible
II. ABRAHAM
A. BACKGROUND
1. TEST
Read Genesis 22:1-4
2. RESPONSE
Read Genesis 22:5
3. RESULT
Read Genesis 22:6-19
How can this be a time of worship???
III. US
Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
No one exempt
We need MIRACULIN, too
LESSONS ABOUT WORSHIP
WORSHIP IS NOT
DONE TO IMPRESS OTHERS
Abraham, Job alone, not with group
God, angels listen to our hearts
WORSHIP IS
PUTTING GOD FIRST
Before others, family (Abraham. Lot)
Trusting God will use it for His glory and our growth
Leaves in fall: colors always there but don’t see until cold
God never wastes a tear of His saints!
COSTLY
Sacrifice, costs to worship
Trust God before self
Takes time, focus, attention, etc
OTHER EXAMPLES
Paul and Silas in Prison Acts 16
Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Keep praising – no matter what
MIRACULIN!!!
Only last 4 hours, then need new taste
berry must be fresh, can’t pick and save
Keep gong back to praise throughout the day!
FOCUS ON JESUS
Mt Moriah (where Abraham took Isaac)
Jesus our substitute
Abraham didn’t have to kill son because God did
we don’t die because Jesus did!
THAT is reason enough to always praise!