Series Big Idea: "Showing how the early stories of Scripture establish God’s Plan of Salvation”

Sermon Big: "Job's trials reveal authentic faith and point to the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ”

Key Scripture (Job 1:1-2:10; 19:25; 42:5)

A ship that is caught in a violent storm will pitch and roll in the most terrifying ways. The lightning flashes and the waves beat against the vessel until it seems all is lost. Everything depends on one thing: trusting the anchor will hold. 

In this sermon series "The Blueprint of Redemption," we've seen God's creation of a perfect world, humanity's fall into sin, and the flood that reset creation. Now, we meet Job - a story that seems, at first glance, to interrupt the flow of things. But Job's story is far from an interruption. It's a crucial piece in God's redemptive plan, showing us how faith anchors us through life's ups and downs. Through Job’s experience, we learn a profound truth: maintaining faith during trials doesn’t just lead to our personal growth, it points us to the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let’s walk through how that happens. You see, before these things happened, Job’s life looked much like the Garden of Eden before the fall. Job had a tranquil life. 

Job’s Tranquil Life (Job 1:1-5)

So, the Bible describe Job as an exceptionally good man, blameless and upright, who fears God and avoids evil. He was considered the greatest man in the East and was blessed with a prosperous life. An adversary (Satan) challenges the sincerity of Job's faith, suggesting he only worships God because of his blessings. God allows the adversary to test Job by taking away all his possessions. He experiences immense loss and grief but continues to worship God and does not blame Him for his suffering. Job's faithfulness even in suffering demonstrates his genuine integrity, proving his faith is not based on external reward

Job 1:1-5 paints a picture of extraordinary blessing. Here was “a man of complete integrity," who feared God and turned away from evil.” With seven sons and three daughters, vast herds of livestock, and numerous servants, Job was "the greatest man among all the people of the East."

Like a majestic oak tree with deep roots and spreading branches, Job seemed unshakeable. But just as the Garden of Eden's perfection was tested by the serpent, Job's faith would face its own trial. What happens when the strong and tall oak tree faces a hurricane for the first time? It is tested. Job’s faith was tested. 

Job’s Testing (Job 2:7-10)

Like dominoes falling in rapid succession, Job lost everything. His wealth - gone. His children - dead. His health - shattered. Even his wife counseled him to "curse God and die." Think of a master jeweler examining a precious stone. The only way to prove its authenticity is to put it under intense pressure and scrutiny. Job's trials weren't random acts of cruelty - they were the testing ground of genuine faith.

But in the depths of his despair, Job uttered words that would echo through the centuries and find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Job’s transformation. 

Job’s Transformation 

"I know that my Redeemer lives!" (Job 19:25). Consider the nature of these words. Centuries before Christ's birth, Job prophetically points to our need for a living Redeemer. Like a masterful writer, God was using Job's story to foreshadow the coming of Jesus.

Job moved from knowing about God to knowing God personally - "I had heard reports about you but now my eyes have seen you" (42:5). This transformation mirrors our own journey from knowing about Christ to experiencing Him personally as our Redeemer. Just as Job's suffering pointed forward to Christ, our suffering can point others to Him.

Conclusion:

Like Job, our trials reveal the authenticity of or faith. Our suffering can become a testimony of God’s faithfulness. It’s in our darkest moments that we have what Job could only glimpse, the knowledge that our Redeemer not only lives but died and rose again for us. Every trial we face is an opportunity to show Christ to a watching world. 

Think about that ship we talked about at the beginning of the sermon. The ship is being storm tossed. What made the difference? That anchor held! Job’s anchor was his trust in a coming Redeemer. Our anchor is even stronger, we know that Redeemer and His name is Jesus. 

As we continue this journey through the Bible and this sermon series, “God’s Blueprint of Redemption,” remember that it is all a part of God’s Redemptive Plan, pointing us and others to Christ who is our living Redeemer. In the middle of the circumstances, you are going through today, will you trust that the anchor (Jesus) will hold? 

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Estes, Daniel J. Job. Edited by Mark L. Strauss et al., Baker Books, 2013.Barton, Bruce et al. Life Application New Testament Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001. Print.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.

Gangel, Kenneth O., and Stephen J. Bramer. Genesis. Edited by Max Anders, B&H Publishing Group, 2002, p. 9.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.

Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.

Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.

Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture

Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context

Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Wilson, Neil S. The Handbook of Bible Application. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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