E-pistle for August 8, 2014
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E-Pistle
FreeWay Foundation
Conditions and blessings of repentance
(Job 22:1-30)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Eliphaz begins the third cycle of speeches by mockingly asking Job:
"Can a man be profitable to God . . . Is it any pleasure to the Almighty
that you are righteous? Or is it gain to Him that you make your ways
blameless?" vv. 1-3.
2. Eliphaz sarcastically inquires: "Is it because of your fear (reverence)
of Him that He corrects you and enters into judgment with you?" . . .
then he charges Job with specific sins: Oppression of the poor and
needy, and neglect of the orphans and widows, vv. 4-11.
3. Eliphaz proclaims that God sees through the thick clouds and knows
The wickedness of a man's heart (like Job's); Eliphaz classifies himself
With the righteous and the innocent who are glad and who laugh to see
Calamity coming upon sinners, vv. 12-20.
4. Eliphaz calls Job to repentance, stating certain conditions which must
Be met before God pours out His blessings, vv. 21-30.
II. Meditation: on the conditions of repentance which God requires
1. Acquaint yourself with God's ways; submit; be at peace with Him, v. 21.
2. Accept God's instructions; memorize his word, the Scriptures, v. 22.
3. Change the direction of your walk; remove iniquity from your life; return
to the Almighty, v. 23.
4. Count material things of little value; find your joy and delight in God
and in spiritual things, vv. 24-26.
5. Lift up your face to God in worship; pray fervently unto Him, vv. 26-27.
6. Pay your vows; exhibit faithfulness in word and deed, v. 27.
7. Speak words of deliverance to (and for) others, v. 28.
8. Continue to live a pure and holy life of integrity before God, v. 30.
III. Revelation: on the blessings of repentance which God will pour out
1. God will bring you good things (material and spiritual), v. 21.
2. God will edify your soul and spirit: "You will be built up," v. 23.
3. God will become your ultimate, valued treasure, v. 25.
4. God will hear answer your prayers, v. 27.
5. God will bring to pass whatever you prophesy (under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit and according to His will), v. 28.
6. God's divine light will guide the pathway of your life, v. 28.
7. God will save and exalt you, as you remain humble before Him, v. 29.
8. God will deliver even guilty associates because of your intercession
and integrity, v. 30.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Repent daily and meet God's conditions listed above.
2. Receive daily, with thanksgiving, God's blessings listed above.
Christ made us alive together with him
(Colossians 2:13-15)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the text
"You, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He
has made you alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which
was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the
cross. Having disarmed principalities and power, He made a public spectacle
of them, triumphing over them in it."
II. Meditation: on Christ's finished work ("having . . . ")
1. HAVING forgiven you all trespasses, v. 13.
2. HAVING wiped out the handwriting of requirements (signed confession of
indebtedness: IOU) that was contrary to us, v. 14.
3. HAVING nailed it to the cross . . . He has taken it out of the way, v. 14.
("IT" means the indictment)
4. HAVING disarmed principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12), He made a
public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it, v. 15.
III. Revelation: on the benefits we receive through the cross of Christ
1. Forgiveness of sin.
2. Cancellation of debt.
3. Death of the old life; birth of a new life.
4. Victorious power to conquer evil spiritual forces.
IV. Applications: Daily I need to go to the cross . . .
1. In repentance and confession, asking God to forgive all my sins.
2. Receiving from God a "clean slate" . . . cleansing (I John 1:9) . . . another
chance . . . a fresh start.
3. Putting to death my old, sinful, carnal nature (Galatians 2:20) . . . allowing
Christ to live in me (Colossians 3:4).
4. Exercising spiritual power over Satanic, demonic forces. (See Romans 8:37;
I Corinthians 15:57; and I John 5:4)
PRAYER: Lord, today I confess and repent of my sins, asking You for forgiveness and
cleansing. Nail my sinful nature to the cross, empowering me, through Christ's
life, to live victoriously also. Amen.
"What a lot we lost when we quit writing letters.
You can't reread a phone call!"
--Liz Carpenter
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