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E-Pistle

FreeWay Foundation            June 6, 2014

 

Of men and of angels

(Job 15:1-35)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

            1.  The second cycle of speeches by Job's friends begins with

     Eliphaz severely reprimanding Job for answering with "empty

     knowledge" and reasoning with "unprofitable talk" . . . charging

     that Job's iniquity was "teaching his mouth" and that he had

     chosen the tongue of the crafty (liar), vv. 1-6.

            2.  Eliphaz next charged Job with having a proud and arrogant attitude,

     thinking that he was wiser than anyone else when in reality he was

     stupidly ignorant and without any spiritual discernment, vv. 7-13.

            3.  Eliphaz then accused Job of being an impure, abominable, filthy,

     iniquitous sinner, vv. 14-16.

            4.  Eliphaz concluded his speech by listing all the dire consequences and

     terrible punishments that Job shall receive because of his sins and his

     stubborn refusal to repent, vv. 17-35.

II.  Meditation:  on Eliphaz's teaching about man's sinful nature

            "What is man, that he could be pure?  And he who is born of a woman,

that he could be righteous?  If God puts no trust in His saints (angels,

Job 4:18), and the heavens are not pure in His sight, how much less man,

who is abominable and filthy, who drinks in iniquity like water!" 

Job 15:14-16

III.  Revelation:  on the truths found in Eliphaz's statements in verses 14-16

            1.  Mortal man cannot possibly live a pure and sinless life because, like his

     ancestor  Adam, each human being also makes the deliberate decision

     to disobey God . . . by nature and by choice, all persons are sinners,

     Romans 3:10, 23.

            2.  Only one man born of a woman could be righteous . . . God's only

     begotten Son, "born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those

     who were under  the law," Galatians 4:4-5; "He (God) made Him (Christ)

     Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness

     of God in Him," II Corinthians 5:21 . . . all in fulfillment of the Bible's first

     Messianic prophecy:  Genesis 3:15.

            3.  God puts no trust in His angels, because some of them (such as Satan,

     for example, Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7) are fallen, sinful creatures who seek to

     destroy human beings on the earth, John 10:10.

            4.  Judgment clearly is implied here:  if God has condemned the angels to

     eternal damnation, He surely will punish sinful mankind, II Peter 2:4-9.

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

            1.  Confess, repent, and forsake my sins against God.

            2.  Receive Christ's imputed righteousness through faith.

            3.  Resist the devil's temptation, James 4:7.

            4.  Warn others of God's impending judgment.

 

 

 

 

 

This one thing I do

(Philippians 3:3-14, 17)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on who are the true Jews (spiritual Israel) . . .

            1.  Persons who worship God in the Spirit, v. 3.

            2.  Persons who rejoice in Christ Jesus, v. 3.

            3.  Persons who have no confidence in the saving power of their

                 human good works ("in the flesh,") vv. 3-8.

            4.  Persons who have received Christ's righteousness by faith

                 In God, v. 9.

II.  Meditation:  on a growing Christian's heart-felt desires (v. 10)

            1.  To know Christ intimately . . . 'abiding" in Him, John 15.

            2.  To experience the power of His resurrection (through the Holy

     Spirit).

            3.  To share in the fellowship of His sufferings, including being

                 persecuted.

            4.  To be completely dedicated to Him . . . even unto death.

III.  Revelation:  on how to accomplish these spiritual goals (vv. 13-14)

            1.  Face life with humility.

                        "I do not count myself to have apprehended."

            2.  Forget past failures and successes.

                        "Forgetting those things that are behind."

            3.  Finish the race with perseverance and endurance.

                        "Reaching forward to those things which are ahead."

            4.  Focus on Jesus (His will and purpose for me).

                        "I will press toward the goal for the prize of the

                        upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

IV.  Applications:  as a Christians, I need to . . .

            1.  Recognize my position as a member of "spiritual Israel" and

                 claim the promises God made to His people in the Old

                 Testament.

            2.  Identify completely with (and participate in) Christ's life,

                 suffering, death, and resurrection.

            3.  "Run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking

                 unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,"

                 Hebrews 12:1-2.

            4.  Live a Spirit-filled life so I will be able truly to say with Paul: 

                 "Brethern, join in following my example," Philippians 3:17.

 

"Wit and Wisecrack"

 "Nothing needs so reforming as other people's habits."

By:  Mark Twain

                       

 

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