E-pistle for March 21, 2014
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation March 21, 2014
True friends always show kindness!
(Job 6:1-30)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Job responded to the condemnation of Eliphaz by directing attention
to the extreme depth of his physical and emotional suffering, vv. 1-7.
2. Job repeated his plea for God to grant him the thing he most longed
for: vv. 8-13.
3. Job expressed his bitter disappointment at receiving the unwarranted
attack on his character from his friends, Eliphaz, vv. 14-21.
4. Job challenged his friends to state when he had asked for any favor
from them, to specify any particular sin which they had seen him commit,
to prove that he ever had lied or committed an unjust act, vv. 22-30.
II. Meditation: on how Job dealt with personal grief
1. Job's first reaction to disaster was to fall to the ground and worship
God in spite of his loss, Job 1:20-21.
2. Then, he went into a period of shock and silence, Job 2:13.
3. Next, he began to express his self-pity, Job 3:3-26.
4. Following the tirade by Eliphaz, Job started to express anger toward
his friends, as well as toward God, Job 6:24-30.
III. Revelation: on Job's evaluation of how a true friend behaves
1. Job stated that a genuine friend would remain kind and true to his
friend, even if he did fall into sin or disgrace, v. 14.
2. Job said that a true friend would "be there" even during tough times
. . . not like a stream that dries up or goes underground during a
drought, vv. 15-21.
3. Although Job never had asked his friends for help, he implied that a
true friend would offer assistance to his needs friend, rather than
"kicking him while he was down," vv. 22-23.
4. Job asserted that a true friend always should give another friend the
benefit of the doubt, pleading: "Look at me . . . I would never lie to
your face," v. 28.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be a faithful and true friend, even if my friend has fallen into sin . . .
God still loves me even when I sin; therefore, I should continue to love
my friend even though I may not condone his actions.
2. Refuse to be a "fair weather" friend, who disappears when trials and
tribulations come.
3. Offer and provide assistance to my friend, even if he doesn't ask for help
or is too proud to accept it.
4. Always believe the best about my friend, refusing to become critical or
judgmental because "love . . . thinks no evil . . . bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things, endures all things, " I Corinthians 13:5, 7.
Don't worry about it!
(Matthew 6:25-34)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: (Observations):
1. "WORRY" translates a Greek word meaning "to divide into parts."
It suggests a distraction, a preoccupation with things . . . causing
anxiety, stress, and pressure.
2. The word "WORRY" is used 5 times in this passage:
(vv. 25, 27, 28, 31, 34).
3. This passage teaches that God is good, all the time!
(Matthew 5:45)
4. It also teaches that spiritual things must have priority over physical
ones.
II. Meditation: Christians should not WORRY because . . .
1. WORRY is not necessary (vv. 26, 28-30).
2. WORRY is not productive (v. 27).
3. WORRY is not having faith in God (v. 30).
4. WORRY is not Christian, but pagan (v. 32).
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in
God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1)
III. Revelation:
1. Rather than WORRY, we should seek God's kingdom rule first, (v. 33).
2. Rather than WORRY, we should seek God's righteousness first, (v. 33).
3. When we prioritize spiritual things, God promises to take care of ALL
our physical needs. (Philippians 4:19)
4. Since WORRY is unnecessary, unproductive, "un-faithness," and
un-Christian, I need to eliminate it from my life.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Focus my attention upon God's kingdom . . . His rule and will in this
world and in my life. I must find, follow, and fulfill His destiny for me.
2. Commit myself to being in right relationship and fellowship with God
and with my fellow human beings.
3. Relax in secure faith, knowing that God cares and provides for me.
4. See that WORRY is a serious sin against God, because it sacrifices
today's peace and joy for tomorrow's troubles and dangers, (v. 34)
"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook."
--William James
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