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E-pistle

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President            October 17, 2014

 

Like a prince, I would approach god

(Job 31:1-40)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I. Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

            1.  Job continues to defend his integrity by stating that he has never

     given himself over to sexual lust or committed adultery, vv. 1, 9-12.

            2.  Job asserts that he has been scrupulously honest in all his business

     transactions, vv. 5-8, 38-40.

3.  Job denies any prejudice or oppression of the poor and needy, the

     servants in his household, or those who hate him, vv. 13-23, 29-34.

4.  Job claims that he has not made his wealth or possessions idols,

     nor has he worshipped the sun or moon, as was the common practice

     in the land where he lived, vv. 24-28 . . . in fact, Job confesses his

     faith in God, Who sees his ways and counts his steps, vv. 2-4, and

     he cries out to the Almighty to hear him and to present the charges

     for which he is being punished, vv. 35-37.

II.  Meditation:  on some of Job's spiritual insights seen in this chapter

            1.  "Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?" v. 4.

            2.  "Did not He who made me in the womb make them (servants;

     slaves)? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?" v. 15.

            3.  "Oh, that I had one to hear me! . . . Oh, that the Almighty would

     answer me," v. 35.

4.  "I would declare to Him the number of my steps ("confess" . . .

     Agree with God, v. 4); like a prince I would approach Him" v. 37.

III.  Revelation:  on Scriptural confirmation of these spiritual perceptions of Job

            1.  "The very hairs of your head are all numbered," Matthew 10:30.

            2.  "He (God, the Creator) gives all life, breath, and all things.  And He

                 has made from blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of

                 the earth,"  Acts 17:25-26.

            3.  "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty

                 things, which you do not know,"  Jeremiah 33:3; "Ask, and it will

                 be given unto you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be

                 opened to you," Matthew 7:7.

            4.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our

                 Sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," I John 1:9;

                 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may

                 obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need," Hebrews 4:16.

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

            1.  Realize that God watches over me with tender compassion . . . knowing

                 all about me, yet still loving me, Matthew 10:29, 31.  

            2.  Shun all forms of prejudice; racial, economic, intellectual, or religious.

            3.  Pray with faith, knowing that God hears and answers . . . always,

            4.  Approach my Father's throne with the confidence of a privileged member

                 of the royal family . . . a PRINCE!

 

 

 

 

 

A good minister is like . . .

(II Timothy 2:1-6, 11-13, 15, 19-21, 24-25)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on what a good minister is like

            1.  A good minister is like a teacher/student . . . learning truth, passing it on

                 to the next generation, vv. 1-2.

            2.  A good minister is like a soldier . . . enduring hardships, untangled in

                 personal affairs of civilian life, pleasing his superior officer by loyalty,

                 dedication, and obedience, vv. 3-4.

            3.  A good minister is like an athlete . . . competing according to the rules,

                 keeping fit, training diligently, and exhibiting a will to win (positive spirit),

                 v. 5 (See I Corinthians 9:26).

            4.  A good minister is like a farmer . . . hardworking, diligent, expectant of

                 a future harvest, and living off the fruit of his labors, v. 6.

            5.  A good minister is like a workman . . . "not ashamed" – with holy pride in

                 craftsmanship and accomplishment, realizing that ability and talent are

                 gifts from God, v. 15.

            6.  A good minister is like a vessel . . . honorable, sanctified, clean, prepared,

                 and useful, vv. 19-21.          

            7.  A good minister is like a servant (slave) . . . not quarrelsome but gentle,

                 Able to instruct others, patient, and humble, vv. 24-25.

II.  Meditation:  on Paul's "faithful saying" (vv. 11-13)

            (Four basic truths:  perhaps a hymn of the early church)

            1.  If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.

            2.  If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.

            3.  If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

            4.  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

III.  Revelation:  on running . . . fleeing and pursing (v. 22)

            1.  Flee (run away from) these things:  harmful speech (vv. 16, 23), false

                 belief (vv. 17-18), moral impurity (v. 22), and bad attitudes (vv. 24-25).

            2.  Pursue (run toward) these things:  righteousness, faith, love and peace

                 with other believers (v. 22).

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian (minister), I need to . . .

            1.  Recognize and operate within the seven "roles" (above) which are included

                 in my calling as a minister . . . and all Christians are ministers!

            2.  Remain faithful to Christ and His work, because He always remains faithful

                 to me.

            3.  "Run away from" those ungodly things which are harmful, false, immoral,

                 and which produce bad attitudes.

            4.  "Run toward" (strive for; purpose) the Godly characteristics of righteousness,

                 faith, love, and peaceableness.

 

"Have the courage to say NO.  Have the courage to face the truth.

Do the right thing because it is right!  These are the magic

keys to living your life with integrity!"

--W. Clement Stone

 

 

 

 

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