This is what I call an oral manuscript. It is designed to keep me on task (Not chase rabbits) and not to be word for word what is delivered. I pray you are encouraged…
Secret Conversations In Heaven
In eternity past God the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit existed in perfect love. Then in 7 days God created everything w/ Adam & Eve the pinnacle of creation. But they sinned, immediately died spiritually, & eventually physically. God continued His plan by sending His Son Jesus… born of a virgin… to save all who would believe. Jesus lived a perfect sinless life. Jesus gave His life on the cross & 3 days later rose from the dead by His own power. He ascended to heaven & will return to judge all mankind. Those who believe in Him will be saved. Those who don’t will be cast into hell. (This is The Gospel of Jesus Christ)
There is a realm we aren’t privy to. It is written in Eph 6:12, “WE (!) do not wrestle against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Example of Daniel in the O.T.
(Daniel 10) The prophet prayed for understanding. An angel came saying the answer was sent on day 1, but the “Prince of Persia” (A demon) blocked him. The angel had to get Michael to break through to bring the answer to Daniel. Then he had to battle this same demon to return to heaven. Things happen we don’t know about! Now… (Job 1 & 2)
(1:8-12) One day Satan came before God. God asked, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless & upright man, who fears God & turns away from evil?” Satan replied, “You’ve protected him! Touch all he has & He’ll curse you to your face!” God allowed Satan to attack Job, but prevented him from causing Job physical harm. Remember what happened? (Lost kids, cattle, land, all but wife) But Job did not abandon or sin against God.
(2:3-6) Satan came back. God reiterated Job’s holiness. Satan said, “Skin for skin… let me touch HIM & he’ll curse you.” God allowed it but wouldn’t let Satan take Job’s life. Job was afflicted horribly. Wife said, “Curse God & die!” But Job still didn’t sin… & this is where most preachers stop. But there is much more! First, 3 lessons:
1st, Satan can only do what God allows. 2nd, Just because evil things happen to you doesn’t mean God is angry with you. 3rd, There is a greater reality we can’t see or know… so trust God.
From Chapter 3 to 37 Job asks why? Three “friends” accuse him of sinning because bad things don’t happen to “good” people. Job argues with them & God until chapter 37. Then God shows up in 38:1…
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind & said: 2 Who is this that darkens counsel by words w/out knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, & you make it known to me. 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have u’standing. 5 Who determined its measurements, surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 38:31 Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? 38:35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go & say to you, ‘Here we are’? 40:2 Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.
Q: What can God do? (Anything He wants). Q: Why? (Because He’s God!). This is the point God made with Job… & by extension us. As Paul writes in Ro 9:20, “Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use & another for dishonorable use?” In other words, God is God… we aren’t… & He can do what He pleases!
Job says in 40:4, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 I have spoken once, & I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.” BUT…
Job 40:6 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind & said: 7 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, & you make it known to me. 8 Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? 9 Have you an arm like God, & can you thunder w/ a voice like his? 10 Adorn yourself w/ majesty & dignity; clothe yourself w/ glory & splendor. 11 Pour out the overflowings of your anger, & look on everyone who is proud & abase him. 12 Look on everyone who is proud & bring him low & tread down the wicked where they stand. 13 Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below. 14 Then will I also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you.
Q: What can God do? (Anything) Q: Why? (Because He’s God). Some blame God for evil happening to them then abandon God as a result. But did stuff like this happen in the New Testament? Lk 22:31…
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. & when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
The unseen conversations continue. Satan “demanded” (?) to go after Peter… powerfully. Jesus could have said “No,” but He didn’t. Jesus ALLOWED Satan to fiercely attack Peter. The only reason Peter knew of it was b/c Jesus told him. (ASIDE: Think that still happens today? About US? Yes!)
But don’t miss something important. Jesus said he had prayed for Peter! Jesus also said to Peter he’d turn… AND Jesus gave Peter a call to afterward to “strengthen your brothers.”
Both The Holy Spirit & Jesus pray for US! (Ro 8:26-27, 34-b) “If we could hear Jesus & the Holy Spirit praying for us in the next room we would boldly live lives that glorify God at all times.”
What was the result of Satan’s conversation about Peter? He denied Jesus 3 times. The 3rd time he cursed Christ. But later the resurrected Jesus restored Peter. “Do you love me” three times. Later people might have asked, “Hey, didn’t you curse Christ?” Peter, “Yes. And he forgave me! Can you believe it?! I’m forgiven! If I can, surely you will!”
Lessons: 1) You are being prayed for all the time by Jesus & The Holy Spirit. 2) Just because you fail does NOT mean you are abandoned by God! You can still be effective for Him!
But we don’t see or hear these heavenly conversations. We live our lives w/out knowing what goes on in the spiritual realm. So… how are we to live with understanding? Turn to Hebrews 11. Since we aren’t privy to the spiritual goings on, we embrace Hebrews 11 & 12…
This is from a time I struggled & wanted to leave town & the state I was so down. Went to KY to be with my sons. While they were in class, I read Scripture & eventually came to Heb 11… Hall of Faith…
((Scan the text till 11:35… when writer turns on a dime. Heb 12. Scan text until 12:10b-11.)) So what are we to take from all this? Let me boil it down…
There is a spiritual dimension God controls we don’t know of that does affect us.
Just because something evil happens to you doesn’t mean God is angry with you.
Just because you fail doesn’t mean God abandons you.
God’s approval is for those on the wave & in the cave.
Christians live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).
W/out faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
When it comes to the events of life, if it is good for you… God will give it. If it’s not, He won’t. Ro 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”
So here’s my closing desire/prayer. That regardless of your life events you know God never leaves nor forsakes you. That no matter what happens in life you stay true and faithful to God because He loves you. That you will not lose faith in difficulties because you know God is in control of all things.
Call to salvation…
Amen preach on Brother Ron. Brother Mark Webb has some 9 sermons on The Case of Job, Part 1-9 on sermon audio which are a blessing and very informative. Brother Mark is pastor of Grace Bible Church in Ms.