Bonded by Belief

This post is continuations of the sermon series Suffering and Grace that pastor Sam gave in Grace Gospel Church.  The sermon focuses on Job 1:6–2:10. It sets the scene before the dramatic events of Job's suffering begin, focusing on Job's character, family, and piety, and then transitions to describe a crucial scene in the heavenly realm. Job's Initial State and Character The story's introduction (Job 1:1-5) describes Job before any suffering occurs. It portrays a happy scene featuring Job as a good, pious, and prosperous man. This initial depiction suggests a world where the righteous are successful, aligning with what some might call the "prosperity gospel". Job is described as having a "perfect" reputation among men for righteousness, leading to him being rewarded with "perfect" riches and a "perfect" family in human eyes. In God's eyes, Job is even more: wise in fulfillment of his righteousness, wealthy in gratitude for h...

This post is continuations of the sermon series Suffering and Grace that pastor Sam gave in Grace Gospel Church.  The sermon focuses on the introductory verses of the Book of Job (Job 1:1-5), presenting the protagonist, Job, before the dramatic events of the story unfold. The story of Job is estimated to have occurred around 2000-1800 B.C.. The Book of Job itself is described as a gripping drama, a theological treatise on suffering and divine sovereignty, and a picture of enduring faith. The initial verses set the scene, portraying a man who seems to embody the ideal of a well-run world where righteousness leads to prosperity. The author tells us five things about Job in the opening verses: His Place: The land of Uz. This is a general term referring to various peoples who lived east of the promised land. His Name: Job. His Godliness: His character is presented as the first really significant detail. His Greatness: Described in terms of his family and possessions. His Anxiety: ...

The second part of the Suffering and Grace sermon series that pastor Sam gave in Grace Gospel Church, delves into the character of Job and the nature of suffering, emphasizing the importance of Christ's crucifixion for understanding the book. The sermon begins by making two preliminary observations about the book. Understanding the Book of Job's Length and Complexity: The first observation is that Job is a very long book, forty-two chapters long . The sermon argues that God has given us this long book for a reason, and it's a mistake to quickly skip over the central arguments (chapters 3-37), focusing only on the beginning and end. Many churches handle Job in very short sermon series, often dedicating only one sermon to chapters 3-37, which pastor Sam sees as inadequate. The length is crucial because questions about suffering, God's presence in pain, and God's nature cannot be answered simply . God gives us a forty-two-chapter book, not a postcard message, Tweet,...