Job - Calvary Chapel Fluvanna

Job 1

March 6, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 1

"Making Sense of Pain and Loss" - Job 1 Back, by popular demand.....and because I believe the Holy Spirit is guiding us here as well.....we will begin our study in the book of Job! This is such an important study, as it deal with the life of a good man who had a bad day. And then another bad day. In fact, his life goes from bad to worse in record time. Now Job is left to try to make sense out of his suffering. As if losing his fortune and family was not bad enough, his friends show up to rub salt in his wounds. When Job needed compassion, his friends became his accusers. And it makes sense.....because God can't be wrong in punishing Job, can He? In their faulty theology, all of these calamities must be Job's fault! But Job disagrees, insisting on his innocence and eventually demanding an audience with God to explain His seeming incompetence in running a just world. God eventually chimes in to set everyone, including Job, straight. But for most of the book we watch the dialogue as they all try to process Job's experience and suffering, in all the wrong ways. If you have ever asked the question, "Why me"? If you have suffered and are still trying to heal from the trauma. If you have ever felt like God was at best, absent, and at worst, causing your suffering.....YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE BOOK OF JOB, so... ...VIEW.....AND......SEE! Steve

Job 3-5

March 13, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 3—5

"The Voice of Grief" - Job 3-5 In this teaching, Job opens his mouth and grief pours out. Have you ever grieved? Can you recall the feelings of pain and hopelessness and confusion that were swirling in your mind? Having lost all that he has worked for, the servants he was responsible for, and all of his children, Job gives voice to his thoughts. He knows everything that he had was a gift of God and not a reward, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. Since Job has broken the silence of mourning, Eliphaz feels som freedom to speak as well. He offers two chapters of instruction and wisdom to his friend Job. His theology is not totally useless, it is just improperly applied. What does grief sound like for Job? How does his friend fall short in giving him real and useful comfort? To follow the drama, you will need to... ...VIEW...AND...SEE! Steve

Job 6-7

March 20, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 6—7

"In My Defense"...says Job - Job 6-7 So, we are in Job 6-7 tonight at 6:30! It will be a bit shorter Bible study, as we look at Job's response to the pointed and somewhat accusatory comments of his friend Eliphaz! From the depth of his grieving heart, Job has wished that he had never been born! If this suffering is what his life is amounting to, then a merciful God would have not allowed him to live past his birth! These were the thoughts to which Eliphaz could not resist responding. We are simply tracking with Job as he tries to make sense of his suffering. Why is God determined to destroy Him? And if He is, why not just finish the job? How does Job currently understand his situation? That's what we will discuss tonight if you... ...COME...AND...SEE! Steve

Job 8-10

March 27, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 8—10

"I feel helpless"...says Job - Job 8-10 In this exposition of Job, we hear from "miserable comforter #2" -- Bildad. There is nothing really new in his argumentation toward Job, but it does get a little more intense! After Job answers Eliphaz, Bildad steps in and says some pretty painful stuff. The root of the argument is the same -- Job is a hypocrite. His life is really a weak shell of pretending and he is not fooling God. Hypocrites don't prosper for long, but truly righteous people do! Job actually agrees with Bildad on some points, but expands. Something seems to have gone wrong in the heavenly administration. There seems to be some mistake. If only he could talk to someone, he could sort this mess out. He is not demanding justice, but a little mercy would help! As I have been reading this over, I was really connecting with Job's frustration over not being able to talk to someone to resolve the problem. And in the world we live in, I think you will be able to connect as well! How can I understand Job's feelings of helplessness? Well.. ...VIEW...AND...SEE! Steve

Job 11-14

April 10, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 11—14

Zophar....but not "zo good" - Job 11-14 As we continue in the Book of Job, we meet the third of Job's so-called friends. Their comfort has been anything but comforting, and Zophar takes things to new depths, adding insult to Job's injury. Zophar is not zo good! In fact, Job tells them all that they are worthless physicians. Job presents a different experience than their oversimplified theology allows for. In fact, its hard to tell what insulated world these friends of Job's live in! Zophar needs only one chapter to do the damage, and Job answers in three chapters. As always, there are gems to consider, so... ....View and See! Steve

Job 15-17

May 15, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 15—17

"Miserable Comforters" - Job 15-17 After a long break we will rejoin the dramatic dialogue in the book of Job, chapters 15-17. With chapter 15, we begin round 2 of the discussions. Eliphaz was the first to open his mouth to speak, with Bildad and Zophar following. Job has responded each time. The intensity continues to build as we are now back tp Eliphaz again. He has no new argument, but just restates the old argument with new zeal. Job's words of innocence just show how far he really is from God. "Bad things happen to bad people, Job. We all know that." Job responds with the pain of recognizing that his friends are "miserable comforters". Are you good at comforting people in distress? Or are you a "tough love" person. Is comfort just for weak people? How does our Heavenly Father feel about comforting His own children? The overview is here, but if you want the "blow by blow", then.... ....VIEW.....AND......SEE! Steve

Job 18-19

May 22, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 18, Job 19

"My Redeemer Lives!" - Job 18-19 Continuing in round two of the dialogues between Job and his friends, we hear again from Bildad. No surprises here. He is hard on Job, and certain that heaven is always "just" and Job is getting the payment due for his wickedness. Simple. End of story. Job, however, is not budging either! He has been "wronged" by both God and his friends. Job is desperate for someone to understand -- his tormented soul crying out for compassion! AND THEN....from the depths of discouragement Job makes a baffling and faith-filled statement of certainty. This was the passage for our Easter service this year, but we will spend a little more time there tonight! Who is this redeemer? How does Job expect to see him in the flesh after his skin is destroyed? This as more tonight in Job 18-19 if you... ....VIEW.....AND......SEE! Steve

Job 20-22

May 29, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 20—22

"Letting God out of the 'Box'" - Job 20-22 Did you think I forgot about you? Of course not. Today was moving truck day for Helga's mom, so I have "boxes" on my mind. Moving boxes, and theological boxes! As we finish round two, and [Lord willing] move into round three of the dialogue between Job and his friends, we will hear from Zophar, Job, and then Eliphaz for a third time. I don't know about you, but I am so glad that when I was a young Christian, I was too naive to know what God was not supposed to be able to do! We were enjoying the Lord, embracing His Word, and watching Him do what people doubted could or would happen. I remember someone asking me as CCF was just getting started, "Can you start a church?" To which I replied, "I don't know, but we feel God moving us that way!" That along with countless other times when people said, "God won't do that....". I am so glad I never listened. Job's friends were stuck in a theological box. They put the "logical" in "theological". The only reason people suffer is as punishment for their wickedness. They were blinded by the need to fit God, and Job, into their comfy little "here's how we explain suffering" box. The problem was that their theology didn't match up with real life! Job is able to challenge that box and at least say, "I am pretty sure God let's the wicked prosper. And I am really, really sure the righteous suffer!" Is there a theological box that you have stuffed God in? Are there areas of blindness to what God really wants to do, but you are limited by your concept of God? If you think, maybe, its possible.....then.... ....VIEW.....AND......SEE! Steve

Job 23-26

July 3, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 23—26

"A Helpful Perspective on Suffering" - Job 23-26 No one likes to suffer, but if we can see meaning and purpose in it, then it is a little easier to endure. You are well aware that we invite suffering and pain into our lives if and when we believe it is ultimately useful or even helpful. We also know that talk is cheap. It is easier to say something than to do something. It is easy to talk about what "we would do", but how do you know? Would you really respond better than that person if you were in the same situation? The only way to know is to actually be in that situation. It's called a test. Have you mastered the material? You say you have, but let's give you a test. Are you as strong as you say? Let's add some weight. Maybe, just maybe, you are actually stronger than you thought you were. And if not, then at least you know what you can be working on. The weight of Job's suffering is heavy, and he has figured out how to endure. It's a mental thing. Your mind will give out and give up long before your body does. In yet another high-water moment for Job, he reveals a very useful understanding of his situation. He has figured out a way to look at his life that is both useful and helpful when suffering doesn't make sense. If you want to know more, then... ....VIEW.....AND......SEE! Steve

Job 27-30

July 17, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 27—30

"Where is Wisdom?" - Job 27-30 Wisdom. Winston Churchill said "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." We have a lengthy section to tackle tonight. In the silence of Zophar, Job continues his speech [Ch 27]. And it seems that Ch 28 is an odd little chapter which many identify as more of an interlude. It serves to conclude the previous arguments and sets the stage for what is on the horizon. In a world full of technology, data, and entertainment, many suggest that there has been a real loss of wisdom! Would you agree? Wisdom is different than intelligence. Wisdom is more than what we know, it involves knowing what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. But where does wisdom come from? We know where to get gold and water and petroleum. But where do we get wisdom? This is what Job deal with in Ch 28. Even though you can probably guess the answer, you might want to see the wisdom behind it! If so.... ....View and See. Steve

Job 31-33

July 24, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden

"In Conclusion..." - Job 31-33 Chapter 31 is the conclusion of the lengthy discussion in an attempt to make sense out Job's suffering. Like a ping pong match they have exchanged shots with the three friends accusing Job of a variety of offenses that have brought God's harsh judgement. And then Job would defend his innocence and blame God for treating him unjustly. Where is this all going? Hang in there....we are coming to the conclusion. In fact, Ch 31 ends Job's closing statement in which he pronounces curses on himself....IF....he has done the things that were deserving of those curses. Ch 32 introduces Elihu. Eli Who? No, Elihu....a young and somewhat wordy man who has sat silently waiting for his shot at Job. The others have failed to answer the issues but Elihu -- whose wordy speech takes us six chapters to read -- thinks he can provide the wisdom that Job and the friends have been lacking. Can he? Regardless, we will hear from God in Ch 38. ..View and See.... Steve

Job 34-37

July 31, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 34—37

"Behold, God is Great..." - Job 34-37 Elihu is the only speaker we hear from tonight, and his words grease the skids for God Himself to chime in and clear up the situation, sort of. This young and somewhat confident man is convinced that he is bringing wisdom that all of the others were missing. He believes he can preserve the righteousness of God and explain the suffering of Job. Elihu brings some new thoughts to the table, and some new interpretations of the situation. He is closer, but God will need to set the record straight after all is said. No need to belabor Elihu's wordy presentation. We are all ready to move past speculation and suggestion. While Elihu misses some big things, he gets very close to the words that God Himself will speak. How will Elihu's reasoning develop? What is his understanding of God and Job, and how does that impact his argument? How close is he, really? As always, I know you are hanging on the edge of your seat! So.... ....View and See. Steve

Job 38-39

August 7, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 38—39

"Cross Examination" - Job 38-39 Warning, it's all God as we enter Ch's 38-39. This is the moment we have all been waiting for. Or is it? As the storm approaches Job and his counselors, God Himself speaks to Job. I am certain he can clear all of this mess up quickly. "Listen Job, there is this being, Satan, and he has been eyeing you up. He said you only serve me because I am good to you. I defended you, but he didn't believe me.....yada,yada, yada." To that Job would say, "Oh, why didn't you say so! I feel much better about all of my kids dying now. I knew I was innocent." If only it was that easy.... Instead, God cross examines Job with a battery of questions to test Job's understanding of his own ability to understand or manage the things he/we take for granted. Is God competent to run the Universe that He created? Can He care for His creation or does He depend on human intervention to help him out? Can God be trusted with my life? God makes his case by making Job doubt his doubts by questioning. Spoiler alert: If you listen, and you should, expect to be overwhelmed by large doses of awe and humility. You might leave a little less opinionated than when you started this message. Just saying. So, ....View and See.... Steve

Job 40-42

August 14, 2024 • Pastor Steve Feden • Job 40—42

"The Gripping Conclusion" - Job 40-42 In this study, we have now arrived at the gripping conclusion of ours study in Job. We have been hopeful that Job's life and story would help us make sense out of suffering. We have endured round after round of bad theology from Job's well meaning, but mistaken, friends. We have watched Job wrestle with these miserable comforters, their accusations, wondering what he has done to deserve what seemed like a punishment from God! Tonight we hear a little from Job and a bit more from God before we get to "the epilogue" -- Job's life following this crisis. We meet two creatures, Behemoth and Leviathan. What in the world are they? Mythical creatures? Dinosaurs? Why does God bring them up? Will Job's questions be answered? Does Job get vindicated? In the end, does he make sense out of his suffering? Job is profoundly effected by this whole situation, and especially what he has learned from God Himself. But in what way? Even if you have missed the last 39 chapters, you might not want to miss this one. If you want to experience "the gripping conclusion" as we cross the "T's" and dot the "I's", and wrap up our study, then.... ....Come and See.... Steve