Sermon Notes 3.10.21

Job has some bitter complaints in today's passage. I do not know about you, I can be good at complaining too. Do you ever just fully vent your concerns to God? Job had lost everything and now he feels like God has abandoned him. Have you ever felt alone and abandoned by God? Join us this week as we discuss this passage.

1)Bad theology can make us think God leaves us or stops loving us. Even when we cannot see or feel the presence of God, we are loved and cared for.

2) Job cries out and complains to God, we can do the same in times of trouble. We can be real and honest with God.

3) We need each other. We need our church family especially in times of despair.

4) Who do you know that is lonely? Who do you know that might currently feel like God has left them? How can you bring some comfort to them?

5) May our church be a place of comfort and refuge for those who are hurting as Job is in this passage.

Job 23:1-9

Common English Bible

Grant me a trial

23 Job answered:

2 Today my complaint is again bitter;[a]

my strength is weighed down because of my groaning.

3 Oh, that I could know how to find him—

come to his dwelling place;

4 I would lay out my case before him,

fill my mouth with arguments,

5 know the words with which he would answer,

understand what he would say to me.

6 Would he contend with me through brute force?

No, he would surely listen to me.

7 There those who do the right thing can argue with him;

I could escape from my judge forever.

God’s hiddenness

8 Look, I go east; he’s not there,

west, and don’t discover him;

9 north in his activity, and I don’t grasp him;

he turns south, and I don’t see.

Job 23:16-17

Common English Bible

16 God has weakened my mind;

the Almighty has frightened me.

17 Still I’m not annihilated by darkness;

he has hidden deep darkness from me.

Pastor Andy