How to Handle Adversity: Job’s Response to Hard Times

NOTES FROM A SERMON PRESENTED BY DR. GREG SLOOP AT THE KANNAPOLIS CHURCH OF GOD. FOR VIDEO OF SERVICES, GO TO THE CHURCH WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.KCOG.ORG, AND CLICK ON THE LIVESTREAM LINK TO VIEW LIVE OR FOR A REPLAY OF THE SERVICES. YOU MAY ALSO WATCH LIVE OR A REPLAY ON the DR. Greg SLOOP FACEBOOK PAGE. FOR AUDIO OF THE SERVICES, GO To THE WEBSITE, kcog.org, AND CLICK ON THE MEDIA PAGE.

May 21, 2023

May 22 & 29, 2022

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Job 1:13–22 (NKJV)

• Job’s Loss and Job’s Response
  • Job lost his fortune.
  • Job lost his children.
  • Job mourned.
  • Job worshipped.
  • Job put things in perspective
  • Job did not sin.

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. 9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job 2:7–10 (NKJV)

• Job’s Disease & Job’s Response
  • Job develops a painful disease.
  • Job’s wife accuses him.
  • Job rebukes her loss of faith.
  • Job sustains his perspective.
  • Job does not sin.

13 “Hold your peace with me, and let me speak, Then let come on me what may!
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands?
Job 13:13–16 (NKJV)
15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
16 He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him.

Job 13:13–16 (NKJV)

• Job’s Anguish & Job’s Response
  • Job is in great pain and agony.
  • Job prays.
  • Job questions God.
  • Job trusts God.
  • Job maintains his integrity.

SECOND HALF BEGINS

1 Then Job answered the Lord and said: 2 “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’
5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:1–6 (NKJV)

• Job’s God Encounter
  • God showed up!
  • Job acknowledges God.
  • Job repents.
• Why Did God Wait So Long?
  • God always knows best…

10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold.

Job 42:10–11 (NKJV)

• Job’s Restoration
  • The Result of a Selfless Prayer
  • God Restored Twice as Much
  • God Restored His Family
  • God Restored His Wealth

• Takeaway Thoughts
  • Mourn
  • Question
  • Pray
  • Worship
  • Get Perspective
  • Trust God
  • Repent
  • Be Restored