LESSONS FROM LOSSES

                                                 JOB 1:14-22                                                                         

Pastor Rick Jackson

Today I preached the funeral of my oldest brother. Though I know where he is, I have lost the earthly fellowship of this dear saint, I have lost his earthly prayers, and his earthly counsel. Due to weather here in Florida people over the years have lost their lives, their homes, other property. Oft times when people are talking to someone about their loss they ask a one word question: WHY?

Brother Greg says, "Why not?" I have responded, "Because". Both answers are correct. Sometimes we might think, what can this loss possibly teach me? Though it's often hard to think clearly during times of loss the truth is that loss can teach the open mind and heart quite a bit.

LESSON I - GOD IS SOVEREIGN

1. His Authority is Absolute - God causes OR allows all things [Job]

Psalm 59:13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

Psalm 66:7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

Psalm 103:19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

2. His ways are perfect [Deuteronomy 32:4]

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

3. His Understanding Is Infinite [Romans 11:33-36]

Is. 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

LESSON II - MANKIND IS SUSCEPTIBLE

1. To sorrow [Job 14:1]  Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

Genesis 3:16-17 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

2. To situations [Phil. 1:12-13, 4:11-12]

3. To success [Phil. 4:13, 19]

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

LESSON III - CHRISTIANS ARE STEWARDS

1. We all have our roles [Ph. 1:20-23]

Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Jeremiah 18:2-6 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

2. We all have our responsibilities [Ph. 1:24-27]

3. We all have our requirements [Lk. 12:28]

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.