JOB Sermons

Job Sermons by Rev. Mike Jones [Revised 09/15/20]

Job 01:10 BROKEN HEDGES

Job 01:21 THE BEGINNING OF LIFE

Job 02:10 WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE IF YOU LOST IT ALL?

Job 07:1-3 APPOINTMENTS

Job 09:12 HURTLING YOUR HINDRANCES

Job 9:20 CONDEMNING YOURSELF

Job 14:1 LIVING ON TOP OF TROUBLES

Job 14:1 TRIUMPHANT IN TROUBLE

Job 14:1 THE FEW

Job 16:19 GOD’S RECORD BOOKS

Job 21:7 15 A PROFITABLE LIFE

Job 01:10 BROKEN HEDGES

One of the most wonderful aspects of the story of Job is the revealing that God puts a “Hedge” around His people – (Job 1:10) Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (See also I Pet 2:9 where “Peculiar” means “Surrounded by God’s care”). What a tremendous encouragement it is to know that God has raised up a barrier around Christians that Satan cannot come through without the permission of God. Trials, Temptations (See I Cor 10:13 as well as Matt 6:13 where we are to pray every day for God to “lead us not into temptation”), and Troubles can only come our way as an attack from Satan when they do so by the permissive Will of God (Glory!).

Many of you will probably say, “Preacher, that sounds good in preaching but it my life is still bothered by a tremendous amount of turmoil.” Why do I have these troubles if God has hedged me in as you say? Keep in mind that God ALLOWS certain troubles and trials to come into our life past the hedge He has put up in order to mold us and to conform us into the person we should be so don’t expect a trouble free life. Many times, however, the troubles we endure are a direct result of broken hedges.

I. THE CAUSE OF BROKEN HEDGES- Troubles come into our lives from a variety of sources (including the permissive will of God). We suffer as a result of:

A) The Sins of Others- Abuse, war, etc.

B) Natural events- It rains on the just and the unjust (Matt 5:45)

C) Our ignorance- of Circumstances, of Scriptures (Matt 22:29), of Consequences (a child eats a quart of ice cream and suffers a stomach ache as a result)

D) Rebellion-

(1) Physically, We abuse or don’t take care of our body and then suffer pain.

(2) Emotionally- We involve ourselves with the wrong people, the wrong actions, or the wrong standards and suffer “heart break”.

(3) Spiritually- We disobey God’s laws and disregard God=s commandments and suffer as a result.

The broken hedges I am talking about today come as a result of this Rebellion against God, against God’s word, or against God’s will for our life.

In ancient China, the people desired security from the barbaric hordes to the north; so they built the great Chinese wall. It was so high they knew no one could climb over it and so thick that nothing could break it down. They settled back to enjoy their security. During the first hundred years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times. Not once did the barbaric hordes break down the wall or climb over the top. Each time they bribed a gatekeeper and then marched right through the gates. The problems in our life come from the fact that our sin and rebellion has broken a breech in our hedge and allowed the enemy to come in and do his damage

II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF BROKEN HEDGES

A) Loss of Protection- (Psa 89:40) Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin. This allows Satan to attack your:

a) Mind- Depression b) Morals- Depravity c) Money- Debt

B) Loss of Pride- (Psa 80:12) Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? Our Pride is “plucked” by Disgrace, Dishonor, and Despair.

C) Loss of Production- (Isa 5:5) And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

God is looking for fruit and He wonders why all of His work has only produced “wild grapes” instead of fruit for the Kingdom. In fact, Jesus described Himself as a man who planted a vineyard and EXPECTS Fruit when he returns- (Mat 21:33-34) Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

Jesus described the Facts about this Fruit in His wonderful discourse in John 15:1-8.

(John 15:2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

A) Some have NO Fruit and are Removed from Service

B) Some have JUST Fruit but must be purged by the Word in order to remove the “suckers” that divert the sap of the Spirit from producing the needed amount and quality of Fruit- (John 15:3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

C) Some, however, have MUCH Fruit-

–Comes from Abiding in the vine (Abiding means to stay in the place of Faithfulness and Fellowship)- (John 15:5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

–The Sign of this Abiding is Answered Prayer- (John 15:7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

–This “Much Fruit” that is produced Glorifies God- (John 15:8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Fruitless is fatal!! And you need the hedge of God around you so you will be able to spend your time producing Fruit instead of using all your energy to Fight the enemies that have come thru the wall.

III. THE CURE FOR BROKEN HEDGES

A) Come to the Light by repenting of the sins that allowed the hedge to be broken- (Job 3:23) Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (1 John 1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

B) Take the place of service to which God has called you.- (Ezek 13:5) Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. (Ezek 22:30) And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none

C) Realize that Christ is the Door to the sheepfold (John 10:1-2). Ask Him to stand in the gap for you and deny Satan entrance. Then allow God to work in your life to restore your hedge of protection.

One final word. If you continue to refuse to receive Christ or continue to live in Rebellion then, instead of building your “Hedge” against Satan’s attacks, God will put another kind of hedge around you – (Lam 3:7) He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. This hedge will be full of sorrow, shame, and suffering. You don’t want to be hedged in by God in this way. Repent and come to Christ today.

Job 01:21 THE BEGINNING OF LIFE

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; (Rev 2:8). The Church at Smyrna is the Persecution Church. When Jesus revealed Himself to this Church He did so as the first and last, conqueror of death.

These are areas we are facing troubles in today. Because of the advances in Medical abilities and the decline in Moral Responsibility we are facing great “Blurring” as to when Life begins or when it should end. During the 11am Service we will talk about the end of life. During this Service I want us to look at the Beginning of Life and try to determine WHEN it Begins, HOW it Begins, and WHAT should be done with it.

Our key verse for this study will be Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

I. THE MOMENT OF LIFE- One of the problem areas we must deal with today is determining when Life begins. Pro-choice (Pro-death) people say it begins when the baby is delivered. Until that moment they believe it is a part of the mother’s body (Like an appendix) and the mother has the right to destroy it or keep it as she will. Pro-life people believe the Child is a gift from God (Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward Psa 127:3) and should be treated accordingly.

We believe that life begins at the moment of Conception- And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb (Luke 2:21).

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations (Jer 1:4-5)

II. THE METHOD OF LIFE- Sexual Intercourse (Knowing your wife)

A) The Design of Sex-

1. Its Purpose- Repopulation of the Earth. (The Lord gave us a strong sex drive because He knew that if He didn’t the first child would be the last!!)

2. It’s Pleasures- A tremendous sex drive is given to mankind to accomplish God’s mission. Like any great force, it has tremendous potential for good or evil.

B) The Dangers of Sex:

A> Moral Degradation- Lost of self-esteem turns into Lust for selfish pleasure (Homosexual)- For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet (Rom 1:26-27)

B> Disease- Began affecting the person-VD; now brings death- AIDS

C> Conception of Children- “Pleasure” produces people! These people are a responsibility long after the “Pleasure” is gone. People want the “Pleasure” without the Responsibility so they opt for abortions; or they abandon the family or abuse the children.

1. Is abortion right if the doctors know the child will be deformed? When the doctors say you must choose between the life of the Child and the life of the Mother, how do you chose? Is Abortion right because the Mother is Young? “Retarded”?? Financially unable to handle the child?

2. If the doctors can allow you to choose the sex of your child by gene manipulation should you do so? What about “test tube” babies? Surrogate Mothers?

C) The Disciplines of Sex- Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour’s wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, (Ezek 18:4-6)

A> The Danger of Roving eyes- adultery, defiled minds, etc.

B> The Design of self-discipline (But remember the admonition of I Cor 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.(1 Cor 7:5)

III. THE MEANING OF LIFE- God has given us life. It is to be used for Him- Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Rev 4:11)

Job 02:10 WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE IF YOU LOST IT ALL?

(Job 2:10) But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips

1. He still had HIS DESIRE TO WORHIP GOD- (Job 1:20-21) Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

2. He still had the CORE OF HIS CHARACTER-(Job 2:3) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

3. He still had his REALIZATION OF TROUBLE-(Job 3:25-26) For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

a. (Job 5:7) Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

b. (Job 14:1) Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

4. He still had the TESTIMONY OF HIS FAITH-(Job 13:15) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

5. He still had HIS HOPE OF HEAVEN- (Job 19:25-27) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

6. He still had his concern for Others- (Job 42:10) And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

Job 07:1-3 APPOINTMENTS

We all have appointments in life. Some of them are ONE TIME APPOINTMENTS- Wife to Doctor today. Some are REPEATED APPOINTMENTS- Driver’s License. Some are CONTINUOUS APPOINTMENTS- School, Work. If we miss can harm Health, Lose License, or Job

APPOINTMENTS MUST BE ANNOUNCED: Otherwise you won’t know you have one – That’s where your Witness comes in this week.

APPOINTMENTS THAT MUST BE KEPT:

1) LIFE SPAN- Job 7:1-2 Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling? As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work: Sinful activity can shortens; Honoring Father and Mother will lengthen.

2) TROUBLES: Job 7:3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. For a Christian, Work together. For a Sinner- defeat, discourage, doom

3) END OF TIME: Dan 8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

Families Fail- Children oppress and women rule over them

Governments Collapse- AntiChrist

Christianity Compromise- Luke warm Christians.

4) TO DIE: Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

5) TIME TO ESCAPE WRATH: 1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

6) RESURRECTION: Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

7) EVEN GOD HAD AN APPOINTMENT- In the fullness of Time, Christ was born, In Due time God died for the ungodly.

8) NATURE: Jer 5:24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

9) TIME TO MEET THE LORD: Mat 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

10) JUDAS: Mat 27:9-10 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

Job 09:12 HURTLING YOUR HINDRANCES

There are numerous ways we can be hindered in our progress-

1) Someone can grab us from behind and hold us.

2) Something can Block our way.

3) We lack the necessary equipment to do our job.

4) We don’t have the strength or motivation to accomplish what needs to be done.

These same type hindrances face us in our Christian life.

1) Who grabs us from behind and holds us? SATAN- I Thess 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

2) What can block our way?

A) PRESSURES OF DUTY- Rom 15:22 For which cause [maintaining my ministry in Asia Minor] also I have been much hindered from coming to you. A Christian is not OF the world but he must live IN the world and sometimes the “daily duties” keep him from showing concern and compassion as he should. But isn’t it strange how men will wait in a doctor’s office for hours because of some physical problem and yet expect someone to beg and bribe them to come for help with their spiritual problem?

B) PEOPLE’S OPINION- I Cor 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Many times a servant of God must sacrifice even things he needs in order to maintain his testimony. He may be able to win that woman to the Lord if it were not for the fact that he can’t be alone in her home. We must continually walk that “narrow line” between not caring what they say about us and caring tremendously about what they say about our Lord.

3) What keeps us from having the necessary Equipment to work for God?

A) MISAPPLICATION OF DOCTRINE (They were being taught that they had to be circumcised as well as believe the Gospel to be saved)- Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? The Bible has given us EVERYTHING we need to do the work of God but it can destroy life instead of save lives if wrongly used. People are also hindered because they don’t STUDY the Scriptures so they can know what is right. They don’t APPLY Scriptural Principals and so become hearers and not doers.

B) FAMILY PROBLEMS- I Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Our Home life is wrong so our prayer life is wrong so we don’t have the power we need to accomplish God’s will and work.

4) What can steal our strength and motivation?

A) JEALOUS NEIGHBORS- Neh 4:7-8 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. We become so busy fighting the world until we don’t have time to save it!!

B) FAILURES AND FIGHTING AMONG CHRISTIANS- We sow the seed and give our all to see it begin to take root; and then weeds come along and kill it, or some careless Christian steps on it!! And we get tired and discouraged.

How can we Hurtle these Hindrances? Job 9:12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him (GOD)? who will say unto him, What doest thou? Let God guide and control our lives. He not only knows the way but HE IS THE WAY!!.

What’s Hindering YOU from coming to or Continuing with Christ?? It’s time to remove the Hindrance and take up the Cross.

Job 9:20 CONDEMNING YOURSELF

There are Numerous ways we Condemn Ourselves:

1) Self-Condemnation: (Job 9:20) If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

2) Mouth Condemnation: (Mat 12:37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

3) Judgement Condemnation: (Rom 2:1) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

4) Moral Condemnation: (Rom 14:22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

5) Religious Condemnation: (Titus 3:10 11) A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; {11} Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself

God’s overcoming of Condemnation: (John 3:17 19) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. {18} He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. {19} And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

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Job 14:1 LIVING ON TOP OF TROUBLES

Job 14:1 Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

The Opposite of Encouragement is Discouragement; and that’s what a lot of people are. They are discouraged because of their Situation, their Vocation, or their Location. Like the Children of Israel, they quarrel about wearing the same clothes, eating the same food, or facing a fight to obtain the Promised land with little regard for the fact the God provided them freedom from slavery, food for the picking up, and a Promise to defeat all their enemies.

Today’s Christian has more material goods than ever, more study methods and aids available than ever, and more opportunity to do something for God than ever before. But many of them spend all their time “Tripping over their troubles” and never learn to live the victorious life. Let’s determine how we can Live on top of Troubles today.

1. THE CAUSE OF TROUBLES- You need to realize there is a reason for the troubles in your life. They don’t just happen without rhythm or reason- Job 5:6 7 Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doeth trouble spring out of the ground: yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. You never get OUT of trouble- you must learn to live on Top of Troubles. You must learn to keep on and NEVER, NEVER QUIT. The only way you can do this is if you see the reason for the troubles and accept that reason.

It May Be:

A) Chastisement for sins- to Develop and correct us.

B) A Way for the Lord to Redirect you (Disciples would not leave Jerusalem until persecution came).

C) A way for the Lord to humble you- Paul in II Cor 12

D) A means to conform you to the image of Christ- Heb 5:8

II. THE CURE FOR TROUBLES- God never puts more ON you than He puts IN you to bear it!

A) Belong to God- He Cares for His own Rom 8:28

B) Believe in God- Just shall live by Faith Psalm 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

C) Bear it for God’s Glory and your good

THE WEAVER

My life is but a weaving

Between my Lord and me,

I cannot choose the colors

He worketh steadily.

Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow,

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper

And I, the underside.

Not til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned

Grant Clofax Tullar

Job 14:1 TRIUMPHANT IN TROUBLE

The trouble with trouble is that it troubles everyone! Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. (Job 14:1).Trouble will be different from time to time and it will vary from person to person but as long as you walk on this sin cursed earth trouble with knock on your door; and, always it seems, at the most inconvenient time-We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble! Jeremiah 8:15. How can we thrive instead of just survive when Trouble decides to visit us?

I. REASONS FOR TROUBLE:

Common Trouble: When a hurricane hits, the wicked and the righteous both endure the wind and the rain (Rains on the just and the unjust- Matt 5:45)

Circumstances of Life Trouble: I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Sometimes things happen because things happen.

Christians Trouble: Spiritual Growth- We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (2 Corinthians 4:8). Some troubles are allowed in our life for our good and God’s Glory (Remember the troubles that Job experienced). This is where we must be careful to allow trouble to make us better instead of bitter.

Sinful Activities Trouble: The Lust of the flesh and the Pride of life often cause us to do things that lead to trouble in our life. Repentance, restoration, and renewal can ease these problems but some of them have very long term consequences. For example, repenting over the fact that you robbed a bank will bring you forgiveness but it will probably not get you out of jail.

Unwise Decisions Trouble: Sometimes all of us, for reasons that are still unclear to me, make wrong decisions. We do things that would make no sense to us if they were done by someone else and then we have to live with the consequences. This is a surprisingly common reason for trouble.

Other People’s backwash Troubles: We suffer because someone else does bad actions or makes bad decisions.

II Reaction to Troubles:

Your life is determined to a large degree about how you deal with trouble.

When Trouble comes it should cause us to examine our life and see if Trouble has come because of our own wrong actions. If that is the case then we should repent of the wrong we have done and ask God to restore us to Himself and release us from the trouble our sin has produced- But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them (2Ch 15:4)

Trouble should also drive us to God in Prayer as we seek a way God can use this situation to develop us- And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me (Ps 50:15)

We should be very careful, however, that we do not seek release from Trouble by leaning on Human wisdom and strength. People mean well but they can easily make things worse because they do not know all that is going on- Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man (Ps 60:11 ).

When Trouble comes then run into the arms of God for peace and protection. That may sound simplistic but it has worked in my life for over 45 years- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Ps 46:1)

Job 14:1 THE FEW

1. Realize your days are FEW and use them wisely: Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

2. Remember God observes your words so make them FEW: Ec 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

3. Request should be made for workers because Laborers are FEW: Mt 9:37-38 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

4. Recognize that FEW are consistent in their conduct: Rev 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5. Realization should stir us to do all we can because we know that FEW find the way: Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Mt 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Job 16:19 GOD’S RECORD BOOKS

Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. (Job 16:19)

God is a busy God. He has to keep up with the over 7.7 Billion people on earth, oversee multitudes of angels, and care for Billions of miles of stars and planets. In order to keep up with everything God has record books. (2019: 1.4 Billion China, 1.3 B India, 328 million USA)

  1. GOD KEEPS A RECORD OF WHERE YOU WERE BORN- The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. (Psalms 87:6). {The place of Jesus’ birth was recorded years before he was born}. God has a place for everyone- Think opportunities you receive because you were born in America. You are not an Accident
  2. GOD’S RECORD BOOKS LIST ALL YOUR BODY PARTS- Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalms 139:16). My feelings about Abortion: God told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was formed in the belly / John the Baptist leaped in the womb when Mary appeared. In Fact, God said even numbers the Hairs of our head- God don’t make no junk. You are important!
  3. GOD’S BOOKS LIST YOUR DAILY JOURNEY and YOUR SORROWFUL TEARS- Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? (Psalms 56:8). The Bible shares the travels of the children of Israel, Paul the Apostle, Christ. Be Careful little feet where you go. Our travels should be ordered by God- Paul to Macedonia. Seek God’s Leadership.
    Your tears are in God’s “Bottle” and one day God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)
  4. GOD’S BOOKS RECORD YOUR TESTIMONIES- (Key Verse) Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:16). One Person Winning One person per year, and each one who is won then wins one, would equal over ONE MILLIONS SOULS WON in 20 years! Your Talk Matters
    God also holds us accountable for every idle word – But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36)
  5. GOD GAVE US A RECORD BOOK OF HIS PLAN AND HIS PROGRAM FOR MAN FROM MAN’S CREATION UNTIL HIS DEATH- THE BIBLE. Read it regularly
  6. AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED, GOD’S MOST IMPORTANT RECORD BOOK IS THE BOOK OF LIFE.
    1. Being Recorded there is greatest grounds for rejoicing – Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20) Happy I am saved!
    2. Being Recorded there is the only way into Heaven – And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27). Only “Like” that matters!
    3. Not being in this Book is doom forever – And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15). Left off is left out!

Job 21:7 15 A PROFITABLE LIFE

Here is the statement of a man who had gone from the highest highs to the deepest depths. Job had had everything man could ask for and in a very short time had lost it all, Now as his “friends” contend with him he asks a very important question- “What profit should we have, if we pray?” (And by insinuation, “What profit is there in serving God?”).

The question is very important. I recently bought some blank diskettes for my computer. Included free in the box was a new computer magazine on disk that allowed me to “run” the Microsoft Computer Company. Last year this company made over 1.5 billion dollars and my job was to see if I could arrange for it to make over 5 billion dollars in profit in the next 5 years. I had to decide on cost, production, loans, etc in order to run the company and at the end I was given a yearly report to see what I had accomplished (In case you’re wondering, I lost a half billion dollars the first year!!).

If a man has to make decisions based on many factors to determine if something is profitable in the Physical life then it is doubly important to make the right decisions in the Spiritual life; for if you make the wrong decisions in the Physical realm you only lose Physical things, but if you make the wrong decisions in the Spiritual life then you lose forever. Let’s look then at some things that make for a “Profitable Life”.

FIRST, LET’S SEE SOME THINGS THAT DO NOT PROFIT:

1. WICKEDNESS Prov 10:2 Treasures of Wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death. Note that this is “Treasures” of Wickedness- You can “Store” up the “Profits” from Wickedness so that it comes back with interest!!! “You have sown the Wind but you will reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7)

a) Ask the families where booze and drugs have destroyed the family about the “Profit”- bills not paid, family relationships and reputation ruined, etc.

b) Ask the families where sexual sins “add up to Loss” families, and health, and reputation.

Wickedness may be Pleasurable but it is not Profitable. (Would you buy a car if the dealer said it would fall apart in 3 weeks and be a constant source of problems?? Wickedness may look and seem very good but you’d better look at the Payments!)

2. RICHES Prov 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death. Matt 16:26 For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Money is not all that matters. Some of the most miserable people in the world are those who have Profits without peace, who labor all their life for an empire and then look out with envy at an hourly worker whistling while he works– Ecc 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. LIFE NEEDS MEANING AS WELL AS MONEY.

3. WORDS II Tim 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Life must be lived, not just talked about!! (Even in Christianity this is so- James 2:14 What doth it profit my brethern, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?). Words that are profitable are words that motivate you into action. That’s why it’s so important that you know the source of words- Jer 7:8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. The philosophy of this world sounds good but it brings Pain instead of Profit.

Even the Gospel must be Heeded if it’s to Help- Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

THINGS THAT DO PROFIT

1. The BIBLE- II Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God; and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Do you Know it in your Head, Stow it in you Heart, and live it in your Life??

2. FELLOW CHRISTIANS- II Tim 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. We depend on each other for Support, Encouragement, and Comfort, so that we multiply our energy and effort and produce maximum “Profit”.

3. Taking your Place in GOD’S PLANS- I Cor 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. As every man takes their place then the whole works together; and you find Peace as well as a Place; which profits you as well as the cause of Christ.

4. GOD’S CHASTENING- Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasures; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. The pain is not Pleasurable but it is Profitable because it causes us to Evaluate our situation and Dedicate ourselves anew to doing right.

5. GOOD WORKS- Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Good works profit you, those around you, and the cause of Christ.

6. GODLINESS- I Tim 4:8 But bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Men groan and sacrifice and obligate themselves to many diets and clubs so that they can hear someone say, “Lost a little weight haven’t you!” and fail to realize that any sacrifice is worth hearing Jesus say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of thy Lord”.

WHEN YOUR “LIFE TIME REPORT” IS ISSUED, WILL IT SHOW A PROFIT? OR WILL ALL BE LOST?? THE ONLY HAVEN, THE ONLY HELP, IS CHRIST.