WHAT DO I HAVE TO LIVE FOR?

• Shows a break in our faith.....

• Even in the midst of that pain.....our faith should be in God

Colossians 3:1-3 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, [KJV=v2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.] not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Jesus said....Matthew 19:29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, shall receive many times as much, and shall inherit eternal life."

Jesus said....Matthew 10:37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me."

But you respond..."No one knows what I'm going through...."

Look at Job.....

God expects us to take lessons from Job.

Chapter 1:

• Job had it all....wealth & family & fame

• 2. V. 12....It was SATAN who took those things

Chapter 2:

• Even his wife lost her faith

• V. 9...."curse God and die"

Chapter 3:

• Job lost it all....

• V. 3.....Nothing physical ("curse day I was born")

Chapter 29:

• Job is hurt and discouraged

• V. 2-8.....I wish it were like it was

Chapter 42:

• God doubles Job's possessions

• 2. V. 1-3.......Job repents

• V. 10........doubles his possessions

Job is our example.....remain faithful even in the face of tragedy

THE BOOK OF JOB WARNS US ABOUT THE SUBTLE NATURE OF SATAN.

I Peter 5:8 ``Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:''

II Cor 11:3 ``But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.''

Satan knows how to work among God's people ---- he is sly and sneaky.

• When The Lord's people come together, be careful because satan may be there also.

• Job 1:6 ``Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.''

• 3. Job 2:1 ``Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.''

• Even the best of God's people can be caught off-guard in the face of adversity

Job teaches we need to have the right attitude toward God

• Not everyone has a proper attitude and respect toward God.

• In Job we see a good attitude toward God.

• You would think:

Job would be mad at God.

He wouldn't want anything to do with God

he would quit serving God.

• Look at Job's attitude.

Job 13:15 ``Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.''

Job laid down a principle we would all do good to imitate.

He said, it doesn't matter what he does to me I will still trust him.

I need that ......and YOU need that.

Heb 11:6 ``But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.''

James 5:11 ``Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.''

Conclusion:

If God allows Satan to take a family member......Serve God Anyway

If God allows Satan to take your friends......Serve God Anyway

If God allows Satan to take your money......Serve God Anyway

If God allows Satan to take your health......Serve God Anyway

Your, child's, wife's husband's faith....Serve God Anyway

• But if you have not lost these things .....Don't you have an even greater reason to serve him??