Make Every Effort to Add to Your Faith Perserverance

Raise your hands if your parents taught you not to quit? That is practically everyone. Apparently, our parents all attended the same seminar.

• - That is why we had to finish the little league season even though we were terrible. Why we had to take certain subjects in school and needed to finish our summer job.

• We needed to learn not to quit.

• Of course, we all wanted to be tough.

Our parents, whether they realized it or not, were teaching us the importance of perseverance.

• - What I may not accomplish with talent, I might accomplish with hard work.

• When I was working on my Ph.D., a man told me that graduation was 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. Finishing was about perseverance.

To balance this, I realize that it is appropriate to stop doing some things.

• - As children grow, we no longer change them, feed them, give them a bath, or help them get dressed.

• - Later, they learn to do their own laundry, clean up after themselves, do household chores, and get to where they need to go.

• - It is possible, maybe even godly, to, at times, stop doing something because it is not needed, provides another person an opportunity, to redeploy elsewhere, etc.

However, we know there is a difference between a person who sticks with things, does not give up, and a person who lacks perseverance – a person who is a quitter.

• - I remember when one of my seminary professors encouraged us to stay in the same church long term if at all possible because he had seen too many men get discouraged and leave right about the time they would have experienced ministry blessing.

William Carey, called the father of modern missions, was a missionary in India. He was responsible for translating and supervising the translation of the Bible into thirty-four languages, starting a college, winning some 1,400 converts to Christ, and influencing an entire missionary movement. He said …

“I can plod and persevere.” – William Carey

When you hear of ministry success like his, you might think that every day was full of blessing. Instead, the Carey family experienced suffering. During his early years Carey wrote in his diary,

• - “This is indeed the valley of the shadow of death to me. . . . O what would I give for a kind sympathetic friend such as I had in England to whom I might open my heart.””

Wow. Those are strong words. It is not difficult to imagine a person deciding that they are unwilling to live like that.

• - What if Carey had decided it was too much? What if he packed his bags and went home?

Most of us will not be remembered in the history books. But the Bible is clear that perseverance is part of what allows us to be fruitful and effective.

• - We may not be William Carey, but nor are we quitters.

Our summer series is Hope for Fruitful Service

We are illustrating examples of the seven qualities mentioned 2 Peter 1:5-7 that must increase to be useful and fruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-7 - “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness ⁷ and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today I am batting clean up on these verses. Today is #7. Every message had the same essential title: “Make every effort to add to your saving Faith, …” In the process, we have tried to show what each quality looks like with skin on.

• - Daniel exhibited moral excellence rather than compromise.

• - Solomon modeled knowledge in action rather than hypocrisy – knowledge without action.

• - Paul showed us godliness rather than worldliness.

• - Joseph shows us self-control rather than lack of discipline.

• - Ruth modeled love while Jonathan modeled brotherly kindness.

So, who should be our example of perseverance? God gave us his choice.

James 5:11 - We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

By looking at Job, we not only can see an effective and fruitful life, but also a Lord who is full of compassion and mercy. With that in mind please turn to Job 1 and 42. That is on page _____ of the front section of the Bible under the chair in front of you.

Let’s consider three aspects of Job’s perseverance that help us be fruitful.

I want to start by reading Job 1:1-5; and 42:7-13.

These verses tell us that Job was blessed by God. But his character was not corrupted by his wealth. He was upright, blameless, he feared God and turned away from evil.

• - The end of the book is as good as the beginning. God says that Job spoke correctly.

We know that Job’s life takes a major turn in 1:6. He loses his children, wealth, and his health. Even his wife struggles to encourage Job.

• - His friends come and start off well, but eventually treat Job as if he was a rebel stuck in the stubbornness of his own sin.

• - God ultimately rebukes Job and then restores him double.

Before he is an illustration of perseverance when times are rough, he is an example of perseverance in good times.

I. Keep focused on the Lord when times are good (Job 1:1-5; 42:7-13).

Job was the greatest of all the men of the east. He was the Bill Gates or Elon Musk of the ancient world. He had it all. When it came time for the feasts they had places large enough for the family get together. Here is what is says about Job.

Job was blameless, upright, feared God (1:1) and turned away from evil. In Job 42, God refers to Job as “my servant.”

• - Job was focused on the Lord when times were good.

• - If you asked Job on a certain day … where was the Lord? Job would have said … the Lord was at the front of my mind. He was my motivation for what I did and how I did it.

Perseverance might be most difficult in suffering, but that is not the only place it develops.

• - It is possible to grow in perseverance during the wins, the blessings, and times when life seems full.

Sometimes the Lord’s blessings bring the following challenges to perseverance:

• - When you have a lot of blessing to manage you might neglect spiritual priorities in your life. We are self-sufficient. We don’t need the Lord because everything is awesome.

• Wealth

• Relationships

• Noteriety

Blessings can contribute to pride of life. And we can be tempted to think “I don’t need God.” Not Job.

• - God’s blessings did not go to his head. That is a form of perseverance.

If you are experiencing good days, but lose your focus on the Lord then you going in the wrong direction.

• - The Lord’s blessings are designed to draw you closer and more dependent on him. When we are focused on the Lord we

Demonstrate commendable character in times of blessing (Job 1:1-3; 42:12–15).

Job 1:1-3 – “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east.”

Job 42:12–15 – “The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys. He had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, and the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land no women were found so fair as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers. After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. And Job died, an old man and full of days.”

Church family, the book of Job begins and ends reminding us of Job’s character amid incredible riches. If he was the greatest in chapter 1, imagine what people said at the end of his life.

His possessions double and we get this odd note (sometimes the Bible does that) telling us that Jobs 3 daughters were fairest of them all.

• - Sorry Snow White … the mirror on the wall got it all wrong

• - Why tell us that?

• It is almost as if that is the icing on the cake. Do you want to know how blessed Job was?

• Even his daughters were gorgeous.

God warned the nation of Israel crossing into the promised land that once they had all their needs met, they would be tempted to forget the Lord. That is how blessings are … they can draw our hearts away from the Lord.

Not Job…

• - Job’s heart was attentive to the Lord even when God blessed him.

• - His character shined in times of blessing.

• He gave an inheritance to his sons and daughters. Normally the sons received the inheritance unless there were no sons to receive it.

• Yet another evidence of his character.

When we remain focused on the Lord, it comes out in a commendable character. In addition …

B. Show continual concern about God and others (Job 1:4-5; 42:7-10).

In the books’ beginning, Job is concerned about God’s glory and the spiritual welfare of his children.

Job 1:4-5 – “His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.”

He was not only sensitive to the Lord in his own heart, but notice the initiative and leadership that Job exercises as the head of the family.

• - Sending for his children to consecrate them before the Lord. Making sure his children were present as he would offer to the Lord ten whole burnt offerings for their potential sin!!

• - Imagine being one of the children. You had a party last night. You know it was not holy, but you did not say anything.

• You watch as your dad sacrifices on your behalf. Not because he knows whether you sinned, but he knows the temptation to sin.

• It was a parental nudge to live for the Lord.

The whole sacrifice going to the Lord, showing total dedication to the Lord.

• - He is doing this proactively interceding on their behalf before God since he concerned that his children have sinned and cursed God…The text ends emphasizing…

• - “Thus Job did continually”! Perseverance!

As a parent, I find this verse inspiring. Job and all his family are feasting, enjoying the finest things the world has to offer. Yet he cannot know the depths of his children’s hearts. It may be during one of the feasts that Job’s children sinned. Maybe pride, self-sufficiency, drunkenness, immorality, or some other sin occurred.

• - Job wonders whether his children might have sinned and thus cursed God in their hearts.

• - This was not a one time act, but whenever the occasion presented itself.

Are you focused on the Lord, properly fearing him, meditating on the Scriptures, imitating, and teaching the Scriptures to your children when things are good?

• - If you are a parent … are you interceding for your children?

• They might not be living for the Lord. They might be at parties that are a mockery of the cross. They might be dating a person who does not care about Jesus. They might be smoking weed, getting drunk, or living immorally and you don’t know.

• Are you interceding for them?

Job’s example encourages us to continue to do what’s right not neglecting the Lord and the spiritual wellbeing of others.

We are experiencing blessing as a church family. This year we are seeing growth unlike we have seen for a very long time.

• - But that means we must persevere in thanking the Lord, praying, and reminding one another to be vigilant to fear the Lord and proactively dedicating ourselves to loving God and others.

Job’s perseverance and character is also mentioned at the end of the book. This time it involves his three friends and their foolish counsel.

Remember that his three “friends” started well, but ultimately grew angry at Job because they believed he was functioning as a self-righteous rebel.

• - They confronted him harshly. The Lord rebuked Job, but now his attention turns to the friends.

Job 42: 7-10 – “It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job. The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.

The text highlights that Job perseveres with integrity by praying and interceding for his friends because this is what honors God and serves his friends.

• - It must have been tempting for Job to do the opposite. Instead of praying for grace and mercy, Job could have prayed an imprecatory prayer.

• He could pray that the Lord would deal with them according to their foolishness.

But can we make the simple point that what Job did for his friends in chapter 42 was not all that different from what he did for his children in chapter 1.

• - I wonder whether Job would have been prepared in chapter 42, if he had not been so faithful in chapter 1.

This again speaks to Job’s character. He faithfully served the Lord in the beginning, and then faithfully served the Lord in the end. That is perseverance.

Perseverance applies in good times. Focus on the Lord so that you are blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. This will come out in your character and in the way you interced for others. Now we need to consider …

II. Trust the Lord in the trials (Job 1:6-22; 2:1-13)

Friends, this is so hard. Living with perseverance is tough. We know we need to focus on the Lord in good times. Now we need to see how Job trusted the Lord in the bad times.

Read portions of Job 1:6-22 (Read vv. 6-12, 20-22); 2:1-13 (Read 2:7-10).

Job did not know what we read. He experienced it. Sometimes the Lord allows his people to experience many blessings. But hardship and suffering is also a normal Christian experience.

• - Sometimes the suffering is a direct result of sin.

• - Other times it is living in a sin cursed world around sin cursed people.

• - Still other times because we are a follower of Jesus.

• - And finally, due to the direct will of God … like we find here.

Regardless of how suffering makes its way to our lives, we must do something with it. Job’s example is powerful.

Commit to praise God in the affliction (Job 1:20-21)

We see all the blessings that are mentioned at the beginning of the chapter that made Job’s life full are suddenly taken away. God permits Satan to test Job and everything that Job has is in Satan’s power to destroy.

• - His livelihood is destroyed and looted.

• - His servants and children are killed.

Job perseveres worshipping and blessing the Lord.

Job 1:20-21 - “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Sometimes we sing a song with those very words. The Lord has every right to give and take away. A relative of mine who has endured a lot of hardship once said to me, “the Lord did not promise me an easy life.”

That was a Job-like comment.

• - Job grieves, but he takes a humble posture and praises the Lord.

You can see this response modeled in many Psalms. Believers spoke honestly … like Psalm 13.

• - David says Lord where are you? Why have you forgotten me? At the end of the Psalm he says that the Lord has been good to him and he trusts in his good character.

As believers God commands us to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.

If you are suffering and struggling to praise like Job. It might help to list ten specific reasons you can still praise and worship God.

Accept adversity comes from your all-wise God (Job 2:10)

I have done a lot of counseling and met lots of folks in suffering. Yet I have never met someone who said:

• - This is the perfect time for this terrible trial and I was praying to be tested because I knew this was best for me…

Our all-wise Creator God’s ways and actions may not easily fit to our perspective. We cannot see what God sees or know what he knows.

• - We do not know what is best for us to make us more like Christ. That is why we do not lean on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge the Lord and he will direct our paths.

What often hinders us from persevering through trials in a godly way is not believing and accepting that this trial is tailored made for me and is purposefully permitted by God.

Job 2:10 “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

Job does not sin with his lips, instead he accepts the adversity.

It sure is easy to doubt the Lord’s wisdom and tell ourselves…

• - “This is the worst time! Lord, don’t you know my schedule?

• - “Lord, this person? Why would you make me deal with this person?”

• - “How can I handle this? I don’t have the strength for this!

Friends, it is not clear that God ever told Job the full story. Thus, he had to experience the roller coaster of success, grief, and pain without all the details --- just like us. He submitted to it rather than fight or rebel against it.

• - One way your heart is helped to accept adversity in your life is by meditating on all the ways the wisdom of God is behind the trial and acknowledging all the details that the Lord knows about in your life.

• - Do not deceive yourself to think that you know more and are wiser in your judgments to measure when and how much suffering should be permitted in your life.

If you are suffering and struggling to trust the Lord then I recommend two resources to you:

1. You Can Trust God by Jerry Bridges
2. Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Both are in our resource center. They provide truths that will help you. We must trust the Lord committing to praise him, accept the adversity, and …

Believe the Lord controls and permits suffering for a good purpose (Job 1:12, 1:20; 2:6; 2:10; 42:11).

God emphasizes his sovereign power and total control over everything in Job’s life including the control on all his suffering. We know that Satan is like a prowling lion seeking whoever he can devour. Satan has no limits. He would destroy us if possible because Satan hates your guts.

But our suffering is always controlled by the Lord. He sets the boundaries.

Job 1:12 – Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.”

After the first afflictions, Job believes the Lord is the ultimate cause. The Lord allowed it all.

Job 1:20 - “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.”

In the second-round of afflictions we see again the Lord’s sovereign power. Satan requests more freedom and the Lord gives it to him.

Job 2:6 – “So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.”

Again, Job does not shy away from attributing total control and power to the Lord and his purposes.

Job 2:10 – “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?”

The book also ends reminding us that the Lord is the ultimate cause for Job’s adversities.

Job 42:11 – “they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversities that the Lord had brought on him.

Perseverance is not about getting through a trial and seeking to absolve God of his sovereign involvement.

Our task is to believe that the controls of our suffering are in God’s hands and that whatever he allows us to endure is part of a larger plan for his glory and our good.

• - Those who do not believe this, do not trust the Lord, nor do they faithfully persevere through their suffering.

Our first point was keep focused on the Lord in good times ensures we demonstrated godly character and proper concern for others.

• - Our second point reminded us to trust the Lord in the trials by committing to praise him, accepting the adversity, and believing that the Lord was working for his glory and our good.

• - The third aspect of Job’s perseverance which can help us is …

III. Acknowledge the struggle over the long term (Job 31:35-37; 38:1–4; 40:1-8; 42:1-6)

Read portions of Job 31:35-37; 38:1–4; 40:1-8; 42:1-6

We have focused on the beginning and ends of the book.

• - We see how he persevered. However, I suspect most of us would say that what makes perseverance hard is the continued diligence over the long haul.

• - It is easy to persevere for 5 minutes (if that is perseverance), but difficult over months, years, and decades.

Job’s initial comments start to change as we move through the book. Job’s suffering and his friends grate on him.

• - But as we will, even Job struggles.

• - If the Lord allows a current or future struggle to last a long time, then we will have to fight to persevere.

Job’s example shows that we must…

Petition the Lord humbly (Job 31:35-37; 38:1-4)

It is not wrong for Job to lament, or bring his sorrows, questions, and concerns honestly to Lord.

Where he errors is complaints turn to a condemnation of the way God governs, rules, and administers justice.

• - Job believes he is innocent and he wants to approach and speak to God and tell God to answer him,

Job 31:35-37 - “Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature; Let the Almighty answer me! And the indictment which my adversary has written, Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, I would bind it to myself like a crown. “I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.”

“Let the almighty answer me!” “Like a prince I will approach him”? Those are strong words. I get it. Job is grieving, hurting, had a wife who was unhelpful, friends who judge incorrectly and keep confronting him according to their wrong judgments.

• - I can imagine Job reaching the point of saying, “Shut up already!” Let’s bring God here and settle this once for all.

In his anger and pride Job demands God answer him. Answer Job, God does.

Job 38:1-4 “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? “Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,

I firmly believe that we must lament before the Lord. We can go to him with questions, our concerns, and our fears. But we must be careful amid our impatience and struggle to turn our questions to prideful demands for innocent declarations.

Job did not sin resulting in his suffering. The friends were wrong about that. When Job initially received word, he wisely trusted. But as the suffering continued and the inappropriate words of his friends rang in his ears, he began to challenge God’s justice.

Job moved from petition to demand.

Do not blame God for wrongdoing when you think you are not treated justly (Job 40:1–8).

Do not absolve yourself of any personal responsibility by putting blame on God when there is an injustice. This will not help you persevere with integrity.

Notice the lesson that God taught Job.

Job 40:1- “Then the Lord said to Job, “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.” Then Job answered the Lord and said, “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. “Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more.” Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm and said, “Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me. “Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?

Church family, none of us want to see each other suffer. We do not want you to hurt. We want you to recover quickly and experience blessing. But sometimes the Lord allows the pain to linger. Please do not blame God. You may be tempted to go there especially when you see someone else blessed.

Then…

Remember God is not obligated to answer the way you desire, and you still must persevere in faith (Job 42:3)

We can use the why question when we experience suffering and evil to justify giving up on God.

• - We give in to temptation rather than persevering through suffering and evil.

There is nothing wrong with asking God why in lament, but Job teaches that you must be prepared that God may not tell you because some things are too wonderful for you to know. In other words, some secret things belong to the Lord. Job ultimately had to admit …

Job 42:3 – “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”

I find Job’s perseverance so encouraging in that he never seems to get the details and specifics…and yet he still was faithful and persevered.

• - The perseverance included struggle and moments of failure.

Maybe Job’s perseverance comes out most clearly when it is time for Job to respond to the Lord’s rebuke. What did he do?

D. Confess and repent when you have a distorted view of God (Job 42:1-6)

Job 42:1-6 – “Then Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Wow! This moment was the ultimate vindication for God’s words to Satan. Satan said that Job only cared about the Lord due to blessing.

• - When he lost people and possession he persevered.

• - Satan said if Job personally suffered he would break. Over the time of pressure, grief, loss, confrontation, and accusation Job started to crack. He began to question God.

• I wonder if Satan thought he would win. “I told you he would break.” In the moment of confrontation, when God tells Job that his anger and his pride was welling up in him, Job repents.

• Perseverance in this case, as it often does, includes repentance when we crack. When we allow our sense of rightness, injustice, or power to rise up and gain control.

Perseverance to the very end will involve repentance. Suffering provides an opportunity to distort God’s character. When it does, we are the problem.

Finally …

E. Entrust your care to God for him to judge justly (Job 42:7-8)

In the end, God judges the three friends for speaking incorrectly about God to Job and God determines the appropriate terms and method for reconciliation. God forgives Job and elevates him in this instance above his friends. For it is Job who is called “my servant” and Job’s prayer that he accepts.

Job 42:7-8 – “It came about after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”

I think it is clear why James 5:11 told us that Job was an example of perseverance. From that example we learned…

1. Keep focused on the Lord when times are good

2. Trust the Lord in the Trials

3. Acknowledge the struggle over the long term.