What Do You Fear?

Please encourage your local police, city council members, mayor, etc. 

They need your prayers!

Announcements:

• Next week (Sunday, December 19) will be a special communion Sunday.
• The week after that (Sunday, December 26) will be a day to help Dwayne and Vivian, who do so much for our little fellowship. For more info, contact David and Shirley.

Praise Reports:

• Sandy's good friend, Gerta, is visiting from California. Gerta was able to see her grandchildren while she was here.
• Amanda came through her gall bladder surgery well, praise God!
• The Barber family was blessed by a visit from Trent, Emily, Malachi, and Donovan this past week! They should now be in Fayetteville, North Carolina where they will be living.
• Joni has moved from Vanessa's house to Rod's trailer home, and all three are very glad!
• Roy and Julie made it back safely from spending time with family in Texas.
• David, Amy, and Sam sent their greetings from California. We love you, Stones!
• Paul and Ruby's friend Bill extended his thanks to Harbor House Fellowship for his wonderful time worshiping with us. 
• Vanessa's sister, Dixie, went to the doctor and she plans to be back at work soon, praise the Lord! Keep praying for her health.  

Prayer Requests:

• Shelley has had an awful migraine for three days. Please remember her in prayer.
• Continue to pray for Robin and her family.
• A member of our city council recently resigned. Pray that this will be used for the glory of God and the good of Sulphur Springs. 
• Our town is in desperate need of God. Pray for it spiritually, as well as in the realm of finances; we are in desperate need of funds.
• Pray for those families in our community who need God's love and help, especially at this season of the year.
• Warren and Mary's son is going through a divorce, please remember him and his wife in your prayers.
• Keep praying for Rebecca and Sandra.
• Pray God's grace on Vernon and Nellie. 

Sermon Notes:

Stonewall Jackson, rights by ladydog22

Before we leave the book of Job we cannot miss a very salient point. How did Satan attack Job? Did he just go in with guns blazing and hit everything he could find to see if he struck a nerve? No. He was much more purposeful and methodical than that.

We might say at first that he preys on our weakest points, but there are two problems in that. One: who has the grace and power to protect us where we are most vulnerable? God himself! So if Satan were to attack us there he would only encounter the God of the universe. Two: we are probably aware of the chinks in our armor, and tend to watch them with extra vigilance.

What does Job himself have to say? In chapter 3 verse 25, "What I feared has come upon me." That is an eye-opener! 

Satan strikes us at our fears.

What does this mean for you? Well, what do you fear? Some fear loneliness, guilt, the death of a loved one, insecurity, or persecution, etc. Whatever our fears, we should know them and commit them to God. Play out the sequence of events in your mind; visualize the worst that could happen, live through the heart-clutching moments, then remind yourself that God is still in control even when all your fears are realized. This is not a cure-all, but may be the best you can do. 

Remember the words of Stonewall Jackson:

My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me.

To Sum Up the Book of Job

Job 1:23, 2:10 - Job did not sin in what he said.

Job 42:7 - Job has spoken the truth about God and His ways.

What did Job say?

1. "I have not sinned so as to deserve this punishment." Even in this world ruled by the law of sowing and reaping, it doesn't always work out to be "fair". God has grace, which changes overcomes this law for good, and for ill.

2. "Wicked people live unrighteous lives and go unpunished in this world."

3. "Good people experience trials."

4. "If my friends are right (blessings depend on righteousness just as punishment depends on wickedness) then God is unfair." In other words: "The world doesn't work that way, so if these are the terms, then God is wrong!" But those aren't the terms. Read Romans 9:14-21.

5. "If I had a mediator to plead my case in Heaven's court, I would win." (1 Timothy 2:5)

6. "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him." (Job 13:15) Hold to God in unswerving faith and hope regardless of circumstance and you will be blessed in the end.

Job is a symbol as well as a historical figure, showing us what will be our end if we hope in Christ. 1 Peter 3:17 says that sometimes God wills us to suffer. However, our reward in eternity is worth so much more than the price we pay! (Romans 8:18)

What was the fruit of Job's trial? Well, he is still remembered today even by unbelievers by the maxim "the patience of Job". Not only that, but he can be an encouragement to us on a daily basis! This should encourage us, since long after our deaths our example may become an encouragement to others.

Farther along we'll know all about it, 

Farther along we'll understand why; 

Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine, 

We'll understand it all by and by.