He Is Risen -- 4/24/11

Sunday, April 24, 2011 (Resurrection Sunday)

HE IS RISEN

We are all aware that today we are celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of us also realize that such celebrations can become routine. Though today is a special day of celebration, let’s also make it a thoughtful day of celebration. Let’s ask some questions and trust the Bible, God’s Word, to give us answers.

What is so special about the resurrection? To ask that question is really to ask, “What is so special about Jesus?” Is Jesus just one of the many spiritual leaders who have influenced people down through the centuries? Or is there something different about Him?

Remember that Jesus made a very bold statement about His place in God’s plan. This statement is not only bold, but it is becoming increasingly controversial and offensive in a world that is becoming more and more pluralistic. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). If Jesus isn’t indeed the only way to God the Father, then such a statement is a demonstration of the worst kind of arrogance and pride. But how could anyone make such a statement?

Answer: Jesus not only died on the cross for the sins of man, but He rose from the grave. If you are not aware of it, long before He died, He told His disciples repeatedly that they were going to Jerusalem, that the religious leaders would mistreat Him, and that He would be crucified (Mark 8:31; 9:31, etc.). Wow! Only a fool would say such things… unless He was absolutely sure they would happen. But that isn’t the end of the story. Whenever He told His disciples He was going to be crucified in Jerusalem, He would add, “And after three days I will rise again.”

The most distinguishing mark of Jesus’ uniqueness is the fact that He rose from the dead. Now we might argue that His sinlessness marked Him as unique, and it certainly did. However, it was the resurrection from the dead that testified to the fact that He lived a sinless life and was victorious over death. Everything hinges on Jesus’ resurrection. If Jesus didn’t rise from the grave, we have nothing to stand on. If He didn’t rise, then He is a liar, because He clearly said that He would rise again.

There are many religions in the world. The vast majority consist of philosophical ideas, but there are a few which have personal founders. A good example would be Islam, which was founded by a real man named Mohammed. This man lived and died. BUT he did not rise from the grave. Muslims still visit his grave today. Yes, there were some people who visited the grave of Jesus, but they didn’t find anyone inside. He was gone! No other religion claims to have a risen Savior. Numerous individuals have set out to prove that Jesus did not rise from the grave, only to conclude that the evidence for His resurrection is beyond reasonable question.

So this morning let’s think prayerfully about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will see how God demonstrates the reality of the resurrection of His Son.

I. The Apostolic Witness

Let me ask you a little question: “Why did Jesus choose the 12 apostles?” You might immediately answer that He wanted them to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. That would be absolutely true. You might even improve on that answer by saying that even before these acts of ministry, Jesus wanted them to be with Him. Let’s read it in Mark 3:14-15, "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15. And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:" All of that is true, but the scripture reveals another purpose, which I believe is even more fundamental. Let me give you a hint. This purpose is stated most clearly in the book of Acts.

Please turn to the first chapter of Acts. Let’s read Acts 1:1-8…

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3. To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4. And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7. And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Notice that it is to the apostles Jesus is speaking. Of course, Judas Iscariot is no longer with them at this point. I want to focus on what He tells those eleven apostles in verse 8, “But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samarian, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” We apply that verse widely, but understand that these words were spoken by Jesus to His apostles. And He tells them that they will be witnesses unto Him. Witnesses of what? A witness tells what he has seen and heard. A witness has a message to declare. What was their message? Certainly they could bear witness to the miracles that Jesus did, confirm the messages that He spoke, and testify that He died on the cross. But before we speculate, let’s allow the scripture itself to tell us what was the primary content of this witness they were to give.

Later in this same chapter the apostles, led by Peter, are deliberating about how they will choose an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot. Listen to the qualifications in verses 21-22, "Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22. Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection." Though they would choose a man who had been with them since Jesus’ baptism, they were to bear witness specifically to what? To Jesus’ resurrection. Notice how strong, specific, and official the statement: “One must be ordained to be a witness with us [the other apostles] of his resurrection.”

This is by no means an isolated text. Go with me to the second chapter of Acts. Peter is preaching to thousands on the day of Pentecost. After quoting the words of David from Psalm 16, Peter then says in Acts 2:29-32…

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

There it is again. Peter and the other apostles are witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.

Now come to chapter 3. The Lord has healed the lame man through Peter and John. The people in the temple are so amazed that they run to the scene. Then Peter speaks (Acts 3:12-15)…

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13. The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15. And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Add to that the summary statement of Acts 4:33, "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." In chapter 5, all of the apostles have been brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin, where the leaders remind them that they were told not to speak in the name of Jesus. Listen to Peter’s answer in Acts 5:29-32…

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

When we come to Acts 10, we find Peter speaking to Cornelius, the Roman centurion. Let’s pick it up right in the middle of what he was saying. Acts 10:37-42…

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

That word “testify” in verse 42 is the verbal form of the word “witness.” You will notice that Peter says they are witnesses “of all things which he did both in th land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem” (vs. 39). Then in 42 he says that God has commanded them to preach and bear witness to the truth that Jesus was ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. But right in between, he states that God chose them (the apostles) to be witnesses of how Jesus rose the third day and showed Himself openly (40-41). Yes, those apostles actually ate and drank with Jesus after He rose from the dead. They were fit and qualified witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection.

Praise God that He chose beforehand (10:41) this special group of men to bear witness to the resurrection of the risen Lord. These were not men who just happened to catch a glimpse of the man who claimed to rise from the dead. They had walked with Him day after day for over three years. They knew Him, and they knew Him well. Add to this the fact that they were not looking for Jesus to rise from the dead. Yes, He told them He would, but they did not understand. And when Jesus did rise from the grave, they didn’t believe it. They were first rate skeptics. It was Thomas who finally looked at Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God.” But it was that same Thomas who a week before had said, “I will not believe unless I can put my fingers in the nail prints and thrust my hand into his side” (John 20:25). These men had to be convinced that Jesus rose from the dead. When He stood before them after they had watched Him die, when He sat down and ate with them, when He taught them from the scriptures as He had so many times before, they were indeed convinced. The resurrection was not a message they could keep to themselves. As Peter and John said to the leaders of the Jewish council, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

II. The Supernatural Confirmation

So we have the apostolic witness of history. We are blessed with the written testimony of a group of skeptics who became believers in the resurrection of the Jesus they knew. Is that all we have? No. Not only do we have the apostolic witness, but we also have supernatural confirmation. Although this divine testimony is not totally separate from the apostolic witness, it adds a new dimension to it.

Please turn to John 15. Jesus is speaking to His apostles on that last night, shortly before He would be arrested. Let’s read John 15:26-27, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." Jesus first spoke of this Comforter in a few minutes before in John 14:16-18 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." The “Comforter” is literally “the onc called alongside.” He is the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God. Notice here at the end of chapter 15 that Jesus tells us He will testify of Jesus Himself. Jesus goes on to say in 16:14, “He shall glorify me.” Now back to 15:27. Immediately after saying that the Comforter, the Spirit, will testify of Him, He then says, “And you also shall bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” So we see the testimony of the Spirit and the testimony of the apostles linked very closely together. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that it is the Spirit who will give the apostles the grace to believe and the power to proclaim the truth about Jesus.

But what does this have to do with the resurrection? Jesus tells us that both the Spirit and the apostles will bear witness of Him, but He doesn’t specify anything about the resurrection. Perhaps that is because the apostles do not yet believe that He will rise from the grave, though He has been telling them again and again. But now come back to Acts 5. We read this before, but now let’s read it again. Acts 5:30-32, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." “We are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit.” Again we have the witness of the apostles linked very closely to the witness of the Holy Spirit, but this time it is specifically in the context of bearing testimony to His resurrection.

So how does the Holy Spirit testify to the resurrection of Jesus? What a question, and what an answer we find in the Word of God. Let’s read again the words of Jesus in John 14:16, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." Then again in John 16:7, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." For the fulfillment of that wonderful promise, come back to Acts 2. Let’s read Acts 2:1-4…

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The passage goes on to tell how this little group of Spirit-filled believers were able to speak to all kinds of people in their native languages. But what did they tell them? Let’s pick it up in Acts 2:11-13, "Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13. Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." They were telling everyone about the wonderful works of God. But because they were speaking in all these different languages, the people around them speculated that they must be drunk. It wasn’t much of an explanation, but they didn’t have any other.

It was at this point that Peter, accompanied by the other apostles, stood up to give an explanation. We won’t take time to read all of it, but let us come straight to the meat of the matter in Acts 2:32-33, "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." Peter clearly tells them that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, and it was that same Holy Spirit that gave them the desire and the ability to tell one and all of the wonderful works of God.

What I want you to notice how closely connected are the resurrection of Jesus and the sending of the Spirit. Jesus rose from the dead, was exalted to the right hand of God, and then sent the Holy Spirit to His people. If Jesus had not risen from the grave, there would have been no sending of the Spirit. Do you see it? Every time we read about the Holy Spirit in the New Testament we are reminded of the resurrection of Jesus. The presence of the Spirit in the people of God is the divine confirmation that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and is presently exalted at the Father’s right hand, the place of glory and honor.

Let me remind you of one other scripture where the Spirit and the resurrection are linked very closely. Let’s read Rom. 1:1-4…

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2. (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:"

Jesus has always been the Son of God, but it was after the resurrection that He was declared to be the Son of God with power. His resurrection testified to His power even over death itself. Now notice that this declaration was by the resurrection from the dead, but it was also “according to the spirit of holiness.” While there might be some disagreement, I contend that Paul is referring to the Holy Spirit by the phrase “spirit of holiness.” Many translations so designate it by capitalizing the “S” in “Spirit.” [In the originals, there was no capitalization]. So we see again how the Holy Spirit bears testimony to the resurrection of Jesus.

III. The Present Testimony of Believers

But all of that comes to us from 2,000 years ago. We have to rely on what has been written long ago. I could remind you that there is no ancient book that can even come close to the matching the Bible when it comes to historical authentication. In other works, we have far more copies of the books of the Bible and better and older copies than of any other book. That should be enough, but I won’t stop there.

Go back to those apostles for a moment. I mentioned that they were skeptics who had to be convinced of the resurrection. That is only half the story. Not only were they skeptics, but they were fearful weaklings. When the authorities came out and arrested Jesus, what happened to the apostles? Give Peter credit; he did take out his sword and chop off an ear, for all the good that did. But when questioned by a servant girl, he denied even knowing Jesus. They all forsook Him and ran away.

So how can we explain Peter, accompanied by the other apostles, standing up before a crowd of thousands in Jerusalem and saying, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36)? The same men who forsook Jesus at His arrest now risk their lives by speaking boldly to the very people who had cried out for the blood of Jesus. The answer is very simple. Jesus rose and sent the Spirit, who empowered them to be His witnesses. Their lives were not transformed by a philosophy they came to understand, but by the continual presence of the Jesus who rose from the dead.

You might say, “But we are still talking about 2,000 years ago. And we are talking about a special group of men who were apostles.” Was this kind of transformation restricted to the twelve apostles? Hardly. In Acts 6 and 7 we read about a man named Stephen. In Acts 6:10 we read these words, "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." They couldn’t resist the way he spoke, but they could stone him to death, and they did. It was the way he died that demonstrates a transformed life. Let me read you the last part of the account from Acts 7:54-60…

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

How is it possible for a man to die that way? Because Stephen saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God. Furthermore, we read in verse 55 that he was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Jesus who died for him on the cross rose from the dead and sent the Holy Spirit to live within him and empower him to live His life on this earth.

But maybe Stephen was an exception. Just read the next three verses from Acts 8:1-3…

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

The persecution was so severe that they had to scatter. It sounds like they were just like the apostles when Jesus was arrested; they fled for their lives. But that isn’t the end of the story. Now read verse 4, “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.” What word? The word about Jesus, the risen Christ. The word “preaching” doesn’t mean they stood up before a group like I am doing. It is the word “evangelize.” Everywhere they went they shared the good news of what Jesus had done. Ordinary men and women, risking their very lives, could not help but tell people about the risen Lord.

We could continue the story through Acts, but let’s fastforward a couple of thousand years to today. If Jesus really rose from the grave and lives today, what would prevent Him from sending His Holy Spirit into the lives of people right now? If those people we just read about in Acts had their lives so transformed that they were willing to risk their lives in order to proclaim the message of Jesus, why should it be any different today? Good news -- the risen Lord is still transforming lives today. He is still sending His Spirit to dwell in the lives of those who trust Him.

I could tell you story after story of Christian heroes down through the ages to the present time. We could talk about those who are suffering persecution in other countries, as they serve the Lord Jesus with great joy. But I’m not sure that is going to have much meaning, unless we bring it home to where we live. What about us? Can anyone here testify that Jesus lives and has sent His Spirit to live in you? If so, then we can add to the apostolic witness and the divine confirmation of the resurrection the present testimony of believers. Now we aren’t talking about people who lived 2,000 years, but about people we can see with our own eyes.

So how does it happen today? It happens like this. A godly interest is kindled in a dead person. Though he walks and talks, he is dead in that he is cut off from the God who created him. God brings to bear on him the truth that he has offended Almighty God. He begins to realize that it is more than just doing some things wrong, making some mistakes. He has rebelled against God Himself. He has turned his back on the righteous, holy God who has loved him and done him nothing but good. The knowledge of his sin begins to weigh on him. Though he tries to do better, he comes to realize that he can never be good enough. By trying to do what the law of God says, he proves the truth that the law was given to expose our sin. Is there no hope for this man? In the midst of his despair he is confronted with the good news. Maybe he has heard many times that Jesus died on the cross for him, but now the Holy Spirit brings that message to life. He suddenly sees it -- “Jesus died for me. He bore my sins on the cross. I should have been there, but Jesus took my place. I can be forgiven for the sin that condemns me, and I can be set free from its bondage. I don’t have to do it; Jesus did it for me. It’s not just a story. Jesus lives. O God, thank you for what you did. Lord, I’m not worthy, but I’m yours. I receive your forgiveness and your life. I want to do only those things that please you. Up until now I have lived like I wanted to, but now I want you to live through me.” They key is not in the specific words; the key is in the conviction of sin and the miracle that God does deep within.

So does that person become perfect? He is perfect in the sense that he is in Christ. But does he still commit sins? Yes, but when he does there is forgiveness. Though he slips up and sins, sin does not define his life. He now has new life within, the life of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. He is no longer a slave to sin and Satan. His great longing is to do the will of God, and the Spirit empowers him to do the divine will. He recognizes that the people around him have no hope outside of Christ, and he makes himself available to make the message of salvation known to others. All the while, he is filled with the blessed hope that the risen Lord is coming back for him some day soon.

If you are one of these in whom Christ lives, then you are a living testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, if the risen Jesus doesn’t live in you, then you are not a Christian; you are not a child f God; you have no hope. The good news is that Jesus “was delivered for your offenses was raised again for your justification” (Rom. 4:25). Your great need is to have Him forgive you of your sins and give to you the righteousness of His Son Jesus. Won’t you repent of your stubborn rebellion against God and throw yourself on Jesus as your only hope? I use those words “stubborn rebellion” very deliberately. If you are not a child of God, you are a rebel against Him. You may come to all the services, read the Bible, and pray, but if you have not been converted by the power of God, you are still a rebel and there is nothing good in you. Won’t you call your sin what it is and run to Jesus?

Conclusion

We sang it earlier…

I serve a risen Savior; He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His loving cheer,

And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today.

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart.

You ask me how I know He lives… He lives within my heart.

And because He lives within us, we are living testimonies of His resurrection. We add our testimony to the apostolic witness and the divine confirmation of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus once said, “God is not the God of the dead but of the living.” We don’t serve a religious leader who is in the grave. We serve a risen Savior, who is presently in glory and one day will take us home to share in that glory. Hallelujah!

The Accuser Strikes Again -- 4/10/11

Sunday, April 10, 2011

SATAN IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Job 2:1-10

Dear brothers and sisters, beloved friends, this might be the only sermon you will ever hear me preach in which Satan is the main subject. However, I believe our text for this morning demands it. Even so, we will not be able to restrict ourselves to thinking about Satan, but we will also be considering Job, the Lord’s servant. And beyond Satan and Job, we can never forget the Lord God Himself, who is Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in them. When we consider Satan, we can never do so without focusing upon God, who created Satan, limits Satan, and even uses Satan to accomplish His purposes.

Consider this little poem…

Satan is alive and well;

No, he’s not yet in hell.

There are those who picture Satan with a pitchfork walking about in the flames of hell. No, that is not accurate. The devil will one day be cast into the lake of fire, but he isn’t there now. Nor does the Bible ever describe him as an ugly creature with a pitchfork and a tail. Rather, we are told that he masquerades as an angel of light (II Cor. 11:14). Two weeks ago when we read about the conversation between God and Satan, we were reminded of 1 Pet. 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" That verse could be our theme verse for this morning. The devourer was out to get Job, and you can rest assured that he is out to devour you as well.

Let’s read the second chapter of Job, but we will start with what we read last Sunday. Read Job 1:20-2:13…

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 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. 22. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. 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. 2. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 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. 4. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. 9. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 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. 11. Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. 12. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

I. Satan’s Failure

We began the book of Job by looking at the heavenly conversation between God and Satan in 1:6-12. Now we are privileged to listen in on this second conversation in 2:1-6. If you feel like you are reading a repeat from chapter 1, it is because you are. 2:1-3a is just like 1:6-8, with the exception that in 2:1 there is the addition of the words “to present himself before the Lord” (understood in 1:6). So once again, Satan joins the angels in appearing before the Lord. We asked the question before, “How is it that the most evil being in the universe can stand in the presence of the most holy God?” I still don’t know the answer to that question. Ultimately, it is because the Lord allows him to do so. Apparently Satan has a great deal of access into God’s presence, because now he appears a second time.

As before, the Lord asks Satan where he comes from. “From going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and down in it.” Remember that Satan is an expert in mixing truth and lies. Was he truthful on this occasion? Yes, and no. He could have been walking to and fro in the earth, but that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. During the interval between these two conversations, his main activity had been afflicting Job, but he says nothing about that. Playing along with the great deceiver, the Lord responds, “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?” Just as Satan pretends that Job’s name had never come up, the Lord does the same. This is almost humorous. It seems that the Lord is being a bit sarcastic. “So you’ve been going forth in the earth. No doubt, you are trying to trip up my creatures, as you always do. Well, let me ask you a question, ‘Have you considered my servant Job…?’” Now the Lord knows full well what Satan has just done to Job. Now he is rubbing salt in the wounds of Satan’s defeat. Satan must have felt the sting of that name “Job.” He was becoming a thorn in Satan’s side.

At this point the Lord abandons this little game and comes straight to the point, adding, “And still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” The Lord bluntly reminds Satan that despite the fact he has taken everything Job had, the man still remains true in his devotion to God. Go back to the end of chapter 1, where we are told that Job worshipped the Lord and said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” The conclusion of the matter is in 1:22, “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God foolishly.” Satan unleashed his fury against Job, and Job passed the test.

Notice especially the Lord’s words, “Although you moved me against him, to destroy him without cause.” Several translations use the word “incite.” The NASB reads, “although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” The word translated “destroy” carries the idea of devouring or swallowing up. The Lord acknowledges that Satan had incited Him to swallow up Job with troubles, and for no good reason. Job’s sins has not brought about his catastrophes; it was Satan who was behind it.

But wait a minute. Is this saying that Satan was able to move God, to stir Him up against Job, to instigate such disaster? Can Satan have influence with the Almighty? Did Satan talk God into removing the hedge of protection He had built around Job? If Satan can move God, then maybe we ought to be worried. Last week I emphasized the fact that Satan can do nothing to us without God’s permission, but is Satan able to talk God into giving His permission? Is the Lord at the mercy of Satan’s cunning designs?

Be of good comfort, saints of God. The devil is not able to sway the Lord, to trick Him into anything. God is unchangeable in His nature and purposes. The idea is something like this: Satan made a motion, a proposition to God. It was a request, presented with great passion and skill. Satan believed that if he could just get permission to attack Job, the Lord’s loyal servant would curse God to His face. Looking at it on the surface, it appears that Satan did indeed move God, for the Lord granted His request. The best way I know to understand this is to run to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Did Satan desire that Jesus be crucified? Indeed, He did, for Satan entered into Judas (Luke 22:3), who would betray Jesus to His enemies. Did the fact that Jesus was crucified mean that Satan had the victory over God? Never. The crucial insight we need is found in the sermon of Peter on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:22-24…

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

We find the same truth contained the prayer of the saints in Acts 4:27-28, "For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."

Satan wanted Jesus dead, and we could say that he killed Jesus, but only according to the eternal purpose of God. So it was with Job. Satan “moved God,” but only because God wanted to be moved. When we say that Satan incited the Lord against Job, the emphasis is upon Satan’s intent rather than his ability to conform God to his own will. As we will see at the end of the book, Satan only fit into God’s overall purpose and plan.

In spite of all Satan had done, Job held fast his integrity. The word translated “integrity” is from a Hebrew word which speaks of wholeness and completeness. In short, Job remained faithful to his Lord. We see this clearly at the end of chapter 1, where it is stated that Job did not sin or charge God foolishly. Though he may have been tempted to blame God, he didn’t. He acknowledged that the Lord gave him everything he had and it was the Lord’s prerogative to take it away.

II. Satan’s Plan

Surely the truth of what the Lord said to Satan should put him to silence. The devil had done his dirty work, but he had failed. He said Job would curse God to his face, but he was dead wrong. However, though he had failed, Satan had a plan. Satan always has a plan, and he would continue to formulate such plans until the day he is cast into the lake of fire. Notice what Satan says in 2:4-5, "And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face." Let me try to put his words into our language: “A man will do anything to save his own skin. This man Job isn’t concerned about anything but himself. He would give up all that he had, even his children, just as long as he himself is healthy and content. But if you will touch his body with affliction, then he will curse you to your face.

Again, we see Satan sprinkling a certain amount of truth in with his lies and diabolical plans. It is true that there are some who will serve the Lord as long as they themselves are healthy and happy. They are noble enough that they will maintain their loyalty to the Lord, even when they suffer financial and family disaster. Satan contends that Job is one of those. But as soon as he is under the burden of severe sickness, he will curse God and die.

Do you notice that Satan has no mercy? Doesn’t he have a little pity on Job, after all he has done to him? Doesn’t he realize what it must mean to lose all ten children? No pity; no compassion; no mercy. Search the scriptures, and you will never find any mercy in Satan. Our “Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (Ps. 103:8). As David puts it in Ps. 86:5, "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee." Satan is the exact opposite -- no mercy, no graciousness, no pity.

Don’t ever forget that Satan always has a plan, and that plan is designed to devour you and me. In the experience of Job, we see just one of Satan’s tactics. At this point, he pursues a frontal attack that is designed to break Job and cause him to turn upon his Creator. But don’t ever think that Satan limits himself to that tactic; he has plenty of others. He is just as capable and comfortable blessing a person with great wealth, robust health, and everything any creature could want. He will do anything he thinks will cause us to forsake God, forget Him, neglect Him. Satan will stop at nothing in his desire to bring us down, for in bringing us down he thinks he is able to smear the reputation of the One who created us and sent His Son to redeem us.

So the Lord has heard the plan of Satan. How does He respond? Like before, He could have argued with Satan, assuring him that Job would not curse Him to His face. Instead, the Lord simply says, “Okay, he’s yours. But spare his life.” God gave Satan the okay to go ahead with his plan.

III. Satan’s Execution

Satan not only deceitfully and skillfully crafts a master plan of destruction for his enemies, but he then executes that plan with power and precision. The devil is not only wise and crafty, but he is also extremely powerful. We see his power in what he does to Job. The description in verse 7 is brief, but it adequately reveals the power of Satan in afflicting a man’s body. "So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."

So now the poor and childless Job must experience sore boils, “painful sores” (NKJV, NIV, etc.), “a very grievous ulcer” (Douay-Rheims), “an evil inflammation” (Clarke’s Commentary), “a burning sore” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary). These are the same boils with which God afflicted the Egyptians in the plagues. However, the word here is singular, speaking of one boil that covered the whole body. Perhaps the idea is that the boils, sores were so close together that they could not be distinguished from one another. Literally, it was an “evil sore.” This boil (or these boils) covered Job from head to toe.

So what was the nature of this terrible disease? Down through the ages Bible students have speculated about what it was. Most conclude that it was Elephantiasis, commonly referred to as “black leprosy.” This disease was so severe that the joints of the limbs became swollen and frozen, so that they appeared like the legs of an elephant. The skin was covered with incrustations like those of an elephant. Still others have suggested that it was smallpox, which was extremely distressful to those who were not killed by it. There is no way we can be sure that it was either of these. Perhaps it was a disease Satan had designed especially for Job.

More important than trying to name the disease is seeing the effect that it had upon Job. First of all, look at what we are told in verse 8, “And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself, while he sat in the ashes.” This scraping was likely for the purpose or removing the damaged skin, along with providing some relief from itching. Notice that he sat among the ashes. Throughout the Old Testament (as well as once by Jesus) ashes are associated with sorrow and grief. We are familiar with the phrases “sackcloth and ashes” and “dust and ashes” (used twice by Job himself -- 30:19; 42:6). When Jonah pronounced his message of judgment in Nineveh, the king “laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes” (Jonah 3:6). And where did Job find these ashes? It has been suggested that these ashes were outside the city. We might think of it as the city dump (see Steve Lawson’s commentary on Job, p. 26). What a picture!

The rest of the book of Job gives us insight into the intensity of this body-consuming disease. We see in 2:12 that Job’s body (mainly his face, as that is the surest way to recognize someone) was so disfigured that his friends didn’t even recognize him. 3:24, "For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters." This indicates some effect upon his appetite. Listen to the note about worms and broken skin in 7:5, "My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome." 9:18 suggests trouble breathing. Add to that the notes about darkened eyelids (16:16), bad breath (19:17), loss of weight until he is skin and bones (19:20), continual pain (30:17), blackened skin and high fever (30:30). No wonder he was restless, as spoken of in 30:27 (ESV), “My inward parts are in turmoil and never still; days of affliction come to meet me.” What a picture of a man who was physically broken.

Satan certainly did his work. When the Lord told him he could do anything short of killing Job, Satan took all the liberty the Lord gave him. With absolutely no mercy, he mounted an all-out attack upon God’s servant Job.

IV. Satan’s Repeated Failure

So how did Satan’s plan work? Would Job curse God? The devil unleashed an all-out attack upon Job himself. He brought immense physical pain and suffering directly upon Job. Was it enough to cause the Lord’s servant to turn upon Him? We know that Job immediately felt the misery, because we read in verse 8 that he scraped himself with a piece of pottery and sat down among the ashes. He was hurting. But we are waiting for his response toward God. Satan was waiting too.

Before we get to Job’s response to God, another factor enters the picture. We might call this factor Satan’s wildcard. Let’s read it in verse 9, “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God and die.” There is that word “integrity” again, the same word that we found in verse 3. Job’s wife couldn’t believe it. “Job, are you still clinging to your loyalty to God? Are you still maintaining that He is faithful? In light of what has happened, why don’t you just curse God and die? That would be far better than what you are experiencing now. Just be done with it.”

Now how did Job’s wife get involved? She’s his wife. All this cannot take place without her knowledge. She has to look at her own husband going through immense pain. Bear in mind that she too has lost everything, including her ten children. On top of that, she now must watch the health of her husband evaporate before her eyes. Perhaps she believed that if Job would curse God, then God would let him die, would put him out of his misery. Or she may have assumed that cursing God would move God to kill Job for such a response. Either way, Job wouldn’t have to continue in his present pain and suffering. We can’t know for sure what her motives were.

Do you think Satan had any hand in her response? Is it just a coincidence that she tells Job to do the very think that Satan is trying to get him to do? I’m thinking of another wife whom Satan tempted in order to get at her husband. Do you remember her? It was Eve, whom Satan tempted in the garden. His seductive work was effective, and both she and Adam ate the forbidden fruit. They actually disobeyed the God who had provided everything they could need or want. Now He is doing the same with Job’s wife, tempting her to despise God and tell her husband to do the same.

Do we understand that Satan has endless resources in his arsenal? He is an expert at recruiting human beings for his purposes. Surely Job loved and respected his wife. This is the woman with whom he has raised ten children, the woman who has shared his recent losses. When she speaks, he must listen. Beware of whom Satan might use to trip you up. It is possible that he could use someone very dear to you. Even a Christian? Yes, even a Christian. Believers do sin and go astray, and that brother or sister who is dear to you might listen to the enemy and give you bad counsel. That doesn’t mean that you should distrust everyone around you, but it does mean that you must weigh advice before the Lord and test it by His Word.

Listen to Job’s response to his wife in 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?" As one commentator puts it, Job’s answer was strong but not harsh (Keil & Delitsch). He didn’t call her a fool, but said she was speaking like a foolish woman would speak. The fact that he specifies foolish women may be a reference to the women of Idumea, who when their gods did not give them what they asked, would denounce them and throw them into the fire.

It is helpful to something about the word that Job used when he said that his wife was a foolish woman. That word does not mean that she simply had a lack of knowledge. In the Hebrew mind and in the Old Testament, we find that righteousness is coupled with wisdom and foolishness is coupled with sin and unrighteousness. The problem was not simply that Job’s wife was ignorant, but her thinking was ungodly. Job uses the feminine form of the word that is translated “fool” in Ps. 14:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” The Hebrew word is actually used as a name of one character in the Old Testament. Do you know who it was? It was Nabal, the wife of Abigail. This fool certainly lived up to his name. In this instance, Job’s wife was speaking as an ungodly fool, one who was devoid of wisdom and righteousness. We could say that her foolishness was the exact opposite of Job’s integrity.

Now listen to Job’s reasoning: “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” We must define “good” and “evil” as being in the eyes of Job. The idea is, “Shall we receive only what we consider to be good, and not receive what we consider to be evil.” We must understand it this way, because God doesn’t give evil things to His children. Matt. 7:11, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" “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” (Rom. 8:28).

Think about it. If we receive only what we consider to be good, then we become the judge of God. Job claimed the Lord as his God; we who have been reconciled to Him by Jesus Christ even claim Him as our Father. If we refuse to receive what we consider to be evil, then we are standing of judges of God, even of our Father. We are accusing Him of giving us what we do not deserve. We are flatly refusing to believe what He says in His Word. Though Job did not have as much light as we who live on the other side of the cross, He understood that the Lord’s servants can trust Him to send them what is best for them. “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” That is a powerful and insightful statement.

So what do we make of Job’s wife? Though we are not told as much about her as we might like to know, it seems pretty clear that she did not respond to tragedy as Job did. While Job said, “The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord,” his wife apparently did not share the same attitude of praise in adversity. Her words to Job reveal a rather bitter attitude. Job’s response to her seems to confirm that she was angry that God would bring such disaster upon her and her husband. Perhaps we could say that her advice to “curse God and die” exposed her anger at God, rather than at Job.

Listen to the end of verse 10, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” That is no small statement. In short, Job passed the test. Satan failed once again, because Job did not curse God, but defended God and His right to bring good or evil into his life. At this point, we might paraphrase Joseph’s words and say, “Satan meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” Satan had not only taken everything Job had and killed his children, but now he had humbled this man with extreme physical pain and torment. Nevertheless, Job remained strong in his devotion to the Lord.

Look at those words again at the end of verse 10: “And in all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Notice especially the phrase “with his lips.” Why these words “with his lips”? The text does not mean to say that Job sinned in every other way. Some of us will remember the words of James 3:2, "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." When it is said that a person doesn’t sin with his lips, that is a great compliment. Remember the context. This declaration is made immediately after Job had verbally responded to his wife. What temptation he faced, when she said, “Are you still remaining loyal to God? Why don’t you just curse God and die?” How easy it would have been to have sided with her, even as Adam did with Eve. Or perhaps even more tempting was to put her in her place by sharply rebuking her, “Woman, mind your own business.” Instead, Job made the Lord Himself his focus. He said she spoke as a foolish woman because of her attitude toward God. He didn’t call her a foolish woman, but simply said she had yielded to the temptation speak like foolish women speak. Job then graciously explained to her that we must receive both good and evil from the hand of a God who is good. In the midst of this emotionally charged exchange, Job did not sin, not even with his lips.

V. Satan’s Persistence

Hallelujah! Here we find a man who was true to God in the midst of a great storm. No wonder the Lord Himself said that Job was blameless and upright, a man who feared God and turned away from evil. The proof is in the pudding.

Now let me make an earth-shattering revelation. I know that none of you would have thought of this; that’s why I have to let you in on this little secret. Job has 42 chapters; we have only come to the end of verse 10 in chapter 2. I can tell by the looks on your faces that this great truth has already occurred to some of you. Maybe we haven’t come to the end of the story yet.

I also want you to notice that there is no further mention of Satan in the rest of the book of Job. He is not directly mentioned after verse 7 here in chapter 2. Does that mean that Satan licked his wounds, admitted defeat, and went off to tempt someone else? Oh, it’s true that he would tempt many others, but it does not mean that he never again tempted Job. I remind you of the temptations of Jesus, as recorded in Luke 4. After the devil had unsuccessfully assaulted Jesus three times, the account concludes like this: “And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season” (Luke 4:13). Satan left Jesus, but only for a season. We don’t know how many times He tempted Jesus, but we know he was active at the end, especially when our Lord was in the Garden of Gethsemane.

As we read through the rest of Job, we will have to keep in mind that though Satan was defeated, he was not destroyed. Did he come again to tempt Job? Though we don’t see him directly, is he behind the scenes in the chapters that follow?

Now let’s read again the end of chapter 2. Read Job 2:11-13…

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. 12. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

This is where we will take up the story next time. As some of you know, Job is going to be engaged in conversation with these three friends for almost 30 chapters. Lord willing, we will be reading through these chapters and asking the Lord to give us insights. As we do, let’s not forget the heavenly conversations of chapters 1 and 2. As we continue through the book of Job, is there still a spiritual war going on behind the scenes?

Conclusion

A number of you have heard me use an illustration from time to time. I use it when dealing with our relation to Satan and sin. Before a person comes to Christ, he is dead in his trespasses and sins and is in bondage to the devil. It’s like Satan has the unbeliever on a leash. You know how it is when a dog is on a leash. At times he may think that he is free, fully in control of his destiny. As long as his owner gives him plenty of slack, he can do whatever he wants to do. But when the owner has had enough and tightens the leash, then the dog can do only what the owner decides he will do.

It is the same way with Satan. Before I came to Christ, I was his slave. When he chose to give me plenty of slack, I thought that I was in control. But in reality, he was the one calling the shots. He had power over me.

Now let me turn that illustration upside down. Satan is on God’s leash. Without a doubt, Satan is very cunning and extremely powerful. No one can deny that. Not one of us is a match for him. Altogether we are not able to oppose him. But then there is God. The Lord God Almighty is Master; Satan is slave. When the Lord gives him plenty of slack, he can do many things. He stole all Job’s wealth and killed his kids. He brought pain, grief, and misery into Job’s life through sickness. But when the Lord said, “You could no further,” Satan had reached his limit. God handles the leash according to his own will and purpose. Satan is forced to respond to the Lord’s direction.

Someone will surely say, “Then I sure wish the Lord would quit giving him so much slack. I wish He would yank on the leash and jerk Satan around.” Oh, He will. Make no mistake about it. “But why doesn’t He do it now? Why does He allow Satan to wreak such havoc in this world? Why does God allow him to bring such devastation even upon His own children?” Those are the very questions we are faced with when we come to the book of Job. Those are the issues with which we are wrestling, as we wade through this book. We won’t try to answer them all. But for now, don’t ever forget what we have learned from the first two chapters. God is the one who is in control of all events. Though Satan is delivering the blows against Job, he is able to do so only as he requests permission from Almighty God. If you are truly a child of God, the Lord of the universe is your Master, Lord, and King. Only what He designs can enter your life. Let’s rejoice in Him!