What Will it Take to Stop You from Worshipping God

October 22, 2014

At Mayberry Baptist Church: Craig Edwards, Pastor Hughes and Dr Larry Brown

Preached Oct 22, 2014 at Mayberry Baptist Church, Mt Airy NC

Job 1:1-12 (read vs. 1-5)

It is generally agreed “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” The Scriptures indicate this is true. God desires worship above all else. As David says in the Psalms… Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Ps. 29:2)

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. (Ps. 86:9)

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. (Ps. 95:6)

Worship is the main activity in heaven—“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev. 4:10-11).

Since worshipping God is the supreme expression of glorifying God, Satan will do everything he can to stop it or pervert it. Satan would steal the worship that belongs to God (Mt. 4:9-10).

The emphasis in the book of Job is NOT suffering, although that is part of it. Job is about WORSHIP, and Satan’s efforts to stop Job’s worship.

Job was a man of great spiritual character (vs. 1-5). A TYPE OF CHRIST:

Both were rich and became poor.
Both were falsely accused.
Both were tempted and persecuted by Satan.
Both suffered although they did nothing wrong.
Both remained faithful to God in their suffering.
Both are more abundantly blessed in the end.

I. An AMAZING scene (vs. 6-7).

A. The calling of angels (v.6). Not surprising Satan attends religious meetings. If he would come among the heavenly court of God, he will certainly also mingle amongst those who gather to worship God on earth!

B. The conversation with Satan (v. 7).

II. The ASSESSMENT of God (v. 8).

Job COMMENDED by God—”What do you think about my servant Job? Have you checked him out? Are you aware that his heart is perfect toward Me? He is an upright man. He fears Me and hates evil. There ain’t anyone like him in all the earth!”
Job CONSIDERED by Satan—You can bet Satan considered Job…a lot, otherwise Satan would not have accused Job (v. 9).
1. Job is the kind of man Satan pays attention to (Acts 19:15 —“Jesus I know, and Paul I know…”). Satan doesn’t consider the wicked living in sin—He doesn’t have to. They are no threat to his evil work. Satan doesn’t hang out at taverns, casinos, or dope dens. Satan spends more time in churches, Christian homes, Bible colleges, or Bible revision committees.
2. Satan focuses on the righteous—”He that is upright [Job]…is abomination to the wicked” (Prov. 29:27). Dr. Ken Blue points out in his commentary on Job:…a man’s righteousness may be his greatest liability. If he were unrighteous, both Satan and God might ignore him. However, neither God or Satan can ignore a man like Job. Therefore, the more righteous a man becomes, the larger target for Satan’s arrows.1