Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. For Sunday April 13,2013
Text: Job 23:8-14 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: (vs9) On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: (vs10) But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (vs11) My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (vs12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (vs13) But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. (vs14) For he perfometh the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him."
Philippians 3:11-15 "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (vs12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (vs13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (vs15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.7,Page 404, a commentary on Job 23:10-- GOD'S KNOWLEDGE AND MAN'S DISCIPLINE. "Job has just been owning his difficulty in finding God. He searches in all directions, forward and backwards, on the left hand and on the right, and he cannot discover God (vers.8,9). But although it is so hard for him to attain to a knowledge of God, he is quite certain that God knows him. We are known by God before we think of acknowledging him, and when we are bewildered with the mystery of life all is clear and open to God. God knows the way that his servants take. (1) Past experiences. He knows what we have had to contend with, and why our lives have been vexed and tried. (2) Present circumstances. At the very moment when we have some new difficulty to face, some new height to climb, or some new snare to avoid, God is with us, perfectly understanding the whole situation. (3) Future scenes. One step is enough for us, because God knows all that lies before us. Although our way may seem to be leading to impossible regions, he who sees the end from the beginning can lead us through. If God knows our way, we have not to travel like Columbus, over untried seas. The whole route has been mapped out by God. We cannot be lost if he who knows our way is our Guide."