| Job 2:1-10 PRAY ILL: Definitions: RETAIN: to hold on to, maintain-continue, keep INTEGRITY: innocence, perfect record (never smoked dope), adherence to a code of values, standards and convictions. “Are you still doing right and living by a code of ethics, trusting God, serving, loving, telling about God; do you still believe God is good regardless of your circumstances; do you still refuse to compromise, quit, give up, make decisions based on outcome, but on right and wrong..” TS: WOULD YOU MAINTAIN YOUR CHRISTIANITY, BELIEFS, STANDARDS… I. EVEN IF YOU SUFFERED LOSS A. Job lost servants, animal$, children, wife’s encouragement, health, but did not change: 1. Opinion of God – Job 1:21; God is good regardless of CC (circumstances). 2. Perfect record – 1:22; did not rebel and go into sin! Did not compromise, quit, give up… 3. Testimony – outward Christian living – read, pray, church… II. EVEN IF YOU WERE SEVERELY TEMPTED A. Joseph was tempted by a married woman – Maintained Standards. B. Jesus was tempted by Satan himself – would not compromise! C. Some gave into temptation: 1. Adam and Eve; 2. David; 3. Judas… III. EVEN IF YOU WERE THREATENED A. Daniel – lions – would not stop being a Christian! B. David – Saul tried to kill – would not strike back! C. Jesus – crucifixion – would not refuse His Father’s will! IV. EVEN IF EVERYONE ELSE IS COMPROMISING A. S.M.A. – all bowed but them, fiery furnace – wouldn’t compromise. B. Disciples – many followed no more, you to? Where we go? V. EVEN IF UNJUSTLY TREATED A. Paul and Silas – would not give in to griping and complaining! B. Stephen – stoned – would not trim his message! C. Jesus – “Father forgive them…” – kept on loving regardless of CC. VI. EVEN IF BETRAYED A. Jesus – one of 12 best friends – kept going – to Calvary! B. David and Job – wives turned against them – kept going. VII. EVEN IF HURT AND HEARTBROKEN A. Hosea – wife left and sold body on same streets he preached on. B. Jesus – died of broken heart, all forsook – didn’t come down. VIII. EVEN IF COST IS DEATH A. God’s hall of fame – Heb. 11 – went into eternity singing! B. Jesus – separation from Father – “truly this was the Son…” IX. STATEMENTS A. Life’s difficulties: 1. Expose your depth of Christianity; 2. Reveal the height of your standards – many lower in CC; 3. Show your need of the Saviour: a. For Salvation. b. For daily Christian walk. |