Rev. David Holwick ZB Book of Job series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
August 9, 1998
Job 31:1-13
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I. What would Kenneth Starr find on you?
A. Parents, neighbors, friends - enemies - are called to grand jury.
1) Newspapers keep investigation on front page every day.
2) How much dirt would be dug up?
B. Integrity on trial.
1) In his final speech, Job investigates himself.
2) He proposes possible charges, each beginning with "if..."
a) And each ends with a curse.
b) Style is known as a "reverse confession."
3) He has nothing to hide.
C. Looking at his list, would YOU?
II. Inward purity of heart. (vv. 1-12)
A. Don't get caught in the headlights.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports that
more than 17,000 deer die each year after being struck by
motorists on state highways.
According to Paul Shelton, state wildlife director, the peak
season for road kills is in late fall.
Why? The bucks are in rut in November.
"They're concentrating almost exclusively on reproductive
activities," he said.
"They are a lot less wary than they normally would be."
Deer aren't the only ones destroyed by preoccupation with sex.
#3952
B. A covenant against lust.
1) Job went beyond not committing adultery - his heart was pure.
a) Sin is both outward and inward.
b) Some see a more serious sin - worshipping sex.
1> (ancient fertility cults)
2) Our society is re-assessing sex.
a) Old taboos - homosexuality, adultery, premarital sex -
are falling by the wayside.
b) A concern for lust is a sign of uptightness.
1> My dad went to the University of Illinois in the
early 1950's - and was a classmate of Hugh Hefner.
(I think he kind of envied him...)
Charlie Sheen once did a parody of Hefner on a comedy
show by strutting around in a bathrobe and pipe.
He then admitted in court that in 1992 he spent
$53,000 on prostitutes.
In one year.
2> Most of us cannot afford to be that bad.
A> But if you could afford it, would you be?
C. God's standard on sex still holds.
1) "Sexaholics Anonymous" announcement.
a) Twenty-nine groups in NJ-PA, with four in Dover alone.
b) Not a joke - their lives have been ruined.
2) Checklist:
a) Have you ever thought you needed help for your
sexual thinking or behavior?
b) Do you feel it controls you?
c) Do you resort to it to escape or relieve anxiety?
d) Do you feel guilt, remorse or depression afterward?
e) Has your pursuit of sex become more compulsive?
f) Do you keep going from one relationship to another?
g) Do you turn to a lower environment when pursuing lust?
h) Have you ever been arrested for a sex-related offense?
D. Don't get burned by the fire. 31:12
1) Job says it burns to destruction.
a) Follow God's standards before it is too late.
2) Job made a commitment to avoid this pitfall.
a) He disciplined his mind and actions.
b) (Think about how many national leaders have not...)
3) Steps to recovery by Mike Fehlauer:
1. Repent: this attacks the "victim" mentality.
2. Change the environment: attacks availability of sin.
3. Discover God's love: this attacks fear.
4. Develop godly relationships: this attacks deception.
5. Begin to think long-term: this attacks lust.
6. Discover servanthood: this attacks pride.
7. Expect total deliverance: this attacks failure.
#3391
III. Outward integrity with people. (vv. 13-23)
A. Who is the poorest person you know, personally?
1) We tend to isolate ourselves, stick with "our own kind."
2) Yet millions are out there, even in Roxbury.
B. Job didn't deny justice to the "little people."
1) God made us all, small and great alike. v. 15
2) God has a special place in his heart for underdogs.
a) Jesus reflected this. (sinners and tax collectors)
C. Don't neglect the poor and widows. Deut 15:7-11
1) Job had a positive approach to the downtrodden. v. 16
a) Not just a bleeding heart, but an extended hand.
b) Old Testament had a compassionate approach to the poor.
1> Deuteronomy 15:7-11. Be openhanded, generous.
2) Job wasn't stingy with his stuff.
a) He helped the homeless.
b) Some in our church will taste this tomorrow...
c) Is not just good to those who can do good back. (Jesus)
D. Job was motivated by fear of God. v. 23
1) The way you treat the "nobodies" shows your real character.
2) Jesus says it perfectly reflects how you treat HIM. Matt 25
IV. Upward integrity with God. (vv. 24-34)
A. Job acknowledges he is accountable before God. 31:4
B. He puts his ultimate trust in God.
1) He doesn't trust in gold. v. 25
a) Money may be the ultimate idol for us.
2) Job doesn't worship nature. v. 26
a) Hottest new religion - earth worship.
1> "Tree huggers" are entering mainstream.
b) Be concerned about environment, but don't worship it.
C. Job tries to reflect God's character.
1) He doesn't gloat when enemies fell. v. 29
2) He is generous with provisions. v. 31
a) (Sitting Bull and Indian generosity...)
b) Hospitality to strangers.
3) He doesn't give in to peer pressure. v. 33-34
4) He doesn't hide his sin. (he's transparent)
a) Let any accuser submit it in writing.
V. Assessment.
A. Is Job bragging here?
1) Too high an assessment of himself?
a) He says he holds his head high before God.
2) Yet later, God does not condemn him.
a) Job's assessment of himself agrees with what God
says about him to Satan.
b) It is possible to be a decent person.
B. Morality is important.
1) God wants us to live decent lives.
a) Not just avoiding evil, but encouraging the good.
2) We can suffer consequences from bad morality.
3) But we are not necessarily blessed for decent morality.
a) Job's dilemma is, "I've been good. Why all the trouble?"
C. Morality is not enough.
1) Our integrity reveals we have God's heart.
a) By itself, it cannot get you into heaven.
b) We all need God's grace.
2) Accept God, then be as good as you can.
D. Take stock of yourself.
1) Are you a moral person?
a) Are any dimensions (inner, outward, upward) missing out?
2) What is your motivation for being good?
3) Be good, even when it doesn't work.
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SOURCES OF ILLUSTRATIONS:
#3952, Online Leadership Journal (America Online), "To Illustrate: Lust",
by Greg Asimakoupoulos; Naperville, Illinois.
#3391, Pulpit Helps, "How God Helped One Pastor Defeat His Enslavement
To Sex," by Mike Fehlauer (Ministries Today), 8/1/95.
These and 4,300 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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