Sermonstudio

This is the first of four selections from the book of Job, one
of the "Writings." Job is one of three books of wisdom, written
probably in the sixth century B.C. Today's pericope is a part of
the Prologue (1:1--2:13). Twice God describes Job as a "blameless
and upright man who fears God." He suffered the loss of his 10
children and all of his animals. Yet, he did not blame God. Then
he was afflicted with sores all over his body. Still Job did not
sin with his lips. No amount of suffering caused Job to lose his
faith in God.

Lesson 2: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 (C)
Today's Lesson 2 begins a series of seven passages from
Hebrews. The author of Hebrews is facing the situation of the
church's waning faith, probably because of the delay of Christ's
return. To stimulate their faith, he writes the epistle of
Hebrews. Today's pericope deals with the event of Christ's
incarnation leading to his suffering and death for the salvation
of humanity. His incarnation gave him a solidarity with humankind
in order to save it. At present we do not see Christ's lordship
over everything, but we do see him (v. 9). His atoning death
created a oneness with Christ and his followers whom he calls
"brethren." (v. 11) Humans are created and re-created by
redemption.

Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 (C, L, RC)
This pericope deals with two accounts: marriage/divorce and
Jesus' love of children. In regard to marriage and divorce, Mark
has Jesus take the position that neither husband nor wife should
get a divorce. For the Pharisees divorce is a legal matter; for
Jesus it is a divine matter -- not what is legal but what is
right. Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that the legal right to
get a divorce was due to a human's sinfulness, but this was
contrary to God's intention that marriage is permanent. To
substantiate this, Jesus refers twice to the creation account.
The gospel continues with an account of Jesus' receiving little
children, and marriage and children go together. Jesus urges that
children should be brought to him and teaches that one should
receive the kingdom of God as a child in terms of openness and
receptivity.

Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 26 (C) -- "Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my
integrity." (v. 1)
Psalm 8 (E); Psalm 128 (L)

Prayer Of The Day
"Our Lord Jesus, you have endured the doubts and foolish
questions of every generation. Forgive us for trying to be judge
over you, and grant us the confident faith to acknowledge you as
Lord."

Hymn Of The Day
"Our Father, By Whose Name"

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THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 (C, L, RC)
1. Lawful (v. 2). The Pharisees came with a legal question. Is
it legal, right, approved to get a divorce? As serious students
of the scriptures, they knew what the law in Deuteronomy said.
They asked the question to trap Jesus, for they were looking for
a reason to arrest him. If he did not agree that the law
permitted divorce, he could be denying the Bible. This was
blasphemy. The matter of divorce is more than a legal matter. It
involves the intention of God for the family. It is rooted in the
nature and work of God.
2. Beginning (v. 6). Jesus points to the origin of marriage as
a divine order of creation. Marriage has its source in God's
creation of humanity as male and female. By virtue of this,
marriage has its source in God. God made male and female for each
other to live together as friends and in helpfulness. In marriage
the two became one unit and God intends the unit to remain for
life.
3. Flesh (v. 8). Flesh is more than the physical body or sex.
A sexual union does not necessarily make two people one. They are
momentarily joined together physically for the completion of the
sex act, but they are not necessarily one. "Flesh" goes beyond
the body to the whole person: physical, mental, psychological and
spiritual. In marriage there is to be a union of two
personalities, and the sex is merely an expression of that
oneness. Thus, sex apart from a spiritual union is meaningless
and contrary to God's will. Sex outside of marriage is,
therefore, meaningless. Sex in a marriage where spiritual oneness
is lacking is also a perversion. The physical union is proper,
right and meaningful only when two people of the opposite sex
have a union of heart and mind.
4. Like (v. 15). To enter the kingdom of God is not to be a
child nor to be childish. A person enters the kingdom "like" a
child. There is an innocence, openness and a receptivity on the
part of a child that a person wanting to enter the kingdom of God
must have. A child is ready to believe and trust what an adult
says. Children eagerly believe myths such as Santa Claus and the
tooth fairy. They readily obey without questioning.

Lesson 1: Job 1:1; 2:1-10 (C)
1. Fears (1:1; 2:3). Twice Job is described as a man who
feared God, not in the sense of being afraid of God, but in terms
of reverence and obedience. Because of his fear, he was blameless
and did not sin by word of mouth. Not only should we love God but
fear him, also.
2. Spare (2:6). God turned Job over to Satan to test his
loyalty to God. There was only one limitation: "only spare his
life." This indicates that God is supreme. Satan also comes under
his rule. God permits Satan to afflict us but Satan must not kill
us. When we suffer hardship and tragedy, we can blame Satan for
it, but his worst cannot kill us. We are always under God's
protection.
3. Wife (2:9). Job's wife was no help or comfort to him in his
misery. How is it that all of Job's family was killed except his
wife? She wants Job to curse God and die. Is she like Eve who
tempted Adam to disobey God? Why should God let her live when she
did not share her husband's faith and integrity? No wonder Job
called his wife a "foolish woman."

Lesson 2: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 (C)
1. Pioneer (v. 10). A pioneer is one who goes where no one
else has gone. It is entering virgin territory. It calls for a
brave and adventurous person so that the rest may follow in her
steps with confidence and knowledge. Jesus was the pioneer in
going through the wilderness of sin, and he pioneered in
establishing a firm and intimate relationship with God. No one
heretofore was able to cross this no man's land of sin and open
up the trail for sinners to become reconciled to God.
2. Perfect (v. 10). This is not a moral but a religious use of
the word. The religious meaning of "perfect" is the completion
and fulfillment of a goal, destiny or purpose. It was Jesus'
mission to take away the sins of the world through his atoning
death. He fulfilled the mission

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and accomplished the goal through suffering death on a cross.
Thus, Jesus was perfect -- fulfilled, completed his destiny as
Savior.
3. Brethren (v. 11). A Christian can dare to call Jesus his
"brother." It is because of the sacrifice of Christ that people
are reconciled to God and become members of God's family. The Son
and the children of God became one in the Father. Thus, we have
the privilege of being brothers and sisters. It is more than a
family of human beings, but a family with the God-man.

PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: Mark 10:2-16. (C, L, RC)
1. Is divorce a sin? 10:2-12; Psalm 130:3-4
Need: In America approximately one million divorces occur
annually. Many of these are church people, including clergy. One
of the dreadful aspects of divorce is the guilt feeling
accompanying it. Is it wrong to get a divorce? Is it against
God's will? Can a true Christian get a divorce? If one gets a
divorce, and it is considered a sin, can one be forgiven? Because
of divorce there are many hurting people: the divorced, the
children of the divorced and the parents of the divorced. These
will listen eagerly to this sermon.
Outline: Is divorce a sin?
a. According to the ideal, divorce is a sin -- vv. 6-9, 10-
12.
b. Because of sin, divorce is practiced -- vv. 4-5.
c. Forgiveness of divorce is possible -- Psalm 130:3-4.
2. The good of divorce. 10:4-5
Need: Can there be any good in a divorce? It can be the lesser
of two evils. Under certain conditions, a divorce may be good for
all concerned. How can it be good when those divorced suffer from
loneliness, guilt and non-acceptance? If a marriage is filled
with incompatability, strife, violence and hatred, it is
certainly not in harmony with the spirit of Christ and his love.
To live in hatred may do more damage to the spouses and the
children than would be done if there were a divorce. Not to get a
divorce when home conditions constitute hell is to hide and deny
failure to live according to God's law of love. According to the
text, Jesus admits that divorce was allowed because of people's
sin -- "hardness of heart."
Outline: The good of divorce can be --
a. A sign of repentance of failure in marriage.
b. A confession that the couple has failed to live up to
God's will.
c. An opportunity for the mates to experience a fresh
outpouring of grace.
3. A holy permissiveness for children. 10:13-16
Need: Increasingly children in America are victims of abuse.
They are used for child pornography. Over a million children are
victimized by parents: broken bones, missing teeth, horrible
burns, bruises, swollen eyes. In contrast, Jesus urges parents to
bring children to him that he might bless and love them. If the
spirit of Jesus were in people's hearts, they would provide,
protect and love their children. Though parents may not
physically abuse their children, they may be cruel to them by
neglecting them and failing to bring them to Jesus. Jesus asks
parents to permit their children to come to him.
Outline: Bring your children and permit them --
a. To be blessed by Jesus -- v. 16.
b. To know Jesus by our instruction.
c. To come to Jesus by baptism -- v. 14.

Lesson 1: Job 1:1; 2:1-10 (C)
1. Why do the innocent suffer? 2:6
Need: Why do bad things happen to good people? When tragedy
occurs, we ask "Why?" What have we done to deserve this? What sin
did we commit? Is God angry with us?

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Outline: Why the innocent suffer --
a. God permits suffering -- v. 6a.
God does not send suffering. He allows Satan to test
Job's loyalty to God through suffering.
b. God limits suffering -- v. 6b.
Satan is under God who will not allow him to kill Job.
2. Suffering without sinning. 2:1-10
Need: Sin may cause suffering, but one can suffer without
sinning. Suffering can test our faith and loyalty to God. It
develops patience and integrity. How can we take the blows of
life without blaming God and losing our faith?
Outline: How to suffer without sinning --
a. Sin by blaming God for our suffering
1. Loss of possessions -- 1:13-19.
2. Loss of health -- 2:7-8.
3. Loss of spouse's support -- 2:9.
b. How to suffer without sinning --
1. Be a blameless person -- 2:3.
2. Fear God -- 2:3.
3. Accept the bad with the good -- 2:10.

Lesson 2: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 (C)
1. We see Jesus! 2:9
Need: Usually we approach the pulpit with the words spoken by
the Greeks, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." In this text, we see
Jesus. What do we see in Jesus? Do we get a glimpse or a full
view of him? Do we see him in part or in his full significance?
For Jesus to be meaningful to us and for us to respond to him
properly, we need to see him as he really is.
Outline: We see Jesus --
a. The man -- "made lower than the angels."
b. The Savior -- "tasted death for everyone."
c. The victor -- "crowned with glory and honor."
2. You can be perfect. 2:10
Need: The text tells us that Jesus was made "perfect through
suffering." The word, "perfect," should not be understood as
moral perfection but rather as the reaching of a goal. Jesus was
perfect in completing his mission of saving the world. He reached
his objective through suffering on the cross. In this sense, each
of us imperfect sinners can be perfect -- to reach the goal of
our calling, to find self-fulfillment in Christ.
Outline: You, too, can be perfect --
a. You can reach the goal of your calling through Christ.
b. You can attain the goal of being truly human in Christ.
c. You can achieve self-fulfillment in Christ.

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