Sermonstudio

The arguments of Job's four friends come to an end. Now the
Lord joins the discussion and answers Job. Earlier Job called
upon God to answer him. This pericope is part of the Lord's
answer. Verses 1 through 7 deal with God's creation of the earth.
God answers with a series of rhetorical questions. In these
questions Job is confronted with the sovereignty and majesty of
God.

Lesson 2: Hebrews 5:1-10 (C)
Hebrews claims that Christ is superior to the Jewish high
priest. He is superior because of his origin (v. 5) and his
destiny as the heavenly priest in the heavenly sanctuary. (v. 6)
Moreover, Christ was appointed high priest by God. He can act in
behalf of sinners because he, too, was human. (vv. 2, 3) Yet,
this high priest was vulnerable because he was human. (vv. 7-10)
Some scholars consider verse 7 to be Hebrews' account of
Gethsemane. He learned obedience through his suffering. As a
result God appointed him high priest of the order of Melchizedek.
It is important to note that Christ's work as high priest begins
in heaven; his suffering and death were preparatory for it.

Gospel: Mark 10:35-45 (C, E, L, RC)
James and John seek the honor of the chief places in Christ's
future kingdom, seats of power and glory. Jesus asks not whether
they are willing, but able to pay the price of a baptism of
suffering and death.When they claim they are able, Jesus says it
is not his prerogative to hand out these honors. Their ambitious
request offended the other disciples whom Jesus called together
to explain that greatness comes only through service. He is the
example for this because he came to serve and to die for the
salvation of the world.

Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 104:1-9, 23, 35c (C) -- "O Lord, how manifold are your
works!" (v. 24)
Psalm 91 (E); Psalm 91:9-16 (L)

Prayer Of The Day
"Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed
your glory among the nations. Preserve the works of your mercy,
that your church throughout the world may persevere with
steadfast faith in the confession of your name."

Hymn Of The Day
"God, Who Stretched The Spangled Heavens"

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THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Mark 10:35-45 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Whatever (v. 35). "Will you do me a favor?" we ask a
friend. The reply usually is, "What is the favor?" Before we
agree, we want to know what is going to be asked of us. James and
John asked the same thing of Jesus but phrased it differently,
"We want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." That word
covers about anything and everything. You will note that Jesus
did not say he would, but, like us, he asked, "What do you want
me to do for you?" Can we ask too much of Jesus? Are we asking
the right thing?
2. Able (v. 39). Jesus asks whether we are able to pay the
cost of our high expectations. In this case, James and John
needed to be able to suffer and die as Jesus did. Were the two
brothers boasting or telling the truth when they answered, "We
are able?" Is this rank humanism and self-sufficiency? For most
of us, we would have to say, "We are able to the extent that God
enables us." Paul would go along with this, for he wrote, "I can
do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
3. Indignant (v. 41). When a person tries to get ahead of us
by taking unfair advantage of a situation, we resent it, don't
we? So did the 10 disciples when they heard about James and
John's request for the top positions in the kingdom. We can hear
them ask, "Who do they think they are? They are no better than we
are." When we do not keep our place, we arouse dissension and
envy. The hard feelings were intense enough to have Jesus call
the 12 together for a lesson on the meaning of greatness.
4. Slave (v. 44). "I don't want to be a slave to anyone."
Another complains, "All I do is slave away for people who do not
appreciate it." Jesus teaches that the number one Christian must
be a slave to all people. It is not a slave of compulsion or
duty, but a slave of love. Because of love, we cannot do enough
for loved ones. We are out to please them and to help them in
every way possible. A true Christian says, "I am your slave. What
can I do for you?" Imagine if this teaching of Jesus were put
into practice, what a difference it would make in the home, in
the nation and in all our personal relationships!

Lesson 1: Job 38:1-7 (34-41) (C)
1. Whirlwind (v. 1). God answered Job's questions and protests
out of a whirlwind. This was in contrast to Elijah who did not
hear the voice of God in a mighty wind so strong it split rocks.
In this case the whirlwind was the arguments among Job and his
friends. In that discussion the arguments went round and round in
circular fashion with no outcome.
2. Man (v. 3). God told Job to be a man and answer his
questions. He was not to be a subhuman nor a superhuman but a
true man, strong and wise enough to consider God's questions.
They were God-sized questions that required the best of human
intelligence and experience. Job was to stand up and speak up
with answers to God's questions. It takes a "man" to deal with
God's questions.
3. Question (v. 3). God asked Job rhetorical questions then
did not wait for Job to answer. Of course, Job could not answer
them, for they were beyond his experience. The questions dealt
with the creation of the world. Who made the earth? Who decided
on its dimensions? These questions made Job realize he was only a
creature and not God.

Lesson 2: Hebrews 5:1-10 (C)
1. High priest (vv. 1, 5, 10). Why would God appoint Jesus as
the eternal high priest? According to the exegesis, Jesus did not
function as a high priest on earth, but was appointed high priest
for the sanctuary in heaven. Why is there a need of a high priest
in heaven? For one thing, the high priest, because of his
identification with humanity, can understand and sympathize with
the people's plight. As a priest, Christ can understand the needs
of people. Moreover, the high priest is needed to intercede with
the Father, for no one comes to the Father except by Jesus. (John
14:6) Above all, the high priest makes the one perfect sacrifice
for the sins of the world.

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2. Sacrifices (vv. 1, 3). A priest was appointed to offer
sacrifices on behalf of the people of God. Why a sacrifice? Is it
a human way to pay for sin? Must God's anger be turned away? If
God is love and mercy, why is a sacrifice necessary? This points
to the dual nature of God: love and justice. Sin violates the
justice of God and justice demands satisfaction, making things
right again. The good news of the gospel is that in Christ God
makes the one, perfect and supreme sacrifice on humanity's part
that God and people may be reconciled.
3. Perfect (v. 9). Wasn't Jesus perfect from the very
beginning as the Son of God? Did he not ask, "Who convinces me of
sin?" These questions reflect a lack of undersanding of the word
"perfect." It does not deal with moral perfection but rather the
word denotes fulfillment or completion. Christ fulfilled his
mission on earth. He was obedient to the Father, even to the
point of death. Because of his faithfulness to his goal, Jesus
was appointed our eternal high priest.

PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: Mark 10:35-45 (C, E, L, RC)
1. Questions to the ambitious. 10:35-38
Need: Is it wrong to be ambitious as James and John were? They
wanted to reach the top with seats at the right and left hand of
Jesus. He did not discourage or criticize them for their
ambition, but he had penetrating and significant questions for
them. If we did not have ambition to attain excellence or to
amount to something in life or to make one's life count, we would
become stagnant and useless. But the ambitious are called upon to
answer Jesus' questions.
Outline: Questions for the ambitious --
a. "What do you want me to do for you?" -- v. 36.
b. "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?" -- v. 38.
2. And who are you? 10:41-45
Need: When word got around to the other disciples, they were
indignant and upset. We can hear them asking, "And who do you
think you are to ask to be first in the kingdom?" If you are a
king, you belong on a throne. If you are a criminal, your place
is in jail. Who were these two brothers that they considered
themselves worthy of top honor places? Well might we ask
ourselves, "Who are you to ask such favors of Jesus?"
Outline: And who are you?
a. Called to be a disciple -- v. 41.
b. Hired to be a servant -- v. 43.
c. Owned to be a slave -- v. 44.
3. What price glory? 10:35-40
Need: The Latins had a motto: "Pet aspera ad astra." "Through
difficulties to the stars." There is no progress without work and
sacrifice. To reach the stars we must overcome difficulties. Yet,
some want a crown but not a cross. It is good to reach for the
stars, to be first, to be great, but are you willing to pay the
price? What the price of being among the first in God's kingdom
is, is learned in our text.
Outline: The price is --
a. The cup of suffering -- v. 38.
b. The baptism of sacrifice -- v. 38.

Lesson 1: Job 38:1-7 (34-41) (C)
1. Who has the last word? 38:1-7
Need: Human discussion goes round and round without reaching a
conclusion. Job longed to present his case to God. For 37
chapters Job and his friends discusssed his condition and tried
to find an answer to why a righteous person should suffer. When
they exhausted their reasoning, God stepped in and had the last
word.

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Outline: Who has the last word about life?
a. God has the last word -- v. 1.
b. The contents of his word -- power and sovereignty -- vv.
4-7.
2. God speaks through nature. 38:4-7
Need: Modern people are proud of their creations in travel,
manufacturing and medicine. Science often replaces religion
because of human wisdom and inventions. God often slips between
the cracks of modern technological society. In this passage we
humans are reminded of our smallness in contrast to God's power
and majesty.
Outline: God is the creator --
a. He laid the foundation of the earth -- v. 4.
b. He determined the size of the earth -- vv. 5, 6.
c. He made the stars -- v. 7.

Lesson 2: Hebrews 5:1-10 (C)
1. Why do we need a high priest? 5:1-10
Need: Protestants generally do not emphasize priesthood.
Christ as high priest is not a popular subject for preachers.
Moreover, why do we need a priest when we believe in the
priesthood of believers? Is it true that a Christian is a priest
in that through Christ he has access to God and is a priest or
servant to his neighborhood. However, though we are priests, we
are in need of a high priest. The text deals with this need.
Outline: Why we need a high priest --
a. One to know and understand our human condition -- v. 2.
b. One to intercede for us before God -- v. 1.
c. One to attain salvation for us through a perfect
sacrifice -- v. 9.
2. The model pray-er. 5:7
Need: We commonly refer to the Lord's Prayer as the "model
prayer." Seldom do we ever look to Jesus as the model pray-er.
How did Jesus pray? We need to imitate him in his praying. Some
scholars claim that verse 7, our text, is Hebrews' account of
Gethsemane. We now go to Gethsemane to learn how to pray as we
watch and study the Master in the act of praying. Who does not
need to learn how to pray more effectively?
Outline: How Jesus prayed --
a. As a human -- "In the days of his flesh."
b. With intensity -- "With loud cries and tears."
c. To a greater One -- "Able to save him from death."
d. With success -- "He was heard."

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