Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

TRUST INEXTINGUISHABLE

1. These words, by Job, stand out in all the Bible as a shining example of the inextinguishable trust in God:
   1. They come from the lips of one severely tested by Satan, who sought to overthrow his faith in God.
   2. But our text is surety of Job's steadfastness throughout.
2. The words of Job have been the means of God to enable God's martyrs in all ages to remain steadfast to the very end:

1. "Though he slay me":
   1. The Lord was willing to remove the hedge about him and all that he had to show that Job's integrity was far deeper than even life itself - Job 1:12
   2. Job's most severe test came when Satan killed his children.
   3. But Satan was not satisfied with having Job's family wiped out, he was ready to lay his hands on Job also.
   4. The Lord gave him permission to lay his hand on Job's body, but not on his life.
   5. But the severest test came to him when his wife sought to persuade him to curse God and die - Job 2:9
   6. But that was not the end of his tests. It continued in the visit of his miserable comforters, who had enough nerve to argue with a man in pain and anguish.
   7. Job's inability to understand his case was an added test to his trust in God.
2. Job's inextinguishable trust:
   1. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." What was it that gave Job such tenacity to cleave unto the Lord?
   2. He knew his God - Job 19:25
   3. He knew God as his redeemer.
   4. He was steadfast because he believed in the resurrection of the dead - Job 13:22; 14:15

1. "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job" - Job 42:10-13
   1. It proved Satan a liar in every way!
   2. You will recall how Satan sought to attach Job's earthly blessings to his relationship to God.
   3. How he did everything in his power to discourage the servant of God.
2. But God's turning of Job's trials vindicated the Lord's claims for Job's loyalty to God:
   1. Job had lost all his earthly goods; he lost all his children; and he lost his own wife's fidelity in God, which must have been shocking to him.
   2. He suffered great bodily pain, yet he remained steadfast.
   3. He was jarred by the criticism of his miserable comforters - Job. 16:2
3. A wonderful lesson for God's sufferers:
   1. The Lord may allow fiery trials to come upon us - 1 Pet. 4:12
   2. He may allow Satan to shift and try us - Luke 22:32, 33
   3. He may allow us to be laid low by sickness and pain - Isa. 38:1-22
   4. He may have our so-called friends turn against us and cause us to be looked down upon by men.
   5. But he will never forsake us, nor will he allow us to be tempted above that we are able to endure - 1 Cor. 10:13
   6. He will, in due time, vindicate our case and be gracious unto us, if we, like Job, remain faithful to the end - Matt. 24:12
4. What a testimony for all to take to heart -- "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him."
   1. Paul states our case - Heb. 11:17
   2. All things will work out for the good of all so chosen by the Lord.