Toward Greener Pastures

Job and his three friends were quite stalled as they attempted to deal with Job's staggering dilemma. Elihu, the young Spirit-filled man, deals with the troubled group of friends in such a way that they are all headed for greener pastures. The human heart is a naturally self-righteous heart. Lingering forms of it exist in the best saints--especially when they come under attack or unusual scrutiny. Job is a wisdom book. No one is wise who does not shun self-righteousness and is not careful to guard against the various subtle ways in which it encroaches. Mature saints, curiously enough, are especially tempted in this matter. Consider then-- I. Self-righteousness is a plague that comes in many forms. Job's words clearly imply that his righteousness exceeds God's righteousness because Job is fulfilling his obligations, but God is not fulfilling His obligations. Lots of people think this way. II. Self-righteousness is a blinding delusion: vs. 4-8. God is not affected by human sin or human righteousness like men and women are affected by human behavior. III. Unless we worship the infinitely righteous Lord of heaven and earth lots of our "prayers" are not really prayers--but rambling selfish jibberish: not unlike the automatic responses of "beasts and birds" says Elihu. He is right. This sermon is about relearning to pray to God our father, Lord of heaven and earth.