![\"God](\"http:\/\/www.all-creatures.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/lambleft.jpg\")
<\/a>A Sermon Delivered to
\nThe Compassion Internet Church<\/p>\n
18 October 2015<\/p>\n
Frank L. Hoffman, Pastor<\/p>\n
Scripture References:<\/p>\n
Job 38:1-11, 34-38
\nMark 10:35-45<\/p>\n
God reigns supreme over the whole of His creation.<\/p>\n
God reigns supreme over all of us, even though we were created in His image, for when we disobeyed God, we were no longer in His image, but even when we are forgiven, redeemed, and reside in heaven with the Lord, we will never be equal to Him; God reigns supreme.<\/p>\n
We may not always understand why God does everything He does, or why He allows so much suffering to continue on this earth for humans and animals, but God knows, for God reigns supreme.<\/p>\n
Last week we looked at Job wanting to discuss directly with God the unfairness he felt about receiving all the evils that had befallen him, and today in Job 38:1-11 and 34-38, we will hear God respond to Job and his friends.<\/p>\n
1. Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,<\/p>\n
2. “Who is this that darkens counsel
\nBy words without knowledge?<\/p>\n
God reigns supreme, and we don\u2019t have all the answers, but this doesn\u2019t mean that we cannot seek the answers and directions from God.<\/p>\n
3. “Now gird up your loins like a man,
\nAnd I will ask you, and you instruct Me!<\/p>\n
God is being a little sarcastic, for He knows that Job cannot do the things that He does.<\/p>\n
4. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
\nTell Me, if you have understanding,<\/p>\n
5. Who set its measurements, since you know?
\nOr who stretched the line on it?<\/p>\n
6. “On what were its bases sunk?
\nOr who laid its cornerstone,<\/p>\n
7. When the morning stars sang together,
\nAnd all the sons of God shouted for joy?<\/p>\n
The only answer is that God did these things without us, and He did them before we even existed.<\/p>\n
8. “Or who enclosed the sea with doors,
\nWhen, bursting forth, it went out from the womb;<\/p>\n
9. When I made a cloud its garment,
\nAnd thick darkness its swaddling band,<\/p>\n
10. And I placed boundaries on it,
\nAnd I set a bolt and doors,<\/p>\n
11. And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther;
\nAnd here shall your proud waves stop’?<\/p>\n
Just as we cannot create the oceans and control the seas, we cannot control and prevent all the evil in the world that afflicts us and all the animals, but we all can do our part in helping to end it.<\/p>\n
God reigns supreme, but He has also called us to be the peacemaking children of God who help free creation from its present corruption.<\/p>\n
There are many people in the world who are so upset about a tragedy in their lives or about the seemingly unabated torture and suffering of animals, that they become so angry with God that they lose all faith in Him.<\/p>\n
Likewise, we hear from many people who have rejected Christianity because of the hardness of heart they have encountered in the churches and from so-called Christians.<\/p>\n
These things are human caused problems, and not caused by God.<\/p>\n
We may not understand everything about God and His ways, but running away from Him only makes things worse; instead, we should be seeking Him for answers and ways to make a positive difference in this world.<\/p>\n
We need to seek ways of being better peacemaking children of God so that we can be more effective in helping to free creation from its present corruption.<\/p>\n
If we stop eating animals and animal products, for example, we save over 100 animals from suffering and death every year.<\/p>\n
If we stop eating animal products, we will also find that our health improves, which in turn helps prevent the suffering of animals in laboratories.<\/p>\n
We can make a difference in this world, and God will help us do it.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s continue by looking at Job 38:34-38.<\/p>\n
34. “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
\nSo that an abundance of water may cover you?<\/p>\n
35. “Can you send forth lightnings that they may go
\nAnd say to you, ‘Here we are’?<\/p>\n
We may not be able to control the weather, but we can surely help end the pain and suffering inflicted upon billions of animals every year, at least as far as our own lifestyle is concerned.<\/p>\n
36. “Who has put wisdom in the innermost being,
\nOr has given understanding to the mind?<\/p>\n
God has done this, for God reigns supreme, but He has given us the wisdom and ability to help free creation from its present corruption.<\/p>\n
We may not be able to do this alone, but collectively we can make a huge difference and change public opinion to the point that others begin to do the same things.<\/p>\n
37. “Who can count the clouds by wisdom,
\nOr tip the water jars of the heavens,<\/p>\n
38. When the dust hardens into a mass,
\nAnd the clods stick together?
\nNASB<\/p>\n
We may not have all the answers, but we can and should repent of our evil ways and seek to be the peacemaking children of God that Jesus calls us to be.<\/p>\n
Why?<\/p>\n
Because, God reigns supreme, and He has called us to return to Him and be His peacemaking children.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s now take a look at Mark 10:35-45, where we find two other people who seemingly forgot that God reigns supreme.<\/p>\n
35. And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”<\/p>\n
The way they phrased their statement is like telling God what to do instead of a request, but Jesus sees through their greediness.<\/p>\n
36. And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”<\/p>\n
37. And they said to Him, “Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left.”<\/p>\n
38. But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”<\/p>\n
We only know part of this, and we seriously doubt that James and John had the full understanding of what Jesus was saying to them, yet in their pride they answered Him.<\/p>\n
39. And they said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.<\/p>\n
40. “But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”<\/p>\n
Jesus is plainly telling them and us that God reigns supreme.<\/p>\n
41. And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.<\/p>\n
This is the kind of problem that we find ourselves in when we try to get ahead of God, and put ourselves above others.<\/p>\n
42. And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.<\/p>\n
43. “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;<\/p>\n
44. and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.<\/p>\n
45. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
\nNASB<\/p>\n
In the kingdom of God, the ones who are willing to help others (humans and animals) by comforting them, by protecting them from evil, by relieving or preventing their pain and suffering, they are the true children of God and His holy servants.<\/p>\n
We can make a positive difference in this world.<\/p>\n
We can help free creation from its present corruption.<\/p>\n
God reigns supreme!<\/p>\n
Amen.<\/p>\n
See our Sermons Archive: http:\/\/all-creatures.org\/sermons.html<\/a><\/p>\n
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