Job’s ‘comforters’ have become more like his ‘accusers’. Chapter 28 acts as an interlude where all are invited to lift their eyes from Job’s problems and the arguments which have bogged them down. The cost of the search for the most valuable things is worth it. Yet, Wisdom is the most valuable thing and the most difficult to find. God is the only source of true wisdom.
In this Bible Talk, Ken Noakes helps us to unlock the wisdom of the Book of Job. And in doing so helps the listener to lift their gaze from suffering and trying to figure things out for themselves to understanding that answers can only be found in God.
We have met the upright and blameless Job, and seen the tragedy and suffering which fell upon him. In the chapters that follow (Job 3-27), Job responds to the “comfort” (?) of his friends with words full of agony and pain. Job looks to his only hope: a sovereign and perfect God who cannot allow injustice. In spite of his circumstances and feelings, the small glimmer of hope from 9:33-34 which became a faint trickle of hope in 14:14-15 and 16:19-21, has become much more certain, to the point where declares “I know that my redeemer lives!”(19:25). This yet again reveals that the deepest desire of his heart is to be in the presence of the God he loves (19:27). In spite of what his friends have said, Job doesn’t fear death because he is sure that he will see the Lord face to face, and that there is the hope of a resurrection (19:26).
With suffering wherever you look around the world, we being to ask many questions… Where is God? Why does he allow this? How can God be good when things are not? In the book of Job, we see these questions. We follow his struggle to understand what was happening to him. And yet we also see the development and growth in his understanding of God, and the kind of Saviour we all need.
In this Bible Talk, Gary Haddon introduces this book of wisdom and we look at the upright man named Job – a man who fears God and shuns evil. This man who experiences some extraordinary trials which shape argument of the Book of Job.
Why did Jesus have to die, and more die in the way he did, especially since he knew he would rise again just three days later. Why go through all he did? In this Good Friday talk Ken Noakes looks at the foolishness of the cross – foolish in the eyes of so many in the world, yet the wisdom of God.
What does a faithful leader under Christ look like: a steward and servant. In fact, a fool, and one whom you should imitate in Christ. In this Bible talk, Gary Haddon helps us to think through who a disciple follows and why – for it should be Christ whom we follow, as demonstrated by a leader who shows themselves to be faithful. They must strive to imitate Christ, being willing to become the scum of the earth in the process!
Growing up in faith means being built up upon the only true foundation Jesus Christ and grown by God. Take care, anyone who builds upon that foundation, for your work will be tested.
In this talk, Ken Noakes helps us to understand that growing in faith is grounded in what God has done through Jesus, yet demonstrated in the various ways that we each serve to build up his church. And we are warned that the good we do (under God) will last while the bad will be destroyed.
What should hold a church together – Our relationships? Our feeling of belonging? Our gospel convictions? Jesus? The Apostle Paul wrote this extraordinary letter to a church he knew well, yet a church which had got itself into a bit of a muddle. It turns out that the Christian Family does matter – and it is important to ensure that Jesus sits at the heart and soul of this church and in fact any church.
In this talk, Ken Noakes looks at what it means to be mature in Christ by understanding the wisdom of God, which is impossible without the Spirit revealing it to us.
The Apostle Paul wrote this extraordinary letter to a church he knew well, yet a church which had got itself into a bit of a muddle. The Christian Family matters so it is important to ensure that Jesus sits at the heart and soul of this church and in fact any church.
In this talk, Jared Lidgerwood holds up a mirror toward the Christian family and looks at the different ways that we consider something to be wise. The point: worldly wisdom is not match for the foolishness of God who saves through Christ crucified. Really?
In every stage of life, what we often need and frequently lack, is wisdom. Whether seeking or being married, relating to our children or relating as adults to our parents, there are potholes that rattle us. Proverbs anticipates our struggles and offers timeless wisdom, warning and instruction that find their zenith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Building Wisdom: Husband and Wife
This sermon looks at the need for faithfulness in a marriage, and the greatest example of this being Christ and the church.
Proverbs assumes the need to love our children through discipline, as hard as this is in practice. This sermon investigates the idea of discipline, as well as the ways that God loves us through his discipline of us as his children.
This sermon looks at our struggle to heed all the wisdom our parents have to offer, often due to pride. We should honour our earthly parents naturally as we live out our faith in honouring our heavenly Father, perfectly modelled by Jesus.