How should we respond? A consideration of our response to the recent Tsunami and it’s affects on the people of SE Asia

Sermon theme Worldwide people are in shock at the events of the last week in the Indian Ocean as a result of the very large earthquake off Sumatra. The magnitude of the devastation is horrific with over 150,000 killed and more left homeless and without means of support.

Possible Responses There is a broad spectrum of possible response - fear, anger, unbelief, anxiety, a sense of hopelessness, despair, concern. This sermon seeks to address these various responses and to examine based on scripture how God expects us to respond as Christians

Suffering in the Bible Agony, affliction, or distress; intense pain or sorrow. Suffering has been part of the human experience since man's fall into sin. The theme of the Book of Job is the problem of suffering and why God permits the righteous and innocent to suffer.

The causes of suffering The Bible makes it clear that some suffering is the result of evil action or sin in the world. This type of suffering came upon man after the FALL in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).

The story of Job “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.” Job 1:1-3

God removes his protection "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:9-12

Job’s first test (Job 1:13-22) Cattle stolen. (v.14) Servants killed (v.15, 16,17 & 18) Sheep burnt (v.16) Sons and daughters killed (v.18-19) “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job 1:22

Job’s second test Job 2:1-10 Painful sores from head to toe (v.7-8) and his wife criticises him for still refusing to curse God (v.9) “He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” Job 2:10

Job’s responses “After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” Job 3:1 Self pity is not an acceptable response.

Job’s responses “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.“ Job 3:25-26 Fear is not an acceptable response!

Job’s responses "What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?” Job 6:11 A sense of no hope is not acceptable.

Job’s responses “I despise my life; I would not live for ever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.” Job 7:16 Despair is not an acceptable response.

Job’s responses “Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash, so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from your mouth?” Job 15:12-13 Anger against God is not acceptable.

God’s response to Job “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” Job 38:1-3

Do not condemn God! “Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” Job 40:6-8 Accusing God is the same as blasphemy.

Job before God! “Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. [You asked,] 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. ("You said,] 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:1-6

God restores “The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters.” Job 42:12-13

Lessons from Job Job learns from his suffering about the sovereignty of God over all creation. “The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?“ Job 37:23-24

Lessons from Job Once Job recognises the total majesty and sovereignty of God he no longer asks “why” of his suffering. More important is our response and how we work this out in both practical and spiritual ways.

Lessons from Job God is mankind’s sustainer and support in times of trial. God is able to restore after loss due to trial. God is able to multiply blessings beyond trial.

Some thoughts…. We need to accept that trouble, trials and upheavals are all part of life and none of us escape. It is our response – which is a matter of choice and our will – that God is looking at.

More thoughts “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 We are called to minister the comfort of Jesus that we have experienced to others.

Relief funds and practical help Specialist volunteers are needed to go to the nations affected by the Tsunami. Funds are needed both in short and long term. Many requests for funds. Oasis will look to identify one or two specific projects and will look to see how we can support.