The Word for Everyday Disciples with Dave DeSelm Dave DeSelm

Loss is a part of life. Some losses are natural, even predictable. But there are other losses that are unnatural and unexpected. These “catastrophic losses” change your life forever.

How does faith survive in those times? Is God big enough for that?

The book of Job speaks of the pain and confusion that always accompanies loss and offers us a remarkable perspective to help us through our loss. 

To understand the book of Job, we would do well to think of it as a play with 2 stages. There’s a lower stage - which is earth, where Job lives.  And then there’s an upper stage – where God is. 

The story opens on the lower stage, introducing us to Job, a God-fearing man committed to living in a God-honoring way.  And God has given him this wonderful life.  Which to most people’s way of thinking, is only fair.  Bad things don’t happen to good people.  Good things happen to good people. Right? But this philosophy is about to be shattered.

The scene shifts to the upper stage where Satan challenges God. “The only reason Job is devoted to You is because You’ve given him all this stuff. Turn off the blessing and watch how fast Job turns off his devotion.”

Then God allows Satan to test Job.  Job loses his livestock, his wealth, his servants, and all of his children.  Everything!  How does he respond? He falls down before God…and worships.

The story then returns to the upper stage where Satan again throws down the challenge. This time Job’s body is the target. Covered with painful sores, Job sits in the ash heap and his heart starts to waver. 

The question being asked in the book of Job is this: Can a human being continue to have faith in a good God in the face of catastrophic loss?  

That would be a lot easier if we understood the “why” of our loss. But like Job, we can only see the lower stage of life. 

We don’t know what divine purposes are being fulfilled by a big God. 

Some of Job’s friends hear of his troubles and come to comfort him. For 7 days they sit with him in silence.

Then they venture to explain why all this has happened to Job.  Their conclusion: Job must have done something wrong because bad things don’t happen to good people. 

For 35 chapters Job and his friends debate the “why” of his suffering. Gradually, Job begins to see himself as a victim of random, senseless suffering and longs to ask God some questions and find some answers.

And then…God shows up.

For the next two chapters, God challenges Job about who is really in charge. Over and over again the Lord notes how big He is and how little Job is. 

“You think you have the whole picture. You don’t. I am in total control of everything. Your loss was not an accident. Your suffering was not random. It was part of a big plan…a big plan authored by a big God.” 

A light begins to dawn in Job’s thinking. And Job worships even though he isn’t given all the answers he was looking for. 

At no time does God ever explain why everything happened. Rather, He shows that His sovereignty over both good and bad is so comprehensive, that He is truly bigger than our loss.  He asks Job to live with that and trust Him until the day when all things will be explained.  And that’s where we’re left as well.

We have to decide whether we will worship a big God even though our questions aren’t answered.

Satan’s mocking accusation is silenced every time a suffering child of God offers up worship, love and trust to the One who is bigger than their loss. 


Text: Job 
Originally recorded on June 12, 2011, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

How big is your God? 

This is an important question because the way you live will be the consequence of the size of your God.

If you have a small God, you will live in a constant state of fear and anxiety.

But we do not have a small God. He is the sovereign, transcendent Lord of all! Whatever your weakness, God is stronger.  Whatever your lack, God is sufficient.  Whatever your loss, God is enough.  And whatever your fear, God can see you through it.

In Judges 6 we meet a young man named Gideon, threshing wheat in a winepress at night. Why would he be doing that? Because he was afraid. Afraid the marauding Midianites would steal his family’s meager supply of grain.

So here he is, threshing wheat in a hole in the ground under cover of darkness, when an angel appeared to Gideon. “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (v. 12)

Mighty warrior? Gideon has a hard time comprehending this.

One of the consequences of living with a little God is that you come to the conclusion that things can never change.  
But God gives Gideon a mission. “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand… I will be with you…” (v. 14,16)

“I will be with you.” This is the hinge that everything turns on – not just for Gideon, but for us too. That which would seem to be unthinkable, undoable on my own becomes not merely possible, but unstoppable when you partner with a big God. Believing that God is with you changes everything.

Gideon finally commits to taking on the Midianites, so he sends out a call to the Israelite tribes to send soldiers, and 32,000 show up. The problem is Midian has an army of 135,000!

God effectively says to Gideon, “You have a numbers problem. You have too many!” Then He leads Gideon through a couple of rounds of cuts until he is left with just 300 men. Armed with a torch, a trumpet, and a clay pot, this ragtag bunch of nobodies defeats the enemy in a totally unpredictable way. Against all odds, God brought about a tremendous victory.

One of the results of partnering with a big God is that that which frightens you the most is brought down to size. 

How big is your God compared to what frightens you?

Friends, the issue isn’t the size of that which so frightens you.  The issue is the size of the God who is with you. 

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
 


Text: Judges 6, 7
Originally recorded on June 5, 2011, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

We have reached the conclusion of this great book. But it’s also how God chose to conclude the entire Bible. So, if these are the last words of the Bible, we need to ask ourselves, “What does God hope for us to remember?”

As I read through these final verses, I came up with a list of His hopes for us, and my hopes for you.


1.     I hope we will have a greater commitment to the local church.
The book of Revelation began with “To the seven churches…” Now it ends in the same way: “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.” (Rev. 22:16)

This truth was written to real people in literal assemblies with the hope that they would live for God’s glory and extend His Kingdom…and that they would do so within the context of community. Putting it simply, from the very beginning, God believed in the local church as the hope of the world.

The church never has been perfect. But this imperfect new community was, and still is, His chosen tool to fix a broken world.  And, that being the case, I want to challenge you  - as never before – to commit your time, talent, and treasure to the local church. 


2.     I hope we will have a greater desire for heartfelt worship.
One of the great themes of this book has been the supreme importance of worship. Now here in chapter 22, we see a two-word mandate given to John in vs. 9: “Worship God!” 

My prayer is that you will come out of this study determined to follow the heavenly model. That every time you enter the sanctuary to worship, you will see it as an opportunity to glorify God on earth even as you practice for heaven.


3.     I hope we will have a greater devotion to active obedience.

Verse 7 says: “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy…”

My hope is that we will come out of this study with a newfound commitment to obey. That every time our King asks something of us, we’ll instantly respond, “As You wish.”

Obedience, though difficult, always leads to blessing.


4.      I hope we will have a greater zeal for courageous evangelism.

One of the great points of joy in this study has been the hope of heaven that we who know Christ have. But we’ve also been confronted by the ultimate judgment that awaits those who don’t come to Christ: the Lake of Fire.

I hope we will look at every person we meet as someone who matters to God.  Moreover, he/she is an eternal being who will live forever in either heaven or hell.  And maybe, just maybe, God has brought them across my path so that I can help them move a bit closer to the Cross.


5.     I hope we will have a greater anticipation for Christ’s return.

This is our hope.  He is coming …He is coming soon.  So, let’s be a church that is ready for Him…with robes washed white…actively serving while we’re excitedly waiting.  
 
 
Text: Revelation 22:7-21
Originally recorded on June 25, 2000, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Home. What does that word mean to you? 

Take all those wonderful memories, multiply them a hundred-fold, and you will just have scratched the surface of what our heavenly home will be like. 

What will heaven be like? Revelation 21-22 gives us a glimpse. Here John describes a place that is absolutely perfect with streets of gold and gates of pearl.

He is introduced to the “Bride” – a city that is a family, God’s perfect new community.

What will life be like in this new community?

1.     You will be wondrously transformed. 
Verse 1 speaks of a “new heaven and a new earth,” and aren’t you glad?  Satan’s savagery and human sinfulness have raped God’s creation.  It’s a far cry from the “very good” world that the Lord first made.

But it’s not only the world at large that will be transformed – you will be transformed. Think of it! A new fit-for-eternity body and housing a whole new sin-free nature.

2.     You will be thoroughly joyful.
Not only will all those things that rob you of joy be removed, but heaven will add the things that bring the greatest joy.

3.     You will be ceaselessly productive.
You need never fear that heaven will be boring! We were made with a desire to grow and learn… to contribute and produce. And that’s what we will do in heaven. The responsibility God gave mankind in Eden will be reinstated… to have dominion and rulership.

4.     You will be intimately cherished.
Think of it!  We’re going to be in the very presence of the Father. We’ll get to crawl up on Abba-Papa’s lap. 

We’ll be in the presence of the Lamb who died for us. We will see His face and look into His eyes. All our questions will be answered. 

This is your destiny when you’re finally home. With that in mind, how should that impact the way we live?


Knowing there’s a heaven can keep us from handling discontentment in unwise ways.We have this deep longing for contentment, but in this world that desire is consistently frustrated. And you’re tempted to meet that need for contentment in a way that does not honor God or advance His Kingdom. But knowing what awaits us in heaven allows us to delay gratification and remain faithful to our Father. 


Knowing there’s a heaven can comfort us when times are hard.  When the bottom of life drops out…when the roof begins to cave in… the promise of heaven reminds us that there’s a firm, unshakable shelter above.  


Knowing there’s a heaven can encourage us that our lives have meaning. Sometimes we’re tempted to think that life is futile and that we’re simply marking time down here. But the Bible clearly teaches us that every day has meaning and purpose.

Your life matters. Your actions are not in vain. Your sacrifices have not gone unseen. And that can make all the difference in the world in how you approach life. 


 
Text: Revelation 21:1-22:6
Originally recorded on June 11, 2000, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

After Jesus’ glorious defeat of the Antichrist and his armies at Armageddon, He steps down on planet Earth once more and takes up His throne. The King has returned to set up His Kingdom.

The 1000-year reign of Jesus is best known by its Latin name: the Millennium. Revelation 20 lays out four events that will take place during this time.

1.     Satan will be chained.
Jesus commissions an angel to seize, bind, and chain Satan and throw him into a place called “the Abyss.”  We can infer that with the subjugation of Satan, the world is swept clean of all demonic influence because vs. 3 notes that this imprisonment will keep him from stirring up the nations against the rule of Christ. 

2.     Saints will be enthroned.
Incredibly, as part of our inheritance as children of God, we will join with Jesus in the judging and ruling process.  Specifically named are those who were martyred during the Great Tribulation, but most scholars see such a highlighting as a word of assurance more than a word of exclusivity. All believers who had died before this are now given their “fit-for-eternity” bodies. This is called “the first resurrection.”

3.     Satan will be released.
Why bind Satan for a thousand years just to release him and have to deal with him again? I think God does this to prove once and for all that He is just in His judgment – of Satan and of mankind.

When Satan is released, he will once again deceive the nations and lead a rebellion against the Lord. Who are these people who rebel? One theory is that these will be some of the children born during the Millennium. Notwithstanding a perfect environment and flawless social conditions, there will be some who will still want to do their own thing and have their own way.  They will chafe at Christ’s rule.

This brief rebellion is the final proof that the terrible and final judgment that is about to happen is right and just.

4.     Sinners will be judged.
Satan is thrown into the lake of fire with the Antichrist and False Prophet. Then a white throne is set up and unbelievers come forth to stand before the Lord one last time. “The books” are opened, the record of their deeds. Make no mistake, this is not seeing if their good deeds outweigh their bad. That’s impossible. These books do not save, they condemn.

Then the “book of life” is opened and all those whose names are not found written there, are thrown into the lake of fire.

What can we take away from all this as an application?

·      Realize Christ’s authority.
There is no dualism. Good and evil are not two equal sides of an equation. God alone is God and Satan is nothing but an angelic being. Authority is Christ’s alone.

·      Remember your destiny.
As children of God, you are destined to rule with Christ. All your sacrifice for the Kingdom is going to be worth it!

·      Recognize man’s impurity.
There’s only one way to make real and lasting change. You need a new heart…and only Christ can give you that.

·      Reflect on eternity.
Hell is real…and real people will be going there. If anything should cause you to consider Christ, it’s this. And if anything should drive you to your knees praying for your unsaved friends and family, and give you the courage to witness to your hope…it’s this.
 
 
Text: Revelation 20
Originally recorded on June 4, 2000, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN
 

The Second Coming of Christ is not a point on which the Scriptures are ambiguous or unclear. “In the same way” as He ascended, it says in Acts 1:9-11, He will return. Literally, bodily, gloriously. The Bible even tells us where He will return: the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4).

But it’s in Revelation 19 that the day of Jesus’ return is described.

First of all, there is rejoicing at the destruction of evil. “Hallelujah!” shouts this great multitude in heaven. “Praise God!  At last!  He has won!”

To all waiting for that day, waiting for evil to be overcome: your desire for justice may be deferred, but it will not be denied - so be confident.

Secondly, there is rejoicing at the wedding feast of the Lamb.

We all have a great fear of rejection. Rather we long to know and be known, to love and be loved. But the truth is, no relationship on earth can fully satisfy that longing. Only God can.

One of the uniquenesses of Christianity is that our God describes Himself as our “husband.” We are designed and destined to know an intimacy with God and He uses the illustration of marriage to convey it.

Verse 8 talks about the “bride” – the church – being given fine linen to wear, symbolizing the “righteous acts of God’s holy people.”

If you were to appear before God dressed in a wedding gown made up of your righteous acts (service and love), what type of gown would you be wearing?  Would it be stained or wrinkled? Or would it be beautiful?

Your hunger for love will be fully satisfied – so be ready.

Finally, there is rejoicing at the return of Christ.

The setting of His return is the battle of Armageddon. The kings of the earth have rallied their armies against the Antichrist has his horde as his empire begins to implode. Suddenly, Jesus appears – riding on a white horse, with the armies of heaven behind Him. The earthly armies join forces and turn to take Him on. But there is no contest. With the sword of His mouth, the armies are destroyed.

There is a lot that is unclear about Christ’s return, but one thing is clear: Jesus is coming back to earth, and this time He’s no meek Lamb.  He’s the Lion of Judah. And His judgment on all who have not come into His camp will be decisive and devastating. If you’re not prepared for His return…if you’ve not allied yourself with Him…you will face that wrath. 

Your questions about the coming of Christ will be answered – so be saved.
 
Text: Revelation 19 
Originally recorded on May 28, 2000, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN