Ride or Die: In It To Win It!

Our relationships are supposed to have eternal significance!

God is the author of humanity!

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. Job 2:11-13 (NLT)

Job has been through Hell: 

Lost all farm animals and farmhands.

Lost all sheep and shepherds.

Lost all camels and servants.

Lost all his children

Job’s friends believe Job’s sin has brought Hell to his door:

Eliphaz: you must have secretly sinned!

Bildad: your children died because of their sins!

Zophar: you deserve worse than this, sucka! (Proper theological translation: “Zophar didn’t say “sucka!””)

Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.

Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. Job 32:1-5 (NLT)

Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite:

1. The three friends are attacking Job while he suffers.
2. Three friends have failed to describe the actions of God as “other.”
3. God acts with divine purpose…finding that purpose is our life’s calling…

Secrets to Good Friendship:

Humility: acknowledgment of our frailty.

Passion: love that endures all.

Truth: pointing friends to Jesus…through the WORD.

Unity: building something for God. (together)

I AM GOD! WHO are you?

I AM GOD who ARE you?

I AM GOD who are YOU?

When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring. Job 42:10-11 (NLT)

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13 (NLT)

I’m Your Friend!