By Mike Smith

1. The Life in Christ:
Rising Above Affliction
Everyone experiences affliction in their lives.
• Our trials are not designed to destroy us, but to
strengthen us! 1 Peter 1:6-9
• Brought upon us for several reasons
Psalm 7:15-16; Job 21:28-33; Malachi 3:7-15;
Matthew 16:21
• The early Christians knew this…
Acts 14:22; 1 Peter 4:12ff; Mark 13:12-13; John
15:18; Acts. 5:41
• Suffering should develop maturity. James 1:2-4;
Rom. 8:28-29, 17-18; Heb. 12:11; Rom. 12:12

2. The Life in Christ:
Rising Above Affliction
Job: The Faithful servant – 1:1-5
• Job was an upright man.
– Feared God, shunned evil v.1
– Proverbs 16:6 By steadfast love and faithfulness
iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD
one turns away from evil.
• He was prosperous.
– Had a great family (7 sons, 3 daughters)
– Had great wealth (richest in the East)
– Family of merriment (together often)

3. The Life in Christ:
Rising Above Affliction
Job’s Test – 1:6-12
• Enter the Accuser…
– Satan accuses Job of being motivated by
material gain. vv. 9-10
– Satan accuses Job a hypocrite v.11
– God allows Satan to try Job’s faith. V.12

4. The Life in Christ:
Rising Above Affliction
Test One: Take Possessions - 1:13-22
• Enemies kill servants, steal livestock v. 15
• Other servants and livestock killed by fire. V.16
• More enemies kill servants and steal livestock
v.17
• His oldest son’s home broken by a desert storm
killing all his children vv.18-19
• Job was upset but still remains true to God!
vv.20-22

5. The Life in Christ:
Rising Above Affliction
Test Two: Take Health – 2:1-10
• Boils from head to toe v.7
• Wife tells him to curse God and die v.9
• Job understood that he must take the good
with the bad. v.10; 1:20-21
Job’s Faith Rewarded – 42:10-ff
• Proven to be pure and refined vv. 10, 12, etc.

6. Rising Above Affliction!
Application:
• Pray at all times! 1 Thes. 5:17; James 4:15; 5:13
• Fellowship! Ephesians 4:16
• Give thanks to the Lord! 1 Thes. 5:18
• Trust in God! 1 Peter 5:7
Remember…
• Job and God’s character! James 5:10-11
– Stand firm and wait for the Lord!
– Look unto Job’s attitude and result of his faith.
– Pray for each other that our faith when tested will
be proven to be genuine!