Battle of the Soul

Barnhouse tells the story of a fearful old man who lay dying in Scotland.  The minister, an understanding man, asked him if he had been a shepherd.  The old man replied that he had watched the sheep many a day.  “And,” asked the minister, “did you never stand on the hillside and watch the wind drive a cloud across the valley?”  “Many a time,” said the old man.  “And when the shadow of the cloud came racing along the heather, coming toward you and your flock, were you afraid?”  The old man drew himself up on his elbow and cried, “Afraid of a shadow?  Jamie has covenanter’s blood in his veins, and he has never been afraid of anything.”  And then the wonder of the passage broke on him as the minister read, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

It’s only the shadow of death that can touch the Christian.  The grim reality of death laid hold upon our Shepherd, as it must one day lay hold upon those who are not His sheep; but the shadow of death is all that can ever touch the one to whom He has given eternal life.  And that’s one of the greatest evidences of our victory in Christ, but there are more.

For the last two weeks we’ve been examining the implications of the Ascension.  Even now Jesus Christ sits at His Father’s right hand, on the throne-bench of heaven praying for us.  What a marvelous assurance of victory that is!  But there are more.

Think about the fact that the last time the disciples saw Jesus at the cross they saw those nails piercing His hands and feet.  They saw that sword wound piercing His side.  They saw the crown of thorns piercing His head.  All those scars were evidence of the fact that their lives were ruined and their dreams shattered.  They believed that those wounds had destroyed their lives.  And yet, within days they will see the truth of those wounds.  The sight of those wounds and the memory of how He received them will only heighten the glory and joy of the rest of their lives.  The scars that they once thought ruined their lives, actually saved them.

In Tim Keller’s study of the Gospel of Mark, King’s Cross, he notes, “…the worst things that have ever happened to you will in the end only enhance your eternal delight.”  This week we hope to see a bit more enhancement this side of glory by taking two texts together – Job 1:1-12 and Luke 22:24-34 – and finding in them more evidence of our victory in Christ.

We will focus our attention on the role of our suffering in the plan of God.  In Romans 8:16 Paul makes an astonishing statement.  He says, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”  Do you see the linkage Paul makes between suffering and our inheritance – between our suffering and glory?

As you prepare for Sunday’s message, “Battle of the Soul”, please consider reading, in addition to our texts, John 17.    After you’ve finished reading, think about the following:

1.      How did Christ receive His seat at the right hand of His Father?

2.      Is there any evidence in Scripture of a priest ever sitting down in his administration of his tasks?

3.      What does Jesus pray for in Gethsemane in addition to the “Let this cup pass” and “Nevertheless, not my will, but they will be done”?

4.      In what ways does Jesus demonstrate His relinquishment to His Father in Gethsemane?

5.      What clause does He repeat seven times in His John 17 prayer?

6.      Who possesses man’s soul?

7.      How do you compare and contrast Job 1:8 and Luke 22:31?

8.      What do you make of Satan’s declaration in Job 1:9?

9.      Tertullian once said, “Diabolus est Dei Simia”.  Do you have any idea what that means? What evidence is there in Job’s life and Peter’s that this is true?

10.  How does God’s promise in Isaiah 54:17 apply to your life?

 See you Sunday!