As Job’s journey through pain and questions comes to a close, he has a unique opportunity to have a front row seat for God’s righteous punishment of his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. But he chooses grace over condemnation for his friends, praying that God would forgive them, which he does.

It is so easy for us to fail to extend grace even after we have experienced it from God. Jesus warned us of how easy it is be like the ungracious servant who refused to forgive his friend even after he was forgiven.

To avoid being that ungracious servant, we need to realize a couple of things. Both have to do with the product and purpose of grace.

First, we need to realize that the truest sign of grace is grace. Grace gives birth to grace. It must be this way. John said that we love God because he first loved us. And then he said that if we truly love God, we will also love one another. God loves me. I love you. Or Jesus said at the end of the Lord’s prayer that if we expect to be forgiven by God, we must forgive one another. God forgives me. I forgive you.

Grace pays itself forward. If we experience grace, we must also extend grace.

So let me ask you this – is there someone in your life from whom you have been withholding grace? Is there someone you need to forgive? Someone you need to demonstrate love to? Someone that you have been holding at arms’ length that you now realize needs to be embraced? Can you identify someone in need of grace from you?

Don’t do it because of them, because they deserve it, because they have finally made it up to you. Don’t treat them how they have treated you. Don’t wait for them to take the initiative because God has already taken the initiative with you. Treat them like God has treated you. Do it because of God and his grace.

Second, we need to realize that we are blessed to be a blessing. It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that God’s primary concern is my comfort and ease. But it is not. It is so easy to think that God has done what he has done in my life simply and purely to make my life easier and nicer. But when we think like that, we miss the point.

God did not save you to make you better than everyone else. He did not elect you to some position of superiority. Rather, he has saved you to serve. He has elected you to give. He has blessed you to be a blessing. The grace that has been lavishly poured out on you is intended to give you an overflow of grace from which you can lavish it on others.

So let me ask you this – How have you been looking at you life? Do you see the blessings of God – whether they are financial or physical or spiritual or emotional – as simply a means to your own happiness and comfort? Or, do you see them as tools and resources entrusted to you with which you can build a little bit of happiness and comfort in the lives of others?

Do you need to reevaluate your life in light of grace? Grace affects everything – our money, our time, our attitude, our tone of voice.

We’ve heard Job’s story, and all his friends have had their say.  Throughout the process you’ve heard our stories, as Robb, Kevin and I have shared our personal journies of the last few months.  Last week God showed up and had his say, so today was your turn.  We shared our journies and testimonies of God’s faithfulness and providence.  It was an encouraging morning to hear what God has done in the lives of those who have journied with us.  Maybe you didn’t want to stand up and share but you’d like to write yours here.  Maybe you missed this Sunday and would like to add your story to ours.  This is your opportunity.

Dwell-Casey Corum: http://www.vmg.com 

A Greater Song-Paul Baloche and Matt Redman: http://www.leadworship.com/ 

You Must Increase-Matt Redman: http://www.mattredman.com 

You Are So Good to Me-Waterdeep: http://www.entertheworshipcircle.com 

Blessed Be the Name-Matt Redman

Ladies, ladies, ladies, come join us for an informal time of fellowship and friendship building this Friday night.  We’ll meet at the Ryerse’s home in Springdale at 6:30 p.m.  Plan to spend this evening with us!

God arrived on the scene today at Vintage (not that He hadn’t been there with us before).  We finally reached chapters 38 through 41 in Job’s story when God speaks from the storm clouds.  Instead of just describing this encounter, we attempted to bring it to life and in some small way experience together something of what it was like to have God show up and speak.  With a bit of imagination and creativity, God and Job interacted and we saw what happens almost every time people encounter God directly.  Job places his hand over his mouth and falls silent.  He repents for being careless with his words, and responds with worship. 

Instead of talking about God, and theorizing about what we think He might be doing, sometimes we just need to experience who He truly is.  He created the world and provides for all His creatures.  He takes care of everything, including us.  He has a big plan for the world.  He has big plans for us.  He is bigger than the biggest things we know (beheamoth and leviathan then, Hummers and Jumbotrons now).  He is big enough for our questions.  He is big enough for our doubts.  He is big enough to trust.  The only appropriate response is to first place our hands over our mouths, and then to worship.

Your Love O Lord-Third Day: www.thirdday.com 

A Greater Song-Paul Baloche and Matt Redman: http://www.leadworship.com/ 

Great is Thy Faithfulness 

How Great is Our God-Chris Tomlin: www.christomlin.com 

Days of Elijah-Robin Mark: www.robinmark.com

O Worship the King-Ancient and Modern Hymns 

O Praise Him—David Crowder: http://www.davidcrowderband.com/ 

Made to Worship-Chris Tomlin: www.christomlin.com 

Psalm 130-Red Mountain Church www.redmountainchurch.org