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JOB 40:4

"THE DISCOVERY OF SELF"

Intro: Job's three friends silenced, young man Elihu speaks up but does
       not finish, for  he is interrupted by the voice of God out of the
       whirlwind. "Who is this that  darkeneth counsel by words without
       knowledge?" Then addressing Job God  said "Gird up thy loins like
       a man" Job still lying there stripped of everything  which men
       naturally rely upon for experiences and realization of life. God
       makes no reference to Job's suffering-does not explain what or why.
       He brought Job face to face with the Universe then asked if he
       could govern it.

I. "BEHOLD, I AM OF SMALL ACCOUNT."
        A. What right have I to ask God to do anything for Me?
                1. How presumptuous some people are.
                        a. Challenge and question God.
        B. This cry indicates that Job had begun to comprehend God.
                1. "I cannot grasp the infinite-the universe."
                        a. You have already done it.
                        b. Cannot interpret all that is in it.
                2. Try to get your dog to understand the greatness of
                   the universe.
                        a. He has intelligence-emotion-will and power.
                3. When you begin to grasp the concept how nothing am I by
                   comparison. The answer of Jesus to Job - never once did
                   14 agree with Job's estimate of his worth.

II. "WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?" ("What should it
    profit a man if he gain the whole world..."
        A. Terms of market place - take balance.
                1. In the one tray put world -values riches, glory.
                2. In the other tray put a man.
        B. "What shall a man give?"
                1. Question assumes man has sold himself his true sense of
                   personality.
                2. If I have sold out to world and lost my soul how can I
                   regain soul? 
                        a. "Give world back" not valuable enough."
                        b. "Give myself to gain myself vicious circle,
                            you have already lost."
        C. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."
                1. God's estimate of worth of man.
                2. Standing in consciousness of universe I say "I am of
                   small account."
                3. Listening to words of Jesus I find I am of greater
                   value than whole world, and to God so valued that He
                   sent His son to die for my redemption.
                        "How thou canst think so well of us, And be the
                         God thou art, Is darkness to my intellect, But
                         sunshine to my heart."