J. Albrecht…NYE Service…Dec. 28^th, 2025…Job 10:8-15…God Produces Endurance for 2026…

⁸ Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether. ⁹ Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust? ¹⁰ Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? ¹¹ You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. ¹² You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. ¹³ Yet these things you hid in your heart; I know that this was your purpose. ¹⁴ If I sin, you watch me and do not acquit me of my iniquity. ¹⁵ If I am guilty, woe to me! If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head, for I am filled with disgrace and look on my affliction.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in love from God our Father and the Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

INJ Who shows steadfast grace and mercy to all year-in and year-out, DFR:

This is the time of year when we look back at some of the notable people who died over the last twelve months.

Brian Wilson died this year. Wilson was one of the members of the band The Beach Boys. He wrote and cowrote many of their top hits, earning himself praise amongst his peers as being one of the most innovative and important song writers of the late 20^th century. In his personal life, Wilson struggled with mental health issues and was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Yet, his legacy in song writing and producing has influenced many genres and bands to this day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear Wilson cemented his eternal legacy in the Savior Jesus who is the only name given under heaven by which we must be saved. Wilson was spiritual and believed in God, we pray that he learned of his Savior and trusted in Him before he died.

Hulk Hogan passed away this year. He was a legend in the WWE world as one of the greatest fighters and entertainers of all time. Hogan’s personal life was marred with trouble. He endured many legal issues, accusations, and struggles within his own family. It reminds us that someone can look great and heroic on the big screen, but away from the spotlight, they are a sinner just like you and me. Thankfully, Hogan made his faith and important aspect of his life and trusted in Jesus as the one who paid for his sins.

Greg Biffle also died this year. Biffle hailed from Vancouver, Washington and was a professional NASCAR driver. was the first of only three drivers that have won a championship in both the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series, and the sixth of only thirty-six drivers to win a race in each of NASCAR’s three national series. More importantly, Biffle won the most important race in life by trusting in Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith.

As different as these people were, the gifts they had, the things they did, the interests they pursued or the time they spent on earth, this they had in common: they were all in need of God’s grace, and they all had opportunities to find it.

Each of these people experienced suffering in their lives – personal or professional. They all experienced the effects of sin in a real and personal way. Those who rested from their labors in faith would testify: It was God who had caused them to endure their suffering into eternal life.

Job was no stranger to suffering. In fact, his story might be the greatest example of personal suffering we have recorded for us besides Jesus on the cross. Job was a righteous man before God, meaning he trusted in God for all things. He had faith. Satan came to God to claim that Job was only faithful to Him because God gave Job so many good things, and that if God permitted Satan to take those good things away, it would show that Job’s faith was not genuine. God allowed it, but would not let Satan take Job’s life.

Within a few moments Job lost everything he had. His servants, cattle, sheep, camels, and even his children were wiped out. What was his response? “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

It takes faith to be able to experiences such tragedy and loss as that and yet continue to trust in the Lord’s goodness and steadfast love. But this wasn’t the end of Job’s suffering. His body was afflicted with painful sores. But that wasn’t the worst part. The greater suffering and temptation Job faced was from that of his wife who said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” And also, his friends who insisted that Job had some secret sins for which God was punishing him, for God would not punish a righteous man.

By the time you get to chapter 3, Job is already despairing, wishing that he had never been born so that he wouldn’t have to deal with this great suffering. By the time of our text, Job is not just despairing himself, but he is accusing God.

¹⁴ If I sin, you watch me and do not acquit me of my iniquity. ¹⁵ If I am guilty, woe to me! If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head, for I am filled with disgrace and look on my affliction.

Job feels like he is in a lose-lose situation. If he has sinned, God punishes sinners and his affliction is a result of that. If he has not sinned, what can he do? God is all-powerful. What can he do against Him? In Job’s mind, God has stopped watching over him in love and instead has been lying in wait, hoping to catch Job in a sin and punish him for it.

Each of those I mentioned at the beginning of the sermon endured suffering in their life. Some was professional, some personal, and some mental. Was God lying in wait for each of them in order to afflict them with suffering? Think back on this past year. I’m sure you can remember moments that felt like unnecessary suffering – where you couldn’t understand why this was in your life. Might you have found yourself in the same mindset as Job?

You’re not alone. If we could choose, each of us would rather God keep suffering absent from our lives. Besides, wouldn’t it be better if the world could see that Christians don’t suffer and that might appeal towards moving them to Christ? The answer is no. If God were to remove suffering, He would have to remove sin. And if God removed sin, He would have to remove you and me.

Suffering is contrary to our sinful nature. It sees suffering as God’s anger and judgement, not God’s love and mercy – And soon, suffering means that God is absent from our lives completely. Job felt like God was hidden from him, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

What Job couldn’t see was God’s working behind the scenes. God was not punishing Job for a sin he had committed, nor was He unjustly afflicting him for no reason. God’s purpose was to show what true faith is. Remember what Satan claimed before God? Job was only righteous because God had given him so many good things. Through Job’s suffering, God proves to Job and to us that our faith and trust in Him can remain steadfast even if our eyes deceive us.

⁸ Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether. ⁹ Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust? ¹⁰ Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? ¹¹ You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. ¹² You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.

In the midst of Job’s complaint against God, he offers this beautiful illustration of God’s hand working from the very beginning of his life. It reminds us of how God fashioned Adam with His own hand, and that God continues to do so with every life that is brought forth. In those days, cheese making was not as easy as it is today. It was labor-intensive and required some skill. So also, was God’s hand in creating you in your mother’s womb. He carefully knit you together to fashion you into the person you are today.

And so what? What does that have to do with the suffering we endure? Paul writes, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. God didn’t create Job, or you just to abandon you to the trials of life. He created you to be His very own – to live in His image of holiness and righteousness. Upon the fall into sin, His purpose was then to save you and restore you to that perfect relationship with Him. He accomplished that when He sent Jesus to be your Savior from your sin. Upon Calvary’s cross, He removed the barrier that your sin and mine created between us and God. Through Jesus, the doorway to God is open for you and me to rest and find comfort, even in the midst of suffering.

God used the sufferings of Job to produce endurance. How? By pointing him to His steadfast love and Job’s Savior. Job never lost his faith. Yes, he struggled and experienced weakness, but his faith in God’s goodness did not waver because God assured Job of His sovereignty – His authority of all things. And, at the end of Job’s suffering, God proved it by restoring Job’s possessions twofold.

More than God’s sovereignty was God’s grace. Perhaps the most famous words from Job’s book are found in chapter 19. ²³ “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! ²⁴ Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! ²⁵ For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. ²⁶ And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, ²⁷ whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Job’s faith rested in the unshaken foundation of his Savior’s death and resurrection for him. Though he lived long before Jesus would come and accomplish it, by faith he knew his sins stood forgiven because God had promised it. It was this trust that allowed Job to endure his suffering, for even if this suffering took his life, it meant that he would finally see his Redeemer with his own eyes.

The question for you, dear Christian, is this: If God was faithful to Job in the midst of his suffering and was a very present help in his trouble, is God not able and willing to be faithful to you in your suffering? You might endure greater suffering than you have before. You might lose everything you have. But, you will never lose God’s steadfast love for you. He who did not spare His own Son, yet offered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him, freely give us all things? God has already established how far He will go to preserve you and bless you. He sent Jesus to be your Savior. He has given you eternal life through the death and resurrection of His Son. He has given you the answer to all suffering you might endure: Trust in Him who has made you His own.

As we close out 2025, I invite you to look back on the sufferings you endured and contemplate how God may have used those sufferings to draw you closer to Him, the way He did with Job. How did God reveal Himself as the One in control of all things and the bastion of steadfast love in your life?

As we enter 2026, we can expect more blessings from God as He has given us this past year. We can also expect to go through more suffering. But, dear friends, it is not a reason to despair. Turn your bulletin to page 7 and look towards the bottom of the page, where the benediction normally is. This is a reason God allows suffering. Not to break you, but to restore you, make you strong, firm and steadfast in His grace and love. Therefore let us enter this New Year with joy, evermore trusting in our Redeemer who lives, who lives to produce endurance within us for the year to come, Amen.

1. Albrecht…NYE Service…Dec. 28^th, 2025…Job 10:8-15…God Produces Endurance for 2026…

⁸ Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether. ⁹ Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust? ¹⁰ Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? ¹¹ You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. ¹² You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. ¹³ Yet these things you hid in your heart; I know that this was your purpose. ¹⁴ If I sin, you watch me and do not acquit me of my iniquity. ¹⁵ If I am guilty, woe to me! If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head, for I am filled with disgrace and look on my affliction.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in love from God our Father and the Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

INJ Who shows steadfast grace and mercy to all year-in and year-out, DFR:

This is the time of year when we look back at some of the notable people who died over the last twelve months.

Brian Wilson died this year. Wilson was one of the members of the band The Beach Boys. He wrote and cowrote many of their top hits, earning himself praise amongst his peers as being one of the most innovative and important song writers of the late 20^th century. In his personal life, Wilson struggled with mental health issues and was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Yet, his legacy in song writing and producing has influenced many genres and bands to this day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear Wilson cemented his eternal legacy in the Savior Jesus who is the only name given under heaven by which we must be saved. Wilson was spiritual and believed in God, we pray that he learned of his Savior and trusted in Him before he died.

Hulk Hogan passed away this year. He was a legend in the WWE world as one of the greatest fighters and entertainers of all time. Hogan’s personal life was marred with trouble. He endured many legal issues, accusations, and struggles within his own family. It reminds us that someone can look great and heroic on the big screen, but away from the spotlight, they are a sinner just like you and me. Thankfully, Hogan made his faith and important aspect of his life and trusted in Jesus as the one who paid for his sins.

Greg Biffle also died this year. Biffle hailed from Vancouver, Washington and was a professional NASCAR driver. was the first of only three drivers that have won a championship in both the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series, and the sixth of only thirty-six drivers to win a race in each of NASCAR’s three national series. More importantly, Biffle won the most important race in life by trusting in Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith.

As different as these people were, the gifts they had, the things they did, the interests they pursued or the time they spent on earth, this they had in common: they were all in need of God’s grace, and they all had opportunities to find it.

Each of these people experienced suffering in their lives – personal or professional. They all experienced the effects of sin in a real and personal way. Those who rested from their labors in faith would testify: It was God who had caused them to endure their suffering into eternal life.

Job was no stranger to suffering. In fact, his story might be the greatest example of personal suffering we have recorded for us besides Jesus on the cross. Job was a righteous man before God, meaning he trusted in God for all things. He had faith. Satan came to God to claim that Job was only faithful to Him because God gave Job so many good things, and that if God permitted Satan to take those good things away, it would show that Job’s faith was not genuine. God allowed it, but would not let Satan take Job’s life.

Within a few moments Job lost everything he had. His servants, cattle, sheep, camels, and even his children were wiped out. What was his response? “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

It takes faith to be able to experiences such tragedy and loss as that and yet continue to trust in the Lord’s goodness and steadfast love. But this wasn’t the end of Job’s suffering. His body was afflicted with painful sores. But that wasn’t the worst part. The greater suffering and temptation Job faced was from that of his wife who said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” And also, his friends who insisted that Job had some secret sins for which God was punishing him, for God would not punish a righteous man.

By the time you get to chapter 3, Job is already despairing, wishing that he had never been born so that he wouldn’t have to deal with this great suffering. By the time of our text, Job is not just despairing himself, but he is accusing God.

¹⁴ If I sin, you watch me and do not acquit me of my iniquity. ¹⁵ If I am guilty, woe to me! If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head, for I am filled with disgrace and look on my affliction.

Job feels like he is in a lose-lose situation. If he has sinned, God punishes sinners and his affliction is a result of that. If he has not sinned, what can he do? God is all-powerful. What can he do against Him? In Job’s mind, God has stopped watching over him in love and instead has been lying in wait, hoping to catch Job in a sin and punish him for it.

Each of those I mentioned at the beginning of the sermon endured suffering in their life. Some was professional, some personal, and some mental. Was God lying in wait for each of them in order to afflict them with suffering? Think back on this past year. I’m sure you can remember moments that felt like unnecessary suffering – where you couldn’t understand why this was in your life. Might you have found yourself in the same mindset as Job?

You’re not alone. If we could choose, each of us would rather God keep suffering absent from our lives. Besides, wouldn’t it be better if the world could see that Christians don’t suffer and that might appeal towards moving them to Christ? The answer is no. If God were to remove suffering, He would have to remove sin. And if God removed sin, He would have to remove you and me.

Suffering is contrary to our sinful nature. It sees suffering as God’s anger and judgement, not God’s love and mercy – And soon, suffering means that God is absent from our lives completely. Job felt like God was hidden from him, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

What Job couldn’t see was God’s working behind the scenes. God was not punishing Job for a sin he had committed, nor was He unjustly afflicting him for no reason. God’s purpose was to show what true faith is. Remember what Satan claimed before God? Job was only righteous because God had given him so many good things. Through Job’s suffering, God proves to Job and to us that our faith and trust in Him can remain steadfast even if our eyes deceive us.

⁸ Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether. ⁹ Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust? ¹⁰ Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? ¹¹ You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. ¹² You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.

In the midst of Job’s complaint against God, he offers this beautiful illustration of God’s hand working from the very beginning of his life. It reminds us of how God fashioned Adam with His own hand, and that God continues to do so with every life that is brought forth. In those days, cheese making was not as easy as it is today. It was labor-intensive and required some skill. So also, was God’s hand in creating you in your mother’s womb. He carefully knit you together to fashion you into the person you are today.

And so what? What does that have to do with the suffering we endure? Paul writes, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. God didn’t create Job, or you just to abandon you to the trials of life. He created you to be His very own – to live in His image of holiness and righteousness. Upon the fall into sin, His purpose was then to save you and restore you to that perfect relationship with Him. He accomplished that when He sent Jesus to be your Savior from your sin. Upon Calvary’s cross, He removed the barrier that your sin and mine created between us and God. Through Jesus, the doorway to God is open for you and me to rest and find comfort, even in the midst of suffering.

God used the sufferings of Job to produce endurance. How? By pointing him to His steadfast love and Job’s Savior. Job never lost his faith. Yes, he struggled and experienced weakness, but his faith in God’s goodness did not waver because God assured Job of His sovereignty – His authority of all things. And, at the end of Job’s suffering, God proved it by restoring Job’s possessions twofold.

More than God’s sovereignty was God’s grace. Perhaps the most famous words from Job’s book are found in chapter 19. ²³ “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! ²⁴ Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! ²⁵ For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. ²⁶ And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, ²⁷ whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Job’s faith rested in the unshaken foundation of his Savior’s death and resurrection for him. Though he lived long before Jesus would come and accomplish it, by faith he knew his sins stood forgiven because God had promised it. It was this trust that allowed Job to endure his suffering, for even if this suffering took his life, it meant that he would finally see his Redeemer with his own eyes.

The question for you, dear Christian, is this: If God was faithful to Job in the midst of his suffering and was a very present help in his trouble, is God not able and willing to be faithful to you in your suffering? You might endure greater suffering than you have before. You might lose everything you have. But, you will never lose God’s steadfast love for you. He who did not spare His own Son, yet offered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him, freely give us all things? God has already established how far He will go to preserve you and bless you. He sent Jesus to be your Savior. He has given you eternal life through the death and resurrection of His Son. He has given you the answer to all suffering you might endure: Trust in Him who has made you His own.

As we close out 2025, I invite you to look back on the sufferings you endured and contemplate how God may have used those sufferings to draw you closer to Him, the way He did with Job. How did God reveal Himself as the One in control of all things and the bastion of steadfast love in your life?

As we enter 2026, we can expect more blessings from God as He has given us this past year. We can also expect to go through more suffering. But, dear friends, it is not a reason to despair. Turn your bulletin to page 7 and look towards the bottom of the page, where the benediction normally is. This is a reason God allows suffering. Not to break you, but to restore you, make you strong, firm and steadfast in His grace and love. Therefore let us enter this New Year with joy, evermore trusting in our Redeemer who lives, who lives to produce endurance within us for the year to come, Amen.