How Could I Ever Approach God?

In the sermon titled “How Could I Ever Approach God?” delivered on October 26, 2025, Pastor David Filener explores the profound questions and themes presented in the book of Job, particularly focusing on Job 9. This discourse delves into the nature of God, the human condition, and the bridge between the divine and humanity.

The Dilemma of Approaching God

The sermon begins by addressing the human struggle to prove innocence before God, as illustrated in Job 9:2-3. Job questions how mere mortals can stand righteous before an omnipotent and omniscient God, highlighting the vast chasm between humanity and the divine.

• Job 9:11 describes God’s elusive presence: “When he passes me, I cannot see Him.”
• Job 9:32-33 expresses the longing for a mediator: “If only there were someone to mediate between us.”

Pastor Filener emphasizes Job’s perception of God as distant and unapproachable, a theme that resonates with many believers’ experiences today.

Prophetic Pictures Pointing to Christ

A key theme of the sermon is the prophetic nature of Job as a book that foreshadows Christ’s role as the mediator between God and humanity. Pastor Filener draws parallels between Job’s yearning for a mediator and the fulfillment of this role by Jesus Christ.

• Hebrews 4:14-16 explains how Jesus serves as our high priest, bridging the gap and allowing us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.”

This prophetic picture in Job is seen as a precursor to the New Testament revelation of Jesus as the ultimate mediator, fulfilling the requirements Job unknowingly described.

Misinterpretations and Correct Perspectives

Pastor Filener addresses some of Job’s misconceptions about God: Find out what Job gets right and what he gets wrong about God.

1. God’s Distance: While Job perceives God as distant, passages like Psalm 145:18 affirm that “The Lord is near to all who call on him.”
2. God’s Justice: Job’s view of God’s justice as indiscriminate wrath is challenged by the understanding that God’s justice is tempered with mercy and grace, as seen in Ephesians 1:7 and Romans 3:21-26.

The Role of Faith and Righteousness

The sermon underscores the importance of faith in accessing God’s grace and righteousness. Pastor Filener points out that while human efforts are insufficient to attain righteousness, faith in Jesus Christ grants us access to divine grace.

• Romans 3:23-24 highlights that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” but are “justified freely by his grace.”

Conclusion: Approaching God Through Christ

The message concludes with an invitation to embrace the mediator, Jesus Christ, who makes it possible to approach God. Pastor Filener encourages believers to rely on Christ’s righteousness and to engage in a personal relationship with God, facilitated by faith.

This sermon offers a profound exploration of the human condition and divine grace, urging listeners to reflect on their relationship with God and the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. It reminds believers that through Christ, the seemingly insurmountable gap between humanity and God is bridged, offering hope and redemption.