PS.26:1-2 ; 1 COR.11:28 & 31 ; 2 COR.13:5 "THE TEST"
* We want to look first in the book of Psalms and see what David is telling us!
* The word "integrity" means: innocence, perfection, simplicity, upright.
A) In v.1 David is saying, "Lord, look through and through, make a minute survey, put me to the
question, cross examine my evidence."
B) David submitted himself to the examination of the Lord!
* In v.2 the word "examine" means: to investigate, try by trial, prove me, put me again to trial and
see if I follow wickedness, try the reins of my heart, Lord, see what is controlling my heart!
* When was the last time you got examined by Jesus?
NOW LET’S GO TO 1 COR. 11:28 & 31
A) V.28 This does not just refer to the men of the church, but to women as well.
* The strong word in this verse is "examine." * It means: to prove! * The believer is to put himself
to the test! * He is to search his heart under the direction of the Holy Spirit!
B) He is to be honest with himself and with God! * If there is any unconfessed sin in his life,
* He is to confess that sin to God and get it forgiven and under the blood of Jesus Christ!
C) Here, Paul is dealing with communion - v.29-30
* But in v.31-32 it says ...! * As believers, we should test ourselves, search our hearts,
* And allow Him to search our hearts!
D) Notice Paul says that if we practice self judgment, we avoid the chastening of the Lord!
* But if we neglect self judgment, then the Lord will judge and chasten!
NOW TO ONE LAST PLACE - 2 COR. 13:5
A) Note the word "examine." * It means: test, whether you have truly exercised faith in Jesus’
shed blood or merely embraced some religious doctrine or tradition!
* Leave no stone unturned, to make sure you are truly born again!
B) The word "prove." * It means: metals tried in the fire, tested in the fire.
* 1 Cor. 3:13 "Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it
shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is."
C) Will yours stand? * Paul says, "know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ ..."
* In other words, know that you are saved! * I’d know before I left this church tonight!
D) The word "reprobates" means: rejected, not approved. * This is sad .......
* According to v.6, after you examine yourself, you can know that you’re not a reprobate!
E) With what I’ve said tonight about these verses, let me give you a test!
* It’s not hard! * Be honest, don’t lie! * Only you and God knows the answers!
* Let’s all be willing to let God search our hearts, to show us our sins, & the need for repentance!
* Ps.139:23-24 "Search me, O God, & know my heart: try me & know my thoughts: And see if
there be any wicked way in me, & lead me in the way everlasting." * Now the test!
(1) DO I READ MY BIBLE EVERYDAY? * Now be honest with God & yourself!
* There’s no need to lie to God because He already knows!
A) 2 Tim.2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not ......."
* We need to read the Word of God everyday! * It’s food for our soul!
(2) DO I PRAY EVERYDAY MORE THAN ONCE? * Again, be honest!
* Luke 18:1 "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to ......."
A) If God is really a prayer answering God (and He is) and if He meant for us to ask, seek and
knock, then why is so little praying going on? * Look at Psalm 55:16-17
B) How much time do you spend praying for our services? * How about today?
* 1 Thes. 5:17 "Pray without ceasing." * The biggest failure in our lives is prayer failure!
(3) DO I WITNESS FOR JESUS LIKE I SHOULD EVERYDAY? * Be careful!
* Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power ....... ye shall be ....... both in Jerusalem & in all ......."
* If you and I believe there’s a heaven & hell, why do we keep quiet about the gospel?
A) If we believe that there is no other name given among men whereby men must be saved,
* Then why are we not sharing the message of His amazing grace?
(4) DO I TITHE OF MY INCOME EVERY TIME I GET PAID? * Now watch it!
* Tithing comes natural for the believer! * Mal.3:8-10 "Will a man rob ......."
A) The word tithe means 10%. * Less than that is robbing God! * Some just tip God!
* Why are so many pastors having to beg & plead for members to give through the church
budget, afraid that there’ll not be enough to pay the bills at the church?
* Statistics say - 40% quit tithing after 10 years; 50% after 5 years! * How sad!
(5) ARE YOU IRREVERANT: DO YOU WHISPER, DAY-DREAM, OR WRITE WHILE
PREACHING OR SINGING IS GOING ON?
* 1 Tim. 3:15 "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself
in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar & ground of the truth."
* When singing is going on, you ought to listen, when preaching is going on ... listen!
(6) IS THERE ANYONE YOU HOLD A GRUDGE AGAINST?
* If there is, go to them! * God will not bless you if you hold a grudge against someone!
7) ARE YOU WILLING TO OBEY GOD NO MATTER WHAT? * Be careful now!
* If God ask of you of anything, are you willing to do it?
A) God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac!
* What if the pastor asks you? * What if I came to you and said, "I’ve prayed about this and
God wants you to do this or that." * Will you do it?
8) DO I LOVE JESUS WITH ALL MY HEART, & MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF?
* Matt. 22:37-40 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first ....... And the 2nd is like unto it ......."
* Who among us have kept this commandment? * Who among us have loved his neighbor
as he has loved himself? * Be careful now, search your heart on this one!
A) Who is my neighbor? * Jesus answers that question in the parable of the good Samaritan.
* Everyone in the world, no matter his status, condition, or circumstances!
CLOSE
A) How did you score? * If God graded your test, what would your score be?
* Did you pass or fail? * Here is the way the answers should have been answered:
* Questions 1 through 4 - YES * Questions 5 and 6 - NO * Questions 7 and 8 - YES
B) These questions are worth 12 1/2 points each. * Here are your scores:
* If you missed one, your score is - 87.5 ; Two - 75 ; Three - 62.5 ; Four - 50
* If you missed more than 4, I suggest you have a very long, serious talk with God!
