Hebrews 11:8-12
THERE WILL BE TIME WHEN WE ARE TESTED
James writes 1:2- Count it joy when you are tested,- knowing the trying that the trying of your faith produces perseverence.
Like going to a gym
The only way to build faith- Is resistance- IS A TEST
You’re faith needs to be tested----
So you know where you stand
Jesus warned you, you’d be tested---DIDN’T SAY WHEN
Some of you are being tested right Now---DON’T KNOW IT
Promotion comes with testing---LIKE SCHOOL
Can’t handle the next grade till you pass the test
If you keep failing----Gotta do that grade again
That’s why many Christians are stuck---Haven’t passed the TEST
1. MAJOR CHANGE- Vs.8
Abe was 75 when God spoke to him—
Abraham was ready to hang it up---God said get it down, dust it off
Abraham was wealthy---Not enough U-Haul’s to move him
A real believer will follow God’s leading without knowing where they’re going
Could you blindly follow GOD
When God Called me I Didn’t know where
Ended up in Lubbock. GOD WHY NOT FLORIDA?
Where- work, retire, church, live
2. Delayed Promise- I’m AMERICAN---GOD ISN”T
Americans cant wait- microwave, Fedex, Horn Honking, fast food, express lane
Abraham- lived in tents for 40 years---waiting on the promise
Sarah ----HEY DUDE, WHEN WE GETTING A HOUSE
A real believer will wait on GOD”S TIMING
Some of you wondering WHEN---
Marriage, Find a mate, baby, job, well,
The disappointment in waiting---MAY BE THE TEST
If you can see the FUTURE, how big it is--- EASIER TO WAIT
Some are like Milk----Some are like WINE
Take this multiple choice test
1. You’re in Line in the Grocery Store---people talking
You are:
a. Glad they are experiencing fellowship.
b. Think in your mind what you would like to say
c. Accidently throw your package of Ramen Noodles @ them
2. Waiting an hour IN the DR’s office
You are:
a. Glad you’re catching up on 1996 edition of Reader’s Digest
b. Tell other patients you have a highly contagious
c. Fake a Heart attack to get immediate attention
Moses waited 40 yrs to set the people free
Abraham waited 10 years to have Isaac
Caleb waited 40 yrs for His mountain
Caleb and Joshua @ 45—saw promise land—wrong church
If God’s going to do something great in you----YOU MUST WAIT
It’s a test
3. Impossible Problem-
Abe’s 99- Had his name changed from Abram- to ABRAHAM
Go to TOWN—My name’s Bill---
“FATHER OF MANY NATIONS”
SARAH- 40 years past menopause
Abraham’s –DEADER THAN A DOORNAIL
Many times God has to wait for us to exhaust everything we have
He tried not to wait---Hagar
How many Ishmaels have we birthed—not willing to wait
You have to feed them and clothe them
How am I going to- pay Bills, fix my marriage, Get Healed…
I’ll let God worry about the HOW
GOD LOVES FOR YOU TO RUN OUT OF RESOURCES
When I am weak---THEN HE IS STRONG
4. Senseless TRAGEDY- “that’s not fair”
Sacrifice His only Son—Vs 19
If he can give me a son---He can raise him from the Dead
As the knife Came down---God revealed the Test
God never said it would be fair—
That’s why there’s a Heaven and Hell
Hitler, Stalin, Osama, Bombers of churches in south, CEO’s that have ruined LITTLE PEOPLE
Why- lose job, spouse affair, Kid on drugs, miscarriage, Parents die
A real believer follows God when he or She
Doesn’t’ know Where- MAJOR CHANGE
When- DELAYED PROMISES
How- IMPOSSIBLE PROBLEMS
Why- SENSELESS TRAGEDY
