Sermons on Marshmallow Test:

Testing & Persevering Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon will explore the concept of faith and works in the book of James, focusing on how trials and adversity can strengthen our faith and perseverance in Christ.

The testing of our faith through trials, adversity, suffering, etc… produces in us a steadfast spirit and perseverance. And perseverance is an invaluable characteristic of those who follow Christ. Prayer: “Lord Jesus please give us the strength to endure, to persist, and to thrive throughout the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-18

Topics: Faith Testing, Perseverance, Eternal Hope

Sermon Series: James: Faith And Works

Tested In The Wilderness Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon explores how Jesus resisted Satan's temptations in the wilderness by relying on scripture and faith in God, serving as a model for us to stand firm in our faith during our own challenging times.

Today we begin a new 4-week series called Wilderness: Growing Off the Grid. You may be surprised to learn that the Bible speaks both fondly and extensively about the off-grid-wilderness experience of people like Jesus, the Israelites, Hosea, and many others. You can find evidence of the wilderness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Topics: Temptation, Faithfulness, Scriptural Truth

Sermon Series: Wilderness

Following Jesus Into The Desert Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jan 21, 2021

What tempts you? How do you resist? We often find it difficult to not give in. Let's follow Jesus into the desert as he experiences the same temptations as we do.

You can listen to the podcast of this sermon here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/7412800 Following Jesus Into the Desert Intro: • [video - the marshmallow test] We’re not so very different than these amazingly cute kids. First conducted at Stanford U. in 1972. • We sneak up on the edge of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Test 9: Afliction Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

This sermon looks at the first key to passing the affliction test--the individual key.

1. When experiencing affliction, your first individual responsibility is to pray (13) 2. When experiencing affliction, your second individual responsibility is to call (14) A few weeks ago, our family went to see a movie called National Treasure. I won’t go into all the details with you, but it ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Test 9: Affliction Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

This sermon looks at the second key to passing the affliction test--the corporate key.

1. Corporate confession 2. Corporate prayer I saw a sports headline a couple of weeks ago that really surprised me. It turns out that one of the freshmen for the University of Tennessee’s football team got into some trouble with the law. That’s not really the surprising part. It seems that ...read more

Scripture: James 5:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

The pride test is actually a three part test. We already covered the first part when we talked about selfish pride (Pride Test, Part 1). The second part of the test is about presumptive pride. That’s where our text takes us today.

1. Presumptive pride is futile 2. Presumptive pride is arrogant 3. Presumptive pride is sinful Well, here we are, standing at the edge of a New Year. People use this time of the year for different things, don’t they? Of course, some people just use the New Year as an excuse to party. But most ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 5, 2008

This is the final part of James’ sixth test of faith—the pride test. This third part of the pride test deals with our pocketbooks--greedy pride.

1. The first example of greedy pride is hoarding treasures 2. The second example of greedy pride is defrauding measures 3. The third example of greedy pride is indulging pleasures A story is told about a rich man who was in the hospital on his deathbed. The doctors had only given him a short time ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Test 5: The Wisdom Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 2, 2007

There are two types of wisdom—man’s wisdom and the kind of wisdom that only comes from God. The kind of true wisdom that only comes from God is evidence of real faith.

1. Introduction (13) 2. Roots of test-failing wisdom (14) 3. Attributes of test-failing wisdom (15) 4. Fruits of test-failing wisdom (16) JAMES 3:13 Have you ever flown on one of those little puddle-jumper airplanes? I have and let me tell you, they’re not very much fun. If you’re in one of ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 30, 2007

James asks his readers where their continual desire to fight amongst themselves comes from. And his answer is surprising. Rather than point his finger at an outward cause of their strife, he tells them it is because of each of their individual selfishne

1. What are the Prevailing Symptoms of selfish pride (4:2-5) 2. What is the Primary Source of selfish pride (4:6) 3. What are some Practical Solutions for selfish pride (4:7-12) JAMES 4:1 Two old friends were sitting on the front porch one Sunday afternoon when one of them began to confess to the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Test 5: The Wisdom Test, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 9, 2007

What kind of wisdom passes the test of faith? The kind of wisdom that James describes as only coming from above.

1. Roots of test-passing wisdom (17a) 2. Attributes of test-passing wisdom (17b) 3. Fruits of test-passing wisdom (18) JAMES 3:13 Who is a wise man? What is wisdom? It’s interesting that two people who are known for their wisdom asked that very same question. Solomon did. In Ecclesiastes 8:1 ...read more

Scripture: James 3:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Self Control Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Feb 22, 2023

There are really two halves to today’s message. First, I want to speak on the importance and need for growth in a believer’s life, and second is the importance of self-control.

Do you have everything under control? I mean everything within you – do you all of you in control? Let me just get real serious, real quick here: what is the one item in your life you have trouble controlling? Do you have total self-control in the area of food? Drink? Sex? Your tongue? Today, I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26, Colossians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 16:27, Mark 13:28-31, Matthew 25:14-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The True Test Of Forgiveness

Contributed by David Hutton on Jul 16, 2002

When you have the "right" to do wrong, will you still do right?

Introduction It’s one thing to succumb to force and be made to be righteous. Children are (or should be) made to obey and behave. They should understand the serious repercussions of not! Because of their knowledge of what will happen if they don’t, they do! The law catches a criminal, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Will You Pass The Test?

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 17, 2003

There are all kinds of reasons for giving tests or taking examinations. The main reason is to collect data or to make an assessment on what is or isn’t known. The Bible is not excluded from the practice of examinations.

Will You Pass The Test? 2 Corinthians 13.5 – 7 July 20, 2001 KJV - 5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6. But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 7. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Testing Of Our Faith

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Aug 10, 2003

Our faith is tested not that God will learn if our faith is enduring but that we will learn if it is. The one sure proof that we possess saving faith is that our faith "endures to the end."

THE TESTING OF OUR FAITH "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that at the revelation of His glory, you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13, Matthew 10:22

Denomination: Baptist

Turning Tests Into Testimonies

Contributed by Nate Barbour on Sep 5, 2003

Learn how to overcome in any situation and turn your test into a testimony of victory!

Turning Tests into Testimonies How to Overcome in Any Situation 9/03/03 I. Introduction One year there was a terrible flood that deluged a small midwestern town located in a valley between two rivers. Both rivers had overflowed their banks and the rains continued to fall day and night. There was ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, John 16:1-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational