Sermons on Understand The Test:

When God Seems Distant: The Teacher Is Silent During The Test Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 12, 2024

It all goes back to the heart. Guard your heart. Keep your heart encouraged. And in prayer, always believe in your heart that God is there and will answer.

There have been a few times in my life when I felt God’s presence depart from me. And it was for the purpose of testing me, to see what decision I’ll make without his presence strong upon me. Don’t get me wrong, God was still with me in those times. He hadn’t left me or forsaken me. But, his ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12, Romans 5:3-5, Luke 17:7-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Testing The Spirits To See If It's From God Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 6, 2025

Let's explore what the Bible says about testing spirits and examine relevant examples.

The Bible instructs believers to "test every spirit" to determine if it's from God (1 John 4:1). This command is crucial in today's world, where various spiritual influences vie for attention. Let's explore what the Bible says about testing spirits and examine relevant ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

A Snake In The Sand

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jan 26, 2008

What Jesus does in the desert puts right the wrong that was done in the garden. Satan had been waiting for this as he watched Jesus grow day by day. Jesus restored the beauty and perfection that was the Garden of Eden while in the desolation of the desert

A Snake in the Sand The greatest battle between a man and Satan is the one recorded here concerning Jesus temptation in the desert. Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist and as a result Jesus is revealed as the Lamb of God as John puts it. The Holy Spirit has come upon him like a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Side Road To Temptation

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 11, 2012

Have you been drawn away from God’s will for your life, by the appeal of the side-roads? Have you been led down the path of sin or disobedience to the perfect will of God? It will surely end in serious loss, mischief, maybe physical death, but worse in th

Intro: Yungas Road of Bolivia is the world’s most dangerous side road; built by prisoners in 1930s; 200-300 annual deaths since it opened in 1935. It is only 10 feet wide but over 60 kms. long. It passes thru heights of 4,000-15,000 feet from La Paz. I. THE BEGINNING OF TEMPTATION (Jas. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-16

Denomination: *other

Gold In The Furnace

Contributed by Michael Buckingham on Jun 20, 2011

Are you going through trials and tribulations? God is putting you through hard times to purify you!

Gold in the Furnace The hymn is beautiful: Gold in the Furnace Tried Ne’er loses aught but dross, So is the Christian purified, And bettered by the cross. My past few days have been about testing and trials. Yesterday, I had an examination for a course I am doing for my career in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Labor Pains Of Christmas

Contributed by Gus Lohrum on Dec 21, 2010

Consider the spiritual struggle of Joseph in his dream as spiritual labor pains we all go through as God leads us.

The Labor Pains of Christmas Matthew 1:18-25 December 12, 2010 When a woman gives natural birth to a child there is immense pain. Comedian Carol Burnett said the pain was like imagining what we would feel if someone pulled your eye lid back over your head. But ultimately out of the pain of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: United Methodist

# 25 ~ Thirty ~ Forty-B Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Apr 21, 2012

THIRTY is the number for THE BLOOD OF CHRIST & DEDICATION: Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for THIRTY pieces of silver. FORTY YEARS OF PROBATION BY TRIAL as Israel wondered in the Wilderness for FORTY years.

# 25 ~ "THIRTY ~ FORTY" ~ BIBLE NUMBER MEANINGS 4-21-12 THIRTY is the number for THE BLOOD OF CHRIST & DEDICATION: The number thirty is found in our KJ Bible 198 times. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for THIRTY pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-16 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

What's In A Trial

Contributed by Chris Carter on May 29, 2012

When we go through the tough times in life there are many things we can get out of it.

“What’s in a TRIAL” James 1:2-8 I. T-Test (vs2-3) A. Tests take effort to complete and pass 1. We live in a NOW society 2. Many people live as if things are owed to them and no work is necessary to achieve what they want 3. In turn this is a failure in the spiritual life as ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Examine Yourself

Contributed by Donald Jewell on Nov 12, 2009

Is it possible to spend my life in a Christian environment & not know Jesus Christ?

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-- unless, of course, you fail the test? I have a rather pointed question to pose to you today. Is it possible to spend my life in a Christian environment & ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Wesleyan

Exodus 16 - I Don’t Recall Grumbling Being A Fruit Of The Holy Spirit! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 27, 2009

I like Moses response to people who grumble. "Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord." That’s calling it like it is! Grumble for be grateful but grumbling is not one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

Exodus 16 - New and Fresh Every Morning! I don’t think I have ever been tested in my trust concerning food. I have always had enough. I have never been without. Julie was away recently in Sydney for a brief time and the food ran out, but all I had to do was to go to the shop and buy some more. I ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Geuss Who's Talkin'

Contributed by Michael Bolin on Jan 31, 2010

listening for only God's voice

Have you ever watched the Antiques Roadshow on PBS? This is the show were individuals are able to take antiques and have them a evaluated with are worth. One of the show’s most famous discoveries was a Seymour mahogany card table from Boston, bought at a garage sale for $25. She later sold ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Do This 3 Decisions

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jul 19, 2013

To show 3-fold decisions we make every moment of our lives.

I. EXORDIUM: Do you decide on things? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show 3-fold decisions we make every moment of our lives. IV. TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (Amplified Bible) But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spinning Out Of Control

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Apr 3, 2018

For those who feel their life is spinning out of control, it probably is, but if you are on the wheel of God rest assured it will make you or if you resist break you. Lessons from The Potter.

THE WHEEL OF GOD Jeremiah 18:1-3 -v3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. The word for wheel in the Hebrew is a word picture—it literally means two stones. The potter would simply use their feet to turn the clay, freeing up his hands to shape ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Daniel Part Iii - Living Out Of Faith In The Fire Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Aug 7, 2018

A story of faith, courage and conviction. The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. The courage to stand in the face of death.

INTRODUCTION • We are in the 3rd part of a series on Daniel. • We’ve been talking about pressure and culture and living out of core values and loving well. • Daniel was taken captive and hauled off to Babylon when he was probably 15 or so years old. • He’s tested and tested again ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Temptations

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 3, 2017

Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won.

Intro Life is filled with trials and temptations. Sometimes we fail. Jesus too was faced with great temptations, but he succeeded. Goal Let’s learn how Jesus battled temptations and won. Plan We will look at the testing of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. Matthew 4:1-2 Led by the Spirit We read in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist