Sermon Central
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Seven Examples Of Testing In The Bible Series
Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: This sermon looks at seven examples of how people were tested in the Bible.
5. A Test of Humility.
Trials can be a test of humility. The Lord humbles us by allowing us to go through seasons of trials. The Lord wants us to have the mind of Christ who humbled Himself to take the form of a servant and became obedient even to the death of the cross. Mosses went through times of trial and his humility shone forth.
Numbers 12:1-3 (HCSB) 1 Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). 2 They said, “Does the Lord speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?” And the Lord heard [it]. 3 Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.
Thought: Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.
6. A Test of Sacrifice.
Trials can be a test of our sacrifice. Are we willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord? Are we clinging to the possessions and treasures of this world? Are we crucified to the world? When we lay ourselves on the altar and die to our self then we can bear much fruit for the Lord. The Lord leads us to the point of total surrender by leading us through the path of trials. He tests the level of our willingness to sacrifice for Him. He tested Abraham in this way.
Genesis 22:7-8 (HCSB) 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.
7. A Test of Obedience.
Trials can be a test of our obedience to God. Are we willing to obey God even when He commands us to do what we do not like or what we wish to avoid? The Lord teaches us obedience by leading us through trails. Jesus is the prime example of obedience.
Matthew 26:39 (HCSB) Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Philippians 2:8 (HCSB) He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.
