The Challenge Course

I wonder how each of us would score if there were a test available that could reveal … how devoted we were as a Christian…

You see, on the surface most of the time it appears that things are going well & display that we’re doing a pretty good job of being a Christian.

In fact, I’m convinced that most people if asked… “How’s your faith walk with God doing?” Most would answer…"It’s doing just fine."

ILL. I’m afraid that we tend to be like the fellow in the old story who showed up for a court hearing concerning an accident in which he had been involved.

His arm was in a cast, there were bandages covering ¾ of his body,…& the parts that were left exposed were clearly bruised, scratched & cut. He was a real mess.

Looking rather surprised, the judge asked about his injuries. He replied, "Judge, I’m in a terrible condition.

I have cuts & stitches all over me, & I’m just feeling awful."

The judge said, "I don’t understand. The accident report filed by the Police Officer says that at the time of the accident you told him you were just fine."

"Well Judge," the man replied, "let me explain.

I was driving my pickup truck & pulling a trailer. In the back of the pickup was my old dog Shep, & my mule was in the trailer behind.

All of a sudden an 18 wheeler sideswiped me, knocking me off the road."

As a result…"My pickup truck & trailer rolled over & eventually we ended up at the bottom of a big embankment.

The next thing I remember, a police officer was picking his way through the wreckage.

I saw him stop & examine my mule; he then pulled out his pistol & shot the mule between the eyes."

"Next, he got to where Shep was lying, & after examining him, he shot old Shep, too.

Then Judge... he walked over to me & asked, "How are you?" And I said, "I’m doing fine."

Prayer…

I would imagine…if I took the time to ask every one of you here today how you were doing spiritually…you would tell me, "I’m doing fine,"

But if we were to be truthful…for most of us…life may not be going that well at all.

I wonder what the results would be if we all were required to take a test…

A test that if taken… could reveal the commitment level you have made to Christ.

For some of us here this morning…this test would be easy to take…while for others…this test might be a little more challenging…

You might be here this morning and not even know what it means to be committed to Christ.

This is why I think it would be good for all of us to take this test this morning …to help each of us identify where our relationship with Christ is….

The believe the best way to prepare for a test is to study…so let’s begin…

The first step we must take to help us prepare for our test is to examine ourselves…

Slide #2 We Must First Examine Ourselves (2 Corinthians 11:5a)

When most people get sick…they prefer to go see a doctor…so that the doctor can examine or diagnose what is wrong with them.

And I do believe that every doctor does their very best to help people with their problems.

But in all honesty…there is only ONE physician who can diagnose and cure whatever ailment you are carrying around.

Week after week people… who look just like you and I…walk into churches all around the world looking for a cure for the mistakes that they have made in their lives.

Many who come into the church…are ready to turn their mistakes over to Christ…but there are those who are still searching to find the right doctor.

Well good news…if you are the one who is here today that is looking for the right doctor to identify what’s ailing you…you have made the right choice by being here today.

In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul confirms to us why people like you and I come into the church seeking help with our problems…he explains that we are to first

“Examine yourselves…to see whether you are in the faith…”

Living in the faith is the first step of feeling better… to admit that you might have a problem…

People are kinda funny about this…they don’t want people to know that their struggling with life.

Matter of fact…most people wait almost until it’s too late to help themselves…so in a last ditch effort they decide to see if Christ can help.

Just this last week we got three calls in the church office by people who had failed to pay their bills and their utilities had been turned off.