Faith Proved by Testing

Rev. James R. Reynolds, Sr.

September 18, 2005

Sunday Morning

Title: Faith Proved by Testing

Text: I Peter 1:1-7

INTRODUCTION

    Our faith will be tested. 


    v.1 trial, testing, proving, putting to the test


    IT is one thing for God to give us examples of faith and it is another thing for us to have faith.


    God has given to every man among you (believers) a measure of faith. It is so exciting when God blesses us, but after the blessing comes the testing. 

I. Ways God tests our faith:

    1. God requires at times from us a GREAT SACRIFICE. Genesis 22:1 (Moffat translation "after God these things God put Abraham to the test.") v.2


    	The very thing we say we won't do is usually that which God will require. 


    2. God leads in a DIFFICULT WAY. Deut. 8:2 Israel wandered a 40 year cycle facing the same enemies and problems and not gaining any victory. 


    3. God uses STRANGE PLANS for victory. Joshua 6:3-5; Romans 11:33 God knows how to make us successful if we follow His plan. Your walls will come down if you obey God. God might give you a strange plan which might be a humbling plan. I want to fight and use the sword, no, just obey God.


    4. God REDUCES the natural MEANS for success. God never wants us to to say " I did it my way and was successful." God has a way of bringing us to place where only He can receive the glory. Judges 7:7


    5. God can require a seemingly IMPOSSIBLE TASK. John 6:5-6 All that God does is to our benefit to make us better. 


    6. God PERMITS SUFFERING while doing God's will. Acts 16:23,24


    7. God allows TEMPTATIONS. James 1:2-4

II. Tests are Blessings in Disguise

    	The tiral of your faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth.


    Trials with a beneficial blessing in disguise. Job 23:10;42:12; Psalm 66:12 wealthly-running over Whatever God does He does in abundance. 2 Corinthians 4:17 Usually the tests lasts until you learn the lesson. LIGHT affliction ; Hebrews 12:11


    You can make it, You can make it, This trial youre going through God's gonna show you just what to do, God won't let it last too long, your not in this thing alone, you can make it!


    I Ptr 1:7 God knows how to turn the heat up and He knows how much heat we can take. Isaiah 43:2,3 Diamonds are produced from coal that outlast the pressure placed on them. 


    When the devil oppresses and the pressure gets high show him CALVARY and he must flee.