Topical Sermons

 

TESTING

Intro.

1.     Job 7:17-20:  Explore Job’s question to understand God’s and man’s relationship to “testing” (trials).

2.     Does God test man in any way?  If so, how?  Does man test God?

 

I. GOD DOES NOT TEST (TEMPT) MAN TO SIN Jas. 1:13.

    A.    The Devil is the Tempter of Men – Matt. 4:1, 3.

    B.        His Temptations Can Be ResistedJas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9.

 

II.  THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH GOD TESTS MAN – 1 Chrn. 29:17.

    A.    God Tests the Heart (examine, scrutinize, try, prove) – Psa. 17:3.

        1.     Not because He does not already know what is in man’s heart, because He does – 1 Chrn. 28:9; Jno. 2:24-25.

        2.     Expression of His knowledge & ultimate judgment – Jer. 17:10 (Psa. 11:4-5).

        3.     Through His word & His providence God allows opportunities for our faith to be tested (examined, proved, tried).

        4.     These are occasions for the heart to reveal itself in faithful obedience & trustful dependence upon God.

    B.        Why Does God Test Man?

        1.     To refine man’s faith – Psa. 66:8-12; Job 23:10.

        2.     To purify man’s love for God & His word – Deut. 13:1-4.

        3.     To instill in man a fear of God to prevent sin – Exo. 20:20.

        4.     To solidify man’s obedience to God – Exo. 16:4.

    C.    How Does God Test Us?

        1.     Trials & challenges of faithGen. 22:1.

            a.     To reveal what is in the heart – 22:12; Deut. 8:2.

            b.     To occasion endurance - Job: Jas. 5:11; Job 1:8-12; Jas. 5:8.

        2.     During times of blessingsDeut. 8:11-17 (16).

    D.    Bible Examples of God Testing Man:

        1.     AbrahamGen. 22:1.  (cf. Psa. 66:10-12)

            -Abraham’s depth of faith was tested in the commandment of God, & shown to be complete (Jas. 2:21-23).

        2.     Israel in wildernessExo. 15:25-26; Deut. 8:2, 16.

        3.     Israel during judgesJudg. 2:19-3:1, 4.

        4.     Hezekiah2 Chrn. 32:27-31 (exposed materialism, 2 Kgs. 20:12-19).

    E.        Accept The Trials of Life With Patient Faith, Enduring Obedience and Constant Love for GodJas. 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-9.

 

III.  MAN CAN TEST (MAKE TRIAL OF) GODMatt. 4:7 (Deut. 6:16).

    A.    By Rebellious Faithlessness in the Presence, Provisions, Power & Purposes of God – Num. 14:19-22.

            -In spite of overwhelming evidence of God among them, they rebelled!

            -These were not like Gideon, who sought assurance from God – Judg. 6:39-40.

        1.     Presence Exo. 17:7.

        2.     Provisions Psa. 78:17-20.  (Selfish lack of faith.)

        3.     PowerPsa. 78:40-43, 56.  (Not trusting God’s way as right!)

        4.     Purposes Psa. 95:8-11 (10); Acts 5:9.

    B.        By Disobeying the Word of God – Heb. 3:7-11, 18-19.

 

Conclusion

        Heb. 10:36-39 – We must endure with patient faith rather than test God by rebelliously & faithlessly disobeying Him (Heb. 3:7-13).