THE FAITH TEST When your faith is tested

THE FAITH TEST When your faith is tested – Do you PASS or FAIL? October 10 - PM

Faith is Tested • Our faith will be tested – Sometimes we test ourselves – Sometimes others test our faith – Life can often put us to the test • When our faith is put to the test – – We either pass or fail

Personal or Family Crisis • • Illness of spouse or child Marital problems Dealing with some handicap Galatians 6: 2 - Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. • 1 Corinthians 15: 10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Life Transitions • • • Graduation Changing jobs Having a child Mid-life, empty nest Retirement Matthew 13: 22 - Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Disappointment with Brethren • • Nobody missed me Elders don’t care what I think Hypocrisy in the church I do not defend wrong actions – BUT: – Are the preacher or elders the basis of your faith? – Is a hypocrite closer to God than you are?

Moving to a new Community • Change homes, schools, churches, jobs • Genesis 12: 1 - Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. • Genesis 12: 7 - Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land. ” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

Moving to a new Community • Does it make sense to: – Continue to worship with other imperfect saints? – Drop out because they are not perfect? • Will you look up the church and become involved? • Will you disappear from God?

Guilt • Repent and pray forgiveness • Accept God’s grace • Hebrews 8: 12 - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. • We fail to forgive ourselves

Extended Illness - Absence • Hebrews 10: 25 - not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. • Gone 6 -8 weeks – we fill the hole

Burn Out • We feel tired, unappreciated, worn out • “Coat and pants do all the work, and the tie gets all the gravy. ” • Teachers – trapped in a class • Preachers, elders, deacons • Question: Does God appreciate your work, effort, energy?

Isolation • • • Elijah felt all alone – 1 Kings 19 No one stood with Paul on trial 2 Timothy 4: 16 -17 - 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Questions • How strong and healthy is your faith? • Can your faith pass the test? • Has your faith failed the test?