180 likes | 187 Vues
People hear the same preaching only some believed – Acts 13:48; 14:1,2; 28:24-29 12 Spies but only 2 claimed the land could be taken – Numbers 32:12. Varied reaction of people. SOME DOUBT THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT REACTIONS TO IT.
E N D
People hear the same preaching only some believed – Acts 13:48; 14:1,2; 28:24-29 12 Spies but only 2 claimed the land could be taken – Numbers 32:12 Varied reaction of people
SOME DOUBT THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT REACTIONS TO IT • God told us only a few would find the truth – Matthew 7:13,14 • God designed a message that would cause the proud to reject it and the humble to find it – 1 Corinthians 1:22-29
JESUS PLAINLY STATED THAT GOD’S TRUTH MUST BE CAREFULLY PURSUED • John 7:17; Matthew 13:10-15 • Anyone can find the truth of God, but must dig deep and not be discouraged • Do you have what it takes? • Can you find the truth & keep the truth because of a love for the truth?
THE TEST OF DISCOVERING WHO IS JESUS OF NAZARETH? • God gave powerful evidence, but many didn’t believe – Matthew 16:13-16 • Jesus didn’t give kind of evidence demanded, but sufficient evidence to believe – John 5:38-40 • Men demanded signs, Jesus gave them something else – John 2:18-22
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • The Test Of Alleged Contradictions • How could Jesus be from Nazareth & Still be the Messiah? – John 1:45,46; Micah 5:2 • Did Jesus fulfill the prophecy? • How would one come to know this? • Those who are quick to turn away will never find God’s truth!
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • Test Of Knowledgeable, Influential Men- • John 7:45-49 • These popular men did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah • How many stopped listening to the words of these men?
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • Test Of Jesus’ Teaching & Doing “Hard” Things • Jesus taught without apology – John 6:61-69 • Jesus responded at times in a way that caused the sensitive to quit – Matthew 15:22-28 • Blessed are those who PERSIST!
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • Test Of Knowing How To Be Saved • Must search the Scriptures – 1 Timothy 2:3,4 • Some confused when they fail to find all requirements of salvation specifically listed in one verse • Very different views widely taught require careful serious study of God’s word
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • Some Will Interpret A Passage In A Way To Contradict Others • Faith without Baptism – John 3:16; Acts 2:38 • Salvation by Grace – Ephesians 2:8,9; John 6:28,29 • We must overcome the beliefs of influential men!
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • The Test Of Our Obedience • Men serving God will face tests of their faith • Abraham could tell us that – Hebrews 11:17-19 • Abraham tested & God proclaimed his grade! Genesis 22:12
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • Jesus Expects His Disciples To Follow All Things He Commands • Matthew 28:20 • Made no exceptions to those required to make a great sacrifice – Matthew 19:20-25 • Requirement of all who would be His disciple- Luke 14:33
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • We Are Tested In Our Morals • Ephesians 5:3 • We must stand against those in adulterous marriages – Matthew 19:9,10 • When the world gets into the church we cease to be God’s
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • We Are Tested As Local Church • 2 Corinthians 2:9 • We must not let any outspoken men to cause us to pull back from obeying • In conflict, we will be faithful to God • Do not be dismayed – Acts 15:1,2,22
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • The Test Of Faithfulness In Trials • God allows trials to come – 1 Peter 1:6,7; Revelation 2:10 • Test will bring blessings when we pass it – Romans 5:3-5 • Do you glory in tribulations? – Philippians 1:29,30
CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE • Must Go Back To Foundations Of Why We Believe • 1 Peter 3:15 • Jesus to John in prison – Matthew 11:3-6 • We should not become offended at Christ because He allows certain things to come into our lives
WILL YOU PASS THE TESTS OF GOD OR JOIN THE SHALLOW WORLD OF UNBELIEVERS? • Response will determine what you will allow Christ to become in your life – 1 Peter 2:4-8 • The unbeliever fights God! • No man will win that battle! • The believer will have Jesus as his foundation and builder