Testing Jesus' Faith: Lessons from Biblical Trials
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Presentation Transcript
Jesus was Tested • By Satan, Matthew 4:1 • By men, Matthew 16:1 • Test(peirazo):“to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: -assay, examine, go about, tempt (-er), try” (Thayer) • Motives: Driven by faithlessness; designed to entangle, catch, accuse and destroy, Matt. 22:15; Lk. 11:53-54
Jesus was Tested • Jesus withstood every test, always answering well, Matthew 22:46; Mark 12:34 • It is possible that we are testing Jesus with our attitudes, words and lives, 1 Cor. 10:9
Satan Tested Jesus to SinMatt. 4:1; Luke 22:28 • Jesus was not deceived by Satan’s temptations, Matt. 4:3-10 • We cannot deceive Christ with our sins, Matt. 15:7-9; Acts 5:9
Men Tested JesusMatt. 16:1-4 • By refusing the evidence He gave that He is the Christ • His works and words testify who He is, Jno. 5:36; Matt. 16:16-17; Jno. 20:30-31 • When we willfully refuse the evidence we join the camp of faithless evil, Matt. 16:1-4; Jno. 12:48
Testing Jesus by Rejecting His Truth • By seeking contradictions rather than harmony and conformity to truth • Marriage and divorce, Matt. 19:3 • Paying taxes, Luke 20:20-26 • Sinner and punishment, Jno. 8:4-7 • By doubting His way of salvation, Num. 21:4-6 (1 Cor. 10:9); 1 Cor. 1:18-19 • By teaching error, Acts 15:10
We Must Test • Test ourselves, 2 Cor. 13:5 • Try those who claim authority from Christ, Rev. 2:2 • Accept Christ’s help when we are tempted, Heb. 4:15-16 • Do not harden your heart in rebellion, Heb. 3:7-11 • Endure trials (test our faith), Jas. 1:12 (2-3); 1 Pet. 1:6; 4:12
The Lord Knows • Knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations (testing, trial), 2 Pet. 2:9; 1 Cor. 10:12-13 • When the Lord returns, will He really find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8 • Or, will the Lord find us faithlessly testing His love, mercy, truth and longsuffering? Rom. 2:1-6