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Title: Life Test

 

TEXT: James 1:12

 

Life is full of little surprises.

 

A life is not defined by the one’s accomplishments, nor is it defined by one’s wealth; rather life is defined by one’s choices – by those life tests that reveal who and what our life really is.

 

The defining and redefining of life is an ongoing process that begins at the age of accountability and continues until death or the return of Jesus. The tests are many. They vary in degree and length and from person to person. But, when all is said and done, it is the life tests that say who we really are.

 

These tests, these choices come in many different forms with many different titles but let me share with you the three most common and most important life test or life choices that will determine who you really are.

The Test of the Storm

The Test of Subversion

The Test of the Spirit

 

I.                   The Test of the Storm

 

The storms are the areas of life when things are not going according to plan. They are the bumps of life, the valleys, the troubles of life. They can be emotional, mental, physical and spiritual, but they test you.

 

Allow me to use a biblical illustration:

 

The Storm in Peter’s life was not the upper room. Storm in Peter’s life was the garden and letter the outside the high priest home.

 

His character was put to the test….

That which is treasured was discovered

That which he believed was revealed.

 

The storms get to the real character of a person. They examine those things that are treasured and go to the very foundation – what we believe.

 

Listen to what Jesus said in Luke 6:46-49

46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say? 47 “Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 “But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

1.    The Character

 

Our character is not in what we say but in what we do.

 

2.    The Treasure

 

Our treasure is that which we value – more than anything else

 

3.    The Foundation – What one believes

 

II.                 The Test of Subversion (Rebellion, Insurrection)

 

Another test of life that defines our core is how we deal with God. There have been a number of different manners by which mankind has attempted to deal with the ‘God Question.” Some have attempted to define God into their own terms and standards. Others have attempted to do away with God all together. Most, however, have tried to ‘slip by’ or ‘tick.’ All, because we are created by God and in his image, must confront the Subversion Test – All must deal with “The God Question.”

 

1.    The Test of Reality

 

Two things Satan will not believe and does not want you to believe.

 

A.   God is Real

B.   God is God

 

2.    The Test of Obedience

 

If a person says, “Yes God is real and God is God,” Then the question becomes one of obedience. Am I or am I not going to obey this God that is real and is the God?”

 

Anything other than complete and total obedience is subversion, rebellion and insurrection on my part if I am not obedient.

 

3.    The Test of Accountability

 

Since God is real and is the God and demands obedience then that means there will be accountability!

 

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.  14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

 

III.              The Test of the Spirit

 

While men might test men and a man might even test himself, no one tests men like the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that will determine the true condition of a man.

 

1.    The Test Yesterday

2.    The Test of Tomorrow

3.    The Test of Today

 

“Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15)

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