Facing Truth And Consequences
The Tests Of Life • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
This evening, we are going to start a series of lessons looking at the idea of going through “The Tests Of Life.”
We are all presented with a great multitude of tests in life and how we face them makes all the difference in the world.
As Christians, we must be prepared to meet the tests this life throws our way.
The reality is, there is so much sin in the world it is important that we “test ourselves” often to make sure we are where we ought to be spiritually.
It is hard enough facing the loneliness, rejection, and temptations that the faithful must go through in order to follow Jesus, we must make sure we are prepared to fight that good fight of faith.
To be clear, God has always tested his followers to help them spiritually mature.
1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Today, we are going to being this series on “The Tests Of Life” by first looking at the test we must be willing to face concerning “truth and consequences.”
With this in mind let’s examine our first point on this topic beginning with…
Every Decision Has Consequences
Every Decision Has Consequences
We Reap What We Sow
We Reap What We Sow
Whether we choose the truth or choose a lie every decision we make has consequences.
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
There is an inescapable reality with this that we are responsible for every decision we make.
15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
Summary
Summary
There is an insurmountable reality that we must, not only be fully aware of, but mindful of and that is for every decision we make in life, good or bad it has consequences.
Now for the Christian, who is striving to get to heaven one might say, “that is a good thing, we are going to make the right decisions and reap the reward of such which is heaven.”
And to that I would say this is true, but the reality is many Christians who know that fall away (Galatians 5:4) already know this, so why do they end up falling away?
The answer lies in our second point which requires an understanding on the fact that…
Truth Hurts
Truth Hurts
Telling & Living The Truth Can Hurt
Telling & Living The Truth Can Hurt
As much as God wants us to always be truthful with his word, ourselves, and others Satan wants us to suffer the consequences of such.
He wants us to have that “hedge of comfort” removed from us, hoping that it will cause us to choose to rather “curse God and die” than “suffer and live.”
Again God has never been shy about this reality for his children.
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.
Why will Christians be persecuted and hated for living righteous and godly lives?
Because “truth hurts” first the ones in darkness and they in turn lash out against those that tell and live the truth.
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Again it is is easy to talk about it when everything is great and all is going well.
It is easy to say “I will stand up for God by standing up for the truth of his word” when no one is challenging us on either account.
It is extremely difficult to do so when the eyes of darkness are on us.
Remember, every disciple of Jesus fled after his arrest.
46 And they laid hands on him and seized him.
50 And they all left him and fled.
Remember, the apostle Peter, who taught the Gentile family of Cornelius turned his back on his Gentile brethren for his Jewish brethren.
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
However, this is when the test is taking place, and our opportunity to face this test head on will have its greatest impact on our spiritual lives.
This is when the “testing of our faith” can have the greatest impact on our lives in spiritual maturity.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Imagine the boost in faithfulness Abraham received after he passed the test of faith Jesus put him through with his son Isaac.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Summary
Summary
Yes, truth hurts.
If they persecuted the only begotten Son of God, even putting him to death, how much more will they persecute his followers.
Yes, the truth hurts, but if we endure the persecution, stay faithful unto death, we will receive a crown of righteousness.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Every person, at the point of accountability, must make the choice of whether or not to tell and live the truth or not.
Both choices have consequences, but only one has an eternal consequence of being with God in heaven forever (Revelation 2:10).
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
