Testing Prepares Us For Service

1st Corinthians 9:24 -- 10:13

            One has only to read a small amount of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Church to know that the membership was in trouble.  Apparently there were two basic problems confronting them:  1.)  There were a number of church members that had never really accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  2.) Saved members were convinced they had their Christian Lives well under control.  *

            Paul knew that doubts could become a real stumbling block for believers.  For that reason, he wanted the Corinthians to know without a doubt that they were saved.  At the same time, He cautioned them not to become puffed up with pride and overconfident. 

            There is only one plan and means of salvation.  Jesus came into the world, lived a perfect life, died on the cross in our place, rose again, and now sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us!  God’s Redemptive plan makes just one requirement of us – we must believe and accept it.  He provides the faith, the grace, and the power to make it work!  Because God does all the work it is not necessary for us to do more than rest in His grace. 

            I believe there is nothing I can do to lose my salvation!  That being the case, why does Paul caution those that feel they have matters of faith under control?  He does so not because we may lose our salvation but because we may rob ourselves of the greater blessings associated with Christian service.  Believers must never presume that because God loves us He will not hold us accountable for the lives He wants us to lead.  To make his point, the apostle offered the Israelites as an example.

            God called them His chosen people and the apple of His eye.  He proclaimed by the prophets and through His Word that the Jews were selected for special service and for special blessing.  History teaches us that taking the Lord’s love for granted will result in the rod of discipline being applied.  Paul lists some of the misadventures experienced by the Israelites as they sojourned in the wilderness.  Like them, we are set apart for service and will face trials, win victories, and experience defeats – all dependent upon our faithfulness!

*I.                   God Permits Us To Be Tested

A.    Satan allowed to approach us

1.      To test our faith and our willingness to rely upon the Holy Spirit for preservation

2.      To keep us humble

3.      To demonstrate His power and faithfulness

B.     God sets limits on the tests

1.      He knows our ability and will not allow the test to surpass us

2.      Before any test there is sufficient training to ensure a chance at success

*II.                We Are In Good Company

A.    Every Believer has faced his/her test

1.      We are not singled out though it may seem so

2.      The examples of others offers hope

B.     There are no new temptations

1.      Even Jesus and the apostles faced trials

2.      As we grow in faith so too do the tests become more challenging

C.    God’s purpose is not to break us but to prepare us for Heaven

1.      He required the same of Himself

2.      Life is going to be difficult for us whether we travel in the company of God or not.  Better that we might have His love and power to keep us!

III.             God Has Provided A Means For Success

A.    Help from His Word

B.     Past experience

C.    The fellowship of others

D.    His promise that success is attainable

*IV.              There Are Worse Things Than Failure

A.    Failure teaches humility and faith

B.     Testing provides practice in strength

C.    God will always forgive our failure