Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

We are in a series entitled Understanding Adversity.

We are studying it because adversity is tragically misunderstood by many Christians.

I don’t mean that we don’t know the meaning of adversity, we all know what it is, don’t we?

Here a definition.

What are things that we test?

Intelligence, health, sound, electronics, chemicals, machines (rockets, airplanes), automobiles (battery, safety features), strength, performance in sports (martial arts)

Why do we test things?

To see if they work.

To demonstrate they can do what they are supposed to do.

TRANSITION: We are in a series entitled Understanding Adversity.

We are studying what the Bible says about this because adversity is tragically misunderstood by many Christians.

I don’t mean that we don’t know the meaning of adversity, we all know what it is, don’t we?

Here a definition.

Adversity is trouble, difficulty, hardship, distress, disaster, suffering, affliction, sorrow, misery, tribulation, woe, pain, trauma; mishap, misadventure, accident, upset, reverse, setback, crisis, catastrophe, tragedy, calamity, trial, cross, burden, blow; hard times, trials and tribulations.

For those who use the term “luck” which I don’t use adversity is bad luck .

mishap, misadventure, accident, upset, reverse, setback, crisis, catastrophe, tragedy, calamity, trial, cross, burden, blow;

hard times, trials and tribulations;

informalill wind

But you knew didn’t you?

I say that adversity is tragically misunderstood because there kinds of adversity which are bad for us and kinds that are good for us.

I can easily prove this.

Think about chemotherapy.

According one medical website:

Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly.

It can also harm healthy cells that divide quickly, such as those that line your mouth and intestines or cause your hair to grow.

Damage to healthy cells may cause side effects.

Often, side effects get better or go away after chemotherapy is over.

https://www.medicinenet.com/chemotherapy/article.htm#how_is_chemotherapy_used

So does chemotherapy fit into the definition of adversity?

Sure.

However, is it good for you?

It can be, if you have cancer.

If you don’t have cancer.

Cancer is only bad for you.

Chemotherapy is bad for you but it is also potentially good for you.

Adversity is more like chemotherapy than cancer.

Most adversity can help us in our Christian lives.

It’s painful but the advantages of adversity outweigh the disadvantages.

I like that, “the advantages of adversity”.

I think I’m going to rename the series.

Instead of Understanding Adversity, I may call it the Advantages of Adversity.

What do you think?

I guess that all depends upon whether I can show you there are genuine advantages to adversity.

Would you think that injecting a chemical into your body that is painful, makes you feel horribly sick for days and kills cells in your body is good for you?

So far we have discussed two kinds of adversity, trials and discipline.

Our goal as we work our way through the series is that you understand each kind of adversity and can distinguish them.

Today we’re going to talk about the adversity of tests.

We live in a world that likes to test things!

What are some things that we test?

Did anybody take a test this week?

We test things like: iIntelligence, health, sound, electronics, chemicals, machines (rockets, airplanes), automobiles (battery, safety features), strength, performance in sports (martial arts)

Great list.

The next question is, “Why do we test things?”

To see if they work.

To demonstrate they can do what they are supposed to do.

God tests us and for similar reasons as we run tests on things.

God’s tests focus on one particular area of our lives, our faith.

He wants to know that our faith works.

Here’s a definition for you.

Tests are opportunities to demonstrate and build godly character by trusting God to do something difficult, unlikely or impossible.

Definition

Tests are opportunities to demonstrate and build godly character by trusting God to do something difficult, unlikely or impossible.

Bottom Line: Tests are opportunities to show and grow our faith.

Most of the tests we mentioned above just show that things work.

God’s tests show that but they also do something else.

They help us grow in our faith.

Our first point is that

1. Tests focus on our faith.

ordinary

extraordinary

Tests are focused on faith.

Will you trust God to obey Him . . .

Faith is a Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Faith is a spiritual muscle we need to use every day.

It’s believing God is going to be with us, help us, protect us, bless us.

When life is good.

Especially after seeing God work in your life in the past for many years.

Israel entering the promised land after 40 years in the wilderness .

Faith is a spiritual muscle we need to use every day.

It’s believing God is going to be with us, help us, protect us, bless us.

The New International Version.

(2011).

().

Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

After Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, just before they were to enter the promised land and enjoy all the benefits God promised them, Moses warned them about the necessity of faith, of following His commands.

Faith is especially important when our faith is challenged.

Our world doesn’t honor God or like biblical values.

If you stand for truth and righteousness some will openly reject you.

An extreme example of this is what happened to Daniel’s three friends.

They were commanded to bow down and worship an idol.

They refused by faith.

When it costs you.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego trusted in God’s promise to deliver them .

It could cost you your job, financially, family, your life.

Faith is important as God works in your heart to do things for Him.

What has God led you to do lately?

How has God spoken to you?

He is speaking to you.

He wants you to serve Him, live for Him, use your spiritual gift for Him.

In the book of Acts He did something He’d never done before.

We read about it in Acts 13.