Test all things

1 Thessalonians 5:21, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

I.       Prove mean to test

A.    We need to test what we read and hear

1.     Prove in the Greek come out like this “testing something for authenticity”

2.     Every sermon, every book,

3.     Spiritual discernment is the ability to distinguish divine truth from error and half-truth [1]

a)     Spiritual discernment is essential to the Christian life

b)     That is why the apostle Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to examine everything

B.    Test according to God's Word

1.     1 John 4:1, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world

2.     Acts 17:11, These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so

3.     J. V. McGee, once said “Prove all things.” Don’t be taken in. To put it crudely, don’t be a sucker. Don’t be misled into supporting a project just because somebody sends you a picture of pathetic looking orphans. Don’t contribute to things you know nothing about. Don’t fall for some promotion job. Investigate. Investigate anything to which you give your support. Christians ought not to be gullible. We are to prove all things. This also means that we are not to be taken in by flattery. There are many deceivers in the world”

II.     Hold fast that which is good

A.    “To embrace wholeheartedly”

1.     “To take possession of”

B.    John 8:32, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

C.    How can we hold fast the truth?

1.     We can learn as much as possible

2.     Memorize the verses

3.     The more one listen to God's Word the more it will stick with you

4.     Lets remember one very important thing

a)     God is in control and we should never forget that

b)     When things are at there worst, God is still in control.

Weekend Retreat Bob Millers 7/28/07

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[1]MacArthur, J. (2002). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (199). Chicago: Moody Press.