Christ Does the Testing, the Devil Tempts, We Trust

Life is full of challenges, obstacles, and unexpected turns, but every circumstance is an opportunity designed by God to shape us into the image of Christ. From the earliest days of our faith, we’re reminded that the journey isn’t about comfort or ease, but about growth—about learning to love God more deeply and, as a result, loving others more authentically. The colored stickers we use—black for sin, red for Christ’s sacrifice, gold for our eternal home, and green for growth—are daily reminders of the gospel and the ongoing process of sanctification. Even after salvation, we’re called to continually become more like Christ, not by our own strength, but by leaning wholly on Him.

God’s plan for us isn’t just to save us and take us to heaven immediately. Instead, He leaves us here so we can grow in love for Him and for others. Every trial, every hardship, every “kidney stone” moment in life is a tool in God’s hand, meant to deepen our faith and refine our character. Rather than seeing these moments as attacks or setbacks, we’re invited to see them as tests—opportunities to trust God more, to lean on Him fully, and to let His love and power shine through us.

The church at Thyatira, which we studied, was commended for its growing love, faith, service, and patient endurance. Their love wasn’t just for those who were easy to love, but even for those who persecuted them. Their faith was a total dependence on God, like leaning all your weight on a crutch. Their service was active, always looking for the next opportunity to serve as God led. And their endurance was joyful, even under heavy loads, because they knew God was using every circumstance for their good and His glory.

We’re reminded that Christ does the testing, the devil does the tempting, and our role is to do the trusting. When we see life’s challenges through this lens, we can face them with hope and perseverance, knowing that God is at work in every detail. Our greatest asset isn’t our own strength or righteousness, but our total dependence on Christ, who gives us everything we need to pass the tests He allows. As we grow in love for God, we’ll find ourselves loving others more, serving more eagerly, and enduring with joy, all for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Every circumstance in life is a test from God, designed not to defeat us but to grow our faith and make us more like Christ. When we view challenges as divine opportunities rather than mere obstacles or attacks, we can approach them with hope and perseverance, trusting that God is using them for our good and His glory. [60:34]
• 2. True faith is total dependence on God—leaning all our weight on Him, not just in the big crises but in the everyday decisions and moments. This kind of faith isn’t partial or reserved; it’s a full surrender, trusting God to provide the answers and the strength we need, even when we don’t understand the timing or the outcome. [95:19]
• 3. Love for God naturally overflows into love for others, even those who are difficult or hostile toward us. This agape love isn’t about giving people what they want, but what they need, and it’s only possible as we stay deeply connected to Christ, allowing His love to flow through us in every situation. [88:14]
• 4. Service and endurance are the fruit of a life rooted in love and faith. When we love God and trust Him fully, we become eager to serve wherever He leads, and we’re able to endure trials joyfully, knowing there’s a purpose behind every load we carry. This patient endurance isn’t passive resignation, but active, joyful perseverance under God’s hand. [103:18]
• 5. Our greatest value isn’t found in our own righteousness or achievements, but in our total dependence on Christ and His finished work. Pride keeps us from relying on Him, but humility opens the door to His grace, wisdom, and power. When we admit our need and trust Him completely, we experience the supernatural life He intends for us. [72:58]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [26:09] - Realities of Ministry in Difficult Places
• [51:20] - Transition to Revelation and Church Community
• [51:49] - The Gospel Colors Explained
• [53:01] - Sin, Salvation, and Sanctification
• [53:56] - Heaven and Our Eternal Home
• [55:07] - Righteousness by Grace Alone
• [55:59] - The Purpose of Growth (Green)
• [57:03] - Using Life’s Challenges for Growth
• [59:05] - God’s Loving Discipline in Trials
• [60:34] - Christ Tests, the Devil Tempts, We Trust
• [67:08] - God as the Teacher in Life’s Tests
• [73:37] - Learning from Repeated Tests
• [77:03] - The Church at Thyatira: Context and Commendation
• [81:09] - God Sees and Rewards Our Growth
• [87:07] - Agape Love in Persecution
• [93:19] - Faith as Total Dependence
• [99:35] - Service and Spirit-Led Action
• [103:08] - Joyful Endurance Under Pressure
• [106:17] - Becoming More Like Christ Through Every Trial
• [107:10] - Seeing Life’s Junk as God’s Design
• [108:36] - Invitation to Surrender and Trust Christ

1. In Revelation 2:19, what four qualities does Jesus commend the church at Thyatira for? ([01:21:09])
2. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, what does God promise when we face temptation or testing? ([01:01:51])
3. In the sermon, what do the different colored stickers (black, red, gold, green) represent in the Christian life? ([52:09])
4. What does Romans 8:28 say about the purpose behind the circumstances believers face? ([01:31:28])

1. Why do you think Jesus highlights “love, faith, service, and patient endurance” as marks of a healthy church? How do these qualities relate to each other? ([01:21:09])
2. The sermon says, “Christ does the testing, the devil does the tempting, and we do the trusting.” What does this mean for how we view hard times or suffering? ([01:00:57])
3. The colored stickers are described as daily reminders of the gospel and sanctification. How might these visual reminders help someone in their walk with Christ? ([52:09])
4. Romans 8:28-29 says God uses all things to make us more like Jesus. How does this change the way we see “bad” or difficult situations? ([01:31:28])

1. The church at Thyatira was known for growing in love, even toward those who persecuted them. Is there someone in your life right now who is hard to love? What is one practical way you could show them Christ’s love this week? ([01:28:14])
2. The sermon compared faith to leaning all your weight on a crutch. Is there an area of your life where you’re only “partially” trusting God? What would it look like to fully lean on Him in that area? ([01:35:19])
3. When you face a challenge or “kidney stone” moment, do you tend to see it as an attack, a setback, or as a test from God? How might your response change if you saw it as an opportunity for growth? ([58:20])
4. The pastor said, “Our greatest value isn’t found in our own righteousness or achievements, but in our total dependence on Christ.” Are there ways you’ve been relying on your own strength or trying to prove your worth to God or others? What would it look like to surrender that? ([01:12:58])
5. Service and endurance are described as the fruit of a life rooted in love and faith. What is one area where you feel God is calling you to serve or endure with more joy? ([01:43:18])
6. The sermon encouraged us to ask God for the answers to life’s tests, rather than trying to figure everything out ourselves. Is there a current situation where you need to pause and ask God for wisdom or direction? ([01:08:19])
7. The green sticker stands for growth. Looking back over the past year, where have you seen God grow you the most? Where do you sense He wants to grow you next? ([55:59])