Faith Tested: Navigating Trials with Biblical Truth
Summary
In these challenging times, we are all being tested in various ways. Our faith is being put to the test, and it's crucial to understand how to navigate these trials with a biblical perspective. The book of James offers profound insights into how our faith can withstand life's tests. It's not about how we praise God in good times, but how we walk with Him in tough times. The true test of faith is choosing to follow God's word over our feelings or societal pressures.
God is observing how we respond to the world around us, whether we act with understanding and seek Him or follow the culture. It's essential to base our actions on the Bible, as it provides the truth that sets us free. Many Christians may not have a biblical worldview because they spend more time consuming media than engaging with God's word. This can lead to reactions that are not aligned with biblical teachings.
God uses current events to test our faith, and we are currently facing five significant tests: the COVID-19 pandemic, social instability, financial insecurity, racial inequality, and political incivility. Each of these tests challenges us to think, feel, speak, and act like Jesus. We must examine ourselves to see if our faith is genuine and use these tests as opportunities for personal growth.
During this pandemic, we should continue to worship and serve others. Worshiping God and praying for the end of the pandemic, as David did, can bring about change. Serving others, especially those in greater need, helps us focus on something beyond ourselves and brings joy. We are not all in the same boat, but we are in the same storm, and helping others can make a significant difference.
As a church, we are committed to serving our community and spreading the love of Christ. Our outreach efforts have led to thousands of people coming to faith, even during these difficult times. We are more interested in living out our faith than merely talking about it. Let us wear our faith as a fragrance that attracts others to Christ, not as armor that repels them.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith Tested in Tough Times: True faith is revealed not in how we praise God during good times but in how we walk with Him during tough times. It's about choosing God's word over our feelings or societal pressures, demonstrating our faith through our actions. [03:12]
2. Biblical Worldview: Many Christians lack a biblical worldview because they spend more time on media than on God's word. This can lead to reactions that are not aligned with biblical teachings. It's crucial to base our actions on the Bible, as it provides the truth that sets us free. [05:23]
3. Current Tests of Faith: We are facing five significant tests: the COVID-19 pandemic, social instability, financial insecurity, racial inequality, and political incivility. Each test challenges us to think, feel, speak, and act like Jesus, revealing the true colors of our faith. [11:04]
4. Serving Others During the Pandemic: Serving others, especially those in greater need, helps us focus on something beyond ourselves and brings joy. We are not all in the same boat, but we are in the same storm, and helping others can make a significant difference. [38:41]
5. Wearing Faith as a Fragrance: Let us wear our faith as a fragrance that attracts others to Christ, not as armor that repels them. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the love of Christ, making our faith appealing and inviting to those around us. [55:51]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Opening Remarks
- [00:27] - Current World Chaos
- [01:23] - Faith That Passes Tests
- [02:19] - Tests of Life in James
- [03:12] - True Test of Faith
- [04:30] - Acting with Understanding
- [05:23] - Biblical Worldview
- [06:42] - Testing Our Faith
- [08:23] - Five Current Issues
- [11:20] - Viral Infirmity Test
- [14:16] - Biblical Plagues
- [18:06] - Reasons for Plagues
- [25:00] - God's Anger at Injustice
- [30:12] - Personal Sin and Plagues
- [35:26] - Worship and Serve
- [40:22] - Serving Others
- [44:11] - Reopening Worship
- [49:02] - Church Growth During COVID
- [55:51] - Wearing Faith as Fragrance
- [57:16] - Weekly Practices
- [58:28] - Prayer and Commitment
- [01:00:07] - New Start in Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 1:2-3 (NIV) - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
2. Psalm 53:2 (NIV) - "God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God."
3. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) - "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"
---
Observation Questions:
1. According to James 1:2-3, what is the purpose of facing trials and tests in our lives?
2. In the sermon, what are the five significant tests of faith mentioned that we are currently facing? [09:01]
3. How does Psalm 53:2 describe God's observation of humanity, and what is He looking for in us?
4. What does 2 Corinthians 13:5 encourage believers to do regarding their faith, and why is this important?
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the trials mentioned in James 1:2-3 lead to personal growth and perseverance in one's faith journey?
2. The sermon suggests that many Christians lack a biblical worldview. How does this affect their reactions to current events? [05:23]
3. In what ways can the five tests of faith mentioned in the sermon reveal the true colors of a believer's faith? [11:04]
4. How can serving others during challenging times, as mentioned in the sermon, help believers focus beyond themselves and find joy? [38:41]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent trial you faced. How did you respond, and what did it reveal about your faith? How can you apply James 1:2-3 to future challenges?
2. Consider your media consumption versus time spent in God's word. How might this balance affect your worldview and reactions to societal pressures? [05:23]
3. Identify one of the five tests of faith that you find most challenging. What practical steps can you take to respond more like Jesus in this area? [11:04]
4. Think of someone in your community who is in greater need during this pandemic. What specific action can you take this week to serve them and share the love of Christ? [38:41]
5. How can you ensure that your faith is a fragrance that attracts others to Christ, rather than armor that repels them? What changes might you need to make in your attitudes or actions? [55:51]
6. Examine your current involvement in church and community service. Are there new ways you can engage and live out your faith actively, rather than just talking about it? [54:51]
7. Reflect on the idea of examining your faith as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 13:5. What steps can you take to ensure your faith is genuine and growing?
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Adversity: Walking with God in Trials
In challenging times, our faith is truly tested. It's not about how we praise God when everything is going well, but how we continue to walk with Him when life becomes difficult. The book of James provides profound insights into how our faith can withstand life's tests. True faith is demonstrated by choosing to follow God's word over our feelings or societal pressures. This means that in the face of adversity, we must rely on the teachings of the Bible to guide our actions and decisions, showing our commitment to God through our perseverance and trust in His plan. [03:12]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you choose to follow God's word over your feelings or societal pressures in this situation today?
Day 2: Cultivating a Biblical Worldview
Many Christians struggle to maintain a biblical worldview because they spend more time consuming media than engaging with God's word. This can lead to reactions and decisions that are not aligned with biblical teachings. It's crucial to base our actions on the Bible, as it provides the truth that sets us free. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we can develop a perspective that aligns with God's will, allowing us to respond to life's challenges in a way that honors Him. [05:23]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily media consumption. How can you intentionally incorporate more time in God's word to cultivate a biblical worldview?
Day 3: Embracing the Tests of Faith
We are currently facing five significant tests: the COVID-19 pandemic, social instability, financial insecurity, racial inequality, and political incivility. Each of these tests challenges us to think, feel, speak, and act like Jesus. These trials reveal the true colors of our faith, prompting us to examine whether our faith is genuine. By viewing these challenges as opportunities for personal growth, we can strengthen our relationship with God and become more Christ-like in our responses. [11:04]
1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 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."
Reflection: Identify one of the five tests you are currently experiencing. How can you use this test as an opportunity to grow in your faith and become more like Jesus?
Day 4: Serving Others in the Storm
During the pandemic, serving others, especially those in greater need, helps us focus on something beyond ourselves and brings joy. We are not all in the same boat, but we are in the same storm, and helping others can make a significant difference. By reaching out to those who are struggling, we can demonstrate the love of Christ and find fulfillment in selfless service. This act of service not only benefits others but also strengthens our own faith and sense of community. [38:41]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who is in need. How can you serve them this week in a way that reflects the love of Christ?
Day 5: Wearing Faith as a Fragrance
Let us wear our faith as a fragrance that attracts others to Christ, not as armor that repels them. Our actions and attitudes should reflect the love of Christ, making our faith appealing and inviting to those around us. By living out our faith authentically and lovingly, we can draw others to the hope and joy found in a relationship with Jesus. This means being intentional about how we interact with others, ensuring that our faith is evident in all that we do. [55:51]
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."
Reflection: Consider your interactions with others this week. How can you ensure that your faith is a fragrance that attracts others to Christ rather than repelling them?
Quotes
Now what this tells me is that the true test of your faith is not how high you jump praising the Lord in good times. But rather the test of your faith is how straight you walk in tough times. This is where the true colors of your faith are revealed. And when you have to choose between doing what the Bible says to do, or doing what you feel like doing or what our culture tells you to do, that's the greatest test of faith. [00:03:06]
And the reason why you may not have a biblical worldview is because you spent far more time watching the news than you have in reading the good news of the Bible. Or as I said in the last message, you spend more time on Facebook than getting your face in this book, the book, God's book. So you can be a Christian for years and still not be acting with understanding, acting with biblical basis. [00:05:26]
Now let me just list for you the five big tests of faith that I see going on in the contemporary environment around us, okay? Your faith is being tested five ways these days, the first test of course is the COVID-19 pandemic. And I call that a viral infirmity test. Viral infirmity test, an infirmity is an illness, or a sickness and a viral infirmity is an illness you get from a invisible virus. [00:09:16]
Now, what should we be doing during our plague? Well, two things, we keep on continuing these two things. Number one, continue to worship, okay? Pray, ask God to end the pandemic you do what David did when he caused the pandemic, you keep praying until the pandemic ends. 2 Samuel 24:25 it says this, "David built an altar to the Lord and he gave offerings of worship to God. And the Lord answered his prayer and the plague was stopped." [00:35:18]
Aaron, the priest, we're all priests, that's what the Bible says in Peter, that you don't have to go to a priest to confess you can confess directly to God. Every believer is a priest. The priesthood of every believer. "Aaron the Priest stood between the living and the dead until the plague was stopped." I think that's a job description for every Christian right now. We're to be in the middle, between the living and the dead in this plague, in this pandemic, building a bridge of love, building a, reaching out to those who are dying and reaching out to those who are living. [00:37:38]
I said this the very first week of this pandemic, people say we're all in the same boat. We're not, we're not in the same boat. We're all in the same storm, but some of us are in the yachts and some of us are in row boats. And some of us are in speed boats. And some of us are just barely hanging on to a piece of driftwood. How do you shelter at home when you're homeless? And so find somebody who's gotten more stressed than you and help them out. That will raise the joy in your own life. [00:39:57]
Let me close with this. You know yesterday, a man paid my wife a compliment, that I wish could be said of every Christian. I wish it could be said of you, Kay was told this compliment by a man. He said, you know Kay, you don't wear your faith as armor for protection, you wear your faith as a fragrance. That's a good line, I want that to be said about you. I want that to be said about me, that wherever you go, you're not wearing your faith as a defensive armor to argue and fight with people and put them down, but you wear your faith as a fragrance that makes people want to know Jesus, that you are attractive. [00:55:07]
How are you wearing your faith? How are you wearing your faith? Are you wearing it as armor? To be protected from all the evil, wicked mean bad and nasty people out there and all the people who disagree with you and all the people you think are really bad? Or you wearing your faith as a fragrance? Are people attracted to Christ by your faith? Or are they repelled by your faith? I want you to think about that this week. [00:56:03]
Now, if you just prayed that prayer, you need to tell somebody about it. So why don't you tell me since I'm the one who just led you in it? This is the beginning of a brand new life. As I told you, over 5,000 people have prayed that prayer with me online in the last 25 weeks. So what I want you to do is get at your phone right now, and I want you to text newstart, one word, newstart, N-E-W-S-T-A-R-T to 99,000. [01:00:26]
And if you would like to join a group, you can write group, I think it's group, it's a smallgroup, one word smallgroup, text that to 99,000, we'll help you get in an online group. Or you can email smallgroups@saddleback.com. And then of course you can give an offering of Thanksgiving like we do every week by going to saddleback.comonline/gift and your generosity is making a difference. [01:00:29]
I love you, I thank God for you, and in the weeks ahead, we're gonna look at these other four issues that are causing so much anxiety in people's lives that they're worried about seeing all the changes in our society. We'll talk about 'em. God bless you and we'll see you next week. [01:01:57]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?