STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

SERMON MENU SELECTIONS

2/24/2019 ~ The Test


  TheTestAM1.mp3 (35m 44s)


  TheTest.pptx

Darkness holds out the extension of forever.
God’s test is to find if we will act on belief,
in His given ways, or turn away to another way.
A missing heart longs to find love.


... "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear
may be before you, so that you may not sin." ~ Exodus 20:20


... that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. ...
~ Exodus 16:4-5


... Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left
part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. ~ Exodus 16:19-20


... So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink,
nor were there any worms in it. ~ Exodus 16:23-24


... And the LORD said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to
keep My commandments and My laws?" ~ Exodus 16:26-28


"... your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness,
to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether
you would keep His commandments or not." ~ Deuteronomy 8:1-2


Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. ~ Revelation 14:12


... slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death,
or of obedience leading to righteousness? ~ Romans 6:16


... No temptation has overtaken you except such as is
common to man; but God is faithful, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 10:13


Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has
been approved, he will receive the crown of life ... ~ James 1:12


Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just;
For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. ~ Psalms 7:9


... His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
The LORD tests the righteous, ... ~ Psalms 11:4-5


Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.
~ Psalms 26:2


... entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men,
but God who tests our hearts. ~ 1st Thessalonians 2:4


Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness, ... ~ Hebrews 3:8


... that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who
through faith and patience inherit the promises. ~ Hebrews 6:12


Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
~ Hebrews 10:35


And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may prove what is that good ... ~ Romans 12:2


Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it
is good that the heart be established by grace, ... ~ Hebrews 13:9


Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men, ... ~ Colossians 2:8


Truth is found in the image God gives
  Cheat you not according to Christ:  
      ● Philosophy
      ● Empty deceit
      ● Tradition of men
      ● Basic principles of the world


Evil or goodness is the test that rides on the bottom of all hearts.
Advancing or retreating declares one’s strength or weakness of character.
To choose God rises to the heights beyond time and renders a space of
tranquility above dimension where love is the sole substance of life.



Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the
wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ~ Ephesians 5:6


... "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name,
saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." ~ Matthew 24:4-5


... do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ~ 1st John 4:1-2


... You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ~ 1st John 4:3-4


Test all things; hold fast what is good. ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:21

... as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know
yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 13:5


"... exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must
through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." ~ Acts 14:22



Passion is what drives the works of heart whether they be
noble or wicked. Ruthlessness over compassion often divides
those that seek unity among their children’s undefiled innocence.
Hearts lay open to the wounds found in the furnace of hate.
Peace is the water that cools a thankful mind.
God answers the call.



The sun rises to enlighten the shores
Time is to humble and test our hearts
One is a slave to whom one obeys
Faith in God allows for an escape from sin
Endurance in loving Him receives the crown of life
The Lord tests the minds & hearts of the righteous
We are entrusted with the gospel from God
Imitate faithful & patient who inherit the promises
Not casting confidence away has great reward
Establish one’s heart in grace not strange doctrines
Beware of deceit & traditions of men without Christ
Test the spirits as whether they are of God
Spirits not confessing Christ are not of God
Examine yourself whether you are in the faith

No adventure is greater than our journey to heaven.

Darkness tears where the deepest fears dwell.


  TheTestAM2.mp3 (38m 24s)


PART 2

... by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ~ Romans 12:1


Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body,
that you should obey it in its lusts. ... ~ Romans 6:12-13


As we gaze into the hole of life there is evil with the goodness.
God instructs us of what to do and what not to do.


Battles in the shadows of sin expose the soul
  Do not:
     ● Let sin reign in your mortal body  
                 ⮡  Obey it in its lusts
     ● Present unrighteousness to sin

  To God:
     ● Present yourselves
                 ⮡  Alive from the dead
     ● As instuments of righteousness

... I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall
be found by you such as you do not wish; ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 12:20


... in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, ... ~ 2nd Timothy 3:1-5


Mercy is challenged surrounded in waves of despicable
   From such people turn away:
         ● Lovers of themselves
         ● Lovers of money
         ● Boasters
         ● Proud
         ● Blasphemers
         ● Disobedient to parents
         ● Unthankful
         ● Unholy
         ● Unloving
         ● Unforgiving
         ● Slanderers
         ● Without self-control
         ● Brutal
         ● Despisers of good
         ● Traitors
         ● Headstrong
         ● Haughty
         ● Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God      

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, ...
~ Hebrews 9:27


For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
~ 1st Corinthians 11:31


... the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established. ~ Proverbs 16:2-3


For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every
secret thing, Whether good or evil. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:14


Each of us sits on a bench of eternity.

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me,
to give every one according to his work." ~ Revelation 22:12



Remaining ignorant of God's will does not excuse one from the dire
outcome due at His reckoning. Without godly knowledge we are crippled
in knowing who and why we are left to the oblivion of mankind’s demise.



... "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"
But this He said to test him, ... ~ John 6:5-7


... you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful
until death, and I will give you the crown of life. ... ~ Revelation 2:10-11


God tests souls for hearts of service over selfishness
  Do not fear that you may be tested  
You will have tribulation

He who overcomes
shall not be hurt by
the second death


Be faithful until death
I will give you the crown of life



Hearts bare all pierced by the loves departed
in death’s constant reminder of a temporary life.



For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:23


"If you love Me, keep My commandments." ~ John 14:15

... though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by
various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, ... ~ 1st Peter 1:6-7


Tight are the bonds that tie us to eternity
 Trials                          Precious
         ⭨                           ⭩
     Genuineness of faith ⭪  Tested
                                    ⭣
                             Found to:
                                ● Praise
                                ● Honor
                                ● Glory at the revelation  
                                   ⮡  of Jesus Christ ⮠



The path to salvation has nobility as its’ root. The ways of the world
are passing away, and what will be left rises on the mist of timelessness.
We can only achieve this through submitting to regretting our sinfulness,
and seeking those better ways delivered to us by His precious
enlightening words, which reveal the truths of life. Disappointing
for all those that will never find the gifts freely given. It is a plain
cliché that the best things in life are free; Faith, Hope, and Love.



... do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened to you; ... ~ 1st Peter 4:12


Life can be a tunnel filled with suffering fires.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing
that the testing of your faith produces patience. ~ James 1:2-3


Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have
tested you in the furnace of affliction. ~ Isaiah 48:10


The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests the hearts. ~ Proverbs 17:3


"... I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give
every man according to his ways, ..." ~ Jeremiah 17:9-10


For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down
to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, ... ~ 2nd Peter 2:4-5


... and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned
them to destruction, making them an example ... ~ 2nd Peter 2:6-7


It takes will power to get through the canyons of evil.

... the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve
the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, ... ~ 2nd Peter 2:8-9


It takes will power to get through the canyons of evil
Reserve the unjust
under punishment for
the day of judgment

   ⭧    
    ⭩
The LORD knows how
to deliver the godly
out of temptations



Each of us has hidden dark bones that need to be purged by the grace of
His light and mercy. As our love for God increases those dark disobedient
ways fade in His welcomed brilliance. Privileged people are often the
most unblessed having hardened rather than meek hearts. Plagued with
depression or unfilled passions, they are left on the edge of emptiness.
Many at the social top dwell upon the bottom of character.
Wealth is a matter of spirit where value has no cost.



... if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be
supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom ... ~ 2nd Peter 2:10-11


If one walks with a selfish heart it may very well be
darkness blinds one’s vision to see this coldness.



Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for,
but that we may receive a full reward. ~ 2nd John 1:8


But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me,
I shall come forth as gold. ~ Job 23:10


"Because you have kept My command to persevere,
I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the
whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." ~ Revelation 3:10



It is a test to endure hate, and how we endure as the hateful falsely
accuse those closest to cover their own un-humble shame. Many snub
family and friends more interested in fading material things than inspiring
spiritual fortitude, encouraging confidence and support to continue, life,
the climb we all face. Unloving people, deepen the sorrows of the
humble, with their unsatisfied disgust, and their touch is painful.

The Bible gifts us wisdom to be content with all we have seeking peace
and holiness or none shall see God. To be tortured or blessed is a choice
of mind and a way of heart. Greatest to only themselves, their spiteful
turmoil rakes division piercing tranquility where any of these unhappy
souls tend to tear at those who they see as satisfied or having more.
Greed and envy destroys all compassion and loss is their only revenue.
Many unfaithful accuse believers of being part of a cult. If it is unusual
to love God, then I choose this over the alternative. I choose not to be
in the widest of all cults where the hate of a soul finds only damnation.

Flesh and blood have all this and more in common, books are opened,
we are all under the test of God to see how we show mercy or not. The
noblest of human qualities are a gift to us by God Himself. We sadly live in
times where anger has overtaken many of us. Where once friends, and
family attacks are the failings of embittered hearts without direction or
consumed with petty purpose, ungodliness is the curse. Loneliness and
self-inflicted character destruction is a result of those lacking faithfulness,
slighted by their discontent grumblings. Peace cannot be achieved without
love of God and His inspired healing instructions for individual salvation.
The lost have not yet found the greatest treasure. True godly people do
not attack and it is more a blessing where people lift one another.

The path to salvation has nobility as its’ root.
The ways of the world are passing away, and what will remain rises
on the mist of timelessness. We can only achieve this through submitting
to regretting our sinfulness, and seeking those better ways delivered to
us by His precious enlightening words, which reveals the truths of life.
Disappointing for all those that will never find the gifts freely given. It is
a plain cliché that the best things in life are free; Faith, Hope, and Love.



There is a call from heaven to each sentient soul
Offering holiness to God is your reasonable service
Do not obey lusts of the flesh
Habitual sinners will be found not as they wish
Turn away from self-centered mean spirits
Judge yourself if you don’t want to be judged
God will judge every work both good and evil
Be faithful until death and receive the crown of life
If you love God you will keep His commandments
Various trials test the genuineness of your faith
Testing of your faith produces patience
God searches the heart testing the mind’s ways
God can deliver the godly out of temptations
Keeping His commands saves in the hour of trial

Beauty is found in the simplicity of a loving soul.

Darkness has no top to grab upon.




 

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