Berean Bible Church

Tests and Trials of Believers

Lesson IV

July 16, 2006

Wrote Alexander McClaren:

“The purpose of trials is to drive us to God”

2 Timothy 4:8 the Lord will reward all who love His appearing

Review

I.. Trials have to do with the ways of God

II Trials are not a mark of God’s disfavour

III Trials come to all of God’s children

IV Trials are not strange for a believer

V Trials only come when they are necessary

Continue

VI Trials mature us and strengthen our faith

1 Peter 5:10 make you perfect (mature) stablish, strength , settle

Galatians 6:2 bear one another’s burdens (plural)

Galatians 6:5 bear our own burden (singular)

Can’t really do the first until you learn to do the second

Hebrews 13:5-6 the Lord is my helper, learn contentment

Cf. 1Timothy 6:6

God is strengthening you spiritually, by your trials. Do you believe it?

VII Trials make the unseen Christ more real to a believer

John 20:29 blessed are they who have not seen, yet believed

1 Peter 1:7-8 having not seen ye love

1 Peter 4:12-14 in trials , the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 trials allow us to experience God’s grace in our lives

Philippians 3:10 know the fellowship of his sufferings

Philippians 4:11-13 trials help us face the rough things of life

VIII Trials reveal our hearts to ourselves

2 Chronicles 6:30 the Lord knows our hearts, we do not

1 Chronicles 29:17 the Lord tries our hearts

Psalm 11:5 the Lord trieth the righteous

2 Chronicles 32:27-31 God left him to try him

Deuteronomy 8:2 the Lord led, to humble, to prove, to know …

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 have you every asked: Why does the Lord allow false prophets? Here is the answer..