Berean Bible Church

Tests and Trials of Believers

Lesson V

July 23, 2006

Review of last Sunday

VI Trials mature and strengthen our faith

Again, the ways of God, not our ways

VII Trials make the Unseen Christ more real to the believer

Philippians 3:10 we come to know Christ better in the fellowship of sufferings

VIII Trials reveal our hearts to ourselves

E.g Tribulation does not make people impatient, it proves they are impatient

We Continue

IX Trials teach us not to trust in ourselves

Philippians 3:3 no confidence in the flesh

Romans 7: 18 in my flesh, no good thing

1 Timothy 1:15 I am chief, not “was”

1 John 1:10- 2:1-2 we are still sinners saved by grace

2 Corinthians 1:3-9 not trust in ourselves

X Trials are working for us, not against us

2 Corinthians 4:8-18 light affliction worketh for us

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 when weak, we become strong

James 1:12 , those who endure trials are promised a crown

Cf Revelation 2:10 the same as a martyr

Romans 8:28 all things work together for good

XI The fact that trials work together for good, is illustrated

Genesis 50:28 in the life of Joseph

In the life of Job

Job 29 is filled with the word “I”

Job 42 ( the end of his story James 5:11)

He saw the Lord

He saw himself

He was then , humbled

He was made more fruitful

“Oh the blessed place – the valley of humbling. No one falls there, who doesn’t rise to newness of life and service.”

XII Conclude

Psalm 105:-23-45 Read the psalm, you will see it was the Lord who guided the affairs of Israel. Will He not do the same for us?