To Pass the Test – Teacher

Why Does God Test Us?

James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
(NIV)

1 Cor 10:13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

• No one likes Tests, First of all its because Tests means acceptance or rejection, Pass of fail, promotion, or stagnation. At stake is nothing less than our future, even our self worth.
• When I was in school one of my favorite classes was P.E. It was NOT test time! I Hated Test time,
  One of the biggest questions that I have heard is this… Why does God Test us?

1. A Test Prepares us for future achievement
2. A Test Proves us worthy of a crown
3. Testing Refines of impurities

Prov 17:3
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

• So we can see here That the lord does test and try us,  The question is this, How many can honestly say, I HAVE PASSED THE TEST

Paul talking in…

2 Tim 4:7-8
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

• We can all have the same crown that paul was talking about, but it don’t come unless we pass the test.

Deut 8:16
16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

Deut 8:16
16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.
(NIV)

• God always pursues our highest good and our greatest blessing. God loves us enough to allow beneficial pain.
• God knows that tests hurt, but in love he allows them for our good, at His own personal cost!

Isa 63:9
In all their distress He too was distressed …

1. A Test Prepares Us For Future Achievement

• By passing tests we learn that God indeed answers prayer, that His promises stand truly reliable, that he is absolutely faithful. Until we place everything on the line and see God come through, Its only theory. But proven faith increases, preparing us for future service on a larger scale.
• In secondary school, they don’t start you out with colloge exams. You have to pass the tests that are given then you work your way up to college exams.

1 Sam 17:34-37
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

• It took the lion and the bear to prepare David for Goliath.
• For believers every test is prep school.

2. A Test Proves Us Worthy Of A Crown

• Worth must be proven. A Test signifies that God intends to crown us.

James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
(NIV)

3. Testing Refines Us Of Impurities

Isa 48:10
10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

Isa 48:10
10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
(NIV)

Testing does more than examine; it purifies.

• The more valuable the article, the less we tolerate impurities. In dirt we expect to have worms, fungus, ants, maggots and bacteria. In God and Silver on the other hand we demand purity.
• The metal smiths of biblical times refined gold and silver in furnaces drafted be air bellows. After it melted, the dross (or Junk) would float to the top and be skimmed off or blown away.
• The purpose of tests or trials is not pain, but progress, not punishment but purity.
• So why does God test us? Because in love he seeks our true prosperity.
• Just as students benefit by knowing whether an exam will be essay or multiple choice, so do we by knowing types of spiritual tests.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
(NIV)

Why Tests, Why Trials?

1 Peter 5:6-8

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

• If we are not ready we will not be able to withstand the adversary.
• Tests will make us ready!