Excellent and timely messages. Here are notes to the sermon for busy people.
James: A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t – Part 23
“. . . when tests and challenges come at you from all sides, know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.” James 1:2-3 (Mes)
“God looks down from heaven on the whole human race to test and see who is acting with understanding and truly seeking Him.” Psalm 53:2
“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. TEST yourselves!” 2 Cor. 13:5 (NLT)
YOUR FAITH IS BEING TESTED THESE DAYS Through 5 Cultural Flashpoints -- Viral Infirmity Covid-19 -- Social Instability Violence in Cities -- Financial Insecurity Shaky Economy/Out of Work -- Racial Inequality Will Anything Change? -- Political Incivility Bitterness & Blaming
GOD IS TESTING OUR FAITH THROUGH ___________________________ “King Uzziah had a contagious skin disease for the rest of his life and had to live in quarantine. He was not permitted to set foot in the Temple of God. So his son, Jotham, managed the royal palace and governed the nation.” 2 Chron. 26:21 (Mes)
“My friends and companions must keep their distance because of my plague. Even my relatives must stay far away.” Psalm 38:11 (ESV)
WHEN DO PLAGUES HAPPEN IN THE BIBLE? 3 (of many) Reasons
1. WHEN WE _________________________________________ “The people soon forgot God and what he’d done for them, and they wouldn’t wait for God’s plan. Instead, they became greedy and they let their cravings run wild. They tested God's patience. So God gave them what they wanted, BUT he sent a plague along with it.” Psalm 106:13-15 (NLT)
2. WHEN WE _________________________________________ God: “A short time ago, you repented and did what was right. You freed your countrymen who had been slaves. You even made a covenant with me about this in my Temple. But now you’ve changed your mind and dishonored me. You’ve enslaved them again in a new slavery. Therefore, here’s what I’m going to do: Since you’ve disobeyed me by not giving freedom to ALL of your countrymen, I’m going to give you some ‘freedom’ – freedom to die by a war or a plague or famine! And you’ll be considered a disgrace by the other nations of the world.” Jer. 34:15-17
3. WHEN ______________________________________________ “David prayed to God, ‘Was it not I who ordered this? I’m the one who has sinned and done wrong! These people are innocent. What have they done? So, O Lord my God, let your hand fall upon me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.’” 1 Chron. 21:17 (NIV)
“For when the time of judgment comes, judgment MUST BEGIN with the family of God!” 1 Peter 4:17
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING DURING OUR PLAGUE? 1. CONTINUE TO ________________________________________ “David built an altar to the Lord there and he gave offerings of worship to God. And the Lord answered his prayer, and the plague was stopped.” 2 Sam. 24:25 (NLT)
2. CONTINUE TO ________________________________________ “Aaron the priest stood between the living and the dead until the plague was stopped.” Num. 16:48 (NLT)
MikeB
James: A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t – Part 23
“. . . when tests and challenges come at you from all sides, know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.” James 1:2-3 (Mes)
“God looks down from heaven on the whole human race to test and see who is acting with understanding and truly seeking Him.” Psalm 53:2
“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. TEST yourselves!” 2 Cor. 13:5 (NLT)
YOUR FAITH IS BEING TESTED THESE DAYS Through 5 Cultural Flashpoints
-- Viral Infirmity Covid-19
-- Social Instability Violence in Cities
-- Financial Insecurity Shaky Economy/Out of Work
-- Racial Inequality Will Anything Change?
-- Political Incivility Bitterness & Blaming
GOD IS TESTING OUR FAITH THROUGH ___________________________
“King Uzziah had a contagious skin disease for the rest of his life and had to live in quarantine. He was not permitted to set foot in the Temple of God. So his son, Jotham, managed the royal palace and governed the nation.” 2 Chron. 26:21 (Mes)
“My friends and companions must keep their distance because of my plague. Even my relatives must stay far away.” Psalm 38:11 (ESV)
WHEN DO PLAGUES HAPPEN IN THE BIBLE?
3 (of many) Reasons
1. WHEN WE _________________________________________
“The people soon forgot God and what he’d done for them, and they wouldn’t wait for God’s plan. Instead, they became greedy and they let their cravings run wild. They tested God's patience. So God gave them what they wanted, BUT he sent a plague along with it.” Psalm 106:13-15 (NLT)
2. WHEN WE _________________________________________
God: “A short time ago, you repented and did what was right. You freed your countrymen who had been slaves. You even made a covenant with me about this in my Temple. But now you’ve changed your mind and dishonored me. You’ve enslaved them again in a new slavery. Therefore, here’s what I’m going to do: Since you’ve disobeyed me by not giving freedom to ALL of your countrymen, I’m going to give you some ‘freedom’ – freedom to die by a war or a plague or famine! And you’ll be considered a disgrace by the other nations of the world.” Jer. 34:15-17
3. WHEN ______________________________________________
“David prayed to God, ‘Was it not I who ordered this? I’m the one who has sinned and done wrong! These people are innocent. What have they done? So, O Lord my God, let your hand fall upon me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.’” 1 Chron. 21:17 (NIV)
“For when the time of judgment comes, judgment MUST BEGIN with the family of God!” 1 Peter 4:17
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING DURING OUR PLAGUE?
1. CONTINUE TO ________________________________________
“David built an altar to the Lord there and he gave offerings of worship to God. And the Lord answered his prayer, and the plague was stopped.” 2 Sam. 24:25 (NLT)
2. CONTINUE TO ________________________________________
“Aaron the priest stood between the living and the dead until the plague was stopped.” Num. 16:48 (NLT)