Sermon Central
-
Test Time
Contributed by Evie Megginson on Jun 27, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: THERE IS THE CONVERSION TEST,THE CHARACTER TEST,THE CONTINUATION TEST,THE CURRENCY TEST,THE CRISIS TEST,THE COMPANION TEST, AND THE CONCERN TEST.
TEST TIME
You and I live in a “test-conscious society. No matter where we are in life, there always seems to be tests to be taken.
High School seniors must take the ACT or the SAT to gain college entrances. Accountants must take the their CPA. Real-estate salespersons must pass an examination.
A person driving a car must pass a driving test.
Our homes must pass a test before we can get a loan.
A athlete must pass physical tests before joining a team.
And we all have to take medical test from time to time for the benefit of our health.
The most feared words to some in High School and College, “take out a clean sheet of paper; this is a pop test”
Paul’s test was not a pop test but an open book test. The Corinthians had been examining Paul’s credentials of validity. Now he turned the tables on them suggesting they take a test concerning their faith in Christ and faithfulness to Him.
Lets look at a sevenfold test to examine one’s place in Christ.
I-THERE IS THE CONVERSION TEST: Luke 13:3
Have you ever been converted? Have you passed from death to life? Do you know beyond a shadow of doubt that if you died, you would go to Heaven?
Have you repented of your sins? Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Have you received Jesus Christ? John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Have you ever called upon His name? Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Salvation is a personal experience that no one can doubt, either he or she has or has not open the door of their heart and let Jesus in. Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
A group of men were carrying on a friendly conversation. One of them remarked that he had learned to be especially careful about small things. “Would you believe,” he said, “that a little thing like a pair of socks changed the entire course of my life?”
“I can hardly believe that,” replied another man. “Well, it’s true! Once I planned to take a trip with some of my friends on a canal boat, but two days before we intended to leave, I injured my foot while chopping wood. It was only a small cut, but the blue dye in the homemade socks I wore poisoned the wound, and I was compelled to stay at home. While my friends were on their journey, a powerful preacher came to our town to hold revival meetings. Since I didn’t have anything else to do, I decided to attend. The message touched me deeply, and as a result, I surrendered my heart to the Lord. New desires and purposes took hold of me. I determined also to seek an education, for I trusted that this would enable me to life more usefully for the Lord.”
The man who made these comments was a former President of the United States — James A. Garfield! *
Sad truth many think that they are all right but they are not for they never have been truly converted.
Some are like the man who jumped off the World Trade Center without a parachute. When he passed the 50th floor a window washer shouted out, “How’s it going?”
The jumper answered, “So far, so good!” *
II-THERE IS THE CHARACTER TEST:
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
When one is physically born, one inherits the characteristics of parents and relatives. At Conversion, we inherit the nature of our Heavenly Father. As we grow, we become more like Him.
An old man, a boy and a donkey were going to town. The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked. As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding. The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions. Later, they passed some people that remarked, "What a shame, he makes that little boy walk." They then decided they both would walk! Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride. So, they both rode the donkey. Now they passed some people that shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey.
