Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRODUCTION:TEST

A procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, especially before it is taken into widespread use.

I.God seeks proof of genuine love, faith and growth in the lives of his people.

To this end, he tests them in various ways.

However, when people test him, it is often a symptom of lack of trust.

To Prove Their Obedience

Exodus 15:25–26 (KJV 1900)

25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

God Tests Individuals

God Tests Individuals

ABRAHAM

Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations

God’s Son Passes the Test

Jesus’ testing recalls that of Israel in the wilderness; whatever God commanded Israel his child in the wilderness, much more he would require of his Son the Messiah.

Jesus provides a model for tested believers.

This narrative underlines the biblical principle that God’s calling must be tested.

The Spirit, having empowered Jesus for his mission as God’s son (3:16–17), now is the one who leads him into the wilderness where his call must be tested.

WE CAN PASS OUR TEST.

GREATER IS HE THAT IS WITHIN US THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD.

First, he is greater than the created world

Second, God is greater than the nations.

The great strength of the mightiest nations is like a speck of dust or a drop in the bucket to God.

If one were to build an altar fire with all the cedars of Lebanon, and sacrifice every beast in those forests, he still would not have made a sacrifice worthy of such a great God

Third, Yahweh is greater than the idols.

Idols are representations created by man.

No matter how beautiful the craftsmanship, no matter how precious the materials, idols cannot capture the essence of God.

Idols have difficulty standing erect.

How would they then be able to support those who worship them?

Fourth, God is greater than rulers.

From the beginning the knowledge of the sovereign Creator had been handed down.

He sits upon his throne “on the circle of the earth” providentially upholding and maintaining all that exists.

The heavens themselves are the curtains of his tent!

Mighty rulers of this world are under his authority.

He can deprive them of power in an instant.

He merely breathes on them and they wither like a plant, and are blown off the scene of history like worthless stubble

Fifth, God is greater than the stars.

Heavenly bodies should not be deified as they were in Mesopotamia.

Worship belongs only to the Holy One who created the stars.

Isaiah likened God to a mighty general who leads his troops across the heavens.

Every star is in the exact place God would have it.

Implicit in these verses is an attack against the major tenets of astrology

Finally, God is greater than discouragement.

Despondent Israelites must never forget who their God is.

He is (1) eternal, (2) omnipotent, (3) omnipresent, (4) omniscient, (5) constantly alert, and (6) compassionate.

He can strengthen those who wait for him in faith.

This infusion of spiritual power makes believers like (1) an eagle in flight, (2) a runner in competition, and (3) a hiker on a long trek

ROMAN 8:37