Varied reaction of people People hear the same preaching only some believed – Acts 13:48; 14:1,2; 28:24-29 12 Spies but only 2 claimed the land could be taken – Numbers 32:12

SOME DOUBT THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT REACTIONS TO IT God told us only a few would find the truth – Matthew 7:13,14 God designed a message that would cause the proud to reject it and the humble to find it – 1 Corinthians 1:22-29

JESUS PLAINLY STATED THAT GOD’S TRUTH MUST BE CAREFULLY PURSUED John 7:17; Matthew 13:10-15 Anyone can find the truth of God, but must dig deep and not be discouraged Do you have what it takes? Can you find the truth & keep the truth because of a love for the truth?

THE TEST OF DISCOVERING WHO IS JESUS OF NAZARETH? God gave powerful evidence, but many didn’t believe – Matthew 16:13-16 Jesus didn’t give kind of evidence demanded, but sufficient evidence to believe – John 5:38-40 Men demanded signs, Jesus gave them something else – John 2:18-22

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE The Test Of Alleged Contradictions How could Jesus be from Nazareth & Still be the Messiah? – John 1:45,46; Micah 5:2 Did Jesus fulfill the prophecy? How would one come to know this? Those who are quick to turn away will never find God’s truth!

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE Test Of Knowledgeable, Influential Men- John 7:45-49 These popular men did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah How many stopped listening to the words of these men?

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE Test Of Jesus’ Teaching & Doing “Hard” Things Jesus taught without apology – John 6:61-69 Jesus responded at times in a way that caused the sensitive to quit – Matthew 15:22-28 Blessed are those who PERSIST!

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE Test Of Knowing How To Be Saved Must search the Scriptures – 1 Timothy 2:3,4 Some confused when they fail to find all requirements of salvation specifically listed in one verse Very different views widely taught require careful serious study of God’s word

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE Some Will Interpret A Passage In A Way To Contradict Others Faith without Baptism – John 3:16; Acts 2:38 Salvation by Grace – Ephesians 2:8,9; John 6:28,29 We must overcome the beliefs of influential men!

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE The Test Of Our Obedience Men serving God will face tests of their faith Abraham could tell us that – Hebrews 11:17-19 Abraham tested & God proclaimed his grade! Genesis 22:12

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE Jesus Expects His Disciples To Follow All Things He Commands Matthew 28:20 Made no exceptions to those required to make a great sacrifice – Matthew 19:20-25 Requirement of all who would be His disciple- Luke 14:33

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE We Are Tested In Our Morals Ephesians 5:3 We must stand against those in adulterous marriages – Matthew 19:9,10 When the world gets into the church we cease to be God’s

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE We Are Tested As Local Church 2 Corinthians 2:9 We must not let any outspoken men to cause us to pull back from obeying In conflict, we will be faithful to God Do not be dismayed – Acts 15:1,2,22

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE The Test Of Faithfulness In Trials God allows trials to come – 1 Peter 1:6,7; Revelation 2:10 Test will bring blessings when we pass it – Romans 5:3-5 Do you glory in tribulations? – Philippians 1:29,30

CONSIDER THE TEST MEN HAVE TO PASS IN ORDER TO BELIEVE Must Go Back To Foundations Of Why We Believe 1 Peter 3:15 Jesus to John in prison – Matthew 11:3-6 We should not become offended at Christ because He allows certain things to come into our lives

WILL YOU PASS THE TESTS OF GOD OR JOIN THE SHALLOW WORLD OF UNBELIEVERS? Response will determine what you will allow Christ to become in your life – 1 Peter 2:4-8 The unbeliever fights God! No man will win that battle! The believer will have Jesus as his foundation and builder

WHAT IS KEEPING YOU FROM FULLY FOLLOWING THE LORD?