1 John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth”

2 Purpose DefineInstructEncourage

3 Attitude: 1. Manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, esp. of the mind: a negative attitude; group attitudes. 2. Position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action, emotion, etc.: a threatening attitude; a relaxed attitude. Source: Dictionary.com “Attitude” Defined

4 Attitudes Toward Trials!

5 Introduction Many warnings concerning trials! One of the more needed lessons! Some have allowed trials to: –Cause them to depart from the faith! –Cause them to murmur and complain! –Cause them to think that it is a strange thing! –Cause them to blame God!

6 What We Will Discuss! The meaning of trials! Examples of trials The value of trials What the Christians attitude should involve in regarding trials!

7 Understanding the Meaning

8 “Trial” Defined (1) a: the action or process of trying or putting to the proof : test b : a preliminary contest (2) : a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation; broadly : a source of vexation or annoyance –Webster’s On-line dictionary Gen. 22:1; Heb. 11:36-38

9 “Trial” Defined a testing; by implication, trustworthiness:-- trial, trying. –Strong

10 “Proof” Defined "a test, a proof," is rendered "proof" in Jam 1:3, RV (AV, "trying"); it is regarded by some as equivalent to dokimeion, "a crucible, a test;" it is the neuter form of the adjective dokimios, used as a noun, which has been taken to denote the means by which a man is tested and "proved" (Mayor), in the same sense as dokime (No. 1) in 2 Cr 8:2; the same phrase is used in 1Pe 1:7, RV, "the proof (of your faith)," AV, "the trial;" where the meaning probably is "that which is approved [i.e., as genuine] in your faith;" this interpretation, which was suggested by Hort, and may hold good for Jam 1:3, has been confirmed from the papyri by Deissmann (Bible Studies, p. 259, ff). Moulton and Milligan (Vocab.) give additional instances.” –Vine

11 Old Testament Examples!

12 It Is All of These! Faithful of the O.T. Tried Abraham – Hebrews 11:17-19 Cf. Gen. 22:1-19 – Gen. 12:1-4; cf. Heb. 11:8-9 Moses – Heb. 11:24-26 Daniel – Dan. 1:8; 6:16-23 Others – Heb. 11:36-39

13 It Is All of These! Trails Come In Different Ways By Commands of God! – Gen. 12:1-2; Gen. 22:1-19 God Permits His children to be tried by others! – Job tried by Satan! Job. 1:12; 2:6 As a test of our faith toward God! –Daniel – 6:16-23 –Apostles – Acts 5:17-42 –Some trials we face come by the hand of evil men!

14 The Value of Trials!

15 Manifest That We Are Children of God! Hebrews 11:6 - “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” –A way God deals with His Children! To test our faith!

16 Trials Develop Patience! James 1:2-4 – “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Romans 5:3-5 – “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

17 We Prove Ourselves By Trials ! It is a test of what is of Value to us! Matt. 6:33 –CAUTION – We can fail the test! –Examples: Attendance! How will we stand regarding controversy? –Will we seek to be popular and politically correct? –Or, will we seek to stand according to God’s word? What will we do when we are tempted? –Will we stand of fall? When we are tried and stand the test, we rejoice in our endurance! – Gal. 6:3-5

18 What A Christians Attitude Toward Trials of Faith Should Involve!

19 Christians Attitude Should Involve: Knowing how to recognize a trial of faith! –Some trials can be because of Sin on our part! This is not a trial of faith! 1 Peter 4:15-16 –Must suffer for righteousness sake! Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Peter 2:19-20 –God’s commands are righteous! Psa. 119:172 If we suffer because we obey God’s command – this is righteous suffering that glorifies God!

20 Christians Attitude Should Involve: Never Murmuring or Complaining! –Trials are more precious than gold! 1 Pet. 1:6-7; Rom. 5:3; 2 Cor. 12:10 –We should question and examine our faith if we are not suffering trials! 2 Tim. 3:10-12; Heb. 12:6-11 –“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor. 13:5)

21 Christians Attitude Should Involve: Realizing that we are not exempt from trials in this life! –Paul spoke of trials of converts: “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is” – 1 Cor. 3:12-13 STAND – Gold, Silver, Precious Stones FALL – Wood, Hay or Stubble –Job 23:10-11; Psa. 66:10

22 Christians Attitude Should Involve: Never thinking of trials as “strange thing” that is happening to us! –It is a strange thing if we are not suffering trials! 1 Peter 4:12 –After reading this passage, we should not take trials as a “STRANGE THING”! 1 Peter 1:6-7 –Accept the fact that trials will come to the faithful! – the Bible is replete with examples of the trials suffered by God’s people!

23 Christians Attitude Should Involve: We should look on trials as a way to encourage greater devotion and faithfulness to God! –We must prayerfully endure them! Rom 5:3-6 –We must rejoice when we suffer trials for righteousness as did Paul! 2 Cor. 12:1-9; 11:24-30

24 Conclusion! Remember the trials of faithful of the O.T.! God tries us in various ways! The value of trials! –Show that we are the children of God! –They develop patience! –We prove ourselves through trials! A Christian's attitude toward trials should include: –Knowing how to recognize trials! –Never murmuring or complaining! –Realizing that trials are part of this life! –Never thinking that trials are a strange thing! –Realizing trials can encourage and strengthen!

25 James 1:12 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.