1. “Testing: Character & Endurance” Northside Mission Church (7-Oct-2012)

2. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. Our Proclamation

3. 1.All Christians will undergo either testing or chastening from the LORD 2.Our response to both testing and chastening are: Repentance – a change of mind and direction Repentance – a change of mind and direction A full, 100% commitment to Christ A full, 100% commitment to Christ Deeper reverence to the Scriptures Deeper reverence to the Scriptures Having right, godly relationships Having right, godly relationships 3.We should avoid being ensnared by sin and “spiritual weights” (Hebrews 12:1-2) Review

4. Newest Poster Boy of Adidas UK Name: Fauja Singh Born: April 1, 1911 “The World’s oldest marathon runner!”

5. Endurance for the “Last Days” Matthew 24 and Mark 13 − Jesus’ prophetic preview of the world situation that will exist immediately prior to His return − He also gave “survival directions” to believers Matthew 24:12-13 Because lawlessness would abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved Love – Greek “agape”

6. Mark 13:12-13 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. A very somber picture of the “last days”: 1.Treachery and disloyalty within the family 2.Christians being hated by all men

7. The Fruit of Testing and Trial Romans 5:1-4 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory (boast, exult) in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance (endurance); and perseverance, (proven) character; and character, hope.

8. James 1:2-4 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

9. “The Parable of the Sower” Matthew 13:3-9 1. Jesus is the “Sower” 2. The seed is “the Word of God” 3. The different kinds of soil are the different kinds of persons who hear the Word and how they respond to it

10. “On the wayside…” Matthew 13:3-4 Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them

11. “On the wayside…” Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

12. “Stony places, scorching sun” Matthew 13:5-6 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.

13. “Stony places, scorching sun” Matthew 13:20-21 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

14. “Some fell among thorns…” Matthew 13:7, 22 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them... Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

15. “The Good, fertile soil” Matthew 13:8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty... But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

16. The Two Main Tests The test of persecution The test of prosperity

17. Faithful and Devoted Acts 11:23b AMP Barnabbas continuously exhorted (warned, urged, and encouraged) them all to cleave unto and remain faithful to and devoted to the Lord with [resolute and steady] purpose of heart

18. Acts 14:22 Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God”

19. Focusing on the Eternal Hebrews 11:27 By faith (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing Him (Yahweh) who is invisible

20. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

21. Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.”

22. Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.” “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail”

23. Keep an eye on the prize 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.