Rejoice: Your Faith is Being Tested

Introduction

• God brings us Trials for a purpose (Psalm 66:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12)

Rejoice Greatly Though Grieved by Various Trials (v. 6)

• In what is the True Believer to Greatly Rejoice? (v. 6a) – Two Truths (vs. 4-5; Mathew 13:1-23)

• Trials are for a little while & Necessary (vs. 6b)

• Trial Test the Genuineness of our Faith (v. 7)
o Expose Unbelief (Hebrews 11:1)
o “Found to Praise, Honor, and Glory” in Christ (v. 7b; Proverbs 8:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17)
• True Faith Rejoices in Him Who we have Not Seen (v. 8; Habakkuk 3:17-18)
• The End of Faith – Our Salvation (v. 8)

Conclusion/Application

• He who has loved us with an Everlasting Love, will not forsake us, Even in our Darkest Hour of Grievous Trials (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Revelation 21:4)
In whom and/or in what do you rejoice? Is Your Joy Dependent Upon Your Present Circumstances? The Answer to that Question will Evidence whether Your Faith is a Genuine Faith or a False Faith, a Faith in an Idol.