The Fight Club

Passing the Test, Part 1 of 3

I.  Introduction

  1. When we get saved, we need to learn how to fight.
  2. This is not physically fighting people.
  3. This is fighting spiritually.
  4. The devil wants to kill us, steal from us and destroy us.
  5. He wants to do this to prevent anyone from following you to God.
  6. If we want to be who God has called us to be, victorious and receiving his promises, we must learn to fight.
  7. There is a cost to every promise.
  8. You must come through an obstacle to become victorious.
  9. There are three P’s to every promise.
  10. Patience: waiting on God.
  11. Persistence: doing the same thing over and over.
  12. Perseverance: being willing to fight.

I Timothy 6:12 (NIV)

12Fight the good fight of the faith

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I Peter 4:12 (NIV)

12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

II.  Perseverance

a.  What is perseverance?

i.  To continue a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.

b.  Perseverance is the key to winning a fight.

i.  You always come out better after successfully coming through a challenge.

c.  The result of perseverance is becoming mature and complete and not lacking anything.

III.  Tests

a.  Every single one of us will be tested.

b.  There are many kinds of tests:

i.  Keeping our word.

ii. Forgiveness tests.

iii.  Humility tests.

iv.  Relationship tests.

v. Love tests.

vi.  Service tests.

vii.  Tests of temptation.

viii.  Etc.

c.  The key to passing is properly identifying a troublesome situation as a test and responding appropriately.

i.  Your greatest mess can propel you into your greatest miracle.

ii.  Your greatest storm can propel you into your greatest set up (opportunity).

iii.  Your greatest pain can propel you to your greatest promotion.

d.  God has a way of changing your trouble into triumph if you trust Him.

IV.  How do I pass the tests?

  1. Predetermined decisions
  2. It must be predetermined that you will not fail, before the challenge happens.
  3. For example:
  4. Decide before a marriage challenge that you will not get divorced.
  5. Decide that regardless of your financial situation, you will tithe.

V.  Tests Everyone Must Past

  1. Character tests
  2. Character test tempt us to cheat or lie a little to get out of a bad situation.
  3. For example: lying to get out of a ticket.
  4. Having Godly character should be our #1 goal
  1. Obedience tests
  2. This is a test to obey God in a situation even when you rather not.
  1. Financial tests

Luke 16:11 (NIV)

11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

  1. This is the test to give to God before spending your money on other obligations.