Grace Increases our surrender, grace insures our stability, grace inspires others who struggle, grace invokes us to service, grace introduces our speciality.

1. THE PURPOSE OF
TRIALS & TESTING

2. 1 Pet 4:12-19 Beloved, do not think it strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though
some strange thing happened to you; {13} but rejoice to
the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that
when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with
exceeding joy. {14} If you are reproached for the name of
Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God
rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on
your part He is glorified. {15} But let none of you suffer
as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in
other people’s matters. {16} Yet if anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify
God in this matter. {17} For the time has come for
judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins
with us first, what will be the end of those who do not
obey the gospel of God? {18} Now “If the righteous one
is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner
appear?” {19} Therefore let those who suffer according
to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing
good, as to a faithful Creator.

3. TRIALS
A. We have all probably had some kind of
trial or problem in our lives.
B. We don't look forward to trials and
problems but they provide an important
role in our spiritual lives.
1. To increase our surrender to God.
2. To insure our stability.
3. To inspire others who struggle.
4. To invoke us to service.
5. To introduce our specialty.

4. I. TO INCREASE OUR
SURRENDER – (Psa
119:67) Before I was
afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your
word.

5. I. TO INCREASE OUR SURRENDER
A. Financial problems
B. Personal problems, family conflict,
emotional, social
C. Do we turn to or from God when
problems come?
D. God allows us to have trials and
testing to increase our surrender.

6. II. TO INSURE OUR STABILITY - (1 Pet 5:6-10)
Therefore humble yourselves under the
mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in
due time, {7} casting all your care upon Him,
for He cares for you. {8} Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may
devour. {9} Resist him, steadfast in the faith,
knowing that the same sufferings are
experienced by your brotherhood in the
world. {10} But may the God of all grace, who
called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect,
establish, strengthen, and settle you.

7. II. TO INSURE OUR STABILITY
A. Plants which never have resistance are
easily uprooted
B. Plants which are provided water without
having to send out roots to find it, lack
strong root systems.
C. If we don't face trials and problems we will
be easily discouraged at the least problem
since we haven’t developed stability.
D. God allows us to have trials and problems
to increase our stability

8. III. TO INSPIRE OTHERS WHO
STRUGGLE - (Phil 1:12-14) But I want
you to know, brethren, that the things
which happened to me have actually
turned out for the furtherance of the
gospel, {13} so that it has become
evident to the whole palace guard, and
to all the rest, that my chains are in
Christ; {14} and most of the brethren in
the Lord, having become confident by
my chains, are much more bold to speak
the word without fear.

9. III. TO INSPIRE OTHERS WHO
STRUGGLE
A. When others saw Paul enduring
imprisonment and yet continue preaching,
it encouraged them
B. We can be a strength and encouragement
to others if they see that we remain faithful
in spite or our trials and problems
C. God allows us to have trials and problems
so we can be an inspiration to others who
struggle

10. IV. TO INVOKE US TO
SERVICE - (Psa 118:17-18)
I shall not die, but live, And
declare the works of the
LORD. {18} The LORD has
chastened me severely, But
He has not given me over
to death.

11. IV. TO INVOKE US TO SERVICE
A. Sometimes people give up and quit
when they face trials
B. We must rise to the challenge when we
face trials and problems
C. Trials and problems should be used as
stepping stones, not stumbling blocks
D. God allows trials and problems to
invoke us to service

12. V. TO INTRODUCE OUR
SPECIALITY - (James 1:2-4) My
brethren, count it all joy when
you fall into various trials, {3}
knowing that the testing of your
faith produces patience. {4} But
let patience have its perfect
work, that you may be perfect
and complete, lacking nothing.

13. V. TO INTRODUCE OUR SPECIALITY
A. God has something special for each of us
to do in our lives
B. Sometimes we must patiently wait for that
talent to be developed and have
opportunity to use them. - the apostles
were trained by Jesus for three years
before they began work on their own.
C. Many times our specialty lies in the area
in which we have overcome the most
problems
D. God allows trials and problems to
introduce our specialty

14. YOUR TRIALS & PROBLEMS
A. How have you reacted to trials and
problems in your life?
B. Have they increased your surrender?
C. Have they insured your stability?
D. Have they inspired others who struggle?
E. Have they invoked you to service?
F. Have they introduced your specialty?

16. TONIGHT’S SERMON