The Test
Hebrews 2: 14 -18
Hey guys and girls, my name is James Knapp if you didn't know. I currently go to Emmaus Bible College and this is my first ever blog! but instead of my thoughts and etc. I thought i could put some of my sermons/teachings on here. this is for anyone whether your a Believer or not. i hope this blog can help people, encourage people, and save people through the Holy Spirit. i'll be praying for you as you embark on this journey. :)
the first sermon or blog whatever you prefer is called the test. School is starting back up again, and there's one thing in school we all dread....TESTS! ya the first couple weeks we probably won't be taking paper test, but we have always been taking a test. My main verse for this week is Hebrews 2: 14-18 but the focal on this passage is verse 18, For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. i'm reading out of the NASB but some translations say tested. we are tested everyday, some are hard and some are easy. The easy ones are simple like should you either go to a party with drinking and sex? or go to a bible study? thats an easy one. The hard ones those are tricky like hang with my friends and have a fun time or stay at home and do nothing. im using examples off the top of my head so don't be offened.
When God gave me this message last october the message the Pastor spoke was called turning trials into triumphs. God takes our tests that are hard at that time and turns them into triumphs later on. We're taking tests everday not just in school but in life. Summer is sadly coming to an end and lot of us i bet including me was tested over things. i found out that only through Christ alone i can overcome these test or trials whatever you prefered. all tests are hard, even when i feel like i study all that i could and more. i'm not a test person, and satan uses everything he can to hurt me. but satan is not alone. why is it hard to be a Christian today? it's because we are living in a world that doesn't want us to be a Christian. look at the world we live in today from movies, games, books, magazine, internet. etc. they are saying one life so roll the dice. they are saying theres no God, its make believe only to make people feel better about death. i have three points on tests...
1. The World will test you. 1 John 2: 15-17
when i hear about the world testing us, i think of the movie 300. great movie i love it, top 5 for me. but my favorite scene in it, is a scene we all look over. it's where the Spartans come up on a destroyed village and see a human tree. one of the greeks say they know who did this. they are called immortals, and leonidas says "Immortals, we'll put their name to the test". immortals were the elites of the persian army, reason they were called immortals is because when one died or retired they immediately fill in their spot. so it seemed like nothing happened. The Spartans was going to test that theory. In asia and other communist countries, God and his word are not allowed over there. No crosses, no bibles, no Christian tee shirts, nothing if it has to do with Jesus. they have to have underground church so the police or military can't find them. if they do they could either go to jail or worse be killed. there's one story of a pastor who lives in vietnam got caught and the police came in and destroyed his church and beat him up and threw him in a prison for several years! that's how its bad it is over there, and sadly i believe that one day america is going to be like that one day. in the movie Soul Surfer she gets her arm bitten off by a shark, and its funny how two different groups reacted to it. the secualrs told her to quit and do something else, but the Christians told her to just trust God. this world offers pride, lust, greed, envy, hatred, and etc. all of this is from the evil father...Satan.
2. Satan will tempt you. Matthew 4: 1-11
Satan has been tempting us ever since the beginning when he tempted our first parents Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 in the Garden of Eden. the reason Satan was tempting Adam and Eve was because he was jealous of them. Remember Satan was a cheriub, he was actually the guardin to the throne room. but the got prideful and said i'm better then God. so he convince he fellow angels to overthrow God. well he failed, little advice for yal. dont war with God, you'll lose :). when Satan saw Adam and Eve God's first human he was envyous and mad. So he tricked them, he tempted and they failed. Satan will continue to tempt us until we are in heaven or until Christ comes back! he knows if he can get one of God's chosen people to fall God will be sad. God never wants us to fall like Satan and Adam and Eve. He tempted Christ but Christ was strong enough to resist. how he beat him? he used SCRIPTURE! we have a bible for a reason, to know where we came from and to know of God's wonderful works. we should always have it with us! memorize scripture that's how we beat satan, and if you haven't already give your life to him!
3. Jesus will save you. John 3: 17
he didn't come to condemn the world but to SAVE the world, including HIS people. the archangel Gabriel predicts in Luke. Gabriel did some predicting already in the old testament, so he came back to bring the best news ever! in Ephesians we were choosen by, before the world! the earth is 140 trillion years old according to scientists. God is older then that, and he chose YOU before it, thats exciting to know that. Jesus Died for you, me, and everyone else who have ever walked this earth. didn't have to but to wanted to, he could of easily gotten off that cross and sent legion after legion of angels on the earth but he didn't. that's how much he loves you! he will always be you with authority. the great commission says it! Romans 8: 31 if God is for us, who can stand against us? with Christ we can and will defeat that serpent Satan Revelation 17: 14 says These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of Lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.
i really hope this message has helped you, if you ever need me you can get ahold of me thru facebook if you know me and have my number give me a call or text. if you don't but you see come up to me and we will talk and after pray. i hope you stay strong and pass the test that has been handed to you God bless.
