Great Blessing brings Great Testing

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Great Blessing brings Great Testing!

• Part 1

Pastor Dave Martin Cross Creek Community Church
May 15, 2005
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Many Examples is seen in Gods Word...

• Jesus Baptism gt Tested in the wilderness
• David conquered enemies gt Fell to Bathsheba
• Elijah calls down fire gt Terrified of Jezebel
  flees
• Nehemiah rebuilds the walls gt enemy raises
  opposition
• Peter walks on water gt Denies the Lord 3 times
• Solemn last supper gt dispute over whose the
  greatest

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Many Examples is seen in Gods Word...

• Adam Eve perfect, sinless gt Satan, Sin, Death
• Noahs ark, safe thru flood gt Uncovered drunk in
  tent
• Abraham- Gods covenant promise gt Wife Sarah,
  Hagar
• Moses meets God on Sinai gt Aaron leads in
  idolatry
• Pauls miraculous conversion gt Jews conspire to
  kill him
• Cross Creeks Celebration Sunday gt Building
  Battling...

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Exodus 1522-26

• Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they
  went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they
  traveled in the desert without finding water.
  When they came to Marah, they could not drink its
  water because it was bitter. 23 (That is why the
  place is called Marah.)

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• 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying,
  "What are we to drink?"
• 25 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord
  showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the
  water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord
  made a decree and a law for them, and there he
  tested them.

Exodus 1522-26
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• 26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice
  of the Lord your God and do what is right in his
  eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and
  keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any
  of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I
  am the Lord, who heals you."
• 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were
  twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they
  camped there near the water.

Exodus 1522-26
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Great Blessing brings Great Testing!

• 1. Testing is for our GOOD. (Vs 22-23)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, because you know that
the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may
be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 12-4
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Great Testing Leads to...

• Maturity
• Character

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Great Blessing brings Great Testing!

• 2. Testing always Reveals our Heart. (Vs 24-25)

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a
sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from
the living God. Hebrews 312
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3. When Times of Testing Comes...

• Seek the Lord!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me
with all your heart. Jeremiah 2913
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3. When Times of Testing Comes...

• Seek the Lord!
• Digest His Word!

Jesus answered, "It is written 'Man does not
live on bread alone, but on every word that comes
from the mouth of God." Matthew 44
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3. When Times of Testing Comes...

• Seek the Lord!
• Digest His Word!
• Trust His Grace!

...the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from
trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of
judgment, while continuing their punishment. 2
Peter 29
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4. Camp-Out with Jesus in Sweet Victory!
Great Blessing brings Great Testing!

• He holds victory in store for the upright, he is
  a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he
  guards the course of the just and protects the
  way of his faithful ones. Proverbs 27-8

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Next Week Part 2

• Great Blessing Brings Great Testing
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