Summary

A trial is a defining moment where God looks YOU in the eye and says to you, “Do you actually trust me? Do you actually trust me? What are you really leaning the weight of your life on?”

Sermon Questions

1. What are some of the trials that you have gone through? How has God used those trials to draw you closer to Him? Explain.
2. I heard Tony Evans say: “Money can buy a bed but not sleep; books but not brains; food but not appetite; finery but not beauty; a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture; amusements but not happiness; religion but not salvation – money can get you a passport to everywhere except heaven.” React to that statement.
3. Where are real riches found? Why does James say, Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV
4. Sin starts small, as a desire deep in our hearts. But as it grows, it gets stronger and stronger. Desires become ingrained ways of thinking. Ingrained ways of thinking become habits. Habits become addictions and life trajectories. And that leads to spiritual death. Explain how that has happened in your life.
5. Satan almost always offers some fleshly comfort as a substitute for trust. “Here’s a sensual pleasure; a creature comfort. A compromise. A way to maintain control. Alcohol. Sex. Materialism. Shopping. Manipulation.” How has that happened in your life?