Sermon: “Faith Tested by Fire”
Theme: At times our faith calls us to stand up to trials and conflicts that in the end will strengthen us and draw us closer to God.
Purpose: The congregation will understand that faith put into action becomes stronger and enables us to know Christ more fully.
Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:3-9 We rejoice even though we may suffer various trials.
Daniel 3:1-7, 13-30 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the fiery furnace.
Questions:
What does it mean for us to have our faith “tested by fire?” What role does standing firm in the face of adversity play in our coming to know Christ more fully? Is it possible to have a deep and meaningful faith without at times encountering opposition? How do we deal with opposition and challenges in ways that are respectful and filled with the love of Christ? In what ways is Christ especially revealed to us in the midst of the “fires” we face? What are some of the times when people of God have been tested throughout history, and in what ways have their faith shown out as a result?