Tim Conway emphasizes that true Christian faith is proven and sustained by the peace of Christ during severe trials, revealing the believer's spiritual foundation and trust in God.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of finding the peace of Christ in the midst of trials and difficulties, highlighting how these situations test the very foundation of our faith and reveal the character of our Christianity. It challenges believers to examine their response to crises and whether they can experience a peace that surpasses understanding, showcasing the true strength of their faith when faced with adversity.
Full Transcript
Ladies and gentlemen, when you get into a really difficult place, and all of a sudden you find the peace of Christ, that carries you through. You see, it's testing. Because the guy that gets into the difficulty in life, the test.
What is the test? Testing. The test is testing what exactly happens to you when you get in the test. Does that peace grip you? Are you stable? Is your faith locked in? Is there something foundational underneath you? That's what a test is.
It proves the very character and nature of your Christianity. What's going on? People who fall away when they're tested, they can't find this peace. What happens? They get in the midst of the trial and they're unhappy.
They're frustrated. They're uncertain. They're fearful.
And you know what they want to do? They want to control things. You get the person, oh yeah, when everything looked really good, when everything about Christianity, yeah, this is really good. But you see, it's like they want it on their own terms.
Oh no, I didn't sign up for this. Well, if God's going to do this, I'm checking out of here, folks. What about you and your walk? I mean, this is what we need to ask.
What's it like in a crisis? Because the thing is we all have these theories. We all have these systems. We all have these ideologies.
I mean, it's great when the birds are singing, the sun's shining out there and you've got money in the bank account and everything is good. Then we have all of our theories about Christianity. Yeah, what happens when it gets hard? And I'm talking really hard.
Like God comes and takes something away from you that you just don't feel like you can live without. Your health, your spouse, your child. What happens when things get really hard? What happens when you lose your job? Difficult.
What then? This is the test. Are you able in the midst of it to find a comfort, to remain untroubled? Do you know of peace that passes understanding? That's how the Scripture talks about it. Are you helped by your form of Christianity? That's what we're asking.
I mean, it's like you feel like there's very little that provides such a thorough test of our faith. It's one thing to say we believe. It's another thing in the midst of the trial to see our faith triumphant and victorious and we come out in a state of joy.
I mean, look, if you've been a Christian any amount of time, I'm not talking about something you don't relate to here. You get in that difficulty and it's like, wow, God is real in the midst of this. I can lay my head down.
I can go to sleep. I'm not going to be afraid. This excerpt is taken from the full sermon, What Does Jesus Mean? My Peace I Give to You by Tim Conway.
You can listen to the full message on illbehonest.com.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Nature of Testing
- Trials reveal the true character of faith
- Testing proves what undergirds your Christianity
- Many fall away when peace is absent
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II. Responses to Trials
- Unstable believers become fearful and frustrated
- Desire to control situations when trials come
- Some reject faith when it’s not on their terms
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III. The Peace That Passes Understanding
- True peace sustains believers in crisis
- Faith triumphant leads to joy despite hardship
- God’s presence enables rest and fearlessness
Key Quotes
“When you get into a really difficult place, and all of a sudden you find the peace of Christ, that carries you through.” — Tim Conway
“The test is testing what exactly happens to you when you get in the test. Does that peace grip you? Are you stable? Is your faith locked in?” — Tim Conway
“Do you know of peace that passes understanding? That's how the Scripture talks about it.” — Tim Conway
Application Points
- In times of crisis, intentionally seek the peace of Christ to sustain your faith.
- Evaluate your response to trials to identify if your faith is truly foundational and stable.
- Trust God’s presence to overcome fear and frustration during difficult circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main test of a Christian’s faith according to the sermon?
The main test is how a believer responds to severe trials and whether the peace of Christ sustains them.
Why do some Christians fall away during trials?
They fall away because they lack the foundational peace and faith needed to endure hardships.
What does it mean to have 'peace that passes understanding'?
It refers to a supernatural peace from God that comforts believers beyond human reasoning during difficult times.
How should believers view hardships according to Tim Conway?
Believers should see hardships as tests that prove and strengthen their faith and reliance on God’s peace.
Can faith remain victorious during severe trials?
Yes, true faith can triumph and result in joy even amidst severe difficulties.
