An At-Home Test
Advent 2023
December 31, 2023
Rev. Tim Sharpe
Paul urges believers to examine themselves — not to prove salvation but to grow in Christ — testing purity, abiding presence, and peace with others so they might be restored, disciplined now rather than judged later, and live to glorify God.
Summary
Closing the Advent series, the preacher draws on 2 Corinthians 13 to confront spiritual apathy and challenge listeners to a God‑centered self‑examination. Paul calls the Corinthians (and us) to test ourselves—not to earn salvation but to increase awareness of Jesus, receive restoration, and pursue holiness. He outlines practical categories for evaluation (purity, abiding in Christ’s love/presence, and peace with others) and reminds us that present discipline helps avoid future judgment at Christ’s seat. The message ends with a call to rely on God’s searching, cleansing work and a prayer for his kingdom and restoration.
Key Points
- Context: finishing Advent series and returning to Acts next week
- Problem: spiritual apathy and self-focused resolutions instead of seeking God’s kingdom
- Core command: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith" (2 Cor 13)
- Purpose of testing: not to prove salvation but to grow in awareness of Jesus and allow restoration
- Categories for self-examination: purity, abiding presence in Christ, and peace with others
- Motivation: discipline now helps avoid judgment at Christ’s coming
- Practical response: invite God to search and help in the testing process
- Closing: pray for cleansing through Christ’s blood and for God’s kingdom to come
The audio description and summary text on this page was generated using AI, please report any errors to office@christouhopechurch.com