BY JACK WARD
PASTOR, TOMAHAWK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Even when we come across test questions that seem simple on the surface, we find that they’re often not as simple as we first thought. For instance, the answer to the question, “How long did the Hundred Years War last?’ seems obvious, but the answer is 116 years.

When a test asks, “Which country manufactures Panama hats?” the correct answer is Ecuador. Here’s another: “From what animal do we get cat gut?” From sheep and horses, of course.

“In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?” November. “What was King George IV’s first name?” Well, everyone knows it was Albert.

Ah yes, many test takers are glad to be out of school, far away from trick questions like that thought up in some teacher’s lounge.

But as far as we try to get from the rigors of academic life, we find our lives are filled with other kinds of tests. We take driver’s tests, drug tests, polygraph tests, sobriety tests, eye tests and entrance exams. People in law enforcement have to qualify on the shooting range at least four times a year. Many of you have to take a test for your chosen profession. Like it or not, tests are a part of life.

But is there a test to determine whether a person is on the right track spiritually?

Yes there is. It’s in John Chapter 10. Verse 27, to be exact. “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” There are three tests in this verse that will determine if you are on the right track.

Test No. 1: “My sheep hear my voice.” Whose voice are you listening to? Are you listening to the God of the Bible or a god of your own imagination? A god who will not send anyone to hell. A god that does not care if you worship him or not? A god who doesn’t care what religion you follow as long as you are sincere? A god who looks the other way when we sin? A god who doesn’t think that the Bible is truth?

Jesus said that His sheep would hear His voice! Their lives are centered around and all about Jesus Christ and His Word! They give their total devotion to Him and His Word. Where does Jesus speak? The Bible! Are you reading the Bible? Do you believe the Bible? Do you trust the Bible? Do you live by the Bible? His sheep do.

Test No. 2: “And I know them.” Do you know Jesus? That’s important, but the most important thing is, does Jesus know YOU? The Lord knows those that are His. Are you His? Do you belong to Jesus? Do you care about what Jesus cares about? Do you know that He is always with you? His sheep do.

Test No. 3: “And they follow me.” Do you follow Jesus? Do you go where He goes? Where did Jesus go while on Earth? He went to the synagogue (church), and He went to pray. He went to the sick and the lost, to the cross, and to be with the Father.

Are you going where He is going? Do you want to go to church? Do you want to pray? Do you want to share His salvation with others? Do you want to glory in His cross and not be ashamed of Him? Do you want to be with Him in heaven? His sheep do.

Did you pass the test? Only His true sheep will pass the test. And there won’t be another test given by God. He has given all the correct answers to all of life’s questions in a person, and that person is Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen!

Hear Pastor Jack Ward’s sermons at www.tomahawkmbc.com and on video platforms Rumble, Bitchute and Brighteon. He is on WSIP Radio 98.9 every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.