New Calvary Baptist Church

“Faith’s Furnace”

Bishop V. P. Oliver, D.Min.

 

1st Peter 1:7

“That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

 

Thesis Statement: If gold must go through fire to reveal its worth, then surely faith must pass through trials to reveal its strength.  

 

1.  FAITH THAT PERSEVERES THROUGH THE PRESSURE.  

• To persevere means to keep going even when things are hard.  

• Pressure does not always break you – it builds you.

• It’s not the trouble that’s “precious,” but the testing process.

 

2.  FAITH THE PURIFIES THROUGH PAIN.  

• Fire burns away impurities to bring out genuine value.  

• God allows the fire, not because He’s angry, but because He’s able.

• Faith praises not because the outcome is clear, but because God’s faithfulness already is.  

 

3.  FAITH THAT PRAISES THROUGH THE PROOF.  

• Your testimony becomes proof of His power.

• Praise becomes the language of endurance.

• I can’t let pain or pressure stop my praise.  

• Gold can perish, but faith that has been tested will endure forever. 

 

 

02/01/2026