I Peter 1:6-9

Confidence in the midst of trials

Scripture reading –

Pray

Intro

√ You'll remember from our study last week that we looked at the confidence we are to have in God’s Grace.

Christians can be confident in God's Grace because of…

His Character

The Proof of the Resurrection

His Power to keep us until heaven

With that confidence in God's Grace, Peter now moves to the practical application that confidence brings to our daily experience.

That is, Peter is calling Christians to put their knowledge of God's Grace into practice!

It's one thing to understand the theological implications of God's Grace…

…quite another to experience it - especially during difficult times - trials which tempt the believer to lose hope or even believe that he/she had fallen from God's Grace.

Ap. Reminds us we are called to put our knowledge of God's word into practice.

Faith turns sound doctrine into sound practice.

Ex. Dead Christianity is a form of religion in which a person, or people have all the right doctrine…

…yet never actually experience the power of God in their lives because they lack the faith to put their knowledge into practice.

That's why unbelievers wrongly conclude that Christianity isn't relative - Christians aren't living their faith!

In verses 6-12 Peter tells us how to put our faith in God's Grace into action by faith.

Grace under fire (vs. 6-9)

IPeter. 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

√ Grace under fire

Peter reminds us that a living hope brings us a present joy!

Note vs. 6

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials"

Notice that Peter calls believers to put their knowledge of God's Grace (and the salvation it brings) into practice…

How?

…by rejoicing in the midst of trials!

James says the same thing…

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Reading these two verses you may be tempted to think…

"What's wrong with these guys!?"

The truth is that Peter and James didn't like to go through hard times any more than the rest of us.

However, they had learned through personal experience what Jesus had taught them concerning trials and tribulation in life.

Everyone experiences tough times in life - however, the person who has trusted in Jesus and entered into God's Grace can live with joy no matter what their circumstance!

How? By keeping trials in a Godly perspective!

Note Peter's thoughts in vs. 6-9.

√ Trials - have a limit (vs. 6)

"…though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials"

The first secret to going through trials with joy is to recognize that trials have a limit.

Peter tells us that trials don't last forever, they only last a little while.

The point is that if we'll look beyond the trials to the glory that waits for us after the trial…

…we'll be able to face our difficult times with a joy.

Look at the example set by Jesus as He willingly went to the Cross.

Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ex. Running a marathon

The runner doesn't think about the heat, or how far he has to run, or how his legs feel, etc.

Rather, he thinks on the glory that waits at the finish line. Those thoughts allow him to enjoy the beauty of the race - the glory of the task - and puts the pain into a right perspective.

The pain is temporary - a gold medal lasts a lifetime.

Ap. Keep reminding yourself that trials for the Christian don't last forever.

√ Trials - have a purpose (vs. 7 & 8)

IPeter. 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,

IPeter. 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

It would seem by the context that Peter's reference to "various trials" would refer to persecution, rather than the normal problems of live.

However, Peter's encouragement is that trials have three positive results in the life of the believer.

1) Refine, or purify one's faith:

Peter says that trials in our life are like fire is to gold. Fire purifies gold by bringing the dross (the junk that isn't gold) to the surface where it can be removed.

In the same way the heat of a trail exposes the junk in our life which isn't real faith. Jesus can then remove that junk so that our faith will be pure - real.

Ex. David & Goliath

There were thousands of soldiers who professed their faith in the God of Israel.

But only David ran to meet Goliath in battle!

That "giant" trial revealed who had real faith!

Ap. The false faith preached by the prosperity folks.

2) Produce a faith of greater value:

Gold, which has been refined by fire, is of greater value than gold when it's first dug out of the earth.

It pure - it's all-gold!

In the same way, faith, which has been purified by trials, is faith that has greater value in the work of the kingdom.

Ex. Paul's faith while in prison

Phil. 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

Phil. 1:13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

Phil. 1:14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Ap. God may allow a trial to come through your life so that others will benefit by how you endure it!

3) Bring glory to Jesus:

Peter reminds us that God sometimes allows His children to endure trials that we might bring Him…

"praise, honor, and glory"

How?

Like Job, whom Satan claimed only served God because of what God did for him, rather, than for Who God is.

Job's faith in God through the trial proved to all that he loved and served God not for the stuff…

…but for Whom God is!

The same is true for Christians today. God may point to you with assurance and pride and say to Satan…

"See, that one loves and serves Me because of Who I am and what I've done for him - not for all the stuff!"

Ap. I wonder how many of us the Lord can boast in this morning?

√ Trials - have an end (vs. 9)

IPeter. 1:9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

The great news is that trials all have an end!

The even better news for Christians is that when the trials are finally over…

…we find the promise of the faith, which sustained us through the trails - the salvation of our souls!

Ap. Every Christian's work will be tested by fire - rather have it tested now than wait for the final test and have nothing to show!

1Cor. 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

1Cor. 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1Cor. 3:12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

1Cor. 3:13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

1Cor. 3:14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

1Cor. 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Close

√ God's Grace in our lives gives us confidence to go through trials because we know…

Trials have a limit

Trials have a purpose

Trials have an end

Therefore, rejoice and let His Grace work through you as a testimony to the world.