Derrick Trent - How to Rejoice Through Our Trials (full service)
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INTRODUCTION
Let’s turn together
in our Bibles
to 1 Peter
chapter 1.
1 Peter
chapter 1.
& we’re gonna read
verses 6-9.
1 Peter 1:6-9.
& when you
find that
in your Bible
Pls stand
for the reading
of God’s Word.
The title of
today’s teaching is:
How to Rejoice
Through Our Trials.
In 1 Peter 1:6-9...
the Scriptures say...
1 Peter 1:6–9 (ISV)
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you have to suffer various kinds of trials,
7 so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more valuable than gold that perishes when it is tested by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. And even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
You may be seated.
When God’s ppl
go thru
trials of various kinds;
Trials
Where we’re
torn by
temptations;
Trials that test
our faith.
How shld we
react to those trials?
The Scriptures say
a lot abt
Trials for followers
of Christ.
In today’s passage....
Peter—
a faithful follower Christ—
A holy man who was
no stranger
to trials
that tempted him
& tested his faith—
Peter teaches us
Three truths
abt trials.
& by
remembering
& living out these truths
We’ll learn to
Rejoice Thru Trials.
PRAYER
Let’s pray.
Lord,
Speak to us
thru Your Word.
Give me
clarity of speech.
Give us all ears
to hear.
& give us all the grace
to practice the truths
we find in Your Word.
In Jesus name. Amen.
[Transition: The 1st
we’ve gotta do
to rejoice
thru our trials is…]
1. Remember trials are PART of life.
Peter starts
verse 6 encouraging us to
1 Peter 1:6 (ISV)
6 In this you greatly rejoice...
What was
Peter’s audience
greatly rejoicing in?
Everything
Peter has just said abt
the grace of
the new birth.
We shld greatly rejoice
in the hope
in the inheritance
& in the salvation
our God & Father offers us
thru the new birth.
But this rejoicing
is not bcs
we’ve got it
so great
in this present life.
Notice what Peter
goes on to say
in 1 Peter 1:6
1 Peter 1:6 (ISV)
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you have to suffer various kinds of trials...
Our joy as Christians
is not based on
having our
Best Life Now.
Our joy
Is not based on
having all our wants
& desires fulfilled
in this world.
Our joy is based on
what’s ahead for us.
The hope of the
future salvation
we have in Christ
in the world to come.
Bcs thru the new birth
God gives us these
Profound promises:
Thru the new birth
we’ve escaped
the corruption
of the world
caused by evil desires.
Thru the new birth
We share in
the divine nature
& are becoming
like God.
Thru the new birth
we have the Spirit
of the living God
living in us.
We have the hope
of eternal life;
We have the hope
of the resurrection
& the hope of
Eternal glory
In a new heavens
& new earth
Where sin
sickness
& death are no more
& where we’ll all
See Jesus as He is
bcs we’ll all
be like Him.
Doesn’t that
make you
wanna rejoice?
We shld all rejoice
in those truths.
But Peter reminds us:
As we rejoice
abt the future—
in the present world—
At various times
& in various ways
we will suffer grief
in various trials.
In other words
Trials are a certainty
for everyone one of us
who follow Christ.
At various times
& in various ways
we have to suffer grief
in various trials.
It’s part of Life
in the present world.
Paul & Barnabas
expressed this
same reality
to Christ’s disciples
in Ephesus.
As Luke tells us
in Acts 14:22...
they were
Acts 14:22 (ISV)
22 ...strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must endure many hardships to get into the kingdom of God.”
We must endure
Many hardships—
Many trials
to get into
the kingdom of God.
When we follow Jesus
we need to expect
that at various times
various trials
will come.
These trials
are just a
normal part
of the Christian life.
So:
We shld not
be surprised
by our trials.
& we shld not let
those trials
discourage us.
Instead
we shld do
what Peter says.
When we find
that we face
trials of various kinds—
we shld greatly rejoice.
Now
rejoicing thru trials
does not mean
we pretend like
our trials
are enjoyable.
Peter acknowledges
That we suffer
in our trials.
So
Peter’s not saying
To put on a plastic smile
& pretend like
your trials
are enjoyable.
Peter is saying:
Even when trials
bring suffering
into our lives
we who follow Jesus
can still
greatly rejoice..........
IF......
we learn to
look at our trials
in the right way.
So Peter goes on
to show us
the right way
to look at our trials.
So let’s remember
that trials are
a part of life.
[Transition:
& let’s also remember
a 2nd thing...]
2. Remember our trials are not PERMANENT.
In this world
we have to suffer
various kinds of trials.
Those trials come
in the form of
Sickness & diseases
that cause
tremendous pain.
Trials also come
in the form of various Temptations
to sin.
& thru the sins of others
who say & do
bad things to us.
& I’m sure you can
think of other ways
we all suffer trials.
But it’s important
we remember
the truth Peter teaches
us in 1 Peter 1:6...
He says
1 Peter 1:6 (ISV)
6 ...for a little while you have to suffer various kinds of trials...
APPLICATION:
No matter what
kinds of trials
we face
or how severe our
suffering may be
we must remember
It’s only
for a little while.
No matter how strong
the temptation to sin
may be right now;
Let’s never give in—
It’s only
for a little while.
No matter how badly
our faith
may be tested
right now—
Let’s never give up;
It’s only
for a little while.
Let’s hold on
to the promise
God gives us
thru Peter
in 1 Peter 5:10
1 Peter 5:10 (ISV)
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you in Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, establish you, strengthen you, and support you.
After we’ve
suffered
for a little while
The God of all grace
will personally
restore us
establish us
strengthen
& support us
thru His grace.
Let’s blv
that promise.
Let’s remember
Our trials are not
permanent.
[Transition:
& let’s also remember
a 3rd truth & final
truth Peter teaches us
so we can rejoice
thru our trials.]
3. Remember our trials have a PURPOSE.
I think we Christians
spend far
too much time
Trying to figure out
Where our trials
come frm.
I often hear ppl
blame every
affliction we suffer
on the devil.
Bcs they blv——
since God is good
He wld never
lead His children
to suffer affliction
& certainly wld
never be the one
who causes
their affliction.
But listen to
what the Scriptures say
to the Lord’s ppl
abt this
in Deuteronomy 8:2 & 3.
Moses writes
Deuteronomy 8:2–3 (LES2)
2 ...you shall remember all the way that the Lord your God led you in the wilderness that he might afflict you and test you and to discern in your heart whether you will keep his commands or not.
3 And he afflicted you and weakened you by hunger and fed you manna, which your fathers did not see, in order to declare to you that a man shall not live on only bread, but a man shall live on every word going out through the mouth of God.
Who led the Lord’s ppl
in the wilderness?
The Lord.
Why did the Lord
lead his ppl into
the wilderness?
To afflict them
& weaken them.
Why?
To test them.
To test their faith.
To see what was
in their hearts
whether they wld
live by His Word
or not.
He did this for
their good.
& the Lord does
the same
for all of us.
To prepare them
for the promised land.
The Lord also leads
leads us all
in the wilderness
of this life
to suffer various kinds
of afflictions
for the same purpose.
To test our faith
& prepare us
for the promised land.
Peter puts it this way
in 1 Peter 1:6-7
1 Peter 1:6–7 (ISV)
6 ...you have to suffer various kinds of trials,
7 so that the genuineness of your faith, which is more valuable than gold that perishes when it is tested by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
God leads us
thru various trials
to test the genuineness
of our faith.
Just as gold
is purified
& perfected
by fire
Our faith is purified
& perfected
by the fiery trials
that test our faith.
James teaches
this same truth in
James 1:2-4...
He says...
James 1:2–4 (ISV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Like Peter—
James encourages us
to rejoice
when we’re involved in
various trials.
Bcs we know that
God uses our trials
to teach us endurance.
To teach us
how to persevere
in the faith.
Our faith
gets stronger
as we endure
various trials.
& as we continue
to endure the trials
that test our faith
Our faith becomes
mature & complete.
So, God uses trials
to test our faith;
to teach us
perseverance.
God works
thru our trials
to perfect
our faith.
We’ve gotta change
our perspective
abt trials
& suffering?
We’ve gotta learn
to truly blv
what Paul says in
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 ...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Notice those words:
In “all things”
God works
for the good
of those
who love Him.
This means
God uses the things
we tend to see as bad—
The various trials
we go thru:
Things that
cause us grief;
Things like
Bad health;
Loss of loved ones;
Temptations;
Tribulations;
Persecutions—
We shld rejoice
when those trials come
bcs we know
God is at work
in all those things
for our good.
God uses all things
to perfect
our faith—
To make us
like our Lord Jesus.
In this world
we will
face fiery trials.
& at times
those trials
can burn us badly
& cause us
such great grief
That we begin to ask:
“Where is God
“in all of this?”
Let’s always remember
this truth:
God is right
in the center
of all this.
God is at work
in all things
for our good
to perfect our faith.
&
& what is
the good God
is working towards?
Perfecting our faith.
So,
Let’s keep
following Jesus
no matter where
He leads us.
& when the fiery trials come to test our faith
let’s learn to rejoice
in the Lord
bcs as we endure
those trials
thru God’s grace
God will use
our suffering
to accomplish
the good goal
of our faith.
Peter tells us
what that goal is
in 1 Peter 1:9.
Peter says...
1 Peter 1:9 (ISV)
9 ....the goal of your faith [is] the salvation of your souls.
As I said last week
the salvation
of our soul is
the salvation
of our whole being.
We can rejoice
thru our trials
when we remember
If we’ll just
hold on—
If we’ll just
stay faithful to Jesus......
every part of us
will be saved.
Every trace
of corruption.
Every stain of sin;
The sting & stench
of death
will all be removed
frm us
& frm this world
when Christ comes again
in glory.
One day:
all the trials
the temptations
the suffering & grief
we’ve endured
in this world
will seem like nothing
compared to the glory
that’ll be revealed
in us.
As Paul says in
2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (ISV)
17 This light, temporary nature of our suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory, far beyond any comparison,
18 because we do not look for things that can be seen but for things that cannot be seen. For things that can be seen are temporary, but things that cannot be seen are eternal.
The temporary troubles
that seem so heavy
to us right now
can become light
as a feather
when we
see our suffering
frm an eternal
perspective.
All the suffering
we endure in this life
is producing for us
an eternal weight
of glory beyond
anything we cld
ever imagine.
As Paul says in
Romans 8:18–21 (ISV)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.
19 For the creation is eagerly waiting for God to reveal his children,
20 because the creation was subjected to frustration, though not by its own choice. The one who subjected it did so in the hope
21 that the creation itself would also be set free from slavery to decay in order to share the glorious freedom of God’s children.
The glory Paul writes abt
is the eternal glory
of the new creation
in Christ.
We get a small glimpse
of this glory now
in the Church.
But one day
the glory of
the new creation
will be revealed fully
to us
& in us when
Jesus appears in glory.
On that day
we will appear
w/ Him
in glory.
& on that day
Not only will
the Lord’s children
rejoice w/
an inexpressible
& glorious joy—
The whole creation
will join in
1& rejoice w/ us!
Bcs on that day
the entire creation
will be set free
frm the decay
of death
brought abt by
the sin
of the 1st Adam.
& on that day
The whole creation
will share in the glory
gained for us
by the Incarnation
crucifixion
death
& resurrection
of the Last Adam—
The Lord Jesus Christ.
When the Lord Jesus
comes again in glory
He will make
all things new.
We can rejoice thru
any trial
any temptation
any suffering
we face in this world
When we look
at everything
thru the lens
of the life to come.
So, let’s keep
looking fwd
to our final salvation.
Let’s keep our focus
on the end result
of the trials
that perfect our faith.
Let’s remember
this is all part of
the process of receiving
what will be completed
when Christ is revealed.
We’re all being saved;
Our trials are
conforming us
to the image
of Christ.
& if we keep going
If we keep
loving Jesus
If we keep
obeying Jesus
Until our faith
is perfected
The end result will be....
The salvation
of our souls.
When we share in
the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
& once
we’ve reached
the goal of our faith
After our faith
is found
to be genuine
& our souls are saved
the result will be
what Peter says
1 Peter 1:7...
The result will be
1 Peter 1:7 (ISV)
7 ...praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
In the end
when every part of our being
is saved
& we stand w/ Christ in glory...
The result will be
Praise, honor, and glory...
Not for us.......
But for the God & Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why?
Bcs our God
& Father
is the source
of this glorious salvation.
God the Father
is the One who
caused us
to be born-again
thru His grace.
God the Father
Is the One Who
Gave us a living hope
thru the resurrection
of JC frm the dead.
God the Father
Is the One Who
is preserving an
Imperishable...
Undefiled
& unfading inheritance
for us in heaven.
& God the Father
Is the One Who
Guards the faithful
by His tremendous pwr
until our final salvation
is brought to us
thru God’s grace
when Christ
is revealed in glory.
So, at the 2nd coming
of Christ
We’ll see the result of
& perfected faith—
As we share in
Christ’s glory
& we
& all of creation
will join together
to bring glory
praise
& honor to God.
CONCLUSION
As we close:
Let’s remember:
These three truths
abt trials:
Trials are a PART of life.
We shld all
Expect them;
Welcome them;
& even Rejoice
when they come.
Bcs trials
are not PERMANENT.
Whatever grief
we suffer
Thru trials is only
for a little while.
So don’t get discouraged.
Don’t give in.
Don’t give up........
Bcs all
Trials have a PURPOSE:
God uses all
our trials
for our good.
To PERFECT our faith.
& when our faith
is perfected
will bring the goal
of our faith:
The SALVATION
of our souls
which will ultimately
lead to us
& the whole creation
giving praise
honor
& glory to God
when Jesus Christ
is revealed in glory.
When we live in light
of all those truths
We’ll keep our eyes
Twd heaven;
We’ll keep our eyes
On the prize
of being united
w/ Christ in all things.
& thru God’s grace
we’ll learn
Rejoice Thru Trials.
PRAYER
Let’s all stand for prayer.
Lord
Thank You for our hope
in the inheritance
& in the salvation
You offer us
thru the new birth.
Thank You
For using everything
In this world
Including our trials
to purify
& perfect our faith.
Help us to always
Love the Lord Jesus
By being obedient
to His commandments.
& Help us keep our eyes
Focused on Your glory
& the salvation
of our souls.
Today & always.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
The Lord’s blessing.