“Rejoicing During Trials”
1 Peter 1;3-12
Sermon Series: “Comfort And Joy”
Introduction: Rejoicing during trials does not make a lot of sense as a title. Who would rejoice during trials? Why would we rejoice during trials? Aren’t we supposed to grieve during trials? The answer is yes to that question. Trials don’t make us happy. However, we can still have an abiding, supernatural, God-given joy. We can choose to rejoice in and worship Jesus. James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”
John MacArthur points out five principles we can learn about trials from verse 6. He writes, “(1) trouble does not last (‘little while’); (2) trouble serves a purpose (‘if need be’); (3) trouble brings distress (‘grieved’); (4) trouble comes in various forms (‘various trials’); (5) trouble should not diminish the Christian’s joy (‘greatly rejoice’).”
It is one thing to say we should rejoice and quite another to actually do it. Why should we rejoice during our trials. Here are four reasons why we can. We can rejoice in Jesus during our trials because:
1. We have hope in Jesus (v. 3-5, 9). This is what we covered last Sunday, but the phrase in verse 9, “the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls,” refers to when we are glorified in heaven. There are no trials there. There is a better day coming-if we are in Christ. There are three aspects to salvation: justification (delivered immediately from the penalty of sin), sanctification (being delivered progressively from the power of sin), and glorification (being delivered permanently from the presence of sin and its effects). Verses 9 clearly refers to the third aspect of salvation and is a glorious promise for the believer (see Romans 8:28-39).
A. The means of our hope is the mercy of God.
B. The foundation of our hope is the resurrection of Jesus.
C. The essence of our hope is an eternal inheritance.
D. The guarantee of our hope is the power of God that keeps us saved.
2. Our trials demonstrate the genuineness of our faith (v. 6-7). Our faith cannot be proven without being tested. Trials also refine and develop our faith as well as showing the great value of faith. Ultimately, trusting Jesus through trials and showing our faith to be genuine brings glory to Jesus, which is the point of everything.
3. He is the personal object of our faith (v. 8). Theses truths and promises are wonderfully encouraging, but ultimately, it is the presence of Jesus in our lives that enables us to rejoice in the midst of difficulties.
4. Our faith is not a subjective religious feeling but objective, verified truth (v. 10-12). Peter mentions four witnesses to the truth of Jesus in these verses.
A. Old Testament Prophets
B. The Holy Spirit
C. Eyewitnesses of Jesus who proclaimed the gospel and wrote the New Testament
D. Angels
Conclusion: We often cannot control our trials, but we are responsible for our response to them. Will we rejoice in and worship Jesus even as we grieve or will we turn inward and lose hope and joy?
