Faith Brings Joy In Trails

Trials

Peter tells the scattered church that they can rejoice in their trials. He gives them 4 parameters around the trials : 1. They are temporary. 2. They are necessary. 3. They cause distress. 4. they will come in various forms.

When we understand these parameters of trials we can handle them better. Let’s unpack these 4 parameters.

Trials are temporary

Troubles and trials are inevitable in every persons life. However they do not last forever. Most of the time the suffering from a trial is but a short season in a persons life. Most of the time there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We will be able to endure the trial if we know that it is but a season.

There are trials that are life long. Even these have a season. They end for the believer when they die. Because of the promise of God that we looked at last week (Heaven) the trial and suffering ends when we get to heaven.

When we go through trials, understand that they are only for a season and God will give us what we need to make it through the trial. Remember Paul was going through a trial in Corinth and cried out to God. God told him: 2 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB95

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Trials are necessary for God’s purposes

God uses trials in our lives to accomplish His purposes. You may ask what purpose does God use trials to bring about His will. John MacArthur points out 6 ways God uses trials in our lives to bring about His purpose

God uses Trials to keep us humble. Deut. 8:3

Deuteronomy 8:3 NASB95

“He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

God uses trials to exchange the love of the world for the love of the kingdom John 16:33

John 16:33 NASB95

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

God uses trials to look forward and appreciate heaven. Romans 8:18

Romans 8:18 NASB95

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

God uses trials in our lives so we can be a blessing to others 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NASB95

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

God uses trials to correct us from sin Hebrews 12:9-10

Hebrews 12:9–10 NASB95

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

God uses trials to develop character James 1:2-4

James 1:2–4 NASB95

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Trials bring about pain

Pain is necessary to appreciate the good times. Tell story about Henry Passing.

Trails come in various forms

Trials come in physical, emotional and spiritual form. Physically it can come from illness or injury. Emotionally it can come from relational breakdowns or situational chaos. Spiritually it can come from struggling with sin. In every trial and in every form God’s grace will be sufficient for you!

Trials Prove Genuine Faith Vs 7

Peter tells us the purpose of trials are to prove our faith. Genuine faith handles trials in such a way that it brings glory to Jesus. What this means is that we are able to value the benefit of the trial over the pain of the trial.

This can only happen through our faith in Jesus. When trials come into our lives they often seem overwhelming. Our natural tendency is to see the trial and be fearful for the uncertainty and the possible suffering that we may have to endure. It is true that we may have to suffer in a trial, but our faith helps us see past the suffering to see the purpose Christ allowed it into our life to begin with.

This normally doesn’t happen at the beginning or the middle of the trial, but normally as we are coming out of the trial. This is because the trial must have its intended purpose.

The purpose is to look more like Christ. Peter uses the illustration that our faith is more precious than gold. Gold was the most prized metal of the day. Yet it had to be purified by fire. (give goldsmith example) Our faith is like that gold. It must be tested by fire. Trials are the fire that purify our faith.

Trials Strengthen Our Love for Christ Vs 8

Our faith in trials have a way to lean into Christ. It is when things get tough that we hit our knees and become serious about our prayers. We don’t see who we are talking to, but trust that He hears from heaven. It is in the answer of the prayer that we experience the manifestation of the glory of God. We learn to love God as we experience Him through our prayer lives.

Faith Leads To Salvation Vs 9

Our faith in Christ leads us to salvation. Our faith sustains our salvation. Our faith will ultimately obtain our salvation.

Our faith in Jesus Christ reveals our need for a Saviour. Faith is necessary to believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins.

Faith is also necessary in the lives we live. Life can be difficult and full of trials. Our faith in Christ enables us to endure and be victorious in our trials.

Our faith will obtain our salvation. When Jesus looks at our lives, He will be looking more at our faith than He does our works. It is by our faith that we will hear the words, “Well done good and faithful servant.