More Precious Than Gold

INTRO:Life on earth will make you bitter, or better.

1 Peter 1:6–9 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Know the fact:

1. Life is full of trials and temptations

We can’t just ignore or try to run from them. We have to conquer them. We have to stand, squarely face it and fight! Shield wall!

We are mighty in the Lord

Romans 8:37 “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;”

Perplexed (Aporeo)=No way out

Trials: sickness, suffering, loss, disappointment

Temptations: We all know the big ones, Alcohol, drugs, but what about: Greed, strife, backbiting whispering, anger, envy

a. They are only here for a season

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison

1 Peter 4:12–13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

All trials are for reason and a season. they are only for a little while

The 5 sweetest words in the bible are “and it came to pass.”

b. They bring heaviness

Peter 1:6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations KJV

Heaviness (Lupeo) Grief, sorrow, sad

2. Know the purpose for trials & temptations

Our Trials and temptations are purposeful, they make us stronger. “What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.”

a. To test & prove our faith

The word “Tried=dokimion means to prove, test or strengthen. You have to admit, we tend to seek God more desperately when were in “the fire.”

b. To bring praise & glory to Christ and to ourselves

3. Know how to conquer trials and temptations

The winning formula.

a. By your love for Christ

John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

b. By your belief in Christ

Note in our scripture for today: We do not see Jesus, but we do believe in Him.

The word believing “pisteuontes” is in the present continuous tense. That is, it is continuous action, continuous belief, a belief that continues on and on believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. The point is clear: If we are continuing to believe in Christ, then we are following Him. Don’t be like a double minded man who tossed by the waves of the sea

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

Belief=Faith

c. By your joy and glory

James 1:2–6 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Being “Steadfast” brings completion and perfection

People notice. They’ll want what you have when they see how unshakable you are in Christ! And on the other hand you can turn people away from Christ by a sour attitude.

d. By remembering who you serve

Hebrews 4:15–16 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hallelujah!! We serve a God who understands exactly what were feeling, who invites us “draw near to the throne of grace, that we might receive mercy and find grace in our time of need!

Proverbs 3:13–18 “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.”

So what Solomon is saying here, is “blessed is the one who finds wisdom and understanding. In fact, there’s nothing that can compare with her, and how do we obtain this priceless gift of wisdom and understanding? By the conquering of fiery trials that we will have in this life.

This is the most wonderful point:

Trials and temptations are indeed purposeful.

God uses them to make us stronger and much closer in our relationship with Him. They grow us to have an unshakable faith.

Romans 5:2–3 “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,”

Did you catch that! Paul say’s that we gain access to to God’s grace by faith.

Isaiah 48:10 “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.”

“The furnace of affliction.” Wow!

Are some of you, right now walking through “The furnace of affliction?” like what we learned last week when we studied Job:

Job 23:10–11 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.”

If you are in the fire, just hang on to God’s hand and don’t let go!

And for Heavens sake, Put on “The armor of God and STAND!

Psalm 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.”

Affliction is to our ultimate benefit. Just remember:

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Like I said just keep keeping on! If you are under such a volley of fiery darts in “The evil day” You Just Shield wall and Stand ! And know God’s right there with ya!

CALL UP WORSHIP TEAM!

In Closing: Andre Crouch wrote a song back in the 70’s, that to me was the perfect song. It gives us a true picture of what life on this here planet is like, and how we overcome...

I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow, There've been times I didn't know right from wrong: But in every situation God gave blessed consolation That my trials come to only make me strong.

Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God; Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I've been to lots of places, And I've seen a lot of faces, There've been times I felt so all alone; But in my lonely hours, Yes, those precious lonely hours, Jesus let me know that I was His own.

Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God; Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.

I thank God for the mountains, And I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through; For if I'd never had a problem I wouldn't know that He could solve them, I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God; Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.

PRAY!!