1 Peter 1:3-9 - Rejoicing in Faith

Introduction

Q. When you are hurting, what is most difficult for you to do?

When we are hurting, we might find it most difficult to rest, to eat, to socialize, or to be productive.

But there are two things that some who are hurting especially have a hard time with...

[ILLUS] A woman once lost her son in a very tragic way. She said to me, “After that, I could no longer sing.”

In her hurt, this woman found that she couldn’t rejoice.

[ILLUS] A man once lost his mother to old age. Even though his mother’s death was from natural causes, he angrily asked me, “Why would God take her from me like that?”

In his hurt, this man found that he couldn’t keep believing.

[INTER] What will keep us rejoicing and believing even when we are hurting?

Peter says that it is faith.

Faith that comes from God.

Faith that is rooted in Jesus.

Faith that is nourished and protected by God.

Faith that believes our suffering has a purpose.

Faith that rejoices in salvation even while we suffer.

The folks that Peter wrote to were suffering, but look at what he wrote to them in 1 Peter 1:3-5…

1 Peter 1:3–5 NASB95

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Major Ideas

(1 Peter 1:3-5)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who according to His great mercy has caused us

to be born again

to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to obtain an inheritance

which is imperishable

and undefiled

and will not fade away,

reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are protected by the power of God

through faith

for a salvation

ready to be revealed in the last time.

(1 Peter 1:6-7)

6 In this you greatly rejoice,

even though now for a little while,

if necessary,

you have been distressed by various trials,

7 so that the proof (tested genuineness) of your faith,

being more precious than gold which is perishable,

even though tested by fire,

may be found to result

in praise

and glory

and honor

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

(1 Peter 1:8-9)

8 and though you have not seen Him,

you love Him,

and though you do not see Him now,

but believe in Him,

you greatly rejoice

with joy inexpressible

and full of glory,

9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith

the salvation of your souls.