Judge not by Feeble Sense

Judge not by Feeble Sense 1 Peter 1:6-7 Context • Peter has been blessing the Lord for the His great salvation and its many benefits: new life, living hope, resurrection power, a sure inheritance, and a certain salvation. • Now Peter begins a special section unique to Hebrew writing – a topical thought chain. • Peter’s theme is the role of “various trials” • Today’s sermon will take an old Puritan form – (1) Text, (2) Context, and (3) Implications. Text: The Joy of Purified Faith • Rejoicing in the Fire: Peter begins with a uniquely Christian discipline of rejoicing through trials. • Certainty of Trials: Peter takes up the language of “divine necessity,” and the “if” carries the weight of “since.” • Types of Trials: temporary and “varied,” which can refer to temptations, persecutions, internal, external, etc. • Cosmic Purpose: “tested genuineness” is one Greek word and introduces the smelting theme; Christ derives great honor (3-fold description of glory) when His people persevere despite the trials that they face. Context: God’s Method is Testing 1. The New Testament is filled with encouragements in trials: • • • • Jesus: Matthew 5:21; 10:16-23; John 19:17-30 Paul: Romans 5:3; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; 12:7-10 Luke: Luke 4:1-13; Acts 5:41; 16:23-35 James: 1:2-5; 5:10-11 2. The Old Testament Repeatedly Teaches Refinement by Trials • • • Psalm 66:10-12 – “You have tried us as silver” Proverbs 17:3 – “the crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts” Implications: God’s Perspective on Trials 1. Trials are certain – they’re a part of the redeemed, Christian life (John 16:33; Hebrews 12:6; 1 Peter 4:12) 2. Trials are always purposeful: • • Trials are never the result of bad luck or random sinfulness; God reigns supreme over all Results from trials endure through the maturing light of eternity 3. Trials are often the result growth, maturity, and wisdom: • • • Job’s righteousness that made him a target Paul’s thorn came after his heavenly experience Jesus set his face as a flint to Jerusalem in the pursuit of God’s will Implications: God’s Perspective on Trials 4. Although trials may not come by sin, they can result in sinful responses: • • • Peter abandoned the Lord when tested (Luke 22:54ff) Job spoke out in anger and foolishness (Job 40:1-5) Hezekiah erred when God’s hand was removed (2 Chron. 22:31) 5. God holds us up during trials – even when we fall: • • • Proverbs 24:16 – “the righteous falls seven times and rises again” Psalm 103:14 – “He knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust” John 21:17 – “Feed my sheep”