When Faith Is Tested

Text

1 Peter 1:1–9 NASB95

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 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. 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 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; 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.

1 Peter was written sometime between AD 62 and AD 64. It was written mainly to Gentile Christians displaced throughout various Roman provinces. The tone of the letter suggests that they are enduring persecution and affliction from the Roman government. Peter’s message is not simply to “hold on”, but he teaches them that there is actually a benefit to all of this.

That there is an advantage to you when your faith is tried/tested.

It’s easy to boast and glory in an untried faith. One that never faced a storm, some trouble, some affliction, a time of testing.

Too many christians have settled for a version of Christianity that is intolerant to trouble. This life will bring some trouble (you don’t even have to go looking for it, it will visit you at your house), trials, and testing - do I have a faith that can hold on? Is my faith a fake faith, one that gives up at the first sign of trouble?

This not the sermon for those who are more concerned about everyone else’s sins, flaws and is blind to their own. This is not the sermon for fake christians who only what Jesus to bless them, heal them, provide for them, deliver them, protect them. This is a self-centered theology that believes loyalty should be comensurate on benefits. I.e I’ll keep believing if He keep blessing!

It’s not that God won’t do these things, but He wants to know will you still have faith IF I DON’T DO THESE THINGS?

Will you still serve/love/worhsip God when you’re sick, hurting, doesn’t give you the boo, doesn’t move the boss, doesn’t multiply your finances - Will you stick around, or is God only good when He puts something in your hand?

What does your faith look like when it is tried? More importantly, what does trying your faith actually accomplish? What is it going to look like in the end? - This is what Peter seeks to elaborate on.

The introduction is empowering

1 Peter 1:1–2 “1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as [aliens, scattered] throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”

Don’t miss the encouragement

He says your aliens and you’re scattered

Meaning they are displaced either through persecution and generally displaced as citizen of heaven living on earth

But you’re chosen - You still belong to me! Peter doesn’t want them to forget who they truly are in the midst of what they are facing!

YOU BELONG

Not only do you belong, YOU’RE BLESSED

This is significant because God has seen the end. He not only sees your salvation right now, but sees it in the end - Will you still have faith?

When Faith Is Tested

#1 There is Rejoicing (vs.6)

1 Peter 1:6 “6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,”

The “this” is in vs 3-5 - 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.”

“In this”

You need to rejoice, and rejoice “greatly”. The word here literally means to jump for joy, it is a deeply rooted joy - Why? Because I’m saved and I’m secured. No devil, demon, man, woman, gov’t, nothing can take what God has prepared for me - THAT’S REASON TO REJOICE!

God is enough reason to rejoice! Because I know what kind of God He is. So I need to learn how to hold on and wait on God. . . and while I’m doing that, take a moment to rejoice.

God is not on my timetable, He does not exist to serve my purpose, He’s not the genie in the lamp. Whatever time God shows up, will be the right time. Hold on!

When I consider how blessed I am to have this living hope, INDESTRUCTIBLE, UNDEFILED & DOES NOT FADE AWAY, RESERVED (kept), PROTECTED (under guard).

#2 There is Revelation

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 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;”]

Peter recognizes that even though these scattered but chosen Christians considered the future implications of salvation, which led them to rejoice greatly. . . it did not excuse their faith from being tested.

This testing is one from the outside (James 1:2). The pressures, the attacks, the problems, the people.

God has intentions for your faith; to bring praise, glory and honour at Jesus’ Coming. But to do that, it must be tested.

I have the future in my horizon, it is one that brings great joy - but I’m facing some stuff now. This is where the revelation is.

The testing/trial - they prove your faith. It reveals the true nature of your faith - Is it genuine? Or is it fraudulent?

Fire purifies REAL gold Fire exposes FAKE gold = What fire does to gold, trials do to faith!

What will the test REVEAL about your faith?

Will you persist in your faith when difficulties occur?

That’s when you pray less, gather for worship less, read less - you begin distancing yourself from your God.

That’s a good time to ask God

Renew in me a right spirit oh God

Lord I beleive, help thou my unbelief

The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord

It’s in that moment if you find yourself having a faith that isn’t genuine, ask the object of faith to strengthen your faith - ALL IS NOT LOST

Bonus Point - There is a Response

1 Peter 1:8 “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,”

Not only do these brethern consider the future glory and rejoice, but they also love and believe the God they had not seen

The reason for this response is they were seeing with faith

Romans 10:17 “17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 “7 for we walk by faith, not by sight—”

You don’t always need to see, but you need to BELIEVE!

#3 - There is a Result

1 Peter 1:9 “9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

“Outcome/End” - the goal achieved. The end of a process where the results are realized. “When my faith shall be sight”

End of faith = Constantly keeping God as the only thing you depend on during your sojourn and your moments of testing.

The end of this is SALVATION

Have we become so focused on the life NOW that we have lost the sense of the life to come for the individual child of God and for the church Jesus died for.