When I am Going Through, I ...

Introduction

Peter is writing to Christians in Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia) or Modern Day Turkey as they are going through some trials or persecutions. He wants to give some encouragement and instructions about the Christian’s behavior when undergoing trials. Peter gives an interesting address to the group, he addresses them in an interesting way. He calls them ‘Elect Exiles’ and notes that they are elect according to the Godhead. The foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Sprit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood.

We are going through some stuff now, I do not know about you, but I have heard things like #Cancel2020, I’ve seen #MyPlansvs2020. No doubt this has been a crazy year with alot if stuff going, a lot of stuff that we have never been through before, with people being affected and afflicted in different through this year. Then to top it all off we have ‘Murder Hornets’ regular hornets are bad enough but if you put murder in front of anything I am gone, you could have ‘Murder Sloths’ and I am out.

I think that in all of this the question is, how do we as believers deal with trials. How do we deal with all that is going on in the world right now, how do we approach this year and all that it will bring for the next 6 months. How do we deal with the afflictions and possible persecution that will come. I think Peter gives us some direction in that as we face the rest of the year. Thus the title of this Sermon ‘When I’m Going Through I ...”

1 Peter 1:3-9

1 Peter 1:3–9 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 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. 8 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, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

… Remember the Blessed God

Blessed - εὐλογητός (eulogētos) = Bless, Praise

Peter is opening up praising God, declaring that none other than the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the one who is lifted up, praised spoken well of. This is an adjective that describes God the Father as blessed. I like how Jordan says that he doesn’t need to call himself the GOAT, he let’s others do that. Same goes for God, He does not have to declare Himself as blessed, because that is just who He is. God the Father is the one who needs to be shouted out or big upped, but because He is the shout out and the big ups. God is the Sovereign, the Ruler of the Kingdom, the big cheese. Cats want to say that Michael Jordan is the GOAT, They want to say Brady is the GOAT, Naw man God is the GOAT. Why You Ask???

Because he is the God who blessed us with every heavenly blessing

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Because He is the God who has visited and redeemed His people.

Luke 1:68 ESV

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people

Because He is the God who comforts His people.

2 Corinthians 1:3 ESV

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

The source of all creation, the compassionate God, the comforting God who is forever. I think we forget that sometimes, when we are going through how dare we not remember The Blessed Father, the one who has all at His disposal, who has removed the greatest of plagues from, SIN. When we are going through we Remember the Blessed God and Father of our Lord jesus Christ.

So what is our response as believers is that of praise, exaltation, I’ma talk up God to anyone that will listen, I will big ups God when I’m in the car, when I’m cleaning the house, when I’m in the shower. I may let out a hallelujah in the middle of Wal-mart.

Peter tells those Why God is Blessed?

Peter gives us a couple of reasons why God is Blessed. To fully understand this I think we need to understand what is going on with the people he is writing to. Those who are sojourners, not in the fact that they are separated from Jerusalem or Rome, but the fact that they are in a world in which they do not fit. Like when I put on a ‘smedium’ shirt and I feel like a sausage, I do not fit that shirt, that shirt is not for me, as much as I may want to fit it, and no shade but some of us want to fit in. Well as believers, as the elect we do not fit in this world as others do. We are in a place that is hostile toward us. Jesus said it, if they hate me they will hate you.

John 15:18–19 ESV

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Caused to Be Born Again to a Living Hope

Peter’s focus concerning the Blessed God for these elect exiles is that He (God the Father) has caused us to be born again (Beget Again, which for believers means a spiritual rebirth) to a living hope.

When we say he caused us to be born again, note that activity is associated with the Father. This rebirth is from Him, because of His great mercy, meaning that there was nothing done by man to deserve this rebirth, it is not earned, it is not because I’m just that good. It is only because the Father has shown His mercy towards us, His kindness, His concern and His compassion. He extended according to His mercy (kindness, concern expressed to someone in need, compassion, pity, clemency). Because of what God was willing to offer to a lost and broken people. To a people that don’t deserve His mercy, who were enemies (at enmity) of God. Who had no inclination to a wonderful, blessed, loving, just God. This God in His mercy has caused believers to be born again.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Peter includes with the being born again that they are born again to a living hope. This hope is not a wish, or a nice thought, or a want to have. (I hope I hit the lottery!, I hope I find a bag of money on the way to work!, I hope I can cop the Jordan 3 Cements!) In the context that Peter is using, this hope is not worldly, which we will see in a minute. This hope is an earnest expectation, looking forward to something with confidence that it will happen, and this is because of who this hope is placed in. Not only is this hope an expectation, it is also living. Meaning that the hope is life producing, it offers life, puts a pep in you step so to speak. This is a hope that is only available to those who have been born again, and it is only available to believers through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He enabled this living hope through none other than Jesus the Christ. The same Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary, The same Christ who was Hung on a cross, The same Jesus Christ who Died and was Buried. The same Christ who was raised from the grave. Through this Jesus the mercy of God is extended to man, so that belief in Jesus allows a person to be born again. Only through the Gospel is one born again, only through the Gospel can one be caused to be born again.

To an Inheritance

This living hope is recognized as an inheritance

Inheritance - κληρονομία (klēronomia) = common in Christian usage (the possession of) transcendent salvation

There are many people who receive an inheritance, from their parents or the favorite Auntie or Uncle or from MeMaw and PePaw (Shout out to Auntie and Uncle Culture) and in some cases there is no inheritance to be had.

But as believers we are waiting for an inheritance that comes from the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ.

This inheritance is the focus of a believers living hope, as Peter presents. You see we have salvation now, we are actually members of the Kingdom of God now, we are His subjects through Jesus Christ right now, we have eternal life now (even with the passing of someone like Ravi Zacharaias this past week), but we will inherit the Kingdom of God in all of its fulness at the return of Jesus, we will experience our salvation in its fulness at the return of Jesus, we will experience eternal life in its fulness at the return of Jesus, all the rewards that we have stored in heaven, the room that Jesus (John 14:2-3) has gone to prepare for us, that is happening now, but we experience it fully when he returns. This is the inheritance that bolsters/grounds our living hope.

I like how Peter describes this inheritance as well. Peter gives us four things about this inheritance. Peter let’s us know that this inheritance lasts, is beautiful, and glorious.

imperishable - ἄφθαρτος (aphthartos)

This inheritance will not see corruption. Will not see decay, as it is now it will forever be. I like how the Lexicon BDAG puts it “pertaining to imerpviousness to corruption and death,”

undefiled - ἀμίαντος (amiantos)

This inheritance will not spoiled it is not tarnished. There is nothing impure and nothing amoral associated with this inheritance. This inheritance does not and will not have any blemish against it or stain.

unfading - ἀμάραντος (amárantos)

This inheritance will not lose its luster, or have any diminishing of pristine quality. This inheritance remains glorious, fully adorned forever.

So we see that this inheritance will remain what it is, it will also be kept for us, kept in a place that no man can cause anything to happen to it. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. That word kept speaks to the preservation of a condition or state. As the enemy might get to stuff in this world, he cannot get to our inheritance, it is safe. Further indication that this inheritance ain’t changing, it is there waiting for us to experience it fully. We find our living hope in this inheritance when we are going through. This inheritance, which is tied to our living hope, which is found in Christ.

Being Guarded

Finally we are being guarded, through faith, for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Peter says that not only is the inheritance kept for you, but you are kept for the inheritance. Do not think that believers will somehow, or someway be disqualified from the inheritance, that there is some means for a believer to miss what is waiting for them. God’s power, that great might, that power that raised Jesus from the dead power, is guarding you.

The word guarded literally means ‘to provide security’. What better security system can you have, than the Power that raised Jesus Christ as the firstborn from the dead. I had a I guy come to the crib and ask if I needed a security system, I should have asked him if he had that God’s Power security system. I am sure he would have looked at me crazy or told me no, but check this out we have that security system. The elect exiles are being secured by it right now and I am going to tell you, that is the best security you can have.

Note the mechanism that God does this guarding though, He guards through faith, the faith that a believer has. This is not saying that faith moves God, rather that ‘in faith’ God knows those who are His, and God keeps those that are his.

And we see what this living hope and inheritance are all tied together in and that is salvation. Just as we said earlier this salvation ours now, but we are earnestly waiting to receive it in the last time, at the return of Jesus.

“What a day of rejoicing it will be. When we all see Jesus, we will scream and shout the victory.”

Examples Inheritance

We are talking about a heavenly inheritance, which is nothing less that your salvation and what God has waiting for you in your salvation.

Colossians 3:24 ESV

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

- Inheritance as a reward

Hebrews 9:15 ESV

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

- Those who are called receive an eternal inheritance

Ephesians 1:14 ESV

14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

- Inheritance as our salvation

… Rejoice When In Fire

Then Peter continues telling the elect exiles that they should rejoice in this hope, in this inheritance. This makes sense, you see all that God has done, is doing and will do and it should make you want to lap around the living room, you just can’t sit still, you are excited about what is coming, you know what it will be like because the Bible tells us, you know that God the Father has the power to keep your inheritance and you, this living hope excites and motivates and moves you to live for God, to live in Christ to, to be led by the Holy Spirit.

There is one problem though, the elect exiles are in their ‘smedium’ shirt. They are in a place that 1) is fallen and 2) does not fit who they are in Christ. The elect Exiles lived in a world where they were being persecuted, they were being singled out and belittled, left out of social areas, even potentially struggling to find a place to live.

We are still in this world that does not fit, the world is still fallen and those in Christ are still exiles, sojourners. We live in a world where people do not want to hear truth, where people belittle the name of Jesus, blaspheme the name of God, look down on believers. We live in a world where there is still job loss, sickness, death, bullying, racism, lack of compassion, etc. Peter is not trying to minimize the afflictions or persecutions by saying to look only at the inheritance you have. Believe you me, I know this world and all that comes with can hurt. Those who have had to deal with a loved one who is ill, either Covid-19 or some other illness. Those who have to deal with the death of a loved one. The ridiculing of someone at work for their beliefs. These things hurt, they sting, they anger, they can depress. We regret these things and and wish there were different outcomes. Peter acknowledges that these trials, afflictions and persecutions are causing grief to the elect exiles, just as they grieve us today.

Just as Peter tells the elect exiles in this region to rejoice despite their affliction and persecution, we have the same charge. Rejoice in the inheritance that is coming, but also keep your afflictions and persecution in the correct perspective.

A little While, If Necessary, Grieved

When we think of the difficulties of this life, know, I mean, Know that ‘THIS WILL PASS!!’. When we compare the time here to eternity it is but a short time. James says that ‘you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.’ (James 4:14). Compare this to an inheritance that is forever, to an eternity that we have to spend with Jesus, in the new heaven and new earth. In the moment it seems like an eternity, it seems like there is no way out, there is no end, you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Peter is telling us that light is there. That light is none other than the light of the world, that light is none other than the one who will give the New jerusalem its light the Lamb (Jesus) (Revelation 21:23). We enter and are in trials with this in mind, considering the Blessed God and what he has given us in Christ.

James 4:14 ESV

14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Revelation 21:23 ESV

23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

We also realize that God is sovereign over all, even over the afflictions that believers face. There is nothing that happens to any believer or anything in God’s creation that is outside of His Control. This is the Sovereignty of God. Man can’t stop God’s will, even with his evil intentions. Genesis 50:20, Man does not thwart God’s Plan through any of his sinful actions. But God uses these afflictions, these persecutions. He uses them to forge believers into the likeness of Jesus Christ, He uses them to sanctify believers, He uses them to move believers to obedience.

1 Peter 1:2 ESV

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Peter is also presenting a ‘meta’ (an overarching) view of the trials that are being encountered, presenting them as character tests, as attempts to move someone to act on a wrong impulse, to react to a wrong that is done to someone. These trials are against you in action as well as character.

Verse 7 Peter gives the purpose of the trials. These tests do the following:

Test the Genuineness of Your Faith

tested genuineness - δοκίμιον (dokimion) = genuineness as result of a test, genuine, without alloy

This faith is more precious than Gold, it does not perish, but has impurities that can be removed, like gold. Those things that can keep you from fully trusting God, those desires that can lead to sin, that which prevents you from complete obedience, those things can be burned off. Jesus wants all of you, and trials that keep you coming back to Him, can help open those areas that you are trying to close off. Those areas you are trying to hide, those areas that you are trying to keep to yourself. Also of note, is that Peter is saying that faith and its refinement has some results. This faith remains through the testing, it does not diminish, rather it strengthens resulting in a faithfulness that is found at the return of Jesus the Christ.

Results in Praise and Honor and Glory - Yes this is praise for the one who withstands these trials, whose faith is refined they receive praise, honor and glory. A praise that indicates God’s approval, a glory that you get to participate in with Christ and an honor that indicates the esteem or regard that you have in Christ. This is the believers platform which is tied to the return of Christ. We see the fruits of the refining of faith in none other than Jesus Christ. In none other than, his return. Almost like a big ‘I TOLD YOU SO!!’ to the world. Where we can shout ‘Mama we made it!!!’

We have a living hope, which Peter characterizes as an inheritance, which brings us joy. But in this world we will suffer afflictions and persecutions. Yet and still in that don’t lose sight of what God is doing through these persecutions and what glory, honor and praise is waiting for us as faith refined saints at the return of Jesus.

… Lean In

Peter wants to remind the elect exiles of another point of joy. Which is nothing other than Jesus Himself.

As much as there is a universal Church, which every believer belongs to in Christ, as much as there is a local Church body made up of believers. Peter reminds us of the personal emotional nature of our salvation.

Peter reminds the exiles that they are in love with Jesus Christ, They have not seen Him but they love Him. Chances are that anyone who is alive now and a believer of Christ has not seen Him, if you have let me know I want to talk with you. Yet and still ...

When you think of what Jesus has done for us, you love Him.

When you think of Jesus whose who believe in Him friend and brother, you love Him

When you think of His humility, you Love Him

When you think of the compassion that Jesus has, you love Him.

When you think of His care for the less fortunate, You love Him.

When you think of His Patience, You love Him. When you think of his prayers for the saints, You Love Him.

You can’t help but love Him if you have a relationship with Him. Just like the elect exiles, you have not seen Him, but you love Him.

We who are believers can’t help but love Him. God the Father caused us to be born again and that was accomplished in Jesus Christ and Him alone. So without Jesus giving His life, without Jesus being obedient to Father, without Jesus looking after and caring for us, we would still be children of wrath as Ephesians says (Ephesians 2:3). Because of this we cannot help but love him.

Peter also notes that even though you do not now see Him, you believe. You believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Son of David, the Ancient of Days, The Messiah.

You did not get to see Jesus after the resurrection, but you believe that Jesus was raised on the 3rd day. You believe that He saw His disciples. You believe that the whole of Scripture points to Jesus as the Savior, as the given Child and the born Savior.

By God’s grace you believe, you know, you accept as truth Jesus the Christ.

Peter wants them to lean in on this love and belief when going through. Lean into the this Jesus that they love and belief. I think that Peter would want us to lean into this love and belief we have also.

In addition to the inheritance, in addition to the perspective, we have the most important thing which is Jesus. We personally love Him, We personally believe Him. We each are personally looking to the time of His return, understanding that we are in the last day. If nothing else when you are going through hold to this personal love and belief and that should fill you with joy, even in your trials, you should get a taste of the joy that we will have at His return, where like the singer says,

I can only Imagine

Will I dance for Jesus

Will I be still in Awe

Will I stand or fall to my knees

Will I sing Hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

Jesus is the source of our joy, and nothing can take that away. We live in that joy today, We rejoice in that today, knowing that in Jesus is out inheritance, in Jesus our perspective makes sense and in the love and belief that Jesus is and that He loves us. So saints when we are going through remember, you are loved by the one and Only God, who has saved you, who refines you and who has sent His Son in whom we find out ultimate joy, in a world that does not fit.

Conclusion

We are going to have stuff happen in this place that is not our true home. We are merely passing through, through a place that did not love our Savior and will not love His followers. So we will have difficulties, face hardships, lose loved ones, see illness, grieve for others afflictions, witness crime, bullying, racism. We will see and in some cases experience these things.

But Peter gives us a means of seeing through these trials that grieve us, When We are Going through:

We Remember the Blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has blessed us immensely according to His mercy through His Son with a living hope, with an inheritance that remains and is waiting for us, His children.

We Rejoice when in the Fire. Not out of denial of the pain or the trial or its severity, but in remembering the grandness of the inheritance, understanding that God is working it out and in God our faith is forged for our Praise, Glory and Honor.

We Lean In. We Remember that we love and believe in a Jesus that loved us, saved us and that all we encounter in this fallen world pales in comparison to the joy we have in Him.