Believing the Unseen Jesus
Notes
Transcript
Background
Background
Peter has written to these believers that are scattered throughout Asia and is reminding them of the glorious salvation that they have in Jesus Christ - a salvation that was planned by the Father, paid for by the Son, and is administered by the Holy Spirit.
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
This salvation is a cause for rejoicing - a hymn of praise unto God in verses 3-5 because the believers possess both a living hope and a glorious inheritance that is kept for them by the power of God.
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Peter begins explaining a major paradox - after describing this glorious inheritance that they have saved up in heaven, yet, their circumstances on earth are troublesome.
Yet Peter states clearly that in that wonderful salvation - they are rejoicing.
The Rejoicing of Salvation
The Rejoicing of Salvation
This is not just a rejoicing that God will deliver them from their present circumstances. Instead, it is a recognition that the believer can experience inward peace and joy in the midst of suffering.
We can have joy in that glorious salvation - even in the middle of trials and tribulations.
Example: Paul and Silas at midnight in the Philippian jail
They had been beaten and in the middle of the night - at the darkest hour, they worshipped and sang praises unto God.
We know the rest of the story - but recall, they had no idea that God was going to deliever them - yet they still sang praises unto God, their Savior.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
The Reality of Suffering
The Reality of Suffering
Peter uses the word translated heaviness - it simply means grief or sorrow.
Yet Peter does not diminishe their suffering. In fact, the word here signifies an inward sorrow caused by outer difficulties.
Peter recognizes the reality of their suffering!
Please note: It is not a sin to be sorrowful, it is not a sin to grieve or be sad, it is not a sin to be depressed. All of these are realities in the midst of a fallen world in which we, as believers, suffer trials and troubles.
But Peter does offer a glimmer of hope here - he states that this grief and sadness is for a little while. It is limited when viewed in the scope of eternity.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
The Reason for Testing
The Reason for Testing
Peter gives us the reason for this testing.
That our faith - our trust in the Lord might be proven.
This is not our doctrinal statement - this is our personal trust in God as our Savior - is He in control and is He loving?
“Gold is one of the most precious and durable metals. But faith is more valuable than ‘gold which perishes’ … [p]erishing things belong to the temporal realm. Genuine faith, by contrast, belongs to the things that are imperishable (I Cor. 13:13).” D. Edmond Hiebert
The Result of the Investigation
The Result of the Investigation
Not only a genuine faith, but also:
Praise, Glory and Honor
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
For both God the Father as well as those of use who go through those difficulties
Our Relation to Jesus Christ
Our Relation to Jesus Christ
This is one of the most comforting and convicting passages. In the midst of our trouble, Peter reminds us of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is more precious to us than anyone else upon earth. He alone loves us - knowing every one of our faults - even our secret innermost thoughts.
Yet, He designates us as His children and loves us unconditionally.
Loving someone we do not see
Loving someone we do not see
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
But even then, Peter still was not seeing Him - He had ascended to glory.
Yet, they all loved Jesus Christ
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Trusting someone we do not view
Trusting someone we do not view
But we will see Him one day
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
HYMN My Savior First of All