The Living Hope Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Know the Believer’s Living Hope
1 Peter 1: 3–5

Introduction: Hope

This is a rich, rich passage of Scripture. It is one of those passages that is so rich that it would take an eternity to grasp all that is taught herein. And note the most wonderful thing: it has to do with the believer’s glorious hope. What is the great hope of the believer? It is eternal life — the glorious privilege of living forever with God. Just imagine living face to face with God forever! No greater privilege could ever be given man. Note that our hope is said to be a living hope.

=>   A living hope means that it is not a dead, lifeless hope. It is not the kind of hope that we use to stir positive thinking for the moment but does nothing for us beyond the grave; not the kind of hope that gives us meaning and motivation for life but is dead and lifeless beyond this life. Despite all the earthly benefit we get from positive thinking and motivational hope, these have no meaning beyond this life and the grave.

=>   A living hope means that it is not a probable hope; it is not the kind of hope that may or may not come to pass.

The hope that God gives is a living hope, a hope that is real and true, that actually exists. A living hope is active and functioning; it acts and works both within the heart of the believer and within heaven apart from the believer. Eternal life is a living hope because it is reality; it is a life that really exists in another world, the spiritual world, that is more real than the world in which we live. The believer’s hope for eternal life lives, acts and works within the believer now, even while he is on earth. It is not that the believer is going to receive eternal life; he has already received eternal life. His hope for eternal life is living, acting and working within him right now. This is the glorious hope of the believer, the living hope of living forever with God face to face.

I.   The source of the hope: the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3).

II.   The inheritance of the hope (v. 4).

III.   The assurance of the hope (v. 5).

I.   1 Peter 1: 3   Source of the Believer’s Hope: Mercy

There is the source of the hope. The source is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note who our Lord Jesus Christ is.

=>   He is our Lord, the One to whom we have surrendered and subjected our lives; the One who sits in the spiritual and heavenly world at the right hand of God the Father.

=>   He is Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, the Man who claimed to be the Son of God and who was sent into the world as the Saviour of men.

=>   He is Christ the Messiah who was promised by God to save men.

This means a most wonderful thing: if we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, then the God and Father of Jesus Christ becomes our God and Father. And note: He is the God who gives eternal life. This too means a most wonderful thing: God is not off in outer space someplace, far removed from us, a god with little or no interest in our welfare. God is near at hand, all about us, living within the spiritual world and dimension, longing to relate to us and to look after and care for us, and to give us eternal life. Jesus Christ shows us this. This was the way His Father took care of Him; and if we follow Christ, it is the way God, even our Father, takes care of us. He gives us the most wonderful of gifts: eternal life — the living hope of living forever with Him even as Christ our Lord is now living with Him in heaven.

Thought 1. Note: eternal life exists nowhere else. Only the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ possesses eternal life. Therefore, if a person wants to know God and to receive eternal life, he has to come to the Lord Jesus Christ. The person has to trust Christ if he wants the God and Father of Christ to give him eternal life. And we must always remember: only the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ can give a person the living hope of living forever.

Now, how does God go about giving us the living hope of eternal life? This is a critical question, for when we look around our world all we see is corruption and death. We are born and then before we know it, it is time to die. There is so little time in between birth and death. And even while we are here on earth there is sin, shame, accident, disease, suffering, evil, cursing, lying, stealing, deception, assaults, murders, wars — so much corruption that death just seems to engulf the earth. The thinking and honest person knows that he and everything else including the world itself are dying. How then does God stop this process of corruption and death? How does God go about giving us the living hope of eternal life?

1.   The living hope comes by the mercy of God. This is the basis of our hope; it could be no other way. Man is just so sinful he has only one hope: the hope that God will have mercy upon him. Just think how we have treated God. We have...
•   ignored Him
•   disobeyed Him
•   neglected Him
•   sinned against Him
•   failed Him
•   disbelieved Him
•   rebelled against Him
•   turned away from Him
•   rejected Him
•   cursed Him

The list could go on and on, but the point is clearly seen. Our only hope is the mercy of God. If we are going to ever be accepted and given the living hope of living forever and ever, then God has to be merciful. He has to have mercy upon us.

The word “mercy” (eleos) means feelings of pity, compassion, affection and kindness. It is a desire to succor; to tenderly draw unto oneself and to care for. Two things are essential in order to have mercy: seeing a need and being able to meet that need. God sees our need and feels for us (Eph. 2:l-3). Therefore, He acts; He has mercy upon us. How? By doing two things:

=>  God withholds His judgment.

=>  God provides a way for us to be saved.

And note that God is said to have great mercy (overflowing, abundant, endless, boundless mercy). His mercy just flows on and on; it is ever covering us and creating the living hope and presence of eternal life within our hearts.

Rom 11:32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Eph 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Psa 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.

Lam 3:22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

2.   The living hope comes by the new birth. Note the words new birth or born again. There is no hope for eternal life unless a person is born again by the Spirit of God. A person has to be regenerated and made into a new person, a new self before he can ever live forever.

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Eph 4:24 And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

1 Pet 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

3.   The living hope comes by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead to live forever in heaven with His Father. How does His resurrection give us the hope of living forever? By three things.

a.   First, God has proven that He has the power to raise the dead. There should never be any question about this; for God, if He is truly God, has unlimited power to do anything. But His power to raise the dead and to keep them from ever dying again is now proven beyond all question: it is proven by the fact that He has raised Jesus Christ from the dead and exalted Him into heaven never again to die.

b.   Second, the fact that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead proves that Jesus Christ is exactly who He claimed to be: the Son of God who came into the world to save men. God would have never raised Christ if He had been a liar and deceiver. Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world; therefore, God raised Him from the dead.

c.   Third, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Perfect and Ideal Man who lived a sinless life when He was upon earth. Therefore, He stands before God as the Perfect and Ideal Man. What this means is most significant. Being the Perfect and Ideal Man, whatever He does is acceptable to God. When He arose from the dead, His resurrection was the perfect and ideal resurrection. Therefore, it can stand for and cover every man’s resurrection. If we are in Christ — if we really believe in Christ — then God can count us in the ideal resurrection of Christ. God can raise us up to live with Him forever and ever just as He did with Christ. Remember why — because Jesus Christ arose and has given us the ideal and perfect resurrection, and the Ideal can stand for and cover the resurrection of all others.

Rom 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Rom 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

1 Cor 15:1-4 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Eph 1:19-20 And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

1 Th 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

1 Pet 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

II.   1 Peter 1: 4   Believer’s Hope — Spiritual Inheritance

There is the inheritance of the hope. The inheritance is the eternal life that God gives us, but the inheritance of eternal life involves the most wonderful gifts imaginable.

There Shall Be the Inheritance of a New Nature or State of Being

=>  Being adopted (receiving the full rights) as a son of God (Gal. 4:4-7; Jn. 3:1).

=>  Being made blameless and pure (Ph. 2:15).

=>  Being given eternal life (Jn. 3:16: 1 Tim. 6:19).

=>  Being given better and lasting possessions (Heb. 10:34).

=>  Being given a glorious body (Ph. 3:11, 21; 1 Cor. 15:42-44).

=>  Being given eternal glory and honour and peace (Rom. 2:10).

=>  Being given eternal rest and peace (Heb. 4:9; Rev. 14:13).

=>  Being given the blessings of the Lord (Prov. 10:22).

=>  Being given the knowledge of Christ Jesus (Ph. 3:8).

=>  Being given enduring wealth and prosperity (Prov. 8:18).

=>  Being made priests (Rev. 20:6).

=>  Being given a crown that will last forever (1 Cor. 9:25).

=>  Being given a crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8).

=>  Being given a crown of life (Jas. 1:12).

=>  Being given a crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4).

There Shall Be the Inheritance of Work or Position and Rule

=>  Being made exalted beings (Rev. 7:9-12).

=>  Being made ruler over or put in charge of many things (Mt. 25:23).

=>  Being given the Kingdom of God (Jas. 2:5; Mt. 25:34).

=>  Being given a position of rule and authority (Lk. 12:42-44; Lk. 22:28-29; 1 Cor. 6:2-3).

=>  Being given eternal responsibility and happiness (Mt. 25:21, 23).

=>  Being given rule and authority over cities (Lk. 19:17, 19).

=>  Being given thrones and the privilege of reigning forever (Rev. 20:4; 22:5).

=>  Being given the privilege of surrounding the throne of God (Rev. 7:9-13; 20:4).

=>  Being made priests (Rev. 20:6).

=>  Being made kings (Rev. 1:5; 5:10).

There Shall be the Inheritance of Wealth

=>  Being made an heir of God (Rom. 8:16-17; Tit. 3:7).

=> Being given an inheritance that can never perish, spoil nor fade away (1 Pet. 1:3-4).

=>  Being given the blessings of the Lord (Prov. 10:22).

=>  Being given enduring wealth and prosperity (Prov. 8:18).

=>  Being given unsearchable riches (Eph. 3:8).

=>  Being given treasures in heaven (Mt. 19:21; Lk. 12:33).

Note how our inheritance is described in verse four. It is most descriptive, an astounding picture of the new heavens and earth that are coming and of our life in God’s new and eternal world.

And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you. (v. 4)

1.   Our inheritance “can never perish; it is incorruptible” (aphtharton). The word means that it cannot perish; it does not age, deteriorate or die; it does not have the seed of corruption within it.

Thought 1. Mathew Henry points out that everything on earth changes from better to worse, but not our inheritance. It is perfect and incorruptible. It never changes, and it shall never cease to be the most perfect inheritance and gift imaginable (Mathew Henry’s Commentary, Vol. 6. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell, p. 1005.).

2.   Our inheritance “can never spoil” (amianton). The word means that it cannot be polluted or defiled, dirtied or infected. It means that our inheritance will be without any flaw or defect; it will be perfectly free from sickness, disease, infections, accident, pollution, dirt — from any defilement whatsoever. There will never be any tears over what happens to oneself or over the damage or loss of some possession.

3.   Our inheritance can never fade away (amaranton). It will last forever and ever. The splendour and beauty of it all — of life and of all the positions and possessions which God shall give us — none of the splendour and beauty shall fade or diminish whatsoever. Nothing, not even our energy and bodies, shall wear out or waste away.

4.   Our inheritance is in heaven; it is kept there for us. It is actually being held there by God for us. God is simply waiting for us to finish our task here on earth and to come to Him. Then He will give us our inheritance.

Note a critical point: the persons who are to receive the inheritance are those who have received the mercy of God, been born again, and are trusting the resurrection of Jesus Christ to cover their resurrection (v. 3).

Acts 20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up band give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Acts 26:18 ‘To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Rom 8:16-17 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Gal 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Eph 1:11 [Christ] In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.

Eph 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

Col 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Col 3:24 Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Titus 3:7 So that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Heb 6:17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Heb 11:26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

James 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

1 Pet 1:4 And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you.

III.   1 Peter 1: 5   Assurance of the Believer’s Hope

There is the assurance of the hope. How do we know for sure that we will receive the inheritance? The temptations and trials of life are so forceful and threatening, how do we know that we will receive the living hope of eternal life and its glorious inheritance? How do we know that we will not fall and come short of the great day of redemption? There are two answers.
1.   There is the assurance of God’s power. God’s power shields us. The word “shielded” (phrouroumenous) means to guard; to garrison; to protect. It is a military term; therefore it has the idea of might and strength. The might and strength of God’s power protect us throughout our journey in life — through all the trials and temptations of life — and God will see to it that we shall reach the glorious end of life: salvation. God Himself, in His sovereign and omnipotent power, will see to it that we receive eternal life and the inheritance that is being kept for us.

John 17:11 “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one.”

Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past.

2 Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

2 Tim 1:12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

1 Pet 1:4-5 And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Jude 1:24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

Rev 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

Gen 28:15 “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Psa 37:28 For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

Psa 121:4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

2.   There is the assurance of faith. We are kept and shielded not only by God, but...

•   by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

•   by our faith in God’s power.

No person shall ever receive the hope of eternal life or of God’s glorious inheritance unless he truly believes in God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Belief in Christ is absolutely essential. But once we have truly trusted Christ as our Saviour, we are saved; we shall receive eternal life and the great inheritance of God’s promise.

But note: a true faith is a continuing faith and trust in God’s power. And a continuing faith is diligent and vigilant. It is a faith that loves Christ with all its heart and life. It is a faith that seeks to follow Christ and to please Him in all that it does. Therefore, a continuing faith is a faith that lives a holy, righteous and pure life and that serves the Lord Jesus Christ. Simply stated, the person who truly believes in Jesus Christ gives all he is and has to the Lord Jesus Christ: he gives all that he is and has to spread the love of Christ around the world. True faith is a real commitment that obeys and follows Christ and that trusts the power of God to deliver him through all the trials and temptations of life. This is the kind of faith that keeps a person. The person who has this kind of faith has the assurance that he will receive eternal life and the promise of the inheritance. God gives the true believer this kind of assurance.

John 3:15 “That everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

John 12:46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Acts 10:43 “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 13:39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

Acts 16:31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.”

Rom 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

2 Tim 3:15 And how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. ♣

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Know the Truth About Trials and Temptations
1 Peter 1: 6–9

Introduction

This passage is one of the great passages dealing with the trials and temptations of believers. The experience of trials obviously includes the experience of temptation. Some temptation always lies at the very core of any trial, no matter how light or severe the trial. There is always the temptation to buckle or to give up under the weight of a trial. Giving in and giving up is a constant threat to us all. Because of this, the subject of this passage is being expended to cover both the trials and temptations of life.

I.   Know the fact: life is full of trials and temptations (v. 6).

II.   Know the purpose for trials and temptations (v. 7).

III.   Know how to conquer trials and temptations (vv. 8-9).

I.   1 Peter 1: 6   Trials and Temptations of Life

Know the fact — life is full of trials and temptations. Any thinking person can look around and see that life is bombarded with all kinds of trials and temptations. There are all kinds of trials, such as...
•   sickness
•   loss
•   disease
•   disappointment
•   suffering
•   criticism
•   sorrows
•   loneliness
•   ridicule
•   emptiness
•   abuse

There are also all kinds of trials and temptations such as…
•   greed
•   backbiting
•   selfishness
•   whispering
•   hoarding
•   revelling
•   drunkenness
•   drugs
•   deceit
•   anger
•   strife
•   gluttony
•   immorality
•   envy
•   sorcery
•   jealousy
•   indulgence
•   uncleanness

The list of trials and temptations in the world are as unlimited as acts of behaviour. For every act there can be the sin of too much or the sin of too little, the sins of commission or the sins of omission. Life is fraught with trials and temptations.

This is especially true with genuine believers, for believers stand in opposition to the selfish, immoral, greedy and unjust ways of the world. This goes against the grain of the world because the world is in opposition to God. Just note the world’s cursing of God and its flaunting of sex even for advertising purposes. These are excellent examples of the world’s opposition to God. Therefore, the world often persecutes believers who proclaim the need for man to turn to God. The world persecutes believers through ridicule, mockery, abuse and silence; through bypassing them, holding them down, shutting them out and ignoring them; through confiscating their property, destroying their reputation and in some cases imprisoning and killing them. Every genuine believer who lives for Christ knows what it is to be shunned and withdrawn from and to be persecuted to some degree, no matter what society he lives in.

This was the case with the believers to whom Peter was writing. They were being severely persecuted because of their stand for Christ. They had been forced to flee for their lives and to leave everything behind: homes, property, estates, businesses, jobs, money, church, friends and fellow believers. They were suffering trial after trial, experiencing what we see so often portrayed in the media: people flooding the roadways fleeing with whatever possessions they can carry by hand, fleeing the tyranny of the persecution of dictators and evil men. The difference with believers is that they often suffer at the hands of people because of their testimony for Christ. And this was, in fact, the case with the early believers who were receiving this letter from Peter.

As stated, the fact of trials and temptations is clear to any thinking person: we live in a world of trials and temptation. In addition, the believer has to bear the added trial of persecution because of his testimony for Christ. Now, note two things that are said.

1.   Trials and temptations are only for a season; they are only for a little while, for a short time. The idea is that our salvation is at hand; we shall soon be delivered from the sufferings of this earth. Therefore, we can stand up under whatever suffering is attacking us.

2.   Trials and temptations cause a heaviness within us. The words “suffer grief” (lupethentes) means to be grieving; to suffer sorrow, stress, pressure and mental anguish. We all know what it is to feel heavy and weighed down with grief; to suffer stress and pressure; to be mentally in anguish, wondering, questioning and suffering under the weight of trial or temptation.

Thought 1. This is a dark picture of the world and of life, a picture of all kinds of trials and temptations. But we must face reality; it is a fact. As we walk throughout life, we are bombarded with all kinds of trials and temptations. Our human experience proves it. But why face it? Why think about it? Why not ignore the fact, think positively, and look at only the good and move on? There is one reason: facts cannot be handled unless they are dealt with. Ignoring and denying trials and temptations will not conquer them, not permanently and not eternally. The only way we can ever conquer anything — no matter the trial or temptation — is to squarely face it and fight against it. The way to conquer the trials and temptations of life is the subject of this great passage.

Acts 14:22 Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Rom 5:2-3 Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.

Rom 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

2 Cor 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.

1 Th 3:4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

Rev 2:9-10 I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Job 14:1 “Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.”

Psa 119:143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.

II.   1 Peter 1: 7   Purpose of Trials and Temptations

Know the purpose for trials and temptations. When a believer is saved, why does God not just go ahead and give him a trouble-free, perfect life? Sometimes it would seem that God should do this. If God loves us and really cares for us then He should not let terrible things happen to us. Why does God let them happen? Why do the trials and temptations of life fall upon us, especially with such heaviness and sorrow? Scripture says there are two reasons why the believer is tried and tempted.

1.   The believer’s faith must be tried. The word “refined” (dokimion) means to prove; to test; to strengthen; to show that your faith is genuine (A.T. Robertson. Word Pictures In The New Testament, Vol. 6. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933, p. 83).

It is just like gold. Gold has to be put to the fire in order to clean out all the impurities and dross and to make it pure and clean. Now note what this verse says: we are much more precious than gold. Gold perishes, but not believers. Believers are lo live forever. Therefore, if gold has to be put to the fire to be made clean and pure, how much more do we?

The point is striking: God uses the fire of trials and temptations for a good purpose. He uses them to make us clean and pure and to make us trust Him more and more.

=>  When we are faced with some trial or temptation, we draw nearer to God. We cry out to God more than when things go well. We even tend to clean up our lives in order to secure His help as we go through the trial. We just live more pure, clean, and righteous lives. In fact, the greater the trial and temptation, the more we see that we need God. And the more we see our need for God, the closer we usually draw to Him; and the closer we draw to Him, the cleaner we live. The fire of trials causes us to live purer, cleaner lives, while learning to trust God more and more.

This is a most wonderful point: our trials and temptations are purposeful. God uses them to make us much more pure and to stir us to draw closer and closer to Him and to trust Him more and more. We become a stronger person through trials — much stronger, much more steadfast, persevering and enduring.

There is another fact that should be noted as well. When our faith is tried and proven, when we walk strongly through the trials and temptations of life, the world sees it. They see the power of Christ in our lives and the rejoicing of our hearts in Him. Some are attracted and want to know Christ for themselves. Standing fast through the trials and temptations of life wins people to Christ. God uses the trials and sufferings of life to pour His strength into us and to attract the lost to want Him in their lives.

Psa 66:10 For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

Isa 48:10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Isa 63:9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Luke 6:48 “He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”

1 Cor 3:13 His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.

Psa 17:3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

Psa 119:67 Before 1 was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

Zec 13:9 “This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”

Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.

Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take: when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Heb 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

1 Pet 1:7 These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Pet 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

2.   The believer’s faith is refined in order to show forth the praise, glory and honour of Jesus Christ and of the believer. When Jesus Christ appears — when He returns to earth — two things are going to be seen.

=>   First, Jesus Christ is going to be seen exalted higher than the heavens themselves; He is going to be seen in all the honour and glory of the universe.

=>   Second, believers are going to be seen exalted higher than anyone could ever ask or even think; they are going to be exalted in the very same honour and glory of Christ Himself. They are going to be seen as joint-heirs with Christ in receiving all the inheritance that God Himself possesses. Just imagine! All the honour and glory that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself possesses shall be poured out upon believers.

This is the reason God allows us to suffer trials and temptations on earth: not only to make us purer and stronger, but to better prepare us for the honour and glory of heaven. The more we suffer here on earth, the more we ache for heaven. There is also the idea of vindication, of proving that the claims of Christ and of our faith in His claims are true. In that glorious day when Christ returns, the world of unbelievers — all of them — will see once for all that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God and that our faith in Him is real. Christ and His followers will be vindicated. Christ and all believers shall be exalted in the honour and glory of all the worlds and of all the dimensions of beings. And all unbelievers shall witness the glorious event.

Mat 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Mat 13:43 “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Luke 12:37 “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.”

John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Rom 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

2 Cor 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Phil 3:21 Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Heb 10:34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

Heb 11:26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

1 Pet 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

III.   1 Peter 1: 8–9   Conquering Trials and Temptations

Know how to conquer trials and temptations. The trials and temptations of life are not to defeat or discourage us. On the contrary, we are to conquer them. We are to use them as stepping stones to become stronger and stronger in life. But how? How can we conquer trials and temptations when they are so devastating, destructive, powerful, damaging and threatening?
Scripture gives four ways.

1.   Trials and temptations are to be conquered by our love for Jesus Christ. We do not see Christ, but we love Him. Think about it: we have transgressed God’s law. We have ignored, neglected and disobeyed God; rejected and cursed God. We have even committed high treason and rebelled against God. Therefore, we are guilty and must bear the judgment and condemnation. We must bear the punishment for our rebellion against God. We are to die without God — to be exiled and cut off from God forever and ever. But note the glorious love of Jesus Christ. He has stepped forward and offered Himself as a substitute and sacrifice for us. Jesus Christ has taken our guilt upon Himself. He has died for us; He has borne our judgment, condemnation and punishment. No one could ever do any greater thing for us than what Jesus Christ has done. He has loved us supremely: He has died for us even when we have rejected and disbelieved Him. This is the great love of Jesus Christ for us. And this is the reason we love Him. We love Him because He has done so much for us — gone to the ultimate limit to save us by bearing the judgment for us.

Now, note what the verse says: we have not seen Him, but we love Him. We do not have to see Christ to stand up for Him and to please Him. Christ does not have to be standing over our shoulder for us to stand against trials and temptations. We love Christ; therefore, we...
•   obey Him
•   keep His commandments
•   turn away from temptations
•   walk through trials

It is our love for Christ that stirs us to stand up for Christ against all the trials and temptations of life, no matter how severe and ferocious they are. True love does all it can to keep from hurting the person loved. In fact, when we love someone, we do all we can to please that person, no matter what it may cost us — even if it costs us our life. So it is with our love for Christ. If we truly love Him, then we will never hurt Him — not by displeasing Him, not if we can help it. On the contrary, if we really love Christ, we do exactly what He says: we stand against all the destructive trials and temptations that devastate human life and doom it for eternity. We stand and bear all the sufferings in order to prove the power of Christ. We want some people to see the power of Christ and the great hope He gives — we want them to see so that they will turn to Him for salvation. How do we overcome trials and temptations? First, we conquer them by our love for Christ.

John 14:15-16 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever.”

John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

John 15:10, 14 “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love...You are my friends if you do what I command.”

Eph 6:24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Phile 1:4-5 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.

1 Pet 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.

2.   Trials and temptations are to be conquered by our belief in Jesus Christ. Again, note the verse: we do not see Jesus, but we do believe in Him. The word “believe” (pisteuontes) is in the present continuous tense. That is, it is continuous action, continuous belief — a belief that continues on and on in believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. The point is clear: if we are continuing to believe in Jesus Christ, then we are following Christ. We are doing what He says...

•   rejecting and turning away from all temptations.

•   standing firm and relying upon His presence and power to conquer and to carry us through all trials.

John 6:28-29 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Eph 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

James 1:2-6 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 5:4-5 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

3.   Trials and temptations are to be conquered by rejoicing and by an inexpressible joy that fills our hearts. The inexpressible joy of Christ is not always present, but it often is. We are creatures of emotion, creatures who do not experience any one feeling for more than a brief period. But every genuine believer experiences an inexpressible joy here and there. Words cannot describe it: it is just glorious, just as Scripture says in this verse. Mathew Henry states:

“This joy is inexpressible, it cannot be described by words; the best discovery is by an experimental taste of it; it is full of glory, full of heaven. There is much of heaven and the future glory in the present joys of...Christians” (Mathew Henry’s Commentary, Vol. 6, p. 1007.)

The point is this: joying and rejoicing in the Lord and His presence will stir us to stand against temptations and trials. Joy and rejoicing will help us to focus upon Christ and His glorious power.

John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Acts 16:23-25 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor 6:10 Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Heb 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

1 Pet 4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Heb 12:3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Psa 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Isa 61:10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

4.   Trials and temptations are to be conquered by keeping our eyes focused upon the salvation of our souls. This is the end, the very goal toward which we are moving, the salvation of our souls. As in any work or task, we must keep our eyes upon the goal. The more focused we are upon the goal, the stronger we become to stand against all obstacles. So it is with salvation. The more we focus upon the salvation of our souls, the stronger we become...

•   to reject and turn away from temptation.

•   to conquer the trials of life.

Mat 10:22 “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

Rom 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Rom 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

2 Pet 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Rev 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” ♣

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