January 2, 2022

Enduring Difficult Times

Preacher:
Passage: 1 Peter 1:1-12
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Do you have a go to activity when things get tough?
    • Examples
  • How do you endure as a Christian when things get tough?
    • The answer is in what we have read
  • The passage:
    • Peter refers to the Christians of the dispersion
      • Modern-day Turkey
    • A circular letter written not to churches but to the people
    • The Christians were suffering persecution for their faith
    • Peter refers to them as 'pilgrims'
    • cf Romans 8:22-23
  • Peter wants his readers to honour God in a land in which they don't belong

Kept by the power of God for salvation (v1-5)

  • v2 - Theologically dense
    • We live in the knowledge of God that transforms are hearts and minds
    • We are being made holy and into the likeness of Jesus
    • This completed and sealed in the finished work of Christ on the cross
  • Why does Peter consider it important to hear these words?
    • We are transformed by the knowledge of God as revealed in the Bible
  • v3 - A living hope
    • Jesus did not just die on the cross but was resurrected in power
      • Example from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
    • This is because of God's mercy
    • Established by new birth
      • John 3:3
      • This comes to the non-perishable seed of hearing the word of God
  • v4 - An inheritance
    • Earthly things do not bring life or an eternal inheritance
      • Examples
      • The inheritance for Christians is reserved for us in heaven
  • v5 - Comfort
    • Kept by faith in God
    • God shields us with the faith we have
    • We are kept by God safely to the end

Rejoicing in future salvation enables to endure present trials (v6-9)

  • v6 - Rejoice
    • Very unnatural in times of suffering
    • The Christian's living hope eclipses any secular 'hope'
    • The book written to suffering Christians
      • Our culture is becoming increasing hostile
      • Other struggles - examples
      • These verses help to encourage us
    • "though now for a little while"
      • Suffering will come to an end
      • There will be a day where we are welcomed into heaven
      • The world may change but the word of God does not
  • v7 - the purpose is to prove the genuineness of our faith
    • Gold is refined by fire
      • Our faith is more precious than gold
      • God is sovereign over our trials
    • Living by faith is hard
      • The world will question our faith
      • We have a real authentic testimony of the disciples
  • v9 - Salvation of our souls
    • The end point of our faith

Our Salvation (v10-12)

  • The New Testament and Old Testament speak of our salvation in Jesus Christ
    • The Old Testament prophets could only see things 'dimly'
    • God gave them insight and revealed things to them
      • Example of Isaiah 53
    • As Christians we have the privilege of seeing/understanding the whole of the Old Testament in light of the revelation in Jesus Christ

Closing Remarks

  • Recap of above points
  • How does this sermon affect us?
    • Remember all that we have in a extra compared to the glorious inheritance in heaven
    • Having a misunderstanding over this can lead to a shaking of our faith and disillusionment
    • We are not expecting heaven on earth as we are pilgrims
  • Fix your eyes on Jesus