Sermon: The Trial
…a sermon about 1
Peter 1:7
by Chris Cumming
The video I played before
the sermon is here:
Motivational-Period 7:15 True story. A preacher coaching a football team
motivates a doubting player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb4vileb-u4
As several of you have noticed in my sermons from
time-to-time, I love to finish with quotes by famous and wise people. Often
times, such quotes can put into plain language what we have learned from
scripture. For this sermon I wish to begin with a famous quote:
“It is one thing to read the Scriptures and affirm their truth. But until
you are in the trenches of trial, until you are faced with life circumstances
that test your faith, until you are pressed to the absolute limit of your
physical and emotional capacity, until you face the unrelenting stress of
ongoing trauma, you never really know how you'll respond to what you may have
embraced so easily during a comfortable Bible study.”
The quote is stating that for one to grow spiritually,
we need more than just the Word of God. There is a need, apparently, to have
the Word of God and ourselves put, as the quotes says, “in the trenches of
trial.”
Is this true? Is the quote offering us biblical fact? Does the Bible speak to
firstfruits going through trials? If so, what does God say about trials? Are
they ever needed in the life of a firstfruit? Does He see value in them? If
trials are to be a part of our experience, what should our attitude be about
them?
Today, we are going to answer these questions as I encourage all of us to
discover what God has to say about, “the trial.” Let us begin with what will be
our primary verse for our discussion.
1 Peter 1:1-7
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 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.
3 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,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in
heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 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:
Commentary on verse 6, "If need be."
If need be - This phrase seems to have been thrown in here to intimate that there was a necessity for their afflictions, or that there was “need” that they should pass through these trials. There was some good to be accomplished by them, which made it desirable and proper that they should be thus afflicted. The sense is, “since there is need;” though the apostle expresses it more delicately by suggesting the possibility that there might be need of it, instead of saying absolutely that there was need. It is the kind of language which we would use in respect to one who was greatly afflicted, by suggesting to him, in the most tender manner, that there might be things in his character which God designed to correct by trials, instead of saying roughly and bluntly that such was undoubtedly the fact. We would not say to such a person, “you certainly needed this affliction to lead you to amend your life;” but, “it may be that there is something in your character which makes it desirable, or that God intends that some good results shall come from it which will show that it is wisely ordered.” ~Barnes Notes
If need be - If it be necessary - if your situation and circumstances be such that you are exposed to trials and persecutions which you cannot avoid, unless God were to work a miracle for your deliverance, which would not be for your ultimate good, as he purposes to turn all your trials and difficulties to your advantage. ~Adam Clarke
Needful afflictions
Consider that all thy afflictions are needful, and work for thy good. Nothing is
intolerable that is necessary. “If need be,” whilst we have diseased bodies,
physic [fiz-ik – medicine] is as needful as food; whilst we
have diseased souls, misery is as needful as outward mercies. The winter is as
necessary to bring on harvest as the spring; affliction is as necessary to bring
on the harvest of glory as any condition. (W. Swinnock.) ~The Biblical
Illustrator
Note: Considering the statement in the commentary, “Consider that all thy
afflictions are needful” I want to point out that some trials we experience are
the result of sin, ignorance or poor judgment/decisions. These trials are just
as needful at the trials/afflictions God leads us to otherwise.
Trials are tests
The surest way to know our gold is to look upon it and examine it in God’s
furnace, where He tries it for that end, that we may see what it is. If we have
a mind to know whether a building stands strong or no, we must look upon it when
the wind blows. If we would know whether that which appears in the form of wheat
has the real substance of wheat or be only chaff, we must observe it when it is
winnowed [win-oh – chaff separated from grain]. If we would
know whether a staff be strong or a rotten, broken reed, we must observe it when
it is leaned on and weight is borne upon it. If we would weigh ourselves justly,
we must weigh ourselves in God’s scales that He makes use of to weigh us.
(Jonathan Edwards.) ~The Biblical Illustrator
Commentary for verse 6 [1 Peter 1:6] and phrase, "Wherein ye greatly rejoice."|
Wherein ye greatly rejoice.
Joy and trial in the Christian’s life
I. The Christian’s joy.
1. It is present joy. God’s service is gladsome even now (1 Peter 1:8; Philippians 4:4). Nor is this joy for advanced believers only, but for all true-hearted seekers [firstfruits] after God (Psalm 105:3).
Quoted verses:
1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen [the appearing of Jesus-verse 7], ye love; in whom,
though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory:
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Psalm 105:3
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
2. It is great joy (Psalm 68:3).
Quoted verse
Psalm 68:3
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them
exceedingly rejoice.
3. There are many sources of the Christian’s great joy, but the particular one here mentioned is the present happiness afforded by a believing expectation of the joys laid up for him in eternity.
4. There are important reasons why we all ought to be joyful Christians.
(1) It is our privilege as Christians. When we may be so much happier than we
are, what folly not to exercise our right!
(2) Our influence for good over others depends greatly upon the apparent result
which religion produces in our own case.
(3) Very much of our own stability as Christians depends upon our joyfulness
(Nehemiah 8:10).
Quoted verse:
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send
portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our
Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
II. The Christian’s trial.
There is nothing whatever [that is not checkered-marked by numerous and
various shifts or changes] here below [on Earth]-no joy without
sorrow, no sunshine without shadow, no harmony unmixed with discord, Life is
like an April day [April showers—multiple weather types].
1. “Ye are in heaviness”-pressed down, forced to the earth, as if under some cruel load. The Christian’s joy is from heaven, his grief from earth. These two are ever at war with one another.
2. “Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.” Persecutions abounded. The devil aimed his fiery darts at them. The world spread its allurements for them.
3. Yet this state of trial has its alleviations.
(1) It is only “for a season,” whereas the Christian’s joy endures
forever (Psalm 30:5; 2 Corinthians 4:17).
Quoted verses:
Psalm 30:5
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure
for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory;
(2) It is only “if need be”-if there is a necessity, if some good can be
effected by it.
III. The union of joy and trial in the Christian’s earthly lot. Does the
text teach that times of trial are destroyers of the Christian’s joy, even for a
season? On the contrary, Peter speaks of the “heaviness” only to give us a more
exalted idea of the mighty power of the “joy.” “Ye greatly rejoice, though ye
are in heaviness”; your hearts remain glad in spite of your trials. Clouds come,
but the sun breaks through them and goes on shining still. Obstacles arise, but
the bright river of the Christian’s peace flows past and over them, deep and
glad as before. The one great peculiarity of the Christian’s joy is its
comparative independence of outward circumstances-nay, its triumph over them.
Worldly men can rejoice when all is prosperous. If, therefore, the Christian’s
joy vanished at the approach of sorrow, men might well ask wherein the Christian
differed from others? (J. Henry Burn, B. D.) ~The Biblical Illustrator
Commentary for verse 7 and phrase, "That the trial of your faith."
That the trial of your faith - The putting of your religion to the test, and
showing what is its real nature. Compare James 1:3, James 1:12. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verses:
James 1:3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
I now want to go to the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge for 1 Peter 1:7
1 Peter 1:7
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 Treasury of Scriptural
Knowledge
The trial of your faith:
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened unto you:
Job 23:10
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as
gold.
Psalm 66:10-12
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through
water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
Isaiah 48:10
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the
furnace of affliction.
Jeremiah 9:7
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them;
for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?
Malachi 3:3
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the
sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the
LORD an offering in righteousness.
Romans 5:3-4
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
James 1:3-4 [verse 3 used above]
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing.
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast
some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten
days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the
hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth.
Being much more precious:
1 Peter 2:4
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of
God, and precious,
1 Peter 2:7
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be
disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head
of the corner,
Proverbs 3:13-15
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the
gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are
not to be compared unto her.
Proverbs 8:19
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice
silver.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather
to be chosen than silver!
2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have
obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:4
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these
ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that
is in the world through lust.
Than of gold that perisheth:
Ecclesiastes 5:14
But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is
nothing in his hand.
Jeremiah 48:36
Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound
like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are
perished.
Luke 12:20-21
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of
thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:33
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a
treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither
moth corrupteth.
Acts 8:20
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought
that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
James 5:2-3
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness
against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure
together for the last days.
Revelation 18:16-17
16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and
purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and
all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar
off,
Though it be tried with fire:
Job 23:10 …used above
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as
gold.
Psalm 66:10 …used above
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Proverbs 17:3
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the
hearts.
Zechariah 13:9
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver
is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and
I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is
my God.
1 Corinthians 3:13
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because
it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what
sort it is.
Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest
see.
Might be found unto praise and honour and glory:
1 Samuel 2:30
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the
house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be
it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me
shall be lightly esteemed.
Matthew 19:28
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me,
in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye
also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 25:21 …to the servant with 5 talents
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.
Matthew 25:23 …to the servant with 2 talents
His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.
John 5:44
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour
that cometh from God only?
John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my
servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and
immortality, eternal life:
Romans 2:29
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart,
in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will
bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the
counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-12
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
|8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the
Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all
them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of
this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of
faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in
him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Judges 1:24
And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew
us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
At the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 1:5
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time.
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which
pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so,
Amen.
Quotes:
“The most important lesson that I have learned is to trust God in every
circumstance. Lots of times we go through different trials and following God's
plan seems like it doesn't make any sense at all. God is always in control and
he will never leave us.”
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”
“Our trials, our sorrows, and our grieves develop us.”
“We all face storms in life. Some are more difficult than others, but we all go through trials and tribulation. That's why we have the gift of faith.”
“We cannot always control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond. Many struggles come as problems and pressures that sometimes cause pain. Others come as temptations, trials, and tribulations.”
“Though our trials are diverse, there is one thing the Lord expects of us no
matter our difficulties and sorrows: He expects us to press on.”
…and the one I gave you at the beginning of this sermon.
“It is one thing to read the Scriptures and affirm their truth. But until you
are in the trenches of trial, until you are faced with life circumstances that
test your faith, until you are pressed to the absolute limit of your physical
and emotional capacity, until you face the unrelenting stress of ongoing trauma,
you never really know how you'll respond to what you may have embraced so easily
during a comfortable Bible study.”
So now I have shown you many of the things God has to say about trials. Go now
and continue working through your trials with rejoicing for your Savior Jesus
Christ is going to return in great glory.