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Sermon: The Trial
…a sermon about 1 Peter 1:7
by Chris Cumming
printer-friendly
MP3
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sUKoKQlEC4
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. |
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