Indescribable Joy!

1Peter 1:6-12

Subject: Joy in Salvation

Theme:  the magnificent truths of our salvation give us reason to greatly rejoice.

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: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:6-12, KJV)

Introduction:

Though spiritual joy seems elusive, it can be known and experienced by the people of God. One key is to focus our attention on the Lord and the great salvation He has wrought on our behalf. Yes, the truth that we are saved through such magnificent expressions of God’s infinite grace is solid reason to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory!

You see, Beloved, we can rejoice in the truth that God chose us (1:2), the Spirit sanctified us, and Jesus shed His precious blood for us (1:2). We can rejoice in the fact that we have been born again unto a living HOPE secure for us through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus (1:3). Even more so we can rejoice in the incredible inheritance God has stored up and reserved in Heaven for us (1:4). Lastly, but not least, we can rejoice in the security God affords us as saved individuals. He keeps us by His awesome mighty everlasting “power” unto the complete promise of salvation (glorification) is realized (1:5)! “Wherein” we greatly rejoice!

Yes, we are encouraged to act on this wonderful insight; to govern ourselves in full accordance with what God has stated. Beloved, put this knowledge into practice…rejoice! Our response to the tremendous theological truths taught so far should be that of greatly rejoicing.  Note the insight of Walvoord, a recognized Bible teacher,

Knowledge alone cannot produce the great joy of experiential security and freedom from fear in the face of persecution. God’s omnipotent sovereignty needs to be coupled with human responsibility. Christians are responsible to respond in faith. Faith turns sound doctrine into sound practice. Faith acts on the content of theology and produces conduct that corresponds to that content. Faith makes theological security experiential. The Apostle John wrote, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). This kind of faith or living hope can enable believers to rejoice even when they are called on to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Beloved, it is time to get your praise on and greatly rejoice! While it is good to know this stuff intellectually, it is time to mingle some faith with that knowledge and praise God in light of the awesome salvation and hope we have in Jesus Christ!

Furthermore, God’s people are to rejoice in the “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1:5). While can rejoice in what the Lord has already done for us, here we are challenged to rejoice in what He will do in the future. The “the last time,” (1:5) refers to when we receive our glorified bodies at the Rapture. “Rejoice” here is pointing to extreme joy expressing itself externally in an exuberant triumphant articulation of joy. Beloved, this is a glorified joy made possible by our future glorified state, a joy not possible now in our mortal bodies. We would likely hurt something if we tried to fully express this boundless joy in our present state!

It was Kenneth Wuest, a noted theologian of yesteryear who said, “Tears of joy are just an evidence of the inability of our present state to fully feel the joy that comes to us at times. But then in our bodies of glory we will be able to drink in and appreciate all the boundless joys of the Saviour’s presence.” 

Beloved, this extraordinary salvation we have in Christ Jesus gives us many reasons to rejoice. This potent joy will strengthen us through the hard times we must face in this life. Notice two wonderful facts about our Joy in Salvation (1:6-12).

Message:

I.                  We Can Rejoice In Spite of the Pressures (1Pet. 1:6-9).

A.     We Still Have Seasons of Heaviness because of Many Trials (6).

                                                1.      Trials are Seasonal.

i.         “Season” (1:6) means “little, small, few,” and refers to a little while. Surely, this present life is a little while compared to eternity.

ii.       The fact is our loving Lord God sees to it that in the midst of the shadows and heartaches and trials, we His children will have our days of sunshine even in this life.

iii.      Beloved, though we will suffer and are often grieved, it is still only for a little while compared to the glorious eternity awaiting us (1:6). Beloved, I submit to you, that you can rejoice in this. Trials cannot last forever, but our salvation will!

                                                2.      Trials are Necessary. The words “if need be” are hypothetical, not affirmative. That is, they do not state that there is always a need for the dark days, for testing times and difficulties.

i.         In some lives there seems to be more need of trials than in others. To those servants of God whom He purposes to use in a larger, greater way, many trials are allowed to come, for “we must be ground between the millstones of suffering before we can be bread for the multitude.”

ii.       And then, in the case of a saint who is not living close to his Lord, it is necessary to send disciplinary trials to purge his life of sin and draw him into a closer walk with God.

                                                3.      Trials are Grieving.

i.         The words “ye are in heaviness” (1:6) mean “we have been made sorrowful.” Just because our pain is real does not cancel the reality of or the source of our joy. It is wrong to expect to be happy all the time…free of any pains. It is correct to grieve when the occasion requires tears; however, we never grieve as those with no real hope. We do not despair because the Lord has given us reason to hope beyond our tears.

ii.       The idea of a “temptations” (1:6) refers to both temptations and testings. Yes, even solicitations to do evil, can test our character. The trials may come from God or under His permissive will from Satan. They may be the result of our own wrong doing as well. The solicitations to do evil come from the world, the evil nature, or Satan.

iii.      WHY ME?

The problem has vexed philosophers since they first asked questions: Why does an all-powerful, good God permit suffering? To which most people add: “And if someone has to suffer, why me?” Instead of answering these questions on the philosophical level, Christians face suffering by adopting a new set of responses:

a.       Confidence that God knows, plans, and directs our lives for the good. It's hard to calculate sometimes, but God always provides his love and strength for us. God leads us toward a better future.

b.       Perseverance when facing grief, anger, sorrow, and pain. Christians believe in expressing grief, but we should never give in to bitterness and despair.

c.       Courage because with Jesus as Brother and Savior, we need not be afraid. He who suffered for us will not abandon us. Jesus carries us through everything.

iv.     Instead of asking, “Why me?” respond to your trials with confidence, perseverance, and courage. (Source Unknown)

v.       No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.—William Penn

                                                4.       Trials are Multifaceted.

i.         Such trials are described as “manifold,” (1:6) that is they are variegated. This emphasizes the diversity rather than the number of the trials.

ii.       James mentioning “divers temptations” (Js. 1:2) is the same thought as “manifold temptations” (1Pet. 1:6). 

iii.      The trials may be relational, interpersonal, financial, occupational, educational, physical, spiritual, medical, social, or emotional. The list seems endless, but a tried and proven faith is more precious than gold.

B.     But, We Still Have A Living Hope That Results In A Present Joy (6-7).

                                                1.      Peter Emphasized How Christian Joy Is Uninfluenced By Circumstances.

i.         The trials themselves are seen as occasions for joy (Js. 1:2). Though trials may cause temporary grief, they cannot diminish that deep, abiding joy which is rooted in one’s living hope in Christ Jesus.

ii.      Peter pointed out that grief and joy can be simultaneous in the Christian life. Grief is the natural response to the difficulties in this fallen world, but faith looks forward to an eternity with God and rejoices. –The Life Application Commentary Series

                                                2.      Peter Emphasized that We Still Have Reason to Hope in Christ.

i.         According to 1 Peter 1:5 and 9, our inheritance is described as “salvation ready to be revealed.” Clearly we are already saved through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8–9), but the completion of our salvation (glorification) awaits the return of the Lord Jesus for us in the Rapture. Through our Lord’s mighty rapturing power, we will receive new bodies and enter into a new environment, the heavenly city. Certainly, we can rejoice about finally seeing and being with our Lord! Surely we can rejoice in acquiring a new glorious body that is free of flaws and sin! Who can imagine the joy we will know as our minds, souls, and innermost being is completely loosed from sins power and influence! How wonderful it will be to become pure…entirely pure!

ii.         In 1 Peter 1:7, Peter called this hope “the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Paul called this “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).  What a thrilling thing it is to know that we were born for glory! When we were born again, we exchanged the passing glory of man for the eternal glory of God! –Wiersbe: The Bible Exposition Commentary

iii.      This article will continue with the next post referenced to 1 Peter 1:6-12.