1 Peter 1:1-9
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
Whats up!? CCCJR
Good to see you all
Its nice to be back here!
I hope you all had a good thanksgiving
Now we got Christmas around the corner!
An exciting time for many
its also hard time for many
maybe this year will have some people missing.
maybe this year will year will have people added in
i know this time of the year can bring
for some joy
and other difficulties
or maybe a mix of both.
Well today I want to share with you guys a scripture that addresses that and is very close to my heart
It is 1 Peter 1
go ahead and turn there
When I first got saved just after High School.
life was pretty great, and exciting!
When you know your saved
& you have a new relationship with Jesus it is amazing!
My memories of that time
was full of enjoying Jesus and enjoying fellowship
and chasing a new desire of knowing more of God’s Word.
I got called into ministry not long after being saved
I went to Bible College
and was neighbors with Brian Delmore
who as you you know is a very big trouble maker
and rebel.
After I graduated my call to ministry became reality
I was hired at Calvary Chapel Corona
getting live my call
learning ministry, and growing as a leader.
a few years later I married my amazing wife Megan!
Life had been good! and we enjoyed our marriage and getting adventure together.
Then we had our first born son Nehemiah
and just a few week later we end up
back at the hospital with him.
our happy world was about to be flipped upside down.
lets pray
at 5 weeks my son was diagnosed with infantile spasms, polymicrogyria, and basically he was having seizures.
We were told he may never walk, talk, swallow his food, and my biggest concern have friends
our world flipped upside down!
Trials came … havent quite left.
After a year full of hospital vists and tests.
we found out we were having another baby
who was born in the middle of the Pandemic
his name is Judah
Not long after we were excited to have our 3rd son Hezekiah
then at 26 weeks our son went to be with the Lord
Stillborn
We held our life less son for 1 day
in that cold dark hospital room....
Nothing more evil
Then watching your wife labor in pain
knowing their is no happy ending
just more pain.
then holding the cutest
lil guy
I automatically love with my whole heart
with no heart beat,
If i could i would give him my breath
I would give him my heart but I cant
I hate that I had no chance of me getting to show him my love
a life time full of lost opportunities.
10 days later after losing our boy ....our house flooded.
& we had to plan my sons memorial service away from home
and as insurance tried to not pay to repair our home
they robbed us of time to greive our son
I had to go back to work as a pastor
Having to preach to youth that don’t understand ..
and counsel their teenage drama
Having to be the bigger but broken person when people don’t understand and often say hurtful things
I would try to fake it .... but faking it makes it worse…
you just feel misunderstood by the world...
its a whole different world having to be back in normal life when your broken
Have any of you had your world flipped upside down?
Well in 1 Peter chapter 1
Peter is writing to believers
who have faced trials too
the people he writes to are seen in verse 1
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
show map
thats the area
According to Acts 2:9 we know that when the church started on the day of pentecost
Jews from Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia were there.
What we need to know is that these are believers that are in some way away from their home land.
and while that is not easy
the area they are in has not approved of Christianity
they have been or will be persecuted and punished
and if we take a peak at verse 6 it says:
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
Now while we may not face the same trials as them
and you haven’t faced the same trials as me
and I have not had the same trials as you.
we need to know that as believers
we will face trials
we are not promised heaven on earth.
we are in a sinful world now..
so sinful … evil will happen
Peter ends this book with 1 Peter 4:12
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
in other words don’t be shocked as believers that
bad things will happen.
Trials will happen
And our trials will be various for each believer
Peter had at this point has had plenty of trials come his way
he had been persecuted himself
so he knows how to speak to these believers.
and what I love is that he doesn't say look at me....
i can do it
When David faced Goliath he didn't talk about how dangerous Goliath is
he talked about how great God is.
Peter is going to say
look at God
He did it! He will do it
He is going to remind them of God.
and this wont make their problems suddenly disappear.
but its going to give them a hope and a purpose
When you bring God into a problem or a tragedy
an amazing thing happens.
because at the moment of suffering... my problems seem massive.
but when God gets brought in
the problem gets smaller and God gets bigger.
and what a great thing to be reminded of a ......great, loving, powerful God
in the face of hard suffering.
it switches our thinking from “WHY GOD” “Why is this happening”
“Why aren't you stopping this?
to
That He is love, there is Hope, it will end, and God knows why. even if I dont know why.
show slide
As Max Lucado said
“Focus on giants you stumble, focus on God giants tumble.” - Max Lucado
Whether with Nehemiah or Hezekiah
when someone reminded us of God
in the hospital room
a strange peace came from knowing that
He knows. He is in control. He is with us.
The question is not are you in a storm, or how bad will this storm, or for how long.
but is Jesus in your boat!
because peace is not the absence of trials...
it is the presence of Christ in the midst of them.
the Christian life is no cruise ship…
its a battleship armed with the power of God
So Like with Peter here...
when another brother or sister in Christ is in a trial
may we also remind them
of God.
Since what we are reading is a letter
Peter is using words ....
but please notice how this letter will display God’s love so well!
He is going to help them with their trials by
Showing them that
show slide
1. God has solved our greatest problem (v.2) .
2. God gives Hope (v.3-6),
3. God uses our trials (v.7-9)
so here is how God loved us so much… and helps us through our trials:
1. God Solves Our Greatest Problem (1 Peter 1:2)
1. God Solves Our Greatest Problem (1 Peter 1:2)
2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
Our greatest problem is something we cant solve
but God can....
Peter uses the Trinity to show them 3 things
1. The Father—chose them
2. The Spirit—sanctifies them
3. The Son—laid down His life
I can’t make myself worthy to God
I can’t to sanctify myself.
My blood cant save me.
So the greatest problem I have is sin
that I cant fix by my efforts.
show slide
Charles Spurgeon said: “Sin is not a splash of mud on man exterior, its filth generated from within Himself”
It made me think
when you clean
you don’t get rid of dirt
you just move it to something else.
Well Jesus removed the sin from our lives by moving it to Himself.
The greatest trial in all our lives has been resolved
The trial of sin
has been paid for
by the death and resurrection of Jesus
because God chose us
He saved us
& sanctifies us
Gods love isn't based on you, its placed on you
He died so that we may live
Without Jesus it wouldn't matter what great trials you faced...
your own sin would be greatest issue
and by Jesus its dealt with!
Without God resolving our sin issue
there is no hope
despite what you face on earth there would always be a bigger problem
So because of Jesus the worst we face on earth is the closest to Hell we will get.
without Jesus the closest to hell we get is actually Hell
He handled the greatest problem we had with sin!
which allows us to even have hope.
Peter will share more on this in the next few verses:
Which is the second way God helps these believers through their trials.
2. God Gives Hope (1 Peter 1:3-6)
2. God Gives Hope (1 Peter 1:3-6)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
As we experience the next closest thing
to Hell that Earth puts before us
God places Heaven ahead of you.
Thats hope
5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
yeah the tunnel is dark
but God is beside you taking you
to the light at the end of the tunnel.
show slide .... “here it says.. “according to His abundant”
How He gives to us:
According to His abundant mercy (v.3)
Through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (v.3)
By the power of God (v.5)
What He gives us to us:
A living hope (v.3)
An inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven (v.4)
Salvation (v.5)
That greek word for inheritance here is the same GK Word used in the LXX
for the Israelites inheriting the promise land (Num. 26:54, 56; 34:2; Josh. 11:23),
our inheritance is the promised land of God’s Kingdom.
where death, pain, suffering is no longer.
where life, joy, peace, is eternal!
making it our living hope
But were just caught in this space between God’s promise and its fulfillment.
Where our hearts are set on Heaven but our feet are still on earth....
So
I hope with a broken heart
because a piece of my heart left earth and is in heaven
but my feet are still here suffering
and I look forward to that day In Rev 21:4
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
one day our tears will be wiped away.
by God Himself.
a moment I cant wait for
I want God to fix it
in that moment He will.
until God’s promise is fullfilled
I hope broken
but great news as verse 6 says
our various trials are .... for a little while.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
Compared to eternity our trials/ affliction is so short… just a moment
and even though it is short… our trials are working on us for eternal purposes.
Peter is going to explain this more in the next few verses
3. God Uses Our Trials 1 Peter 1:7-9
3. God Uses Our Trials 1 Peter 1:7-9
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
While our trials are short compared to eternity
Here we see that
God uses trials to work on our faith for something that lasts for eternity.
In short, our trials work on our faith.
Here we see that
Your faith is more precious than Gold.
that its genuineness (like with gold) is tested by fire (trials)
and when it passes through the fire
the result is at the revelation of Jesus
(when His promises are fulfilled)
we giving praise, honor, and glory
So because of hope we know the trial will end.
Now here we see that your faith...
through trials it works out an eternal purpose.
so what do you do when trials comes?
do you try to run? medicate?, drink, lust, gamble? spend money? go to work?
none of these have an eternal purpose to them
its just distractions and band-aids
When you go to God..
God can do things greater and so far above our own ability!
Your trial is described as a fire
and like shardrach meshach and abendigo in the fiery furnace
God can bring us out of the fire with much more strength then when we first entered it.
but
fire can
either purify or destroy
Some faiths are purified and proven genuine through the fire.
Some faiths are destroyed from a tough trial.
Do you believe God is good.... when you experience the most evil thing?
Do you believe God loves you.... when your suffering just wont let up?
Do you believe God is with you.... when every time you try to hear from God its a constant reminder of your pain?
Does what you go through change what you think of God?
I know of many that changed their minds on God.. based on what they went through..
and instead of later giving God praise, honor and glory at the Revelation of Jesus
they are currently giving God blame, criticism, denial, a disbelief.
When the heat gets turned up
Will your faith be destroyed or proved genuine?
Yeah I went through the fire....
and Im not the same.
At one point
My faith was engulfed in a flame
I wouldn't wish on anyone.
But I also wish everyone would have the strength, joy, &, purpose,
that resulted from my faith being put in the fire.
fake gold when it is set on fire changes color
when real gold is set on fire it shines brighter.
and a real faith responds back shining.
because a real faith saved by grace, tested through the fire
is a faith thats shines back with perseverance unlike any other, a character unlike any other, and a hope unlike any other.
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Perseverance has been
one the small blessings through the great the pain of losing my son
while i would not wish that on anyone.
Because it hurt so much
I have noticed a perseverance I didn't have.
where things didn't effect me like it used to.
its because
I need God for the bigger pain i am going through
I am making Him bigger… and hoping for Heavens healing.
So im not going to go there and let a rough day, week, month , or year get to me.
If I am going to start whining about that..
well I got a lot bigger things to whine about
Because I know what my call is
and getting upset about it
will just distract me from God’s purpose.
thats perseverance. to just keep going....
The fire/our trials/ tribulations/ also brings our character and hope.
your character is largely determined by your motives.
if your all about work
your character will show that
same is true for
if your all about money
if your all about fun
whatever
its hard to change a persons motives....
but when motives change
a transformation of character takes place
Aside from my families well being in loving God, and provision.
My motive....What I really want...
Is my son back!
I want my baby boy in my arms!
Is that possible on earth? no.
But every other want, desire, goal,
is just so small compared to that.
and that really is a blessing.
Because while God is my help and hope
He has a purpose for me here....
because if you have a pulse God has a plan.
The shaking isnt there to stop you
its their to shift you.
The fire isnt supposed to destroy you
its to reveal a genuine or real faith.
so that in your weakness you rely on God
and instead of running or trying to fix it yourself
you have faith in God…
as v.8 says. “even though you dont see Him”
because He is able… because He promised hope,
because He has a purpose and a plan!
from pain to purpose
God uses our trial to work out a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
and as I do the purpose and call God has for me
I hope and look forward to the day I get to see Jesus and hold a little hand waiting for me.
The fire isn't a comfortable place
it challenges your faith
it effects the person you are.
hope is either lost or found in the fire.
The ones that get stronger in the fire are the ones that
instead of trying to run away from it
or fix it them selves
cry out to God for help
and God gives them hope and an eternal purpose from the fire.
and a burnt up, hopeful, eternally purposed person
is strengthened from a power way beyond themselves.
because
they are living in hope not in circumstances
they are living in purpose not just pain.
and just like that they’re not dieing in the fire
but your living eternally with a purpose
That is a strength because of God and from God.
Moses sang this:
2 The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
I learned this after I lost my Hezekiah
I struggled with the meaning of His name
...when the fire was turned up
but now I love it.
Hezekiah means strength of God
thats why i have his name tattooed on my hand
because it tells me by the strength of God I will rise up and do God’s call
I wont shrink back, and fall in pain.
and I have his hand on my hand to remind me
that by the grace of God I have the hope
that I will get to hold that hand one day.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
I dont get to have life my way
life God’s way is better
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
yeah it hurts
yeah its hard
but our joy isn't based on circumstances
its based on God on what He has done and what He will do.
the fire is going to end
Hope for the kingdom of God
and live the eternal purpose God has called for you
I dont know about you but when I hear this my broken heart
rejoices and says okay God lets go… lets ride
their is hope and purpose in this
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Gods plan so as
verse 6 and 8 of 1 Peter says greatly rejoice, & rejoice with inexpressible joy.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)
10 ...Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
the weak have the strength and joy of God.
you cant lose strength or joy when He is your source
because God is unchanging, and what He says He will do.
so in some crazy… amazing, God way
the weak & hurting will rejoice, get stronger
and rise up to do God’s call as they hope!
As worship team comes up:
if you’re in the fire now
and you have been thinking: I dont know if I can make it”
it hurts so much!
God loves you so much!
He knows…
God knows why
and its not our time to know why yet
but He will make all things good in His time
Think about the hope we have
how great that it will be when all things are made good!
rejoice in that it will happen because God said so!
There is an eternal purpose for your trials!
and as verse 9 says: at the end of our faith.... is salvation!
Let’s leave with hope, and purpose today!
Lets close out with 2 verses:
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—
Lets pray: God to you be thepraise glory and power! God we ask that you would heal here. Would you lead , help you, bless , teach , guide , purify , power , and strengthen your people here! Its in your name we pray amen!
“By the strength of God rise up!”
“Praise the Lord!”
“The joy of the Lord is your strength!”