The Need For Trials in The Christian Life
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Intro
Intro
“If need be” = necessary, must, to behove
Peter is telling us that though we are born again children of God, it is necessary that we go through trials.
- Troubles that live heavy on us, never come upon us but when we have need, and never stay any longer than needed.
God does not afflict his people willingly, but acts according to their needs.
- And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Trials are no evidence of being without God, since trials come from God!
Charles Spurgeon
Joy in Our Quickening (vs.4)
Joy in Our Quickening (vs.4)
Abundant mercy - Ephesians 2
Begotten - born; brought forth;
Only begotten = Jesus = only on of the same kind (God in flesh (diety of Christ))
Lively hope - hope that is actually alive! We have hope in Jesus, because He is alive!
Joy in His Quality (vs.5)
Joy in His Quality (vs.5)
Inheritance - possession, heir
- Romans 8:15–18 (KJV 1900): 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
incorruptible - uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable, immortal
Undefiled - free from that by which the nature of a thing is deformed and debased, without defect
Reserved - kept or set apart or aside for future or special use
Kept by the power of God - John 10:27–29 (KJV 1900): 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joy in Our Quandary (state of perplexity)(vs.5)
Joy in Our Quandary (state of perplexity)(vs.5)
Delight - (Wherein ye greatly rejoice)
Notice that Peter says, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice.” Literally to “jump for joy.” Why? Because of the statement just made about our hope!
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thess 4:13)
Duration - (now for a season)
When we get to eternity, the time down will be but a vapor. We're here just for a few seconds and then gone!
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Differentiating - manifold (of various sorts)
While here in this world, we are going to face trials, and many different trials for that matter. Sin has caused suffering, sickness, sorrow, shame, etc.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
Distresses
Heaviness - to make sorrowful, to affect with sadness, cause grief, to offend, to make one uneasy, to throw into sorrow temptations (adversity, affliction, trouble, sent by God to test or prove one’s character, faith, and holiness.)
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Dearness
Personality of the Trial - “your faith”
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)
Purification of the Trial - “tried with fire”
Gold is the most precious metal on earth, and so is faith the most precious thing a Christian has.
Both are tried to make them pure. Gold is tried to draw the dross (impurifications) out and to reveal the good and pure. Our faith is tried to ween out the bad stuff and to reveal the good!
Here's the difference, when Gold is tried, there is less of it, but when Faith is tried, there's more of it!
To learn strong faith is to endure great trials.
George Müller
Trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith!
Praise of the Trial - “found unto praise”
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:16-18) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4)
Trials are meant to make us grow in the Lord, not go away from the Lord.
Trials are meant to make us sanctified, not to sin.
Trials are meant to make us call on God, not cower from God!
Trials are to be needed, and not neglected!