1 Peter 1:6-9 Hope and Salvation

In our last two lessons, we learned about the doctrine of election and God’s purpose in our election. We observed that election is when God shows mercy on sinners and chooses them for service and salvation. God chose His people before the beginning of time. This means that God operates outside our human notions of time and space, and this is sometimes difficult to get our heads around. This is because God operates in His way, by His plan and set of rules; and His rules are our rules. Not the other way around.

God is the center of the universe, not us.

The Christian life is all about God, not us; or put another way, its not about us, its about God and other people. That is one of the key messages from the ten commandments, in Ex 20. The first table (four commandments) is about God and the second table (six commandments) is about other people.

There is a profound difference between the true Christian world view and the worldly view of Christianity. The unbiblical world view is what people like Joel Osteen preach; its all about us, and God is there to make us happy - to have your best life now. The Christian world view that God has used the Apostle Peter to teach us is very different from that - it recognizes that because our first parents turned their backs on God and fell from grace, God changed and transformed the world, He cursed it and us as correction for our sin and our sinful nature, and the condition we find ourselves is the the result of this. One of the fundamental, and increasingly acute effects of our sin is narcissism, or essentially self -pride. Narcissism is the belief that life is all about us, not God, nor other people. This is the theology reflected by Osteen and other prosperity preachers. Before the Holy Spirit gets ahold of our hearts, we see God as a means to our ends, which is our own happiness, and, hopefully, some kind of eternal life in heaven. We see God as genie in a bottle, we ask and hope that He gives us those things that make our life here pleasurable, and when that doesn’t happen, we get angry with Him, or perhaps we try to placate Him. Our view toward other people is that we see them as instruments for our satisfaction and pleasure. The porn and gambling industries are built on this principle. If others have no apparent use to us, then we ignore them or worse, hurt or kill them since in our mind they have little value or may be in the way. We discount their humanity - we ignore that they too, like us, are made in the image of God. Abortion is a good example of this. The baby is considered an inconvenient and unwanted consequence of an act of self-satisfaction, and so must be discarded. This is a perfect example of how sin and Satan cloud our outlook, blinding us to the fact that the child is created in the image of God.

Our rescue from sin and wickedness.

To emerge from this morass of sin and wickedness, we must be born again (John 3). When we turn to Christ, he begins the process of clearing the fog and sin from our minds.

Salvation is the light at the end of the tunnel for us as God takes us through our earthly journey, a journey that sanctifies us, freeing us from sin, but its a difficult journey, full of temptation, suffering and chastisement, as we look to regain something better than Eden. It is a hard journey, because Adam and Eve had a long fall from righteousness, and the impact of it has corrupted our natures in the extreme.

God gets the glory.

Everything God does is for His glory and creating and redeeming us is no different. When He brings a sinner out of the mire and muck, He is glorified. He blesses us immeasurably, as a reward for the race we must run, through sin, wickedness, the mire and the muck, to get to the prize - eternal life with Him in His Kingdom.

The question Peter addresses in our text today gets to the heart of these issues, and helps us focus our thinking.

Key Question: What is the chief end of man?

Westminster Assembly. (1851). The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition (p. 387). Philadelphia: William S. Young.

Main Point/Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.

Westminster Assembly. (1851). The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition (p. 387). Philadelphia: William S. Young.

Transition: We fulfill our purpose of glorifying God by our faith, our worship and our ministry, which produces trials. When God saves us, we get a taste of heaven to begin with and can look forward to enjoying Him forever. This is the lesson the apostle teaches us in this text.

1 Peter 1:6–9 (NASB95)

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

First Point - The path to salvation 1 Peter 1:6,9

Explanation:

1 Peter 1:6 NASB95

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

“in this” or “wherein in the KJV. Back to the previous statement. 1 Peter 1:4–5 “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

protected by the power of God because He chose them as His elect

“greatly rejoice” or “exult”

Is there a contradiction here? How can we rejoice in the midst of trials?

Let’s take a look at the last verse in our text today

1 Peter 1:9 (NASB95)

obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

According to v. 9, salvation is the result of faith. We don’t strive for faith, God gives it to us, to enable us to glorify Him through worship and ministry. Elaborate. What is good for God is good for us

salvation - preserved for eternity in heaven with God. Heaven is the place where Jesus is, where He came from. Salvation is the promise of heaven, eternity with God, who loves us and whom we love as well. We will be together with Him and each other when our time on earth is done. It is a benefit God blesses us with when He chooses us as His children. He is glorified when He restores us to heaven

Romans 5:1–2 (NASB95)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

“greatly rejoice” or “exult”, in spite of being distressed by various trials.

When we turn to Christ in faith, we are justified and saved. Heaven begins immediately for us - Immediate heaven is our church and in our hearts through our relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what Christ meant when he said “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For Christians, we are already citizens of heaven

Christians operate on two levels: 1) we are affected and afflicted by the trials of this world, but 2) we know we have peace with God, and eternal security, because He chose to save us.

This is why the early Christians were able to exult in the midst of their trials. Through history, martyrs like Polycarp, John Huss, William Tyndale and thousands of others were able to provide such a moving and powerful testimony before they were put to torture and death.

Illustration: The British Army employs Gurkha soldiers from Nepal, to augment their forces from the UK. Gurkhas are very competent, brave, professional soldiers who, after they have performed their period of service, are provided with a pension and a place to live, back home, for the rest of their lives. They are taken care of so to speak. This is because the British military will subject them to a dangerous and difficult service during their tenure, which they may not survive. This is also the concept behind the social safety net for retirees, that many companies and governments provide. Heaven is far more glorious than this, as God takes care of us for eternity, in a place infinitely more glorious than a mountain plot in rural Nepal or a small flat in Europe somewhere. Heaven promises not only eternity with our beloved Jesus, but also with those we love and who love him, for all time.

Argumentation: This concept is alien to the unbelievers and those of a more secular world view. Many so-called Christians now no longer understand the concepts of heaven and hell. They are fixated only on the here and now and no longer accept, or are ignorant of what the Bible says about heaven and hell. Some argue that there is no hell, that its not in the Bible, but of course Jesus taught about it as documented in the synoptic gospels. The obvious question is, if there is no hell or heaven, then why is there a need for a Saviour? The arguments are tight and logical, but the real proof is that God told us about it in His revelation to us, so that we would understand His plan for us.

Application: God’s will for us here in the 21st Century has not changed. As time moves on, our Christian faith comes under increasing attack from the world, from Satan and his followers. On the one hand, Christ commands us to “go ye therefore and teach all nations”, but to do so requires us to confront, in love, a wicked and hostile world that hates the message of “repent”. They don’t want to accept that they are sinning and they will bring any means available, to include violence, law, even deprive us of our livelihood, in order to silence us.

Exhortation: Expect suffering and expect worldly consequence, but also expect heaven and to be able to enjoy God forever.

Second Point: Ministry and trials, the proof of our faith

1 Peter 1:7 NASB95

so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Explanation:

Grace under fire - the proof of their faith was that they glorified God in the midst of their sufferings.

They were in a vicious spiritual battle, between Satan and the Holy Spirit - but God had a purpose in it.

Faith is more precious than gold

Both faith and gold are tested by fire.

Heaven now (in the heart, because Jesus came from heaven and brought us the Gospel

Remaining separate, like priests (as we will see in Ch. 2)

glorifying God and fulfilling His plan for the world.

Witness

Service - spiritual gifts

Certainty of salvation, power of the Holy Spirit kept them moving.

Illustration: Robert Jermaine Thomas, 1866, Welshman martyred in north Korea

Activities on the trip

Death

Twenty years later - first baptisms.

Argumentation:

Back off when you encounter opposition - Opposition is a sign that you are in the wrong

Imposing our beliefs on others who don’t want it.

These folks were not crusading - we don’t use the weapons of the world

They forced nothing on anybody, but did make them without excuse.

Application:

The Christian faith is not a spectator sport. We are supposed to be an activist movement.

The more involved we get, the more opposition we will face, but the closer we will draw to the Lord. Opposition brings glory to God

Exhortation:

When you engage in Christian service, expect opposition. Many think that when they engage in ministry they will receive praise and acclaim - perhaps in the church, but rarely, if ever, in the world.

Pray for one another, privately, in family, corporately

Serve one another with hospitality, counsel, teaching

Witness to all people, especially the poor and downtrodden - give them aid.

Third Point: Faith

1 Peter 1:8 NASB95

and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Explanation

Peter knew the Lord personally, but his congregations had never seen or heard Jesus directly; yet they were committed Christians.

They had no direct experience of Jesus whatsoever

All their knowledge came from preaching - conviction came of the Holy Spirit

But a.s we are saved, we are sealed in the Spirit - and that seal is unbreakable.

Ephesians 4:30 (NASB95)

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

WCF: This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them;d and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.b.

Their joy in their trials and response to them were a public proof of their faith and brought glory to Christ.

Illustration:

The power of the Holy Spirit - Recant or die!

Luther at the Diet of Worms

ISIS Martyrs and victims

Argumentation:

Martyrdom has been a result of other religious beliefs

Self-serving or serving the family (like suicide for insurance)

Can be a proof of Satanic influence

Shake Christian faith

No martyrs for atheism

Good works are not always evidence of Christian faith. Princess Diana and other notables who engage in charities did not earn merit for their works. Neither do we. We work out of gratitude to God, because we have already been saved. James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

All Christian suffering, trials and tribulations bring glory to God.

Application:

Suffering is our lot until we get to heaven, but joyful gratitude should be our response. Count it all joy, says James, when you fall into diverse temptations, meaning trials.

Christian ministry will cause a spiritual battle - the Lord knows this… It can be vicious. But with the power of Christ, we will prevail

Exhortation:

Must pray for pastors, missionaries, each other, as we are all engaged in a spiritual battle, and it only intensifies as we draw nearer the Lord and become more committed to His will for us.

Conclusions:

Lessons for Christians - Imperative

Joy through suffering - bring glory to God

Take comfort/rest in your salvation - assurance of heaven.

Lessons for all: Romans 6:23

Wages of sin

Penalty: death

Gift of God is life

Christ died for your sins

Confess them to Him, flee to Him.

We all suffer in this life

Christians have the assurance of heaven, the lost, hell.

Next time: The price of Salvation.

Pray.

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