First Peter One Verses Six-Seven
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

First Peter 1:6-7
Rejoicing During The Trial Of Their Faith

I. Introduction: How challenging is it to count it all joy when your faith is being tested?

A. No one should want to enter into temptation (Matthew 6:13 and Mark 14:38).

  1. Such is a time when those who have not been rooted can fall away (Luke 8:13).
  2. Times of temptation are emotional (Acts 20:19).
B. Yet, the temptations that Christians face are not uncommon nor are they inescapable (I Corinthians 10:13 and I Peter 4:12).

  1. Our Lord and Savior faced forty days of temptation by Satan (Mark 1:12-13) among other temptations, trials, sufferings in the flesh, etc. (Matthew 16:21, Mark 10:2, Luke 11:16, Luke 18:32, etc.).
  2. So, we can rest assured knowing that our judge (II Corinthians 5:10) understands what being tested is like (Hebrews 2:16-18 and Hebrews 4:14-5:10).

II. Body: I Peter 1:6-7

A. Greatly rejoicing (Luke 6:20-23).

  1. In a forward looking manner (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 10:20, Romans 12:12, and I Peter 4:13).
  2. Rejoicing in the Lord (Philippians 4:4), even if in heaviness.
  3. Yes, even in heaviness. God’s people can have various emotions for various reasons (Ecclesiastes 7:1-6, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 19:41-44, Romans 9:1-3, I Corinthians 12:25-26, II Corinthians 7:1-6, and II Timothy 1:4).
  4. Jesus was sorrowful when facing what was in front of Him (Matthew 26:37). He did not err (I John 3:5).
B. If it was necessary, this would be for a season. Focus on the temporary nature of suffering through things in this world even when facing various temptations (II Corinthians 4:8-18).

  1. Facing afflictions is not an indicator of unfaithfulness (Psalms 34:19).
  2. Consider the forewarning of Christ to the Apostles (John 16:33) and what Paul later wrote about such though he was teaching a different lesson in the context (I Corinthians 4:8-13).
  3. Some Christians in the first century faced much tribulation (Acts 14:22).
  4. The fact is, the Scriptures have plenty of examples of those whose faith endured (Hebrews 11:32-12:3).
  5. The focus has to remain on the finish line rather than what one is suffering through at the moment (Hebrews 3:14 and James 1:12).
C. The trial of faith (James 1:2-3).

  1. Imagine the concern Apostles had for those they were teaching as we think about Peter’s role through Paul’s writings (I Thessalonians 3:1-5).
  2. Good comes from being tested (Romans 5:1-4).
  3. So, rather than caving and falling it is important to think of trials as short term challenges with an eternal reward (Revelation 2:8-11).
D. So, why is tested, proven faith so valuable (I Peter 1:9; cf. II Thessalonians 1:1-5)?

  1. What is the payoff of material wealth (Psalms 49:6-13, Proverbs 11:4, Proverbs 23:4-5, Proverbs 27:24, Luke 12:13-21, and I Timothy 6:6-10)?
  1. So, why do people focus so much on material gains than their soul (Mark 8:36-37)?
  2. Likewise, why do people focus so much more on their physical well-being than on their spiritual well-being (I Timothy 4:8-10)?
  3. Why are people so embattled in affairs of this life rather than the fight of faith (I Timothy 6:12 and II Timothy 2:3-4)?
  1. What will happen to this world and all therein (I John 2:15-17)?
  2. What will happen to genuine faith in the end (I John 5:4)?
  3. While no one should want to be tested per se, we also have to consider that untested faith doesn’t carry much value. After all, salvation [in part] comes through endurance (Matthew 10:22, Luke 8:15, II Timothy 2:12, and James 5:10-11).
E. How one’s faith must be found when Christ returns (Romans 2:6-7)?

  1. When Jesus comes, what will you be doing (Mark 13:32-37)?
  2. Will He be glorified in you (II Thessalonians 1:10-12)?
  3. Will you be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17-18)?

III. Conclusion: Our next study: I Peter 1:8-9