Believers' Choose to Rejoice

I Peter 1:6-12

Peter and his initial audience of believers chose to greatly rejoice even in trials.  Peter is setting the example in v. 3, and recognizing their rejoicing in vs. 6 & 8b.  God is calling us to follow their example because we have the same GROUNDS for such GREAT rejoicing, since we GOT it at the point of our own salvation.

I.      The Ground(s) for Rejoicing with Great Joy (vs. 1-6, 1-12).

A.      “In this you greatly rejoice” refers to foundational reasons you rejoice in vs. 1-5 & 10-12.

B.      “In this” is not rejoicing for trials with some unnatural excitement, but in them.  I Thess. 5:18

C.      “In” those past works of God.

1.      He knew you long before you knew Him; and saw you before you will see Him (vs. 2, 8).

2.      Jesus obeyed & paid your sin debt (v. 2), so that you could one day obey the gospel.

3.      He gave you new life when you were born again (v. 3).

4.      His grace, peace, and mercy was, and is, abundantly multiplied (v. 2-3).

5.      O.T. Prophets were filled with the Holy Spirit to write of the coming finished work of grace  in the lives of NT believers, Jew & Gentile.  You are a fulfillment of prophecy (v. 10-11).

6.      The gospel preached by Peter and the apostles is by that same Holy Spirit (vs. 1, 12).

D.     “In this” living hope about the future works of God (v. 4).   What about the believer’s inheritance and heaven makes you smile?

E.      “In this” present work of God (v. 5).

1.      You are “kept” now by His protection in, & preservation through, trials.

2.      You are passing through trials because they are kept temporary (v. 6).  “It was the storm that had to die,” not the disciples boating out on the Sea of Galilee.

3.      You are kept from trials you don’t need; “a little while, if need be” for His purposes.

The grounds for believers’ great joy is great, real, and eternal, so it is far greater than temporary happiness from a raise, healing, sunshine, food, or when your team or county wins.

II.      The Greatness of Rejoicing by Believers (vs. 6, 8b).

A.      It shows up in the trials, not just before & after (v. 6; in the sanctuary & in the sea of Psalm 77).

B.      It shows that you believe they are temporary for periods during this life, not the eternal one.

C.      It shows that your faith is genuine (v. 7).

D.     It shows that you focus on the benefits of trials (v. 7; James 1:2-3).

E.      It shows Jesus through you; that you are following Him & His example (v. 9, 11b; Hebrews 12:2).

Now God calls the lost to get this kind of joy NOW, and for believers to grow & make gains in it.

III.    The Getting & Gaining of Joyful Rejoicing (vs. 8-9; “Receiving the end result(s) of your faith).”

A.      Trust in Christ NOW as your Savior by faith, not sight, even though you have never seen Him.        Don’t wait too late.  Then while trusting, your joy becomes full & beyond words to describe.

B.      Love Him NOW because God first loved you.  John 3:16; I John 4:7-8, 17-19

C.      “Receiving the future salvation of your souls” means that you believe it is already yours because    God will complete what He started when He saved us.  Personalize and claim His promises.