More Precious Than Gold

Introduction

1 Peter 1:6-7

The historical setting of 1 Peter was set in the midst of great suffering and persecution. The city of Rome was burned somewhere between 64-70 A.D. The Romans believed that their emperor Nero had set the city on fire, probably because of his incredible lust to build. In order to build more, he had to destroy what already existed. The Romans were totally devastated. Their culture, in a sense, went down with the city. The people were hopeless and homeless. Many had been killed. Their bitter resentment was severe, so Nero realized that he had to redirect the hostility. The emperor's clever scapegoat was the Christians, who were already hated because they were associated with Jews, and because they were seen as being hostile to the Roman culture. Nero spread the word quickly that  the Christians had set the fires. As a result, a vicious persecution against Christians began, and  soon spread throughout the Roman Empire, touching places mentioned in v.1. These "pilgrims" who were probably Gentiles, for the most part, possibly led to Christ by Paul and his associates, and established on Paul's teachings. But they needed spiritual strengthening because of their suffering.

These, the Apostle Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote this epistle to strengthen them. The purpose of this letter was to teach them how to live victoriously in the midst of that hostility. Without losing hope. Without becoming bitter. While trusting in the Lord. While looking for the return  of Christ. Peter wished to impress on his readers that by living an obedient, victorious life under duress, a Christian can actually evangelize his hostile world.

Satan loves to find Christians whose lives are not consistent with the Word of God, and then parading them before the unbelievers to show what a sham the church is. Christians, however, must stand against the enemy and silence the critics by the power of holy lives.

Why was Peter chosen to write this epistle? He was a witness of Christ's Suffering. He had seen Christ's Deity displayed in the transfiguration. (Mark 9) He witnessed Christ's Humility at the foot washing. (John 13) Tradition has it that Peter had to watch as his wife was crucified. He was said to have encouraged her with the words, "Remember the Lord." She had accompanied him in his ministry. (Mark 1:29-31; 1 Corinthians 9:5) Peter and Paul were probably killed within one year of each other, both in Rome. When it came time for Peter to be crucified, he reportedly pleaded that he was not worthy to be crucified like his Lord, but rather should be crucified upside down. Peter reminds the believers that genuine faith is more precious than gold. Gold eventually perishes through use or abuse; faith is everlasting. Gold is temporary, but faith goes into eternity.

I. Commences With Provisions For Troubled Times 6

"in this you greatly rejoice" - rejoice is an imperative mood (command). Because of his assurance in Christ, the Christian's responsibility is to radiate happiness and joy, even while immersed in human need. It is middle voice, meaning the activity of the participating subjects (suffering readers) are  called to rejoice (heavily emphasized). This is a unique liberty and responsibility. Believers are to rejoice in the glories of salvation, even when it is necessary to encounter various trials. We see in 1 Peter 1:3-5, "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, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in  the last time.

Note: "abundant mercy" - "has begotten us again" - "a living hope" -"inheritance" - "does not fade away" - "kept by the power of God" - "in this greatly rejoice" !!!

II. Continues With Principle Concerning The Trouble 6

A. The Passing Of Trouble

"for a little while" - a limited duration

Note in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." This speaks of weightless and lasting only a brief moment. When God permits His children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. In The Faith of the Russian Evangelicals, J.C. Pollock recounts the story of Ivan Rjaboshapka, a blacksmith in a village in Czarist Russia. Police, accompanied by the village priest, burst in upon a small group of believers in 1867. Since Ivan was the leader, he was flogged until only half-conscious. Asked later if the whipping was not exceedingly painful, he replied, "It burned, yes, it burned, but it was nothing to the fire of Jesus' love in my heart."

B. The Purpose Of Trouble

"if need be" - necessary; same word Jesus used with Nicodemus, "You must be born again." W.W. Wiersbe said, "Trials (trouble) meets needs."

1. Discipline

Psalms 119:67, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word." Psalms 119:71, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Sometimes trials discipline us when we have disobeyed God's will.

2. Deeper Devotion

Trials prepare us for spiritual growth.

3. Detours

Prevent us from sinning.

NOTE: 2 Corinthians 12:1-9. Paul's thorn in the flesh kept him from being proud.

4. Distress

"you have been grieved by various trials" - distressed; heaviness; to experience grief or pain. Word was used of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37). Used of the sorrow of saints at the death of a loved one (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Christians must accept the fact that there are different experiences in life and not put on a brave front just to appear "more spiritual."

Great Truth Of Discovery: Grief can help or hurt. Grief says, "I hurt." Sinful Grief says, "I hurt and I'm bitter, and I quit."

5. Diversity

"various trials" - variegated; many-colored. He used the same word to describe God's grace in 4:10. No matter what "color" our day may be, "Black Friday," "Blue or Gray Monday," God has grace sufficient to meet the need...Too many Christians think that we, in essence as believers, will be exempted from certain things in life... Not True.

III. Climaxes With The Proof Of Faith In Trouble 8

"A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted." Too many professing Christians have a "false faith" and this will be revealed in the trials of life. Example: The seed that fell on shallow soil produced rootless plants, and the plants died when the sun came up (Matthew 13:1-9). The sun in the parable represents tribulation or persecution. The person who abandons "his faith" when the going gets tough is only proving that he really had no faith at all.

Student goes off to college as a "professing Christian." Trials against his/her faith come along with opportunities to abandon your faith. The trials may only reveal that you really had nothing to lose. You are now no longer living under a false delusion.

When a believer comes through a trial still trusting the Lord, he is assured that his faith is genuine. Verse 7 states, "These trials have come so that your faith may be proved genuine." Job 23:10, "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold."

"to praise, honor, and glory"

"praise" - God's approval; commendation

"honor" - exalted position; valued jewel

"glory" - promised to each believer at the Lord's return; to behold His glory (presence). To look upon His face.