Full of Glory. Bryant Hewitt Message.

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1 Peter 1:6--9 (NKJV)

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, ...
1Peter 1:6-9. Do join our Peace Tour as we bring the Lords Crusades to Asia, Africa, India, Europe.www.bryanthewitt.com

One of the many blessings available to the "elect" (chosen) of God is
   a very special kind of joy...
   a. For reasons we shall notice in our lesson, Christians are able to
      "greatly rejoice" (lit., "leap for joy") - 1Pe 1:6
   b. They have access to joy that is "inexpressible and full of glory"
      - 1Pe 1:8
   c. A joy so great, so glorious, that it is impossible to truly
      express with words!

2. In this lesson, we shall focus our attention on Peter's remarks in
   1Pe 1:6-9 concerning this "inexpressible joy" that Christians are
   blessed to have

[Notice first that in verse 6 Peter begins by saying "IN THIS you
greatly rejoice..."  He is referring to those things which serve as...]

I. THE BASIS FOR INEXPRESSIBLE JOY

   A. THERE ARE "PAST" GROUNDS FOR REJOICING...
      1. We have been "set apart" by the sanctifying work of the Holy
         Spirit - 1:2
      2. We have been "sprinkled" with the blood of Jesus Christ - 1:2
      3. We have been "born again" to a living hope - 1:3

   B. THERE ARE "PRESENT" GROUNDS FOR REJOICING AS WELL...
      1. We are God's "elect" - 1:2
      2. We are "kept" by the power of God through faith - 1:5

   C. AND THERE ARE "FUTURE" GROUNDS FOR REJOICING...
      1. We have an "inheritance" reserved for us in heaven - 1:4
      2. We look forward to the "salvation" which will be revealed in
         the last time - 1:5, cf. 1:9

[All these blessings (past, present, future) serve as the basis for
inexpressible joy.  Because of them, we can "greatly rejoice!"

Exactly how great is this joy?  In verses 6-7, Peter explains...]

II. THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF THIS JOY

   A. IT ENABLES ONE TO REJOICE EVEN IN TRIAL (1:6)
      1. No matter what degree of suffering one may experience, in
         Christ there is joy to match it
         a. As Peter explains in 1Pe 4:12-13
         b. As he and the rest of the apostles exemplified in Ac 5:
            40-41
      2. How can Christians find joy in such trials?
         a. Informed Christians understand the purifying nature of such
            trials - 1Pe 1:7; cf. 2Co 4:17-18
         b. Knowing what trials can produce, it is possible to be joyful
            in trials - cf. Jm 1:2-4,12; Ro 5:1-4

   B. WHAT KIND OF TRIALS?
      1. The word "various" includes all kinds
      2. Primarily, it includes those which come as a result of living
         for Christ - e.g., Mt 5:10-12
      3. But we can also rejoice in the everyday afflictions of life
         a. E.g., sickness, heartbreak, frustration, approaching death
         b. For these things also provide an opportunity to test our
            faith, hope, love, longsuffering and patience