Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

Free Grace Media

Of Princeton, New Jersey

 

AuthorClay Curtis
TitleWeekly Bulletin 5-1-2011
Bible Text1 Peter 1:6-9
Date30-Apr-2011
Article Type Bulletin
PDF Format pdf
Word Format doc
Audio HI-FI Listen: The Truth About Trials (32 kbps)  /  [go to notes]
Audio CD Quality Listen: The Truth About Trials (128 kbps)  /  [go to notes]
 

May 1, 2011

 

SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

 

LOCATION

Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd Floor

150 Washington Street

Rocky Hill, New Jersey, 08553

Telephone: 615-513-4464

 

Schedule of Services

Sunday 10 AM Bible Class

Sunday 11 AM Morning Service

Thursday 7 PM Midweek Service

 

 

Truth about Trials

1 Peter 1: 6-9

 

The faith of the saints is spoken of commonly in conjunction with trial (Hebrews 11.)  Yet, in Christ Jesus the believer has overcome all tribulation (John 16:33.)  Therefore, believers are happy though we are often in heaviness through various trials (2 Corinthians 6: 10.) Yet, when the believer enters the fiery trial, like pure gold put in the fire, our faith comes out proven pure faith.  We continue believing, rejoicing in God with joy unspeakable and glorying in the Lord who keeps us.  At the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, every believer shall be saved.  Here are three reasons to rejoice in trials.

 

We Rejoice That Trials Last For a Season--v6--now for a season.

There are individual trials we face this week, next month, this year then there is this trial of life (Acts 14: 22.)  But all are only for a short time.  They may be heavy to us now, but we will find them to be little and light in comparison to the lasting good of eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17.)  It may seem that the Lord has cast you off forever but the reality is that the Lord never casts off those he has everlastingly loved (Romans 8: 35-38.)  Our faithful Father has set the time for the trial to end (Lamentations 3: 31-32.)  The child of God has this sure consolation, the compassion of our heavenly Father is sure to follow the grief. His compassion is equal to the multitude of his mercies (Lamentations 3: 32; Psalm 103: 10-14; Luke 6: 21-26.)

 

We Rejoice That Trials Are Given as Needed--v6--if need be.

First, it may be that we need to be weaned from depending on the things of this world.   We are prone to forget that all flesh is grass. Through trials, the Lord makes us to set our affection on Christ above (1 Peter 1: 18-21; Colossian 3: 2-4.)

 

Secondly, the trial is always needful to grow us in grace, especially in humility and patience, to wait on God's time.
Peter said, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that he might exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5: 6).  Romans 5 verses 3-5 speaks of tribulation and the maturing of grace thereby.  Now remember that it was when we were without strength that Christ came and delivered the children of God from our sin, and he did it in due time—God’s time (Romans 5: 6-8.)  So now that Christ has reconciled us, brethren, in these current trials when we are brought to behold we have no strength in ourselves, God will deliver us in his time that we might learn to trust God our Strength who rules all time and providence for our good (Romans 5: 9-10; James says 1: 4; 1 Peter 5: 6-7.)

 

Thirdly, the trial may be needed that you might be able to comfort your brethren with the same consolation wherewith God comforts you, even Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1: 3-5.)  The apostle Peter suffered a great trial.  Christ comforted him. Now Peter is able to comfort us in this letter with what he knows by experience--"Cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

 

Fourthly, the trial may be needful to teach us to redeem the time we have (1 Peter 4:7.) The end of all things is at hand (1 Peter 4:7.)  May the trial teach us that the all-important, one thing needful is Christ Jesus the Lord.

 

We Rejoice That the Chief End of the Trial is our Salvation--1 Peter 1: 7: That…your faith…might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:9--even the salvation of your souls.

Through every trial the power of God's keeping grace is causing you to endure by faith.  The peaceable fruit of righteousness which the Spirit yields in the heart is that though you have not seen Christ, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1: 8.)  Nobody but a child of God understands how that by suffering tribulation our faith and love and hope and rejoicing can be grown within! But true faith springs up from the soil God has broken, creating a submissive heart.  Faith grows being watered by many tears.  But this is the power of God by which we are kept through faith.  The power of God gives persevering faith and persevering faith depends entirely upon the power of God to keep us unto salvation.  And being kept by the power of God through faith the chief end for which we are kept is the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1: 9; James 1:12.)

 

Brethren, in the mist of the trial, let us follow Christ! (Hebrews 12: 1-2; 12-13; Lamentations 3: 40-41.)  Let us be in subjection to our heavenly Father (Psalm 119:75.) Let us rest in this assurance, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34: 19.)

 

The Cure for Critical Thoughts

 

If I ever find myself critical and doubting of that brother or sister sitting next to me then I must remember that if they truly be the Lord’s child of mercy then Christ laid down his life for that person. If I charge them I charge my God (Romans 8: 33.)  If the Lord lives to make intercession for them shall I not rather replace my critical thoughts with intercession to God for them? (Romans 8: 34.)  Christ said, "Whoso receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"  Wherefore, I must remember that when I become critical of my brother or sister, it is not my brother or sister that has offended, but my own eye which is looking away from Christ to my brother or sister.  Christ commands we pluck that eye out.  How? Look away to Christ! He will protect his little ones (Matthew 18: 1-14.)