"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

               Joy Inexpressible And Full Of Glory (1 Pe 1:6-9)

INTRODUCTION

1. 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") - 1 Pe 1:6 
   b. They have access to joy that is "inexpressible and full of glory"
      - 1 Pe 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
   1 Pe 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 1 Pe 1:1-5

   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. 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 Pe 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 1 Pe 4:12-13 
         b. As he and the rest of the apostles exemplified in Acts 5:40-41
      2. How can Christians find joy in such trials?
         a. Informed Christians understand the purifying nature of such
            trials - 1 Pe 1:7; cf. 2 Co 4:17-18 
         b. Knowing what trials can produce, it is possible to be joyful
            in trials - cf. James 1:2-4; James 1:12; Rom 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. 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

[If one is able to rejoice even in the midst of such trials, surely they
have a joy inexpressible and full of glory!

But how can Christians be sure to possess this joy?  For it must be
admitted that all do not, and there are times when even the best of us
do not.

In verse 8, Peter alludes to two things which are necessary to...]

III. POSSESSING THIS INEXPRESSIBLE JOY

   A. WE MUST LOVE JESUS...
      1. "Whom having not seen you love" 1 Pet 1:8 
      2. Jesus is the ultimate source for being able to rejoice in all
         things - cf. Ph 4:4 
         a. He has promised that if we truly love Him, He and His Father
            will be with us - Jn 14:23 
         b. If Jesus is with us, we can receive that joy which is
            inexpressible! - Jn 15:11; Jn 16:33
      3. But can we who have never seen Jesus, love Him?  Yes! cf. 1 Pet 1:8 
      4. How can we come to love Him whom we have not seen?  Through a
         devotional study of:
         a. The Old Testament, with its prophecies of the Messiah
         b. The Gospels, with their description of His life, teachings,
            compassion, suffering, death, and glorious resurrection
         c. The Acts, with its action-packed portrayal of the Lord
            working together with His church
         d. The Epistles, where we learn of many blessings found in
            Christ, and of His ministry as High Priest interceding in
            our behalf
         e. The Revelation, in which we learn of the glorious victory to
            be won by the Lamb and His followers

   B. WE MUST ALSO BELIEVE IN JESUS...
      1. "Though now you do not see Him, yet believing..." 1 Pet 1:8 
      2. Through believing in Jesus, we can rejoice with joy
         inexpressible and full of glory
      3. But such faith is more than a mental assent or academic
         knowledge of Jesus
      4. It involves the key element of faith itself, which is "trust"
         a. Trusting in His commands to be for our ultimate good
         b. Trusting in His promises to be fulfilled
         c. The kind of trust that prompts us to obey Jesus
            wholeheartedly
         d. This kind of faith comes from the Word of God - Rom 10:17 

CONCLUSION

1. When we have this kind of faith in Jesus, and when we truly love Him
   with our whole being...
   a. A blessing we receive is "joy inexpressible and full of
      glory"!
   b. A blessing that can sustain us till we reach the end (goal) of our
      faith:  salvation! - 1 Pet 1:9 

2. That is because of this "inexpressible joy"...
   a. Is based upon many other blessings:  past, present, and future
   b. Enables us to joyfully persevere through all kinds of trials in
      this life

3. But again, this blessing is only for those who truly love Jesus and
   believe in Him...
   a. Do you love Jesus?  If you do, you will keep His commandments
      - Jn 14:15; Jn 14:23
   b. Do you believe in Jesus?  If you do, you will do what He says
      - cf. Lk 6:46 

Are there commandments of Jesus you have not yet obeyed?  If so, why not
obey them today so this "inexpressible joy" can be yours as well!

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