Fountains Of Joy Series

Text: 1 Peter 1:8-12 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things which angels desire to look into. NKJV

Big Idea: Christians can experience overwhelming joy, (especially in times of trial) through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Introduction: Peter statement that our "hope" is not built upon the temporal, "not seeing" or the human senses which are of the flesh but our love for Jesus exist in the spirit. the love the repentant heart has developed a love for Christ through the Spirit. Jesus told to the woman of Samaria that her relationship with God was to be connected to a place or through the use of our senses but we would worship God in the Spirit. The love that is a developed through use of our senses is shallow and temporary. It is but a shallow heart that can tell its treasures. "He is a poor man who can count his flock," says a proverb. All deep emotions pass beyond speech. The deepest love can but "love and be silent." The great river slides along with equable and noiseless motion, while the brook chatters among its pebbles. The Christian joy is not in need of laughter, nor of words, nor of any outward signs. Mirth is noisy; deep joy is calm, gave, still. It sits at the Master's feet, and moves not in its deep restfulness; only the light in the eyes and the holy glow on the still face tell the depth of the blessedness. Earth's joys are the crackling of thorns; Christian joy burns steadily.

(from The Pulpit Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." NKJV

Peter states that his readers were rejoicing "with joy inexpressible and full of glory." At the center of this overwhelming joy was their relationship with Christ. According to Peter we find this joy through:

1. Waiting for Jesus

"Jesus Christ. . . .whom having not seen. . . .Though now you do not see Him."

Peter states that his readers were rejoicing "with joy inexpressible and full of glory." At the center of this overwhelming joy was their relationship with Christ. According to Peter we find this joy through:

Waiting for Jesus-Our faith is tested by the fire for a purpose--that it may be found to praise, honor, and glory, at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen Him, you love Him. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, and you rejoice with joy inexpressible and filled with glory (v. 8).

A. Our relationship is evidenced by our genuine love and trust.

It is hard to say which of these is first or chief. We cannot love without believing (trust), and we cannot trust (believe) without loving. No man is a genuine believer who does not love the Lord Jesus. The agape love we have for Jesus produces great joy and rejoicing.

B. Peter also commends the faith (trust) of his readers. To love Him goes hand in hand with believing in Him. Jesus told the doubting, must-see, disciple, Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed, (John 20:29). Believing is not based on seeing. God places a premium on faith that is the substance of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Faith accepts the revealed, written record of Christ, which portrays Him in His reality (Col. 1:15-20), and leads believers to love Him. The more faith can know of Christ, and the more such knowledge possess the heart, the stronger the believers' love for Him. Seeing will be the portion of believers at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

C. Our relationship is evidenced by our great rejoicing.

The relationship caused Peter's readers to greatly rejoice. Inexpressible (aneklaleto) literally means "higher than speech." Words can never adequately describe. This joy, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, is ineffable. It defies description. And this joy is full of glory (doxazo), meaning "to render highest praise." In their relationship with Christ, believers have both a supernatural love and a transcendent joy.