Inexpressible Joy

1 Peter 1:6-9

Introduction

A Kid Anticipating Christmas

Use the excitement of a child counting down to Christmas morning. The child’s joy isn’t just about the day arriving; it’s about the hope and anticipation of what the day will bring. Similarly, our joy in Christ is grounded in the anticipation of what’s to come—the fulfillment of our salvation and eternal life with Him (1 Peter 1:4-5).

• Share how hope like this provides daily joy even in a season of waiting.

This morning, we gather to reflect on a joy that surpasses words—a joy so deep, so glorious, that it overflows from the core of our being. This joy is not fleeting or tied to earthly circumstances. It is a gift from God, reserved for His beloved children—a joy that Peter describes as "inexpressible and full of glory."

• This kind of joy is not rooted in the absence of struggle or challenges but springs from a deeper place—a place anchored in God's promises. Today, we will explore this profound joy, its foundation, its vast greatness, and how it can be truly ours.

I. The Basis for Joy Inexpressible

Peter tells us in verse 6, "In this you greatly rejoice..." But what is the "this"? What is the foundation for such joy?

A. Past Grounds for Rejoicing

1. You, believer, have been chosen by God—set apart by the Holy Spirit for a life with Him (1 Peter 1:2).

2. By the sacrificial blood of Jesus, you’ve been cleansed and forgiven.

3. You’ve been born again into a hope that is alive, vibrant, and unshakable a living hope anchored in the resurrection of Christ (1 Peter 1:3).

B. Present Grounds for Rejoicing

1. Right now, you are counted among God’s elect people.

2. You are guarded by God's power—faith acting as the bond that secures you in His care (1 Peter 1:5).

C. Future Grounds for Rejoicing

1. Ahead of you lies an inheritance in heaven: incorruptible and unfading (1 Peter 1:4).

2. A day is coming when your salvation will be complete and revealed in all its glory (1 Peter 1:5, 9).

3. Past, present, or future—our lives are saturated with blessings that form the foundation for unspeakable joy. This joy is not surface-level; it’s built on the unwavering truths of God’s Word and His eternal love.

II. The Greatness of This Joy

A. Rejoicing Even in Trials

1. Peter tells us this joy shines brightest in hardship (1 Peter 1:6). Trials may vary—persecution, loss, uncertainty, or even the small frustrations of everyday life—but in Christ, the joy He gives always outweighs the heaviness of life's burdens.

2. Why? Because trials refine our faith, just as fire purifies gold (1 Peter 1:7). They shift our gaze from the temporary to the eternal, reminding us of the glory set before us (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

3. This is why Christians can rejoice even when life feels weighty. Consider the apostles in Acts 5—they walked away from persecution rejoicing, not because of the pain, but because they shared in Christ's suffering.

B. The "Various" Trials We Face

1. Some trials come because of our faith in Christ (Matthew 5:10-12).

2. Others come as part of life—illness, heartbreak, uncertainty, or even approaching the end of our earthly life.

But here’s the truth that enables us to rejoice in all of them: trials don’t define us. Instead, they give us the opportunity to grow in faith, patience, and perseverance (James 1:2-4).

C. Joy inexpressible is not the absence of hardship; it is the presence of God’s peace and grace in the middle of the storm.

III. Possessing This Joy

Peter assures us that this joy is available to all believers, but how do we experience it fully in our daily lives?

A. Loving Jesus

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.” (1 Peter 1:8)

1. Jesus is the source of this joy. He tells us, “Remain in my love...so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete” (John 15:9-11).

2. When you love Jesus with your whole heart, He makes His home in you, bringing His joy with Him (John 14:23).

3. While we have not seen Him face-to-face, we come to love Him through His Word. Meditate on the promises, the prophecies, the accounts of His life, sacrificial death, and powerful resurrection.

B. Believing in Jesus

“Though you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice...” (1 Peter 1:8)

1. Joy springs from trust. Faith is not just intellectual agreement; it is a profound trust in God’s goodness and His promises.

2. Do you trust that His commands are for your good? Do you trust that He is working all things together for your eternal good? (Romans 8:28)

3. This kind of trust leads to unwavering belief, which then fills our hearts with peace and joy (Romans 15:13).