Let His Joy Reside In You Series

Let His Joy Reside in You

1 Peter 1:3-8

A Living Hope

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birthb into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials 7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

8Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Many of us spend a great deal of our lives weighed down by obligations. We move through our days performing tedious task after tedious task— washing clothes, cooking dinner, catering to the demands of a home life, professional

Life, all while maintaining our spiritual walk and due diligence.

When all is said and done, We barely have time to lift our heads and take a moment to take in the world around us. But have we a moment of joy in our days? Is there a moment of peace and Serenity or conflict and chaos? A moment when we can respond to the joy of our journey with Christ.

What inspires you? Challenges you?

When you sense that your joy and peace are being robbed, what do you do to get it back?

The word “gospel” means “good news,” which suggests we should greet the message of our faith with at least the level of joy we experience when we get infinitely less important good news like a job promotion or a new car or the gift of a beautiful dress.

So take some time with me so you can be inspired, enriched and empowered from God’s word that will allow you to be about joy and cultivate a spirit of joyful gratitude. You may find your spirit lifted and your attitude adjusted to a much deeper place, thanks to this passage from the pen of the early apostle. As the Bible declares in 1 Chronicles: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”

What can we take from this passage from the Apostle Peter?

Five things

Let me share them with you:

1. Are you rejoicing or regressing- we are are not called to be timid or shrinking back, but with the full arsenal or faith and salvation we rejoice in our current situations.

2. Are you rejoicing or regretting- it’s unfortunate when we regret our positions of influence and power for the sake of the Gospel… when we regretted our position of power and influence to use the moments to embrace and find joy.

3. Do you rejoice or have remorse- failure is not an option- because of the work in us we are to be the sanctified community of believers- he has done a good work in you and promises to lead you and I to victory even in the face adversity- find the ability to rejoice greatly at his promise and leading.

4. Are you rejoicing or relenting- relenting means to give ground. We are reminded constantly not to give the enemy a foothold, right. Every moment in your walk and journey is to push through and have victory over every aspect of that journey with exceeding joy- he has equipped you and I for such.

5. Finally, are you rejoicing or are you retreating- retreating brings allot to the Journey we are on- we look for cover and or safety in the course of our plight and uncertainty…

Rather, Run to the father who is waiting with arms open wide

His salvation is made perfect in you!

Now:

Elijah retreated to safety and yet was reminded that he was positioned for such a time as this.

Peter looked for his own preservation at the trial of Jesus only to be reminded of his ultimate failure. We can’t have it both ways…

Conversely

As is a reminder from last week, the saints didn’t consider their own lives for the sake of the Gospel- but rather overcame

Rejoice greatly is a reminder that you shall overcome ( Revelation 12:11-12).

Conclusion:

In the scope of our world and the decisions that are affecting our faith, we are encouraged to press on.

The Apostle Paul reminds us to Press on and obtain to the prize which we were destined for in Christ Jesus.