1 Peter 1:3-16
The Bible presents certain birthmarks that distinguish the children of God from the children of the world. We read that, ‘by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.’ God’s people are called upon to be a ‘peculiar people, zealous of good works.’ Here in 1 Peter chapter 1, we find another defining characteristic of the Christian. God desires us to be a people who have a joy unspeakable, which is full of glory.
Jesus said in John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is a divine joy. It is a remaining and overflowing joy. In the Old Testament we find that it is an overcoming joy:
Nehemiah 8:10
‘…the joy of the Lord is our strength.’
Often time we use the terms ‘joy’ and ‘happy’ interchangeably. In its modern usage, we have come to believe that these words are synonyms. But that could not be farther from the truth. The word ‘happy’ describes an emotional response. As an emotion it is subject to change and influenced by external circumstances. ‘Joy’ on the other hand, is not an emotion. It is not contingent to what takes place on the outside –joy is the result of what has already taken place on the inside. Joy is not rooted in circumstances; it is based upon the Saviour.
*For example, have you ever known someone who was in a tremendous trial or difficulty? You were burdened about them and compelled by your concern; you go to them in hopes of being an encouragement to them. However, after a few minutes with them you realize that in spite of all that is happening, this person has joy. Although you had planned to encourage them, you leave having been encouraged yourself! How is that possible? It is possible only because joy is not an emotion that is subject to circumstances. Joy is the product of an abiding life in Christ –rooted and built up in Him.
That is the kind of joy that Peter is describing here. Notice the circumstances in which Peter is writing this letter. Note verses 6, 7.
Ladies and gentleman, you and I can have the blessing of possessing and emanating ‘joy unspeakable and full of glory’!
Here in this chapter, Peter highlights three catalysts for the Christian’s joy in this chapter. Let’s consider them quickly.
I have Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory because of:
1. Hope by the Resurrection of Christ verse 3
We are living in a day and age where there seems to be a real lack of genuine hope. People want it. People recognize the need for it, but somehow fail to locate it. Think with me for just a moment. Where do people turn to for hope? -Politics, education, philosophy, the judicial system and even religion. But none of these can give true hope.
There are those who search for it in politics. But we are learning there is very little hope there. Just this week in the New York Times an article was published in which the writer commented, ‘for the first time in American history people feel voting does not matter.’ He believes there are an overwhelming number of people disillusioned with the whole democratic process. Please do not misunderstand me –that is not an endorsement or a critique of any political party. Earlier this week, a former financial advisor to the president came out and said that the problem of the US economy is so great the only solution is to remove democracy from the equation and to appoint certain people who will have decision making powers that are not subject public scrutiny. Not much hope in politics. The same can be said of the others as well.
Exactly what is hope? We speak of hope in terms of maybe or of a possibility. We ‘hope’ this or that will take place. Is that true hope? Biblical hope as described in the Bible does not have any doubt or contingency involved with it. When the Bible speaks of hope, it is referring to something that is assured of or guaranteed. The only place such assurance can be found is not in a religion –but in a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice again what the Bible says in verse 3. We have been begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The resurrection of Christ is a source of joy for the believer.
Consider what the Bible says in John 16:19-22. In these verses, Jesus foretells His death and His resurrection. Pay close attention to the expected result this event was to have.
19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 23 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Jesus knew His disciples would be devastated at His death, but He also knew that although weeping may endure for a night, joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5)! Jesus knew their sorrow would be turned into joy –because Jesus knew He would rise again!
Christ Jesus is set apart from all others by the resurrection. Many men died on a Roman cross, but only One rose again three days later. This is a the very heart of the Gospel.
Sin demanded a payment. Christ paid that debt for you and me. He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Christ willingly laid down His life. That was His purpose in coming. Mark 10:45, tells us, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The death that you and I deserve, that our sin requires, Jesus paid that debt in full. As proof that God the Father accepted that payment, Christ Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4).
When Christ arose, He arose victorious over death’s domain, making a show of them openly, destroying the power of death and the devil. He is alive for ever more! The fact of the resurrection breeds hope and joy for the child of God!
You can have joy unspeakable and full of glory by the hope of the resurrection and secondly,
2. A Home Reserved in Heaven verse 4
The resurrection of Christ assures us of salvation, and the reservation we have in Heaven assures us of security. You and I can rejoice that we have a place reserved for us in Heaven. This reservation is a great source of joy. Consider what Jesus said in Luke 10:20,
“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
We can rejoice no matter what the situation may be. The audience to whom Peter was writing, although they were facing immense trial and difficulty could rejoice in knowing their names were written in Heaven. -Because that reservation is as good as you being there. Your place will not and cannot be given to another.
*Illustration of the plane tickets* -you book in advance and they are there waiting for you. It is as if you were already in the seat! No one can take it from you and it will not be given to another.
Pay close attention to the details of this reservation:
It is an inheritance –purchased by someone else and freely given to the recipient
It is incorruptible –that means nothing can ruin it
It is undefiled –that means nothing can be detracted from it, it never cheapens and it is never tarnished
It fadeth not away –it will never grow old, never wear out, never expire and it can never be taken away
And praise be to God it is reserved in Heaven for you! Ladies and gentlemen, we have an eternal redemption because we were not redeemed with temporal currency. *1 Peter 1:18, 19.
For those who have placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, you can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory because your name is written in Heaven. You have a reservation there!
We have joy by the hope of the resurrection, we have joy by our home reserved in Heaven and thirdly, we can have joy by
3. Holiness in Light of the Revelation of Christ verses 13-16
There is a direct correlation between holy living and the return of Christ. The root word translated ‘holy’ simply means ‘different’. Those who live a holy life are not odd per se just different. Their life has a quality about it that is different. His present lifestyle is not only different from his past life, but also from the lifestyles of the unbelieving world around him (Warren Wiersbe NT2, pg. 395).
The message of the Bible is clear: Jesus Christ will come again!
John 14:1-3
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Acts 1:11
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Titus 2:13 -Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
The fact that this could happen at any moment has a purifying effect on the child of God. I do not want Christ to return and find me doing something I ought not to be doing. I do not want Christ to return and find me watching something I ought not to be watching, or visiting somewhere that I ought not to be visiting.
When Christ returns, I want Him to find me walking with Him, loving Him, serving Him and bringing honor to Him! There is nothing more satisfying –more rewarding –than living in obedience to God. Friends there are people all over this world who are saved; they are ready for Heaven, they are not ready to meet Jesus Christ. They are not ready to stand before Him and give account for their lives because they are not living for Him.
That does not have to be your testimony. You can have joy unspeakable and full of glory because you are living a holy life purified by the fact of the revelation of Jesus Christ!
A defining characteristic of God’s people is fullness of joy. No matter what your situation may be this evening, you can rejoice! Warren Wiersbe wrote, “When the outlook is not so encouraging, try the up-look!”
There may be some here this evening, and you are without joy. Life has no purpose and no satisfaction. You know in your heart, what is truly missing a personal relationship with God. You have tried amusements, but they are no longer amusing. You have tried activity and staying busy but in your heart you know it is not enough. Let me encourage you, look to Jesus. There is life, liberty and fullness of joy available in Him.
There may be some here this evening and you know Jesus as your personal Saviour. That is settled. But it has been a while since you had your joy full. You have given place to things in your life that you know do not please God and this evening the Lord has dealt with you about it. You are here this evening and you are ready for Heaven because you are saved, but the thought of meeting Jesus face to face is not as exciting as it could be. You know there are things in your life right now that are not pleasing to the Lord.
Let me encourage you to respond as David did in Psalm 51. David acknowledged his sin, confessed it and sought forgiveness. He prayed, “Create in me a clean heart O God and renew the right spirit within me…Restore unto me the joy of my salvation.”
