Series: Don’t Be Discouraged [#1]
WHEN YOU’RE DISCOURAGED…
1 Peter 1:1-12
Introduction:
With everything going on in the world, it’s easy to get down and be discouraged. Everybody gets discouraged and it can be very contagious. You have to be careful on what you get focused on because if you aren’t careful the next thing you know you will be down and discouraged. Peter sent a letter to some discouraged Christians that we know as 1 Peter, to encourage them. These people were being fed to lions, burned at the stake, tortured, imprisoned, thrown into the Coliseum and torn apart by wild animals, etc... Peter tells them that when they start to get down that they should focus on what is good in life.
1 Peter 1:1-2
When you’re discouraged, remember that…
1. God has chosen you to be a part of His family.
Before God had even created this Earth, He knew that man would sin and that He would have to be the One to fix the problem. Jesus knew that He was going to have to come to the Earth and take the form of man so that He could redeem us. Why would God do that?
1 Peter 1:3-5
Why would God choose someone like me to be a part of His family? It’s not because of anything I’ve ever done. It’s based on God’s mercy and grace. Mercy is not getting what you deserve and grace is getting something you don’t deserve. That’s exactly what God has done for us. God has given us the opportunity for new birth through Jesus.
1 Peter 1:7-9
When you’re discouraged, remember that…
2. God is working in your life.
Not only does God choose you to be a part of His family but He is working in your life. Although it may seem that God is far away sometimes, He hasn’t gone anywhere. Through the Holy Spirit, God is cleaning and changing you. The result of God working in your life is grace and peace. I don't know what's going on in your life, but God does, and He cares.
It’s very important that we notice that our text acknowledges that we are going to suffer difficult times. The purpose of problems is to refine and test your faith. The result of that is that you're going to be rewarded in eternity for a tested and tried faith. Your reward will last long while your troubles are for a short time. Even if the problem is one you've had your entire life and you had to live with it until you die; that’s still not long in comparison to eternity.
When you’re discouraged, remember that…
3. God has secured your future.
Through the saving power of Jesus Christ we have been given eternal life. No matter what people do to you, no matter how hard they try, no one can take your salvation from you and Heaven is a place that will never fade away or go away. God tells us that He will make sure that His children will get to Heaven safely.
Conclusion:
1 Peter 1:10-12
Don’t let things get to you. Remember what God has done for you and keep serving Him.
