Joy in a World of Trials (1 Peter 1)
This sermon explores the profound reality that believers inhabit two realms: the physical world of trials and a spiritual world of heavenly joy and divine provision. It invites listeners to understand how maintaining a heavenly mindset, centered on Jesus, transforms their earthly experience.
This sermon encourages believers to maintain unspeakable joy and a heavenly mindset amidst earthly trials, understanding God's comprehensive salvation of spirit, soul, and body. It highlights how focusing on Jesus allows us to draw on divine resources and experience true communion with God.
Overview
The sermon introduces the concept of living in two worlds: one marked by earthly trials and the other by a heavenly heart and mind. It contrasts the world's pursuit of superficial happiness, which often leads to depression, with the believer's access to a deep, abiding joy that transcends circumstances. This joy, rooted in Christ, can even contribute to success in earthly endeavors by providing clarity and grace.
A key argument is God's total interest in saving the complete person—spirit, soul, and body. While the spirit is saved instantaneously at rebirth, the soul is in a process of renewal, affecting thoughts and emotions. Bodily redemption will be complete at Jesus' return, but even now, the Holy Spirit works to quicken and give life to mortal bodies, as the Triune God is intimately involved in this ongoing process.
The sermon then draws a significant contrast between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Mount Sinai represents the Old Covenant of law, fear, and condemnation, which no one could keep. In contrast, believers have come to Mount Zion, which signifies the New Covenant of grace, freedom, God's dwelling, and the church. The Old Testament, when understood through Christ, reveals His person and finished work, turning seemingly mundane texts into profound revelations of His sacrifice.
True communion with God, the preacher explains, comes not from cultivating pious feelings or striving to keep laws, but from delighting in Jesus, just as the Father delights in His Son. Focusing on Jesus and His glory shifts one's perspective from self-occupation and pain to unspeakable joy. This heavenly-mindedness equips believers with divine wisdom to navigate earthly challenges and express love and generosity, not out of obligation but out of a changed identity under grace.
Key points
- Believers live in two worlds, experiencing earthly trials but possessing a heavenly heart and mind with access to divine joy and resources.
- God's salvation is comprehensive, encompassing the spirit (born again), the soul (renewing the mind), and the body (quickened by the Holy Spirit now, glorified at Jesus' return).
- Christians are no longer under the fear and condemnation of Mount Sinai (the Law) but have come to Mount Zion, representing grace, God's presence, and the church.
- The Old Testament, including its rituals like the burnt offering, points to Jesus and His finished work, revealing His sacrifice and glory.
- Communion with God is achieved by delighting in Jesus and His work, as the entire Bible is a portrait of Him.
- Grace transforms believers' motivation, leading to love, service, and generosity, rather than fear-based obedience to the law.
- Maintaining a focus on Jesus brings unspeakable joy and clarity of mind, preventing self-occupation which leads to depression and pain.
In Joseph Prince's words
“It's not about you. It's all about Jesus.”
“God is fully delighting in us. We are all unto God a sweet savor of Christ, a fragrance of Christ.”
Outline
- I. Living in Two Worlds: Earthly Trials vs. Heavenly Mindset
- A. The World's Search for Supernatural Knowledge
- B. Believers as Citizens of Heaven, Drawing on Heavenly Resources
- II. God's Tripartite Salvation: Spirit, Soul, and Body
- A. Spirit Salvation: Born Again Instantly
- B. Soul Salvation: Renewing the Mind (Emotions, Thoughts, Struggles)
- C. Bodily Salvation: Glorified Future, Quickening Now
- 1. The Holy Spirit Quickens Mortal Bodies (Romans 8:11)
- 2. The Triune God is Involved in Bodily Quickening
- 3. No Condemnation is the Foundation
- III. From Mount Sinai to Mount Zion: A Shift in Covenants (Hebrews 12)
- A. Mount Sinai: Law, Fear, Trembling, Curse
- B. Mount Zion: Grace, God's Presence, the Church, Freedom
- C. Old Testament Revelations of Christ (e.g., Leviticus Burnt Offering)
- IV. Grace, Love, and Communion with God
- A. Status Change: From Servant to Son/Daughter Under Grace
- B. Grace Motivates Love and Generosity, Not Fear of the Law
- C. Communion with God: Delighting in Jesus, His Son
- 1. The Entire Bible is a Portrait of Christ
- 2. Example of Joseph: A Clear Depiction of Jesus
- 3. Quarreling vs. Loving One Another
- 4. Worship as Telling the Father About His Son
- V. Living with Unspeakable Joy and Heavenly Focus
- A. Self-Occupation Leads to Depression; Jesus-Occupation Brings Joy
- B. The Holy Spirit as the Earnest/Down Payment for Complete Salvation
- C. Believers are Kept by God's Power, Enabling Great Rejoicing Amidst Trials
- D. Heavenly-Mindedness Brings God's Wisdom and Perspective
- E. Loving Jesus Unseen: A Sign of Living Faith and Resurrection Power
- F. Guarding Thoughts with Philippians 4:8 Brings Peace
Scripture references
- 1 Peter 1
- Romans 8:11
- 3 John 2
- Hebrews 12
- Leviticus 1
- Nehemiah
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Songs
- Philippians 4:8
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Insights
Living in the world subjects us to its ups and downs.
God's total salvation includes our spirit, soul, and body.
We are citizens of heaven, not bound by earthly limitations.
Questions & answers
What does the sermon mean by 'living in two worlds'?
The sermon explains that believers physically inhabit a world of trials, but spiritually, their heart and mind can reside in a heavenly realm. This means drawing on heavenly resources and maintaining a divine perspective even when circumstances are challenging.
How does the sermon describe God's salvation?
God's salvation is presented as a complete work for the entire person: instantaneous salvation of the spirit, an ongoing process of salvation/renewal for the soul (mind and emotions), and a future bodily redemption, with the Holy Spirit quickening mortal bodies in the present.
What is the difference between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion, according to the sermon?
Mount Sinai represents the old covenant of the law, which brought fear and condemnation because no one could perfectly keep it. Mount Zion, in contrast, represents the new covenant of grace, where believers come into God's presence, the church, and are free from condemnation through Christ's sacrifice.
How does one have 'communion with God'?
Communion with God is achieved by delighting in His Son, Jesus, just as God delights in Him. The sermon states that the entire Bible is a portrait of Christ, and understanding this allows believers to fellowship with God over their shared love and enjoyment of Jesus.
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's body?
Beyond teaching and guiding, the Holy Spirit's role is to quicken, or give life to, a believer's mortal body even now. This is distinct from the future glorified body and allows for divine healing and strength in this present life.
How does focusing on Jesus help with depression and negative thoughts?
The sermon argues that self-occupation and self-focus lead to depression and pain. By shifting focus to Jesus' beauty and glory, believers can experience unspeakable joy, clarity of mind, and a divine perspective that helps overcome negative emotions and circumstances.
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