Times of Trial - a sermon from Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones (2024)

FAQs

Times of Trial - a sermon from Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones? ›

Trials purify our faith like fire purifies gold. Trials lead to greater hope and certainty of salvation. We rejoice in the hope of God's glory, go through trials, and come out with stronger hope and assurance. Trials give further proof we are God's children as He perfects us.

In verses 6 and 7, Peter is pointing out that the various trials we will inevitably face in this life can be grounds for rejoicing because they reveal what has already been worked into our souls by God because of Jesus and through the Spirit, resulting in glory and praise for Jesus.

SERMON SERIES: ROOTED

In this four-part series, we'll explore what God has to say in Scripture about how being rooted is just what we need to be anchored, to keep doing hard things, and to become the person you were created to be.

When trials come, the believer makes a choice to continue to trust God, in and through the trial. God continues to provide. Our faith grows stronger. Peter compares and contrasts our faith with the classic standard for value: gold. Like gold, our faith is refined and purified by the heat of our trials.

Romans 5:3–5 Reminds Us that even in the midst of pain of suffering, we see God refining us. We are called to endure knowing that our hope in Christ will not put us to shame.

1 Peter 5:6-11 MSG

So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. Keep a cool head.

In 1 Peter 5:6-7, the apostle addresses the problem of anxiety and provides us with hope-giving, life-changing help to handle it. Peter writes, Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

We see in James 1:2-4, suffering promotes endurance and perfection of character, and the apostle Paul also reiterates this in Romans 5:3-4 where we see that we are to “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:2-3 NIV says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” The Lord instructs us to view our trials as pure joy; which is totally opposite from the human mindset.

What does Peter say about trials? ›

1 Peter 1:7 In-Context

There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.

1 Peter 5:7 Asks For Help With Anxiety And Fear

So help us. Help us, God, to overcome anxiety and worry and fear in us. Help us to overcome all these things through trust in you, through confidence in you and your care for us. We praise you for your love for us.

Christians must humble themselves under God's mighty hand, trusting Him to exalt us at exactly the right time. We must quit the work of seeking our own glory in order to accept the work of serving and submitting to others. Then, when the time is right, our God will use His mighty hand to exalt us.

Romans 4:20–21 Gives an Example of Faith

Help us to grow strong in our faith for your glory. Help us to believe today fully that you are able to do that what you've promised to do. God, help us to trust your word, your promises all day long today. Help us to trust your wisdom.

Following the arrest of Jesus, Peter denied knowing him three times, but after the third denial, he heard the rooster crow and recalled the prediction as Jesus turned to look at him. Peter then began to cry bitterly. This final incident is known as the Repentance of Peter.

Romans 8 is one of the most loved chapters in all of Scripture. Paul begins and ends this passage with statements about the absolute security of those who are in Christ. First, there is no condemnation, at all, for those in Christ. Last, nothing will ever be able to separate us from God's love for us in Christ.

The metaphor seems to be teaching against giving what is considered just or holy to those who do not appreciate it. Animals such as dogs and pigs cannot appreciate ethics, and this verse implies that there is even some class of human beings who cannot, either.

Do not waste good things on people who will not appreciate them. This proverb is adapted from a saying of Jesus from the Gospels , “ Cast not pearls before swine .” Jesus appears to be warning his disciples to preach only before receptive audiences.

The Bible goes on to tell us in Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man will see the Lord.” That word “see” tells us that a lack of peace in relationships becomes a blocker that stops us from enjoying and experiencing the presence of God.

There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.