Psalm 116: 1									Rev. S. de Marie
Psalm 147: 4
Psalm 116: 3, 5, 6, 9, 10
Psalm   66: 2							Reading:	James 1:1-12
Psalm   16: 3, 4, 5							Text:		1 Peter. 1:3-9

Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
A living faith is described in the Bible as a very beautiful thing. You receive everything from God for it, and God works out beautiful things with it: a beautiful chain of works of faith. Everything from and through God.
But what is the reality of life now? Is it all so beautiful and easy for Christians who want to show this living faith? Is everything going so great? Is it not rather the case that you as believers have a harder life? That things are not going well and that you meet opposition? That there is also a lot of sorrow and trouble encountered? Perhaps even oppression and persecution. How do you keep it up then?
Well congregation, the Bible speaks about that too. And that is what the apostle Peter speaks about. I may proclaim God's Word to you from 1 Pet. 1 under the theme:

True faith is alive through the resurrection of Christ
1. It makes you a living hope (vs 3-6a)
2. It goes with temporary sorrow (vs. 6b-7)
3. It gives you unspeakable joy (vs 8, 9)

1. To whom does Peter address this letter? We read of this in the first two verses. They are congregations that are spread across Asia Minor, present-day Turkey. They become discouraged by all kinds of troubles, oppressions and persecutions.
They imagined so differently what faith would bring them. They may have thought that their redemption on earth would already become much more visible. They continue to encounter brokenness and hostility throughout their lives. Where can we see real victory now?
Faith brings much trouble and pressure with it rather than happiness and joy. Therefore, these churches are not only disappointed, but they are also slackening in the life with the Lord and in the struggle against the world and sin.
The apostle Peter encourages and comforts these churches in this first letter. He does not say:    what you experience is not all that bad. But he directs their attention to heaven where Christ is. That they expect their happiness, not from the earth, but from heaven. They can expect all their help and assistance from there.
Peter already says in verse 1 that God Himself gives them a separate status in society. He calls them first of all “pilgrims”, pilgrims in the dispersion. They are Christians scattered throughout the world. But why are they called pilgrims? Well because their homeland is not here on earth. Our earth is still under the grip of the prince of darkness and of death. The believers are called pilgrims because they definitely are in the world but not of the world. They have just been redeemed from darkness and transferred into the kingdom of grace, into the kingdom of Christ. So being a stranger here is a privilege, yes, an extremely precious privilege. But it also presents difficulties. Many difficulties.
Congregation, the Lord Himself also sees you as pilgrims. That is your status. That also means you have to behave accordingly. That seems a less positive task. Yet that is God's work on us. He wants us to be aware of that. Our home is not on this earth. Our home is with the Lord, who is now in heaven.
In afflictions and tribulations, we know the better that our homeland is in heaven! When we are opposed by the world, it is to our credit as the Church of Christ. This sojourn is temporary because soon a new heaven and a new earth will come. And it also applies only to our earthly life.
Congregation, it is precisely in that sojourn that you have the comfort: your country, your citizenship and your home is not here, but in heaven. Christ your Savior is there! He, who lives as the risen one and who reigns over this world. You may always focus your attention on Him.
In addition to what Peter says in verse 18, there is a vain, aimless way of life in this world. Aimless because it does not lead to redemption and blessedness. Christ has redeemed us, as believers by His blood, from that senseless way of life of the world, 
Also in Chapter 2: 11 Peter calls the members of the congregation "sojourners and pilgrims." They should not give in to all kinds of fleshly lusts of this world, which war against your soul, which can take you away from salvation. When the Lord calls us sojourners pilgrims, this concretely means that we must separate ourselves from the sin of the world, in sanctification. Otherwise we miss our aim, and that is: our blessedness in the fatherland.
Peter explains this further in verse 2: he says there that the readers are elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. God has already elected them before the foundation, the creation of the world. So they have a very privileged position. As pilgrims, you didn't just get caught up in something that you might be unhappy with right now. No, the Lord Himself has very consciously given you this position and status in the world. He chose you out of the world. From the hostile world. To be called and set apart. elected to believe; elected to be a child of God in Christ; especially elected to serve God according to His Word.
After the preface of the first two verses, Peter begins the actual letter at verse 3. Our text runs from verses 3 – 9. In these verses, everything belongs together. In Greek it is even just one continuous sentence. Peter now first praises the Lord God as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Precisely because He has shown His great mercy as God and Father, as the Almighty and the Merciful. He is God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in our Savior, He is ours too: God and Father. Almighty and Merciful.
We may see God's mercy in the suffering and death of His Son. We can also see God's mercy in His resurrection. Through suffering and death we are reconciled to God, we may stand right before Him again. It is again good between us and our God. But through his resurrection, we may also move on with God.
Congregation, that is what Peter emphasizes here. In this also comes the omnipotence of God together with his mercy.    Our Savior died on Golgotha to crucify our sinful old man. But for the resurrection of our new man, God raised Him from the grave again. As a result, we were born anew. Born again. A new man then arose in us! Reconciled to God and adopted again as His child, we are then even reborn from Him. And we may live by His power in a new obedience.
Congregation, do you see God's mercy in that? His mercy on you, in your own rebirth? That you were dead of yourself, subject to the destruction of God's eternal judgment, but that you are now alive by God's mercy. At first you lived in the misery of sin and futility just like the world without God. But now, as an elected pilgrim, you can come back to God to receive the power of life from Him in the resurrection of a new life.
Yes, Congregation, it is presented to us time and again in the ministry of baptism. But do we still see it for ourselves as a divine miracle of God's mercy and transforming omnipotence? Do you realize that if you are not born again, you cannot have a part in Christ, you will not receive eternal Life? Nicodemus was told that he could not enter without being born again from God. So it is not something automatic that you receive in church.
We have our criticism of the experientials who put a very strong emphasis on new birth, whether you are converted and urge you to investigate. But if you do not see your new birth as an undeserved glorious work of God in His great mercy and omnipotence, have you been born again? And if you do see it that way, check where it is in your life. Peter praises the Lord for this miracle of grace, do you too?
Brothers and sisters, how should we see the connection between the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday and our rebirth, the rising of our new man? For Peter and the disciples, the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter was a very special experience in their lives. They were terribly saddened by his death, but his resurrection gave them every prospect imaginable. Their whole lives were changed because of it. For Peter, this was the turning point after his denial, everything seemed like a disaster, every reason for despair. But Peter was allowed to see his Savior again. His hopes came alive. What Peter writes about the result of the resurrection is very tangible to him.
But Congregation, the value of the resurrection is more than an experience, even more than a believing experience. In overcoming death, Jesus Christ used his divine power, and in raising his Son, the Father used his divine creative power.
He did all this to give His own the glorious prospect of the true new eternal life. That is where God's mercy came in. This creates hope for you as a believer. Firm hope resting in the power of redemption, in the power of victory of God in His Son. Sin and death were conquered and now a new life may arise that may last forever. A new life that extends into eternity. A new life as the true life with God. In addition, the risen Lord lives! And He reigns at the Father's right hand. He leads all his own to glory.
Peter also expresses this, he says:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who... has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
A living hope. People sometimes say hope brings life. By this they mean that as long as there is an expectation for improvement with difficulty, you will get through it. But Peter writes that we ourselves have become a living hope. Our whole life has become hope. Not hope, which can again pass by.
But living hope established in the resurrection of Christ. Hope that is not seen, otherwise it is not hope. But is hope is certain, because Jesus has conquered and lives.
He preserves the inheritance for all true children of God. Like a legacy that is untouchable. All precious things perish on this earth. Everything that man has built will one day pass through the judgment. But the heavenly inheritance that is through the resurrection of Jesus Christ is fixed, imperishable. There is nothing more tainted by sin, our inheritance is undefiled. It does not wither, as a beautiful flower on earth grows limp and perishes. No, the inheritance that is kept in heaven for God's children is like a flower that ever blooms in supreme beauty. Unfading.
How is that so certain? Not because we, as believers ourselves, are so strong that we keep that hope. But that hope is so alive and sure, and that inheritance remains so overwhelmingly beautiful and intact because God uses His power for it, verse 5.
Congregation here you will hear again of the power of God in our lives. He "guards" us by faith to attain salvation. We are guarded by His power. And by His power we remain a living hope. He Himself is our shield against all dangers. At least if we believe.
Congregation, these believers were allowed to hear all that then. There is hope in their sojourn. Unshakable hope of life with God, which begins now and continues forever. With an indestructible view of the resurrection on the last day and of the eternal glory that never expires. By the resurrection of their Lord.
So firm and brilliant is that hope that it determines their life on earth. They are born again into a living hope. And God guards them thereby by His power to reach the final goal. If they keep believing. Congregation, shall we not also praise God daily for this?

2. The theme is: True faith is alive through the resurrection of Christ We saw: That makes you a living hope. We now see as the second point That goes along with temporary sorrow (vs. 6b-7)
Verse 6 begins with: In this you greatly rejoice. Also to be translated with the exhortation: "rejoice therein." Congregation, are you also looking forward to that salvation? Salvation as it still awaits you with your Saviour? The glory that will soon be revealed on the last day, as a visible, tangible all-controlling reality. Is this really part of your faith? The Lord allows you to know all this in order to rejoice in Him. To praise Him for that.
But perhaps you say, is it all so beautiful now and is there so much reason to be happy? You are human are you not? And, do you not have to deal with many things that cause sadness rather than joy?
What misery there is in the world! For there is a brokenness in our own existence! You can't close your eyes to that, can you? Isn't all that a reason to postpone that joy for a while. Just to see where it really ends up?
Well congregation, Peter, the apostle of Jesus Christ, does not avoid the trials on this earth. He doesn't close his eyes to them. He specifically speaks about them on behalf of his Savior in verses 6 and 7. Peter says: That's right, there are often times of trouble and trial. There will be challenges.
In chapter 5 he even speaks of the devil going about like a roaring lion.
Congregation, faith is not outside of reality. As a believer, the Lord does not expect you to close your eyes and close your ears to live a secluded life only with the Bible. Nor does the Lord ask that you should not grieve in your troubles, sorrows, and tribulations. Your faith does not make you a stoic.
The Lord does ask that in all this you should have an eye for the glory and eternal joy which He gives you in His mercy and with His divine power. Even if it is so hard and heavy, even if you are threatened with death. So Peter says here:
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.
So Peter does not assert either: with those temptations and trials it will be all right. No, he knows that it can make you very sad. He doesn't say that it will pass very soon, because he talks about    various trials. But what does Peter mean by "a little while"? Now compared to the eternal joy of heaven the time of sorrow on earth is short. As Paul also says in 2 Corinthians. 4:17:
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Peter sees the reality of suffering, tribulation, temptation. Compared to what comes, that suffering is short. But he says more. He points to God's purpose in those sufferings and temptations that bring sadness. In verse 7 he continues:
.... that the genuineness of your faith, being much ore precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested with fire, may be found to praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
So we are tested on our faith, tested by God, for the purpose of sharing in the glory on the last day. To praise and honour God and Christ in glory. By the translation: that the genuineness of your faith.... may be found to praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, is meant that the test of your faith may be productive. The trial of your faith is the refined faith. God wants to see in us a true, a real faith. And for that he uses the trials.
They take the form of tribulation, temptation, suffering, sickness, sorrow, afflictions. Through that distress, God wants to test us to see whether we really trust Him, truly love Him, and sincerely plead for help. He wants us to thank Him wholeheartedly when we come out of the trial and rejoice in Him. For all this the Lord uses trials, temptations.
Peter wants to make that clear with an image. The image of ordinary earthly gold. This is heated by a blacksmith with fire, so that all impurities are burned away or melted away. That is purifying gold.
Now Peter says, Gold is but gold that perishes, but faith that is refined is imperishable. So it is much richer and more beautiful and more durable. So now the Lord works with precious faith, more precious than gold, to make it real and pure, through afflictions he causes impurities to be burned away. With the ultimate goal that God is glorified and that we may share in that glory.
Congregation, the Lord God in His great mercy and power does special things to you as believers. He guards your faith. He is like a fiery wall around you. A shield to keep you in the redemption of Christ. And He also makes you stronger through His trials, so that you do not succumb and forsake Him. He chastens and purifies your faith. So that it becomes and remains a living faith.
Congregation, if you know that, you will look differently at grief and difficulties that the Lord places in your way. You flee with it to the Lord. And then you even know yourself strengthened in your faith. You then focus on the ultimate goal, on which God Himself wants to focus your faith.

3. True faith is alive through the resurrection of Christ. That makes you a living hope; and That goes along with temporary grief; We now see the third and final point. That gives you unspeakable joy (vs. 8, 9)
Congregation, Peter is writing special things about a living faith here. It is from God, and through God, and to God. The living faith is given and strengthened by God. And it also focuses on God, on His honour and glorification. This is precisely why there is cause for great rejoicing. As joy in the Lord God. And joy in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verses 8 and 9 are still working this out. Peter saw Christ and he believed in Him. Peter loved Him. The Lord Jesus made Peter say this three times after His resurrection. Thus Peter was allowed to continue in the service of the Lord towards eternal salvation. The situation is somewhat different for the congregations to whom he writes. In that sense: they have not seen Jesus Christ. But they did receive faith. Faith that makes them love Jesus anyway. And even now that He is in heaven, they do not see Him, but they believe in Him. And so Peter and the congregation have every reason for unspeakable joy.
What is this joy? Well, not an emotional release that lasts only a moment. Nor is it a spontaneous reaction to special developments that come your way. No, this joy does not stand alone, it has a deep origin. This joy is a gift from God that He pours into your heart when you put your trust in Him,
as the God who works miracles. If you see Him in faith as the God of all consolation and of all mercies and deliverances. Then comes this joy in the depth or your heart.
It is in fact fruit of the Spirit as Galatians 5: 22 calls it, So not something that comes from yourself, but something that the Holy Spirit works in you. In James 1 we read that even in difficult times of trial you may know that joy. James says:
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 
Then there is joy because the Lord makes your faith stronger and purer by trials. Joy also because this is how you can receive the crown of life James 1:12
In verse 6 of our text Peter also calls the reader and us to rejoice when we are tested in our faith. And now in verse 8 he talks about an unspeakable and glorious joy. You may already receive it in this life if you know Christ, as your Redeemer, your Saviour. For the purpose that He shall bring you to eternal glory. Congregation, that joy is already there because of your faith in Him. Then you have joy while you do not yet see Him but you do believe in Him. Joy of faith in Christ, in God. Because of who He is to you and because of what He does for you. Thus God not only causes sorrow during trials but especially great joy for Who He is and because of Who His Son is.
That joy is even unspeakable and glorious. Unspeakable because it concerns matters that are heavenly. How can we really understand the depth of our complete redemption and eternal glory in Christ, let alone put it into words? And yet we are so happy about that right now. That joy is so wonderful that words fail. Yet there is already a heavenly glow over our joy in the Lord.
Congregation, do you know that joy yourself? That inner joy that lasts all your life as a believer? Even in times of sadness. With serious illnesses, with difficulties and tensions. If you have any doubts about that, pay attention to Christ, Whom He is for you. And notice what is left in our last verse as a reason for your joy:
receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Literally it says: rejoice with an unspeakable and glorious joy as you receive the end goal of your faith. Or because you receive that end goal.
So this joy also has to do with the ultimate goal. Namely, the salvation of your soul: the complete redemption from all your sin and ruin; the complete deliverance from all sicknesses and infirmities; the complete deliverance from all sorrow and affliction. Redemption into eternal glory at the last day.
Congregation, what joy may you already give! Therefore look upon Whom your faith is made right and in Whom your hope lies. Then look to Whom your love goes out. And thus rejoice in your Lord God and in your Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen