Meeting Trials and Tribulations
A Sermon on 1 Peter 1:13
Scripture
13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Sermon Description
Persecution of Christians is on the rise around the world and it’s not limited by geography or governmental laws. How can people of faith stand strong in the face of trials and tribulations? Is it better to ignore the issues, or face them head-on? The Apostle Paul acknowledges that instead of encountering fewer trials, Christians will have more tribulations than those who aren’t saved. Biblical trials and tribulations come from striving to live godly lives in a world that hates anything that resembles God's holiness. But yet, they are still called to rejoice. This can be hard to do, and Christians may struggle with finding joy while going through hard times. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that Christians, while talking about the joy and peace Jesus gives us, often respond to trials the same way the world does— with despair and anxiety. In this way, the Christian testimony does not line up with how they live their lives. In 1 Peter 3, the author challenges us to conquer this defeatist mindset, not by building up positive emotion, but rather by “girding up the loins” of the mind and by choosing to dwell on the greatness of salvation as shown in the biblical text. The Christian can often think too lightly about their salvation, but is encouraged to fight this and preach the gospel to themselves. God is the sovereign Father, and eternal inheritance in Him is guaranteed.
Sermon Breakdown
- God planned our salvation before the foundation of the world.
- The three persons of the Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have taken part in working out this great plan of salvation.
- The Father is the great planner and initiator. He sent the Son into the world in the fullness of time.
- The Son, Jesus Christ, humbled himself and came into the world. He suffered, died and was resurrected to accomplish our salvation.
- The Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers. He inspired the prophets and writers of Scripture. He convicts us of sin and enables us to become Christians. He continues to lead and guide us.
- As a result of the work of the Trinity, we have forgiveness of sins, we have become children of God and have access to God as our Father.
- We have only received a foretaste of our salvation in this life. Our full salvation will be revealed at the second coming of Christ.
- Our inheritance is being kept for us in heaven. We are also being kept by God's power through faith until the last time.
- We should gird up the loins of our mind - think carefully about these truths. Be sober and disciplined. Continue to hope in the grace that will be brought to us.
- Trials and difficulties in this life are meant to purify our faith and strengthen us. Our faith is more precious than gold.
- We should keep these objective truths in mind rather than our feelings and circumstances. They enable us to be more than conquerors.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers about Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on 1 Peter 1:13
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the main purpose of Peter's epistle to the early Christians?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Peter wrote his epistle to early Christians who were "passing through a time of difficulty and of trial and of testing." These Christians were "somewhat surprised at this" because many "had got a false notion as to salvation" thinking they would never have problems after believing in Christ. Peter's purpose was "to teach these people how to face these difficulties" without becoming depressed or downcast, maintaining their Christian joy despite trials.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define the Christian's attitude toward suffering?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that Christians may experience "a certain element of heaviness" due to trials, but must "never be depressed." The Christian is "meant to be a rejoicing person" who can be "rejoicing in tribulations, rejoicing in spite of everything that happens." He emphasizes that showing this difference is "a great privilege" as it demonstrates to the world "the difference it makes to be a Christian."
What does the phrase "gird up the loins of your mind" mean in the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "gird up the loins of your mind" refers to preparing the mind for action, similar to how men in biblical times would gather up their long robes and bind them to prepare for activity. He explains that Christians face problems and trials "not by trying to forget them" but by thinking and reasoning about spiritual truths. It's an intellectual activity where believers actively engage their minds with the truths of salvation rather than seeking merely emotional solutions.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the antidote to depression and discouragement for Christians?
The antidote to depression and discouragement is thinking deeply about "the greatness of our salvation." Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, "Just sit down and think about the greatness of the salvation into which you've been brought." He emphasizes the need to contemplate how salvation was planned before the foundation of the world and involves all three persons of the Trinity. This meditation on salvation's truths is what enables Christians to be "more than conquerors."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the Trinity's role in salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that all three persons of the Trinity have distinct roles in salvation: God the Father is "the great planner who is overall" and initiates everything; God the Son was "foreordained before the foundation of the world" and came to suffer and die for our sins with "the glory of the resurrection" following; and the Holy Spirit sets us apart ("through sanctification of the spirit"), convicts us of sin, leads us to faith, and continues "enlightening us" and "leading us into all truth."
According to the sermon, what benefits do Christians receive through salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several benefits: complete forgiveness of sins ("blotted out as a thick cloud"), becoming children of God through new birth ("born again, not of corruptible seed"), receiving a new nature ("partakers of the divine nature"), gaining direct access to God as Father ("we can call God our Father"), and the promise of an eternal inheritance ("incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away").
What explanation does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give for why Christians still face trials?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that trials serve to purify our faith. Using the analogy of gold being refined by fire, he states that trials remove impurities: "You put it into a crucible, and you put great heat under it, and the heat gets rid of the alloy, the admixture, and you're left with nothing but the pure gold." Through trials, "our faith is strengthened, it's purified, and it becomes more wonderful."
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones teach about the timing of our full salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christians "only receive a very small part of our salvation in this world." He explains that believers have received "the first fruits, a foretest, an earnest of our inheritance" but "our great salvation is yet to come." The fullness of salvation will be received "at the revelation of Jesus Christ" when Christ returns and there will be "a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the Christian's eternal inheritance?
He describes the Christian's inheritance as "incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away," contrasting it with worldly empires and human glory which are "like the grass and the flower of grass" that disappear. He emphasizes that this inheritance is "being reserved in heaven for you" by God himself, and cannot be corrupted or destroyed like things in this world.
What practical application does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give believers for handling difficulties?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives three practical instructions: (1) "Gird up the loins of your mind" - think deeply about salvation truths rather than feeling sorry for yourself; (2) "Be sober" - exercise discipline, "keep yourself in hand," and "don't give way" to discouragement; and (3) Keep "hoping, looking forward to this blessed inheritance." He concludes that by focusing on these objective truths, believers will not only experience joy but also help others who are "frustrated, alarmed, bewildered by the present state of life."
Itinerant Preaching
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.