Endure

Week 4 | Genuine Faith

Dean Pollard

February 20, 2022

1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV): In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1) It is possible for us to have a kind of belief in God that does not lead to the salvation of our souls.

Matthew 13:20–21 (ESV): As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

Matthew 13:22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

2) One of the ways God will reveal the genuiness of your faith

Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV): “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

“Christianity teaches that, contrary to Buddhism, suffering is real; Contrary to Karma, suffering is often unfair; and contrary to secularism, suffering is meaningful. There is a purpose to it, and if faced rightly, it can drive us like a nail, deep into the love of God and into more stability and spiritual power than you can ever imagine.” —Tim Keller

1 Peter 1:7 (ESV): so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Why would he say that Faith is the most valuable thing we could possess?

Revelation 19:11–16 (ESV): Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Revelation 18:1 (ESV): After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.

Revelation 21:23–26 (ESV): 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

1 Peter 5:4 (ESV): 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.