BIG IDEA:
2. Fiery Trials Focus Our Faith On Jesus Christ — Thus Intensifying
Our Joy Instead of Extinguishing It (:6b-9) Emphasis on Christ
a. Trials Must Be Kept in Perspective (:6b)
(1) Trials do cause grief and suffering
(2) Trials are of relatively short duration
(3) Trials are not accidental–but ordained by God when necessary to accomplish His purposes
(4) Trials are packaged in a diversity of ways
Contrast Satan’s goal = to use trials to extinguish our faith
b. Purpose of Trials = To Highlight and Reward Genuine Faith (:7)
c. Application: Genuine Faith Focuses on Jesus Christ (:8a)
d. Focusing on Christ Intensifies Our Joy (:8b-9)