The Importance of Our Faith – 1 Peter 1

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12
Sermon Focus: This message challenges listeners to anchor their faith in Jesus Christ. It contrasts the instability of worldly beliefs with the unchanging strength of faith in Christ.

Introduction

In his book Six Hours One Friday (Multnomah Books, 1989, pg. 15), Max Lucado shares how he survived a hurricane at sea. An old seaman advised him to take his boat into deep waters, drop four anchors—one from each corner—and pray the anchors would hold. Max followed the advice and survived. More than surviving a storm, he learned a powerful truth: we all need an anchor that holds during life’s storms.

That anchor is faith.

So, where have you placed your faith? What do you trust in when the winds of life begin to howl? Peter, in his letter, gives us a picture of unshakable faith—a kind of faith that holds us firm, even in difficult times.

When Peter wrote these words, the church was facing increasing opposition. What began as a peaceful movement had become a threat to the Roman Empire. The early Christians were being pressured to give up their beliefs. And just like then, we today must learn to live out our faith without compromise—even when it’s hard.

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I. Timeless Faith (1 Peter 1:4–5)

Everyone has faith. The atheist believes in reason. Others trust in wealth, abilities, or relationships. But the real question is: Where is your faith anchored?

When storms come, will your anchor hold?

Peter gives us three reasons why faith in Christ is the only anchor that lasts:

A. Faith in Christ is Imperishable

Our faith is preserved in heaven. Jesus told us to store up treasures where moth and rust can’t destroy and thieves can’t steal. Just like we protect valuable clothing from moths, we must safeguard our faith by anchoring it in eternity.

Earthly kingdoms fall. Economies crash. Even civilizations disappear. But the Kingdom of God remains. When our faith is rooted in Christ and eternity, it becomes imperishable.

B. Faith in Christ is Uncorrupted

History proves the truth: absolute power often corrupts absolutely. Leaders with good intentions fall victim to pride and ego. But Christ is sinless and full of divine power—uncorrupted and incorruptible.

Placing faith in Jesus means placing it in a Savior who cannot and will not fail.

C. Faith in Christ is Unfading

Trends change. Ideas fade. What’s popular today might be forgotten tomorrow. Just look at old yearbooks—fashion, language, and styles constantly evolve.

But Jesus never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The faith we place in Him now will see us through every season—even the Last Days.

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II. Tested Faith (1 Peter 1:6–8)

How do we know faith in Jesus will hold? Because it has been tested—again and again.

Peter, no stranger to trials, says tested faith is:

A. Valuable

Peter compares faith to gold. Gold must be refined through fire. Impurities rise to the surface and are removed. The process continues until the goldsmith sees his reflection in the molten metal.

That’s how God purifies our faith.

While gold is valuable, it perishes. Faith in Christ, however, is eternal. When tested, it grows stronger and more precious than gold. It carries us not only through this life but into the life to come.

B. Revealing

Like refined gold reflects the goldsmith, tested faith reflects Jesus.

The more we walk with Christ, the more we grow to look like Him. Just as marriage reveals deeper layers of intimacy, a tested faith reveals deeper truths about our Savior. And as that faith matures, our lives change—revealing Jesus to a watching world.

C. Rooted in Love for Christ

Peter marvels that we love a Savior we’ve never seen. But that is the very definition of faith—believing without seeing (Hebrews 11:1).

Our love for Christ, even without physical sight, anchors our hope. Just like we believe in our brains despite never seeing them, we know Christ is real because our faith is living and transformative.

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III. True Faith (1 Peter 1:10–12)

But how can we be sure that this timeless, tested faith will work for us?

Peter points to the prophets. These men of old trusted in God’s promises. They proclaimed a coming Messiah—a Deliverer. Their message was simple: “Hold on. God is at work. Help is on the way.”

That message is still for us today.

A. Faith Fulfilled in Jesus

The prophets foretold Christ’s suffering and resurrection. We now live in the fulfillment of those promises. Christianity isn’t a man-made religion based on philosophy. It’s built on historical events—Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.

Unlike other religions, Christianity can’t be recreated from ideas—it’s rooted in a real Savior who lived, died, and rose again.

B. Faith for Our Time

Peter closes this section with a stunning image: even angels long to see what God is doing in and through us. Heaven is watching. The angels have seen miracles, exorcisms, and even the resurrection. Yet, they lean over the edge of eternity, watching what God will do through your faith.

Why? Because this is our moment to live out faith boldly.

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Conclusion

Everyone has faith. The question is: Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?

Is your faith true? Has it been tested? Is it timeless?

Only faith in Christ meets all three. It’s not a matter of if the storms will come. It’s a matter of whether your faith will hold.

So don’t wait. Anchor your heart to Jesus today. There’s no better foundation.

Credit: LIFEWAY