1 Peter 3:18-22 (verse-by-verse)

Pastor Ray Bollas

1 Peter • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago • Presented 2 years ago

1 Peter 3:18–22

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Passage: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Title: Applying Christ’s Suffering to Our Current Suffering

Summary: God wants us to come and see things from His perspective, and as we ascend, so we see where we are to look during suffering, and in this study we will immediately see we are not alone, for verse 18 will say that Jesus also suffered. Peter will tell us and remind us in this passage of the power, the victory, and submission that came through His suffering. We are to apply these things in our times of suffering. There are people today who are suffering because they are plagued with the guilt of their past sins and failings. The Holy Spirit wants to set you free today.

1 Peter 3:18–22 (NKJV) 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Peter’s Credentials / Still Feeding

Written by the Apostle Peter, whose credentials have been challenged because of his lack of education and training; but Peter walked with the Lord, the second Apostle called, and all could see that his power and boldness came because he had been with the Lord. For 3 years he walked with Jesus step-by-step, and now it is 30 years since the resurrection and Peter is still faithfully doing what the Lord commissioned him to do, “feeding His sheep”.

The Dispersed / Nero

He is writing to the Believers that have been spread out, dispersed form their homeland, thrown into foreign countries. Many of them are struggling and suffering; but their greatest struggle is yet to come, for in just several months Roman Empire Nero is going to launch and all-out attack and persecution against Christians, and over the next 2 centuries over 6 million Christians will die for their faith.

Why Peter Writes / Remember

Peter tells us in the Second Epistle why he writes to them (and us), to stir us up, to remind us, that we hang on to the things we have been taught in the Old Testament, the Epistles of the Apostles, and the teachings in the Gospels. He says remember these things, hold on to them, no matter how hard life may get.

(2 Peter 3:1 NKJV) Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

(2 Peter 3:2 NKJV) that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

Doctrine – Duty – Declaration

Peter pretty much breaks this letter into 3 areas. Doctrine, Duty, and Declaration; this book takes on the frame work of Ephesians, except Peter adds on the Declaration – The Lord is Returning – Remember that! Doctrine, what we believe and why. Duty, doctrine in action, living it out. Declaration, soon and very soon we are going to see the King, Hold-fast until then.

Doctrine: Remember Our Great Salvation (1:1 - 2:10)

The Certainty of Our Salvation (1:1-12)

The Calling with Our Salvation (1:13-25)

The Chosen of Salvation (2:1-10)

Duty: Remember Our Example Before Men (2:11 - 4:6)

Honorable Living Before Unbelievers (2:11 - 3:7)

Submission to the Government (2:11-17)

Submission to Masters (2:18 - 25)

Submission in the Family (3:1- 7)

Honorable Living Before Believers (3:8 - 12)

Submission to One Another (3:8 - 12)

Honorable Living in the Midst of Suffering (3:13 - 4:6)

The Principle of Suffering for Righteousness (3:13 - 17)

The Perfection of Suffering for Righteousness (3:18- 22)

The Purpose of Suffering for Righteousness (4:1 - 6)

Declaration: Remember Our Lord Will Return (4:7 - 5:14)

The Responsibility of Christian Living (4:7 - 11)

The Rewards of Christian Suffering (4:12 - 19)

The Requirements for Christian Leadership (5:1 - 4)

The Realization of Christian Victory (5:5 - 14)

Theme

He tells us to remember because of the theme of this book. The theme of this book is given to us in chapter 5:

(1 Peter 5:10 NKJV) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

The word suffering is used 16 times, glory 12, and grace 8. Peter unties these 3 words to write a letter of encouragement to those who are struggling and suffering, that their suffering will one day be transformed into glory.

Perfect / Establish / Strengthen / Settled

He writes to us so that we may be:

· Perfect- (mature) which means to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair, to complete, to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust, to fit or frame for one’s self, prepare;

· Established– to set fast, confirm one’s mind;

· Strengthen – to make one strong;

· Settle – to lay a foundation.

Last Study

Last study we started to focus more specifically on suffering, which is a major theme of this epistle.

The Outline for The Principle of Suffering for Righteousness (3:13 - 17)

· Attitude – How we look at Suffering – 1 Peter 3:8-14

· Altitude – Where we look during Suffering – 1 Peter 3:14-17

Not Alone in Suffering / Power Through Jesus' Suffering / People Today HS wants to Set Free

God wants us to come and see things from His perspective, and as we ascend, so we see where we are to look during suffering, and in this study we will immediately see we are not alone, for verse 18 will say that Jesus also suffered. Peter will tell us and remind us in this passage of the power, the victory, and submission that came through His suffering. We are to apply these things in our times of suffering. There are people sitting here today who are suffering because they are plagued with their guilt of their past sins and failings. The Holy Spirit wants to set you free today.

Next Time You Suffer / 3 Things not Worry About

And along that same line, next time you are suffering, Peter is going to expound for us three things we need not fear while we suffer, because Jesus has dealt with them, he has been victorious over them. The three things:

Outline for "Applying Christ’s Suffering to Our Current Suffering" - (3:18- 22)

· The Flesh Dealt With: 1 Peter 3:18

· Satan & his Demons Dealt With: 1 Peter 3: 19-20

· The World Dealt With: 1 Peter 3: 21-22

This study is masterfully designed, for it covers our past, present, and future.

Christian Battle / Eph 2

How interesting that these are the three things that we as Christians battle:

(Ephesians 2:1 NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

(Ephesians 2:2 NKJV) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

(Ephesians 2:3 NKJV) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

(1 John 2:16 NKJV) For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world.

(Galatians 5:19 NKJV) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

(1 Peter 5:7 NKJV) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

(1 Peter 5:8 NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

(Romans 7:18 NKJV) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

(Romans 7:19 NKJV) For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

(Romans 7:20 NKJV) Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

(Romans 7:21 NKJV) I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.

(Romans 7:22 NKJV) For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.

(Romans 7:23 NKJV) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

(Romans 7:24 NKJV) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

All Against Your Mind / Put in Perspective / If Not - Fear Sets In / Diminishing Ability

One, two, or all of these things will come against you and your mind during a trail and period of suffering. Peter is going to put them in perspective for us. For in the context of this passage and theme on suffering, if you allow any one of these things to work on you during a trial or period of suffering, fear will come upon, and that fear and anxiety will control you, and will diminish or totally eliminate your ability to endure that suffering and come out victorious. In times of suffering one or all of these three want to separate you from God, so you are left alone, defenseless and depressed, so you will be easy to work on. But Jesus Dealt with them, Peter writes to remind us of that.

Prayer

The Word of God is Living and Powerful, and is ready, and will do a mighty work in our lives.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In Every Study

· Who Is God? (How Great is He?)

· What Does He Think of Me? (How Wonderful Are His Thoughts Towards Me?)

· What Does He Want Me to Do?

· What Can I Boldly Request of Him?

· What Do I Need to Be on Guard of When I Leave Here Today?

Boldly come to the throne of grace, ask God to reveal Himself in a mighty way to you, and to do I might work in you, and through you.

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need

The Flesh Dealt With: 1 Peter 3:18

(1 Peter 3:17 NKJV) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Remind you, the context is Suffering for Righteousness, so if you are in sin you just need to repent now, and then you won’t have to question if the rest of this study applies for you.

Peter turns now, naturally enough, to Christ, the supreme example of suffering. His suffering eclipsed all of our sufferings. The fact that the Son of God entered into human life and became “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3) is awesome. How He handled every variety of suffering says it all.

Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV) 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

(1 Peter 3:18 NKJV) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

v.18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, - “once” is singular.

Peter pointed to Christ to illustrate the nobility of suffering according to “the will of God” (verse 17) which was rewarded with resurrection. Though He was “just” (dikaios, innocent, righteous) He suffered “once” (hapax, a single time) for the sins of the “unjust” (adikōn, wicked, unrighteous). “Bring us to God” (prosagagē, approach, conduct) pictures Christ leading sinners to the Father’s throne and presenting them there on the basis of His atoning death which has opened the way (Hebrews 10:19, 20). Though put to death in the “flesh” (sarki, physical body), Christ was “quickened” (zōopoiētheis, vitalize, make alive) by the “Spirit” (pneumati, ghost, spirit). There is no capitalization in the Greek and some believe Peter was referring to Christ’s human spirit, in contrast to His “flesh”; but in view of what follows it seems likely the reference is to the Holy Spirit.

Harris, R. W., ed. (1989). Hebrews–Jude (p. 295). World Library Press.

What He Did / Justified - Judicial Term / Paid in Full

It is not what we do, but what He did. Christ, the Just One, dying for the unjust. He died once, and for all, He paid the penalty of sin in full on the Cross there at Calvary. He has justified us, which is a judicial term that means to "pronounce righteousness". Justified in it's simplest definition is "just-as-if-I-didn't-sin". My sins, shortcomings, and failings have been paid in full:

(Romans 5:1 NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(Romans 8:29 NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

(Romans 8:30 NKJV) Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

(Romans 8:31 NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

In this one verse is the summation of the Gospel, Christ died for my/your sin, paid my penalty in full, fully absorbing and feeling every lash and pounding in His flesh, taking the full brunt of God’s wrath, died as the punishment for sin, but was made alive, resurrected, by the Holy Spirit (the resurrection power of the Gospel), PAID IN FULL!

Start to Question / Is He Mad / Paid in Full - No Wrath / Failings in Flesh - No Haunting

In our times of suffering we can start to question is everything is all right between me and the Lord. Is He mad at me, is He punishing me, is He upset with me? Listen gang, the sins of your flesh were punished and judged on the cross; the full wrath of God was poured out upon Him, so that you would never have to experience the wrath of God. Our failing and faults, forgiven and forgotten, don't let our past failures in the flesh keep us from going on to great things with the Lord, and don't let them haunt you during periods of suffering.

God is not punishing you for your past failings and sins, God is not “getting even”, all that was punished on the cross for you.

Peter Knew / Cursing in Courtyard

No one knew this better than Peter, he can attest to the goodness of God. Cursing vehemently, he swore he didn’t know Him, as he stood in the courtyard of Caiaphas—for just as Jesus said he would, Peter denied Christ. Aware of his failing, he wept bitterly (Luke 22:62).

Went On to Mighty Ministry / He Understood - Sins of Flesh

But, Peter went on from there to become a man who was mighty in ministry, a man who was totally restored because he understood that Jesus Christ died for his sins in the flesh of betrayal, rebellion, and blasphemy.

Same Evening Judas / Betrayed Innocent / Hung himself

That same evening Peter openly denied Jesus, another disciple secretly betrayed Him. After selling Him out for thirty pieces of silver, Judas’ conscience bothered him greatly. “I have betrayed innocent blood,” he said as he threw the money on the floor of the temple, wanting to reverse the deal. But realizing that the priests would not allow him a way out, Judas hung himself (see Matthew 27:5).

Both Failed / 1 to Hell - 1 to Greatness / Both Chose Tree / Power in Seeing Cross

Both men failed Jesus in the same evening. One went to hell (Jesus said better if he wasn’t born Mark 14:21), the other went on to great things. What was the difference? They each chose a tree. Judas chose a tree from which to hang himself. Peter chose a tree upon which to look. Truly, there is great power in seeing the Cross.

Poisoned / Bitten / Looked and Healed / That's Too Simple

“I’m so poisoned by my failings,” you say. So were the Israelites.…By the tens of thousands, they were bitten by snakes that sent poison coursing through their veins. The cure? God told Moses to put a brass serpent upon a brass pole in the middle of the camp—and whoever would look upon it would be healed (Numbers 21:8). Those who took this to be trivial and simplistic died in the desert. Those who simply lifted up their eyes and looked upon the serpent were completely healed. This served as a sneak preview of what would happen when the Son of God would be lifted up, became sin, and hung on the Cross in our place:

(John 3:14 NKJV) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

(John 3:15 NKJV) "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:16 NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Too Simple / Too Much Guilt / Need Years Counseling / Peter Looked to One on Tree

So, too, there are people who say, “Guilt will not dissipate simply by looking to the Cross. What’s needed is years of analysis followed by years of counseling.” Peter says otherwise. Because he looked to the One hanging on the tree—even though he had been bitten by his own sin—Peter was forgiven immediately and went on to great ministry.

How many years of counseling did Peter need after his great failure? Peter didn’t need years to “be made well”, he didn’t need years….. he only needed a tree (Jesus’ cross), the resurrection, a prayer meeting, and the then the baptism of the Holy Spirit! Years, ha that wasn’t even 2 months!

Nail That Sin to Tree / It's That Simple / Need not Suffer over Failures / The Perfect Suffering

Take that sin and nail it to the tree, the cross, for it was nailed there 2000 years ago once and for all. Ray are you saying it that simple, I nail it to the cross and it is done, yes. Listen Christian, you need not suffer for your failures, for He has already suffered for them for you. That is the Perfection in Suffering for Righteousness:

(2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

4 Nails

It was four nails Beloved. I believe four because not one of His bones were broken, and one nail through the top of the foot would break bones, archeological and historical writings give accounts of the nails going through the side of the feet. But be that as it may, or may not be, I see four nails representing the four dimensions of God's love for us:

(Ephesians 3:17 NKJV) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

(Ephesians 3:18 NKJV) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height;

(Ephesians 3:19 NKJV) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Nowhere My Love Can't Reach / What's Your Hang-up / Dealt With

God says there is no where you can go and nothing that you can do that my love can't reach you, I proved that to you on the Cross. There is power in the cross. What is your guilt, what is your hang-up, whatever it is you need not suffer because of it ever again, for it has been dealt with by the Perfect Suffering, Jesus Christ.

Verse 18- that He might bring us to God: not leave us in guilt.

Satan & his Demons Dealt With: 1 Peter 3: 19-20

(1 Peter 3:19 NKJV) by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

(1 Peter 3:20 NKJV) who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

Very Difficult Passage

We have now come to one of the most difficult and controversial passages in the New Testament. No matter where we take our stand, we shall be assailed from all sides! The Pulpit Commentary, for instance, catalogs about two dozen authors and highlights their respective conflicting positions.

Yet, the facts, as stated by Peter, seem clear enough. The Lord at death went to the underworld to make a proclamation. “By which [Spirit] also,” he says, “he went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (3:19). We are told, too, in the next verse, which spirits these were. The word for “went” is used for a person going on a journey. The word for “preached” is kēryssō, which means “to proclaim.” He did not go to the underworld to preach the gospel. (The word for that is evangelize, from which we get our word evangelize, which means to announce a joyful message.) The word for “spirits” is pneuma. Kenneth Wuest says that this word is never used in the New Testament to depict human beings as free moral agents. The context here suggests that the spirits to whom Peter refers are the fallen angels of the antediluvian age (Gen. 6:2–4).

These spirits are said to be “in prison.” The word used is phylakē, which has various meanings in the New Testament. It means literally “a cage.”

(Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary (1 Pe 3:19). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.

There appears to be a tying of these fallen angels to the time of Noah, however I personally do not see that it is saying here “when” Jesus went to preach to these fallen angels in prison. It could have been before/during/after the time of flood, after all they were on the ark for nearly a year before the waters subsided. But, it may have been when Jesus went to Abraham Bosom for the three days between His death and resurrection (Ephesians 4). The term “Abraham’s bosom” is found only once in the New Testament, in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) – not a parable.

Luke 16:24–26 (NKJV) 24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

Ephesians 4:7–10 (NKJV) 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Here is a some of the main points regarding this “difficult” passage. First is, Jesus preached to these fallen angles at some point, because the Scriptures said He did. And secondly – we live in a spiritual realm, a spiritual world, and it is real. Therefore we need to be a people who remember that, and live accordingly regarding it.

Ephesians 6:10–20 (NKJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

I Believe - Why Always Thinking of My Sins

Now regarding suffering and how this all applies.

“I believe Christ died for my sin,” you may say, “but why am I always thinking about my failure? Why am I always aware of my sin and failings?” Why? Revelation 12:10. The devil doesn’t just accuse you before the Lord, but accuses you before you, to numb you and try to discourage you.

(Revelation 12:9 NKJV) So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

(Revelation 12:10 NKJV) Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

You Have Adversary / Perched Shoulder / Keeps Whispering

You have an adversary who perches on your shoulder and whispers in your ear, “You’re a sinner. You failed here. You dropped the ball there. He whispers to you it is not that simple, you can't just go to the cross, it not as simple as the Scripture says it is, or that guy up there says it is. You’re going to need lots and lots of psychological work to have any hope of recovery because you’re a rotten loser, a defiled sinner.”

I loved it when children is Israel in Judges 1, went in a tore down and defeated Debir (formerly called, Kirjath-Sepher). Debir means “sanctuary.” Kirjath-sepher means “city of books”—which means it most likely was a scholastic center. I love it, and let it be so, tear down, burn up, throw out, all the so-called sophisticated books on how to be made well, and just come to one Book, this Book, infused with the Holy Spirit, and you will be made well.

Judges 1:11 (NKJV) 11 From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir. (The name of Debir was formerly Kirjath Sepher.)

Difference Holy Spirit & Satan / Holy Spirit Draws Closer

What? I thought that was the Holy Spirit telling me I blew it, no it wasn't, and you can always tell the differences between Satan's accusations against you, and the Holy Spirit convicting us of our sin: you can tell by this simple examination, the Holy Spirit's conviction will draw you closer to the Lord, it will always be in terms of love, of drawing you and calling you to the Father:

(Romans 5:1 NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(Romans 8:1 NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

(Romans 8:2 NKJV) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Satan Drives Away / Why Bother

Satan, the opposite; his is condemnation trying to drive you away from God. You blew it, what a loser, some Christian, why bother to pray, why bother to read, why bother to go to Church. He says look at you, you don't read like you should, pray like you should, witness like you should, and your thought life, remember that sin last week, all the things to try to push you away from the Lord. If you listen to it, you'll start to believe it, and you will say its true, I am such a loser, why bother.

Simple rule of Thumb

So that simple rule of thumb will show you who is talking to you. Conviction of the Holy Spirit will come with forgiveness, and a word that this isn't the best for you, that God has so much better for you, and point to how you can do better. But Satan will judge and say, hopeless.

Satan's Helpers

Now Satan has his helpers, his demons, his henchman. Satan has demons to do his bidding, and he has plenty of them, and they are casting those accusations against us, whispering them to us:

Follow Theme / Jesus Preached to Them / Not Evangelized

Now look here and follow our test and theme, Jesus has gone to preach to them (the disobedient spirits - speaking of the fallen angels). This word used here to preach is not to evangelize and win souls, it means to preach, to proclaim a truth. Now when and where he preached to them is open for much debate and discuss, read ten commentaries and you'll get ten opinions, all of which distracts form the main point, and that is that Jesus has preached to them, and has proclaimed a truth to them.

What Said - Your Authority Broken / Perfect Suffering

What did Jesus say to them? He said, “Your authority to keep a grip on My people has been broken. The blood I shed washed away every sin he has done, is doing, or ever will do. The perfect provision, the Perfect Suffering, I have made now absolutely, completely frees him or her from your authority.”

Only Through Sin Satan had Authority / Sin Gives them Handle

You see, it is only through sin that Satan’s demons have authority in our lives. When we sin, we essentially rebel against God and open ourselves to the devil and his demons. They can do whatever they want because the sin in our lives gives them a handle upon which to hold. However, the blood of Jesus is so powerful that it eradicates the sin, thereby obliterating the handle.

Without Handle - Can only Lie

Without that handle, what can Satan and his henchmen do? All they can do is lie to you and me, saying, “There’s no hope for you. You’ve blown it too badly. You’ve gone too far. You’re through.”

Not Saved - Devil Food / Guide You Through Sin / Drugs - Sophisticated

You see if you are not saved, have not made Him Lord and Savior, then you are devils food, for Satan to lead you and guide you through your sin, and you don't even realize he is doing so. He can make you a drug user, or a drug dealer, or he can make you a nice sophisticated person, who does well in the business world, a person everybody likes, but a person who thinks I am a good person, my sin isn't that bad, I'm sure I am right with God.

For Believer / Jesus said See The Scars / Your Authority Broken

But for those who saw their need for a Savior, Jesus went to those demons and Satan after his victory on the cross and said see these holes, see these scars, you have no authority, no grip, over my children. Every sin and failing, past, present, and future have been washed with the blood that I shed, the Perfect Suffering.

Conscience Bothering You - Look to Cross / Condemned - Its Satan / Away with You

Is your conscience bothering you? Peter says, “Look to the Cross.” If you still feel condemned, realize it’s a lie from the Enemy telling you that you’re not forgiven, that you’re unworthy, that you can’t be used, that you’ve gone too far, that you’ve been too bad. Realize that Jesus told the very worst of the demons that they no longer have power over you, and tell them what Jesus said in that wilderness temptation:

(Matthew 4:10 NKJV) Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'"

(Matthew 4:11 NKJV) Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Verse 20 - when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. - Recall, there was 120 years of “divine longsuffering” before the global flood. Noah warned and worked for twelve decades. Don’t ever

say God isn’t patient! He wants people to repent. But know this…. Someday the door will shut; which side of the door will you be on?

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The World Dealt With: 1 Peter 3: 21-22

Remember Context / Flesh - Satan - World / Dealt With

Now, remember our context and theme, your flesh has been dealt with, Satan and his henchman have been dealt with, and now we will see the world has been dealt with. The flesh, Satan, and the world, the three things that come against every believer.

(1 Peter 3:21 NKJV) There is also an antitype which now saves us; baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

(1 Peter 3:22 NKJV) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Picture / Doesn't Save / Public Statement - Obituary - Death Notification / Christ In Me

Antitype means picture, and Peter is going to tell us what the ark and the flood represents for the believer, how it is a picture of baptism. Let me first explain what baptism is. Peter likens the flood of Noah to baptism. We see that Noah was saved in the ark while a sinful world was being judged; but Peter makes sure he points out to us that baptism does not save (the ritual of washing filth) because Jesus' work on the cross does that. What baptism is for the believer is that making a public statement to all of the world, my sins, my failings, my shortcomings, all washed away, buried in the grave. Baptism is your obituary; it is your death notification to your family and friends, that old person, that person living for self is dead and buried:

(Galatians 2:20 NKJV) "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Don't Bother Calling Old Person / Invite Me - Invite Jesus

Don't bother to call that old person, for he is dead; if you call to talk to me, then you have called to talk to my Jesus. Don't invite me over if you are not willing for Jesus to come:

(Romans 6:1 NKJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

(Romans 6:2 NKJV) Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

(Romans 6:3 NKJV) Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

(Romans 6:4 NKJV) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

(Romans 6:5 NKJV) For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

(Romans 6:6 NKJV) knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

(Romans 6:7 NKJV) For he who has died has been freed from sin.

(Romans 6:8 NKJV) Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

(Romans 6:9 NKJV) knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

(Romans 6:10 NKJV) For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

(Romans 6:11 NKJV) Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 6:12 NKJV) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

(Romans 6:13 NKJV) And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

(Romans 6:14 NKJV) For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Junk & Gunk Buried / White as Snow

All my junk and gunk has been buried in the grave, and I have been washed and cleansed, and made white as snow.

Good Conscience / Don't be Haunted

Verse 21- the answer of a good conscience toward God: a good conscience, catch that believer, especially when you are suffering or doing poorly, you are free, your mind does not have to be haunted by your failings.

Jesus is seated at the right hand of God – right hand represents power in the Scriptures, and the great power is that the Resurrect Power (God) is living to make intercession for you!

Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV) 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Romans 8:27–28 (NKJV) 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Back to Text / Flesh - Satan - Now World / God's Promise

Now, back to our context and theme on suffering. The flesh is conquered on the cross, Satan and your henchman get a good look at these holes for you are through, and now remember the flood of Noah. It is a picture of baptism, washing you white as snow, and it is a picture of a Promise of God - that God knows how to deliver His people in troubled days.

God Prepared Noah for trouble Ahead / So Too for Us - Waves of World / Rise Above It

God prepared Noah for the troubled times ahead, and when the waters came upon the world, Noah raised up above the calamity and destruction that came, preserved and safe. So too it is when the waves of the world come against us, when destruction look imminent, God provides a way for us to rise above it, to escape being drowned out by the world. The ark is a picture of Jesus Christ, our salvation, the Perfection in Suffering.

Ark Rested / Forgiven - Forgotten / Fear Set-In

The ark rested:

(Genesis 8:4 NKJV) Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat.

So too can we rest, for the waves of the world can't touch us, for we rest in Christ. Listen gang, baptism is God saying to you, I have forgiven and forgotten you sins, so can you, so should you. And when suffering comes, you have to embrace these things, believe these things are true. If you do not, fear will set in:

(2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Fear Will Rob You

Fear will rob you of your peace and sound mind, and that will cause your suffering to be compounded and overwhelming.

Conclusion

How Apply / So Few Will Do It / Go to Quiet Place - Put Everything On-Hold / BE STILL

How do I do these things? Here is the simple application, and so, so few people will do it; when that news comes, whatever that thing is that brings or causes suffering, believer you must go to that quiet place, and sit there until you her from the Father. You can not try to squeeze it in five minutes before you leave for work, you can't do it in the car on the way to work, you have to put everything on-hold, and sit at His feet and be still.

Old Preacher – Young Man

I remind you of the story from the last study, but now think about again with the application of this study. Not long ago I heard a story about a young man and an old preacher. The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?" The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply--something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him." This time the young man heard and he understood. We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice, the gentle whisper. Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God. (Author Unknown)

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Too Many Christians - Get Up TOO Soon

I tell you a problem for Christians, too many Christians, get up too soon. We can watch a two hour movie, but would never consider being still before the Lord for two hours, waiting to hear form Him:

(Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

(Jeremiah 29:12 NKJV) Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

(Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

You will find Me, when you search for me with all of your heart.

Sit & Wait / Talk about Past Studies / Lord Will Calm You Heart / Attitude of Will Change

Sit and wait to hear form the Lord. Wake-up early, call-in to the boss, set that time aside in the storm to get you heart settled. Talk these past studies over with the Lord, Attitude and Altitude, remember the Perfect Suffering, and that the flesh, Satan, and the world has been dealt with. Talk to the Lord about these things, let Him minister to you and remind you and encourage you in these things, and the Lord will calm your heart and bring you into a place of peace. Your attitude about your suffering will change as He lifts you up into His altitude, and you see the Perfection in Suffering.