1 Peter 3:8-22: God Can Use Suffering

The Average American Christian Has No Theology of Suffering

Look at how we treat each other

no unity

no patience

no empathy

We cannot bear one another, how do we hope to bear suffering?

We serve our whims and emotions more than we serve the Lord

Christians Are to be Different

1 Peter 3:8 ESV

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

We move on from our submission to worldly institutions to the congregation

Our community should demonstrate certain qualities that result in brotherly love

Harmony & Humility

unity is the goal

“humility of mind”

Sympathy and Tenderness

these imply gentleness

our faith is demonstrated in these qualities

Galatians 6:10 ESV

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

This is how we demonstrate “brotherly love”

Evidence of genuine faith is shown within the body

The reader is responsible for complying

We Are A People of Blessing

1 Peter 3:9–12 ESV

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

The world repays evil for evil

We are separate (holy)

We are to bless instead

We have and share the blessing of salvation

And we have earthly blessing

Peter quotes Psalms

The Lord listens to the righteous

if we do good and seek peace

refrain from evil and deceit

We Focus on Good

1 Peter 3:13–17 ESV

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

In general, if we strive for good, we will be left alone

but even if we do suffer, the Lord will honor us

What is our focus?

Honor Christ

in our hearts (not just lips)

this allows us to respond to the world

Preparing yourself to answer about your hope

sharing the Gospel

not arguing theology

Respectfully

This is difficult

but necessary

Because we will be slandered

they will attack us

we put them to shame in gentleness

If we must suffer, than at least make it for the will of God!

Christ Suffered for the Unrighteous

1 Peter 3:18–22 ESV

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Ressurection is the key to understanding this passage

Put to death and made alive

Jesus died for the unrighteous

brought us to God

saved the disobedient

The disobedient in Noah’s day:

were captive

but then made free by Christ

The earth in Noah’s day:

was destroyed because of sin

but was saved through Noah

Likewise, we die to sin and are raised again through Jesus

This is represented through baptism

Romans 6:4 ESV

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

And now we serve the Lord Jesus Christ who sits at the right hand of God with all authority

We must maintain a posture of gentleness, humility, and blessing

Our calling is to do good whether suffering is included or not

Because God has done amazing things through suffering