Exiles in a Conquered World

[Announce text] Please look with me in Scripture at 1 Peter 3:18-4:2.

[Scripture introduction] Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, writes his letter to a group of spiritually displaced Christians living in their homeland. Yet their communities publicly ostracize and physically harass them. Perceiving their suffering and affliction for the gospel, Peter sends a word of comfort and exhortation during their time of distress.

In this section of Scripture we are about to read, the Word of God address the particular suffering and conquering of Jesus Christ our example, redeemer and friend and by his actions, we suffering exiles who are longing for heaven can rest assured that we are overcomers of this world.

[Reannounce and read text] Read with me these words on how Jesus Christ has conquered the world and provided new life to those who are in him in 1 Peter 3:18-4:2. Please stand with me for the reading of the Word.

[Prayer for illumination] O Lord our God, we appeal to you through these written words of Scripture. Saturate our hearts and minds with the grace of Christ, and resurrect us with renewed faith through the Spirit who gives life eternal. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

[Introduction] In the early years of the church, dark days fell upon the Christians in Rome, especially during the reign of Emperor Nero. In 64 AD, after a massive fire devastated much of the city, Nero blamed the Christians for the disaster. This marked the beginning of one of the first large-scale persecutions of the early church.

Christians were rounded up, tortured, and executed in horrifying ways. Some were crucified, others were torn apart by wild animals in the Colosseum, and many were burned alive, lighting up Nero’s gardens like human torches. These early believers, once filled with hope from the teachings of Christ, were now a hunted and terrified people.

The apostle Peter himself was said to be crucified upside down during this time, not feeling worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. The apostle Paul was also martyred, beheaded for his faith in Jesus. In those dark days, it seemed as though the church was being conquered by the overwhelming force of Rome.

Yet, even in the face of this crushing persecution, the Christian faith endured. Rather than being extinguished, it spread quietly through the streets of Rome and beyond. The courage and conviction of the martyrs inspired others, showing that, while they could be killed, their hope and faith could never be defeated. Rome may have tried to crush the church, but from its darkest days, Christianity would rise to flourish across the empire.

But why is that the case through? How is it possible to torturer and afflict the church of Christ and yet it continues on to this day? It is as if the unbelieving world thought it could conquer the new movement by pressing their thumb on just long enough to snuff it out.

It is as if the church remember the very precious words of Christ before their impending death. In John’s gospel we are told this...

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The comfort for the suffering exiles of Christ is his declared message for all Christians in all times. “I have overcome the world.”

So I pose this question to us who are suffering exiles who are awaiting for better days.

[FCF] What has Christ done for us to enable believers to rest assured that we have victory in this world?

[Scripture bond] Which is why I call you eyes to return to 1 Peter 3:18-4:2 on how Jesus has conquered our world and taken victory over it even when we suffer.

[Proposition] As exiles, we may suffer momentarily, but Jesus has overcome our world and reigns victoriously; through him, we have too.

We are conquers of this world in during times of suffering because....

[Main point 1] Jesus endured suffering for sins once and for all, taking us to God and triumphing over our world.

[Explanation] His atoning sacrifice on the cross accomplished something we could never achieve which is right standing with God. For we are unrighteousness and we are lost without him.

Paul speaks about Christ and his saving death and how it has brought us back to God in the letter to the Romans.

Romans 5:6–11 ESV

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

It is by Christ’s perfect, sufficient blood that we are now wash and brought into right relationship with God the Father.

[Illustration]

A once-proud prodigal son found himself in a pigsty after squandering his inheritance on wild living. One day he remembered his father's house, and regret washed over him. When he decided to return, his father's joyous run to meet him illustrated the heart of our heavenly Father. In Christ, no matter our past, we are welcomed back to God with forgiveness and love.

We were the prodigal son who needed to be found and Jesus death makes us right by forgiving us all our debts to God.

[Application] Your sins are forgiven in Christ. You can conquer through suffering because your sin is paid and you have a Father who knows and loves you.

[Main Point 2] Through his resurrection, Jesus triumphs over our world and now reigns over all, offering hope and victory to those who believe.

[Explanation] Noah’s story points to how we can overcome the world (i.e., repentance, baptism, Christ’s authority).

We just have to place ourselves into Christ’s resurrection.

[Illustration]

Think of a rusty, old piece of metal that is discarded, losing its purpose and luster. Now picture it being taken into a workshop where it is cleaned, polished, and transformed into a stunning piece of art. Similarly, through baptism, we are cleansed from our sins and restored as valuable creations, equipped to fulfill our God-given purposes in life.

[Application] Being baptized we are appealing to God for a good conscious. How’s your heart? Is the Resurrection of Christ living in you?

[Main Point 3] The suffering and victories of Christ are present within his exiled church, enabling us to live according to God's will even amidst suffering.

[Explanation] We are overcomers through Jesus’ death and resurrection and now live a life for God. The best explanation comes from Romans.

Romans 6:1–11 ESV

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

We can endure during suffering because Christ lives in us. We live for the spirit. As a knight lives to fight for the king. We live for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

[Illustration]

Consider a knight preparing for battle; he checks his armor, sharpens his sword, and prays for strength. In our spiritual journey, we too must regularly prepare ourselves. Prayer and reading His Word fortify our spirits. Without this preparation, we risk falling prey to doubt and temptation, just as an unprepared knight may falter on the battlefield. To arm ourselves means to engage with our faith actively—through prayer, community, and the study of Scripture.

[Application] We live for the will of God looking to Jesus Christ in when we suffer.

[Conclusion] As exiles, we may suffer momentarily, but Jesus has overcome our world and reigns victoriously; through him, we have too.

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

So who are we losers or conquers in Christ? Indeed...

Romans 8:36–39 ESV

36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are exiles in a conquered world and in him we have the victory. Amen.