Christ's Example in Suffering

Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 33 views
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →

Christ’s Example in Suffering

1 Peter 3:18-22

Introduction:

Last week we looked at some general commands for our Christian lives:

            *Our responsibility to other:

                        Unity, compassion, love, courteous, not seeking revenge

            *How to live in a way so that we will not look back with regrets

                        Be careful what we say

                        Be careful what we do

                        Seek the higher path:  Give blessing in return for reviling, etc.

This week:

1.      The example of Jesus’ suffering

2.      The example of Noah’s suffering

3.      The application to our suffering

The suffering that Peter is dealing with is not necessarily physical suffering from sickness, etc. but rather the suffering at the hand of the world for doing what is right.

I.                   The example of Jesus’ suffering 18-20

1.      The cause of His suffering

1)      Negative:  The just for the unjust

               He was not suffering because He did anything wrong

               Vital to our understand of who He is and what He did

               Many attempts in movies, etc. to paint imperfect picture

2)      Positive: “to bring us to God”

2 Cor. 5:20-21 “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Jesus’ suffering had a purpose

2.      The extent of His suffering v. 18

Phil. 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

His suffering was complete and total

         Not a partial suffering but complete till the death

3.      The benefits of His suffering

      With the Lord all suffering has benefits:  maturity, discipline, etc.

1)      We were brought to God:  Greatest blessing ever given

2)      He was quickened

               Died in the flesh, quickened in the Spirit

Main point = He faced death, was made alive; therefore death and the grave were defeated forever

1 Cor. 15:54b-57

3)      Victory was announced 19-20a

Much discussion as to who Jesus preached to

The dead in hades

Those still alive on the earth

All who had not heard the gospel

It doesn’t matter today who He preached to as much as the fact that His message would not have been one of defeat but victory!!

4)      He ascended to the place of victory 21b-22

   RH of God’s throne, all else under Him

 

II.                 The Suffering of Noah v. 20

1.      The purpose

      To show God’s longsuffering grace

      God saw wickedness was great:  every thought evil continually

      God would be justified in destroying instantly

      Instead God chose to allow Noah to build a way to escape

2.      The extent of Noah’s suffering

      No indication is given to what extent

      I can only imagine what it must have been like for him

3.      The benefits of Noah’s suffering

1)      Eight souls saved:  As well as all  humanity since

2)      All in Noah’s day had the opportunity

3)      We see the longsuffering grace of God

4)      We see a perfect type of salvation in Christ

U      Ark was entered by faith as only means of salvation

U      Ark was open to all who would enter

U      Ark door was closed by God, then it was too late

U      Ark was secure

U      Ark was delayed (judgment was delayed)

III.              How about our own suffering

1.      Noah was identified as belonging to God by the ark

      We are identified as belonging to God through baptism

      When we belong to the Lord we will desire to do what is right

2.      As a result of doing right we can expect to face suffering

      Christ has been there

      God will bring benefit out of it

      We must have an eternal perspective rather than an earthly one.

Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more