Christ's Example in Suffering
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.