Godly Suffering (Part 2)- 1 Pet. 3:18-22

I do not know about you, but I like to know a little of what is in the future. And I don’t mean I try and tell the future. I mean I want to have an idea of what is coming. For example, if I ever speak at a different church or venue, I want to know what to expect. I like to know the order of service and how the service normally runs.

I also like to have an idea of what a new restaurant is like before going to it. Or, whenever we take a trip, I like to have any idea of what to expect, what the parking is like, what the food is like, what activities are available. What I find particularly helpful is talking to someone who has been there before. They can relate their experiences first hand.

We began this two-part sermon last week by examining godly suffering from our perspective. That is, how we are to handle godly suffering. We saw that Godly suffering involves righteous actions, which depend upon a biblical view of reality, and are extended through God-ordained suffering.

What we will see this morning is a first-hand account of someone who has gone through godly suffering. But this is not just a someone, it is Christ our Lord and Savior. Jesus is our example for everything, the Scriptures teach us, including how to suffer in a godly way. What we see in the rest of 1 Peter chapter 3 is...

Godly suffering is epitomized in Christ, which provides believers both salvation and surety in our exile here on earth.

I. Christ endured godly suffering, procuring the salvation of His People- 3:18

Christ endured godly suffering. That is, the righteous suffered for the unrighteous. He suffered for sins, “in order to bring us to God.” This is a glorious passage of Scripture, speaking on the salvation of sinners by the sinless Son of God. And by following His example, we see what it will be like and what the end will be. Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, for encouragement this morning.

A. Christ endured godly suffering for the godless-for the unrighteous

When we think of our own suffering, we must remember that Christ also suffered. What makes suffering harder is when it is at the hands of an unjust situation, or a cruel individual or people. But Christ did just that. He suffered, He suffered unimaginable physical and spiritual pain for the unjust. Speaking on this, Stephen Charnock wrote,

“The Son of God became man; the Lord of glory emptied himself. It was the Lord of angels that took upon him the nature of a servant; the Lord of life shed his blood. It was the Son of God that stooped down infinitely below himself into our nature, to be a sacrifice for our redemption; he that was greater than heaven became meaner than a worm.”—Stephen Charnock

If Christ, the sinless Son, could endure suffering, how much more should we?

B. Christ endured godly suffering for a purpose—to bring us to God

Christ’s suffering was not pointless, it was purposeful. Our sufferings, though unimaginable and beyond our comprehension, are never pointless. They are always purposeful. Christ suffered for the unjust in order to bring the unjust to God. He suffered in order to save.

The lesson for us is that we never suffer pointlessly. The God who holds all stars in their place and knows every hair on your head and when a sparrow falls to the ground never wastes your suffering. It may be molding you into the image of His Son. It may be a tool to draw a lost soul into salvation. It may be a point of judgment for them in the future. Sometimes we know, while many other times we do not. But believe the Word of God that your suffering is never pointless, it is purposeful.

C. Christ endured godly suffering for a time—death in the flesh, alive in the spirit

The final aspect of Christ’s suffering is the time of it. In other words, it does not last forever. I know when we are undergoing suffering at the moment it seems like an eternity. The pain seems as if it will never end. The heartache seems to grow with each passing day. But there is an end to suffering. Christ’s suffering ended with His shameful death on the cross. But it was the death of the Son of God that brought righteousness to the unrighteous. It vindicated preachers and followers of Yahweh, as we will shortly see. He died, but was made alive. And He is everliving!

Godly suffering is epitomized in Christ, which provides believers both salvation and surety in our exile here on earth.

II. Christ overcame godly suffering, guaranteeing the vindication of His People- 3:19-22

This passage is debated among Christians, and this message will not be a scholarly discussion. There are several views that are possible, with both positives and negatives. However, we are going to look at this passage from the viewpoint that Christ’s preaching is not the proclamation of salvation, but the pronouncement of judgment on those who heard Noah preach and failed to repent. This section provides as with a surety, a comfort and consolation, in our exile in this life.

A. Christ condemned the wicked of Noah’s day—which points to a future judgment-19-20

These individuals and/or fallen angels heard the preaching of Noah (2 Pet. 2:5 and Heb. 11:7). God was bringing judgment. We are not told the exact message of Noah, but surely it included the coming judgment of the flood. These people did not listen to Noah, they refused to repent of their violence and wickedness (detailed in Gen. 6:1-7, 13). Christ preached to these spirits in prison, a reference no doubt to their holding in hades until the Day of the LORD and final judgment comes which is discussed in Rev. 20:11-15. These awaiting their final judgment heard Christ preach, a vindication of the ministry of Noah.

This flood, this global devastation on the wicked, prefigures a coming judgment that will be complete and final. Endure, then, brothers and sisters, because judgment on the wicked is coming.

B. Christ delivered His people in Noah’s day—which points to a future salvation-21-22

Christ also delivered His people in Noah’s day—Noah and his family. This, too, points to a future event—the final deliverance (i.e., salvation) of His people. This was pictured in the flood and the ark. Peter makes a present connection to baptism. Now, we must be careful here because some take this verse (and some others) as proof of the doctrine of baptismal regeneration (i.e., that baptism saves).

Noah was saved through water, Peter tells us. It was the flood that delivered Noah from that wicked generation. God was patient, allowing that time of construction as a means of grace should the wicked repent and believe God’s coming judgment. But they did not, and God judged the earth but saved Noah and his family through the water.

Likewise, Peter tells us that baptism prefigured this deliverance. Peter clearly states that baptism itself does not save (i.e., the mere act of being baptized never saved anyone). It is not the removal of dirt, but the saving work of the resurrected Christ that saves. It is a clear conscience. Christ delivered His people in Noah’s day—and He will deliver us exiles as well.

Godly suffering is epitomized in Christ, which provides believers both salvation and surety in our exile here on earth.

How can we apply this truth to our lives?

*When you are facing suffering (of any kind, but particularly as a child of God), look to Christ. Behold His manner, His heart, His patience, His mercy. Consider His state, that He is perfect, God, completely righteous. Consider your own state, that you are fallen, flawed, but forgiven. Dwell on His grace, and draw encouragement from His example as a lamp draws electricity from an outlet.

*Rejoice in God’s wonderful salvation of your soul!

*Be reminded of the final deliverance of God’s people—He is at the right hand of God and everything is subjected to Him