6: ThanksGIVING beyond Thanksgiving (1 Peter 3:19-4:11)

THANKSGIVING DAD JOKES

Why can’t you take a turkey to church? They use FOWL language.

What did the mother turkey say to her disobedient teenage turkey? If your father could see you now, he'd turn over in his GRAVY.

With coronavirus being around last year, the most popular side dish was…MASKED potatoes.

What did the salad at the Thanksgiving meal say to the butter who kept making jokes? You're on a ROLL.

My family told me to stop telling Thanksgiving jokes... but I told them I couldn't quit "COLD TURKEY.”

I hope that you have enjoyed this week and had much to GIVE THANKS to God for. Of course THANKSGIVING should be more than a few days to enjoy meals and loved-ones. THANKSGIVING should be a lifestyle for the follower of Jesus. We should be people who practice Thanksgiving Beyond Thanksgiving.

While holidays can be difficult for those who miss loved-ones, followers of Jesus must remember that we have MUCH to be thankful for!

For example, 2 weeks ago we concluded our study with these powerful words that should lead us to some thankful thoughts:

1 Peter 3:17–18 (NIV)

For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Even when followers of Jesus suffer while doing good, we should never forget to remember that this is what Jesus did for us! The righteous One suffered to make payment for our sins. He exchanged His righteousness for our unrighteousness (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus sacrificed His life to bring you to God.

But His life didn’t end in suffering! Jesus was made alive in the Spirit. Jesus rose to life! Our King is risen - giving proof that His promises to resurrect us one day are trustworthy and true!

Then Peter gives us insight into something that Jesus did in the spiritual realm.

1 Peter 3:19–20a (NIV)

After being made alive, He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

There’s much debate as to what this means and I have personally had to wrestle this down and change my view on what this means.

And while this is an interesting passage to pick apart and debate, it’s not something we should divide over.

One commentator says, “We need to be humble about conclusions to passages that are ‘clearly unclear.’” *

*Scot McKnight, 1 Peter, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 218.

Of this unusual passage Karen Jobes writes:

“The exegetical questions basically come down to these: Where did Christ go? When did he go? To whom did he speak? What did he say? Different answers to each of these questions can be found, resulting in a labyrinth of exegetical options, each of which has no clearly overwhelming claim to certainty, [with one] calculating 180 different exegetical combinations, in theory.”*

*Karen H. Jobes, 1 Peter, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2005), pp. 237, 239.

So while we might disagree with others on the details of what Peter means, we must agree on the ultimate point of this passage - Peter encourages followers of Jesus to remain faithful and be vindicated before their enemies just as Jesus was.*

*Scot McKnight, 1 Peter, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 216–217.

Let’s do just a little theological exploratory surgery on this passage.

Who are the imprisoned spirits? Are they PEOPLE or not? I don’t think so and here’s why. These “spirits” seem to be angels who disobeyed God in the days of Noah. * In fact, the plural term spirits (pneumata) is almost always used of angels rather than human beings (Mt 8:16; Mk 1:27; Lk 4:36; Acts 5:16).

Further, Peter mentions this concept again in his second letter where he refers to the imprisoned as “angels”.

2 Peter 2:4 (NIV)

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

So too, Jude - the half brother of Jesus - gives the same insight, writing...

Jude 6 (NIV)

And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

Evidently these are angels who

possessed human men during the time of Noah (angels are called “sons of God” in Gen 6:1-4),

married human women,

and had children that were deeply influenced by their demonic disobedience to God.

And just what is Jesus doing when he “made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits” (1 Pet 3:19)?

First, let me tell you what Jesus WASN’T doing.

Jesus wasn’t going to hell to give people a second chance to respond to God’s offer of forgiveness. Once people die, the are no more chances. People don’t get prayed out or paid out of the fictitious place that Catholics call purgatory. And neither does God eventually just let people out of hell and transfer them to heaven.

Neither did Jesus go to finish the work of paying for our sins - that was FINISHED at the CROSS! There was no battle in hell against Satan and demons. Contrary to what many think…they don’t rule hell. Satan and demons will be bound and punished there forever.

So what WAS Jesus doing there? I agree with Paul Himes who writes that the risen Jesus proclaimed a cosmic “in-your-face” to those demons who once tried to foil God’s plans in Noah’s lifetime.*

* Paul A. Himes, 1 Peter, ed. Douglas Mangum, Elizabeth Vince, and Abigail Salinger, Lexham Research Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017), 1 Pe 3:19–22.

It was the ungodly influence of these disobedient angels prior to the building of the ark that helped lead to worldwide wickedness of mankind, which - in turn - caused God to destroy every person on the planet with only 8 exceptions.

1 Peter 3:20b-22 (NIV)

In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

If you remember the rest of the story, then you remember that while Noah’s family was saved from God’s wrath every other person on the planet was drowned. And to be sure, there is a FUTURE DAY coming when God will once again bring judgement on those who refuse to repent.

If that day were TODAY, would you be judged GUITY or INNOCENT? Are you putting your trust in your good works or the good work of Jesus?

What’s that got to do with the people in Noah’s day, the flood, and the ark - you ask. You ask great questions!

Peter draws a parallel between Noah’s family, his ancient audience, and us.

Just as Noah and his family entered the ark they died to their old way of life and re-emerged in a brand new post-world flood, so all who follow Jesus die to their old lives (symbolized by going under the water in baptism) and are saved in Christ, reemerging as new creations in whom the old has passed and the new has come (2 Cor 5:17). So Peter continues:

1 Peter 3:21-22 (NIV)

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him.

The baptism that now saves you is not by a religious ritual that washes away dirt from the body. Physical baptism doesn’t save anybody.

People are saved by the pledge of a clear conscience toward God - that is - we are saved by turning from our sin and trusting that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus forgives us and gives us new life [portray baptism]!

And Jesus - the One who submitted and suffered on Earth - is the One who is now large and in charge over every authority...in heaven and on earth.

And just as Jesus was justified before His enemies, so will His faithful followers be justified before their enemies.

In this way Peter encourages the beleaguered believers who “were in danger of being lost in the fog, unable to see the victorious and distant shore” to stay in the boat and keep rowing.*

* David R. Helm, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ’s Sufferings, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 121–122.

When we struggle with the tough times that will come, we must remember that we have been forgiven much by our risen King!

As the old hymn says, “And life is worth the living, just because He lives.”

Aren’t you THANKFUL for God’s forgiveness in your life?

If so, then let’s practice ThanksGIVING beyond Thanksgiving and...

BIG TRUTH: Thank God for His gifts by giving them to others

Let’s take the gift of eternal life and offer it to others, as beggars telling other beggars where to find the BREAD!

Some will listen. Others won’t. Just don’t give up and don’t give in when you face persecution.

1 Peter 4:1–3 (NIV)

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery [lacking any moral restraint & going after anything that fulfills sensual pleasure - what they see, hear, taste, touch, & smell], lust, drunkenness, orgies [a part of some pagan temple practices], carousing and detestable idolatry.

Followers of Jesus - We ought to be DONE with that sinful stuff,

because we don’t want to live for the stuff Jesus died to pay for! We’re THANKFUL that He has forgiven us so much and our obedience is proof of that.

Imagine someone has harmed you and then, with tears in their eyes, comes to beg your forgiveness. You extend that forgiveness and they express their THANKFULNESS to you.

But...it’s not long before they go right back to sin against you again in the same way they had before.

What would that communicate to you? You might rightly conclude that their tear-filled words of thankfulness weren’t legitimate.

Christians - We have been forgiven much and rather than live for our evil human desires like we used to, we now live for the will of God, and our obedience proves our thankfulness.

But be we must ready for the persecution that comes with living in purity.

Our Christ-less culture won’t understand that God can change the most wicked sinner. When those of us who once used to carouse, party, and sleep around suddenly stop....

1 Peter 4:4 (NIV)

They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

R. C. Sproul, in his book The Holiness of God, tells of a time when Billy Graham was invited to play golf with President Ford and two PGA tour professionals. He writes:

After the round of golf was finished, one of the other pros came up to the golfer and asked, “Hey, what was it like playing with the President and with Billy Graham?” The pro unleashed a torrent of cursing, and in a disgusted manner said, “I don’t need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat.” With that he turned on his heel and stormed off, heading for the practice tee. His friend followed.… His friend said nothing. He sat on the bench and watched.

After a few minutes the anger of the pro was spent. He settled down. His friend said quietly, “Was Billy a little rough on you out there?”

The pro heaved an embarrassed sigh and said, “No, he didn’t even mention religion. I just had a bad round.”

About the incident Sproul concludes:

Astonishing.… Billy Graham is so identified with religion, so associated with the things of God, that his very presence is enough to smother the wicked man who flees when no man pursues. Luther was right, the pagan does tremble at the rustling of a leaf. He feels the hound of heaven breathing down his neck. He feels crowded by holiness even if it is only made present by an imperfect, partially sanctified human vessel.

* R. C. Sproul, The Holiness of God (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1985), pp. 91–93.

* David R. Helm, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ’s Sufferings, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 133.

If we Christians are living the way we should, our righteous lives bring conviction to their unrighteous lives and they can no longer lean on the excuse, “I can’t stop giving into these desires” when they see that you CAN STOP giving into these desires.

But their excuses won’t stand when they face the judge of all creation.

1 Peter 4:5-6 (NIV)

But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Who are these dead to whom the gospel was preached? Most scholars argue that Peter is referring to those Christians who were a part of the churches receiving this letter, people who had trusted Christ while alive, but now - at the time of this writing - dead.

In other words, physical death doesn’t discount the judgement that is to come. Hence, every person - whether physically alive or physically dead, Christian or non-Christian, will have to give account to Jesus - the One whom all “angels, authorities, and powers” must submit to (1 Pet 3:22).

That day is on the horizon. As we have said before - EVERY PERSON under the sound of my voice WILL stand before Jesus in a few short years. Either....

Jesus will return while we are alive OR

Our spirits will leave our bodies upon our death and be judged by the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Peter reminds his audience of that reality with these words...

1 Peter 4:7–9 (NIV)

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

As we have said before, we should be living like Jesus is returning

alert and prayerful - not distracted by temporary stuff that doesn’t matter.

Is that TRUE of YOU? Are you seeking Jesus, aware and alert of the reality of eternity? Are you prayerful - talking to your Gracious God throughout the day?

OR…are you focused on earthly pleasure & comfort, only offering up prayers when you get in trouble?

We should also be known as people who love each other deeply, and - since love covers over a multitude of sins - we should be quick to forgive one another.

Is that TRUE of YOU? Are you loving other believers deeply - quick to forgive? Are you making the time to do life with other believers...

OR…are your relationships with other Christians just thimble-deep? Are you holding a grudge against a brother or sister that needs to be resolved? Make it happen TODAY! Are you thankful for God’s forgiveness in your own life? Forgive as you have been forgiven! Make the first move and make things right with your brother or sister!

Finally, this kind of love shows hospitality to one another without grumbling - an unselfish attitude of sharing with one another.

The Story of the Long Spoons

A man had a dream about the difference between heaven and hell - and it gave him a perspective he had never thought of before.

He entered into one room was a large round table with a large pot of great smelling stew, but the people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished, frustrated, and cursing one another.

They were each holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

This was what hell was like.

But as the man entered the second door the room appeared exactly the same. There was the large round table with the large pot of wonderful stew that made the man’s mouth water. The people had the same long-handled spoons, but they were well nourished, laughing and talking.

And then he noticed the difference - they weren’t struggling to feed themselves…because they were feeding each other.

And if that’s what heaven is like…and we are to do on earth as done in heaven...then this last chunk of Scripture should challenge and encourage you and me to live out what it means to pray “You will be done on Earth as it is in heaven”.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

These are a couple of examples that Peter encourages believers to...

Thank God for His gifts by giving them to others

How are YOU using the gifts God has given you to give them to others?

Some of you are great cooks. Others are great teachers. Some of you know know how to use technology. Some of you are gifted musicians & singers.

Some of you love to bring people into your homes. Others are gifted at relating to other people.

Some of you love to serve behind the scenes with your hands & your tools. Others have wisdom & leadership to make things happen and get others involved.

Some of you are consistently investing in the lives of children and teenagers.

I don’t have the time to attempt to mention every gift God has given to this Body of Believer because there are many types of gifts and abilities littered throughout this room that we can utilize to get a ton done for the KING and the KINGdom!

You can greatly impact this CULTURE and this CHURCH with the gift God has given you...

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) ...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

So, what would happen if every person in this room began to ask...

“How can I use God’s gifts to further the KINGdom and impact our culture?” Using the gifts God has given me, how can I share Jesus with our Christ-less culture?

And what would happen if every person in this room began to ask, “How can use God’s gifts to serve my faith family?”

LET’S GO FIND OUT!

PRAY

UPCOMING STUFF

GIVING - thank you! New classroom at front of Education Building. A new building to help store food for the 80 families we serve food every other week. Almost $17,000 given to help pay for a new digital sign.

Next Sunday - a short teaching series on Advent from a Latin term for “coming” or “arrival”. We will also vote on budget, ANGEL tree stuff is DUE (see angels on tree in main hallway)

Ladies Tea Next Sunday @ 2pm sign up on your way out