Sunday Morning Service (I Peter 3:13-22)

I Peter 3:13-22                                              

“Suffering, Redemption And Vindication” • 7.15.18 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service

Intro.

- The book of Peter is written to a group of Christians who are living under the thumb of an increasingly hostile Roman Emperor named Nero. Life is rapidly changing around them.

- Knowing the urgency of the times, Peter has steadily and quietly stirred their hearts to remember that while times change, our faith remains the same.

- If you glance back over verses 8 and 9, you'll begin to catch the beginning of Peter's instructions, the end of which we are observing today.

- We applied specifically to marriage, what is actually for all of life. Look at those character attributes: Sympathetic, compassionate, restrained in our response toward others?

- In fact, when we are treated with evil, Peter reminds them that they are called not only not to return evil, but to return blessing! God's favorable eyes will be upon those that do.

- This is where we pick up Peter's thought. Let's dive in at verse 13.

Text

• I Peter 3:13,14 : "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. 'And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.'" : Who will bring harm against you if you become followers of what is good?

- Our word "mime" comes from this word translated "followers." A mime is skilled at imitation.

- When I imitate the good that I see from scripture, it will generally be hard to find someone that objects. It's rare to find a person that has been penalized for doing good.

- Who can begrudge a person who works singlemindedly and is sympathetic to those that come his way? Who will seek the harm of a person who is warm, tender and courteous?

- Who wants to denigrate a person who let's evil and insults die with him when he offers a blessing? In Peter's time and increasingly, it seems, even in our own, it is a possibility.

- While some will be able to hurt you financially or even physically, what harm can they really do to you?

- I'm always amazed to consider Christians who have faced persecution for their faith, who have lost jobs or had their reputation ruined, who look at the situation as a blessing in disguise.

- They were hurt, but they themselves were not truly harmed. They usually have joy.

- And that is exactly Peter's point! Even if one would suffer for righteousness sake in the world, God promises blessing, a flourishing existence!

- Remember, this must be suffering for righteousness, not foolishness. Peter has already stated that there is no credit given for deserving a beating in I Peter 2:19,20.

- No, Peter is talking about what comes to a person who has accurately represented Christ, who then suffered on that account. Peter remembers what Jesus said about that in Matthew 5.

• Matthew 5:10-12 : "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." : You are blessed because you are storing up heavenly reward and you are in good company on Earth!

- The prophets were treated this way as well! Jesus is not saying, "Welcome to the club!"

- Rather, this was the Lord's way of saying that this kind of life was a recognizable, undeniable proof of authenticity. "You are doing it right! That response is common."

- One prophet in particular is in view here, as Peter quotes from Isaiah 8:12. I'd suggest that you take the time to read that passage in it's totalty when you have a moment.

- Isaiah was being told to speak very directly to God's people of their pending doom without fear of their threats or anxiety in his heart. He concludes with this message in Isaiah 8:13.

• Isaiah 8:13 : "The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear,
And let Him be your dread." : Every one of us has a choice when it comes to being a living imitation of what is good or falling back upon what is natural, fleshly, in hopes of defending ourselves.

- Ultimately, the question will always be "Will we fear man or will we fear God?" It's easy to know the correct answer and sometimes incredibly hard to choose the correct way.

- Peter is calling us to fear the Lord and to set aside what men can do to us. Look at how he expands on that thought in verse 15.

• I Peter 3:15-16a : "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience," : We're to give our fear to the Lord, Peter amplifiying this with this command: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts."

- Our English versions are quite diverse. Instead of "sanctify," the NLT uses the word "worship." The ESV employs the word "honor," the NIV, "revere."

- When something is "sanctified," we understand that it is clean and set apart from normal use or treatment. Set a place aside for God in your hearts which garners your highest loyalty.

- As Christians, it must be true that God sits in the place of greatest honor in your minds. The throne of your heart rightfully belongs to Him! Would you say that this is true of you?

- We have no hope of living out these principles without that being a firmly settled position. Notice the connection.

- Sanctify the Lord and always be ready to give a defense for why you act the way that you do! I have always loved that this does not say, "and be ready to go on the offense!"

- A God-centered heart will lead to Christ-like action! You cannot love God and not lovingly respond to men! A person with only a love for God or only a love for man has an incomplete view.

- When God is on the throne of your heart, you have to be prepared to stand out! Your life will pique the world's curiosity! Non-Christians will want to know why you are the way that you are!

- Be ready with an answer, a defense. Our word "apologetic" comes from this concept. It means to be armed with a reasoned statement. What is Peter making reference to here?

- Certainly, he was used to speaking evangelistically to large gathered crowds.

- Most of us will not be given that platform. Most of us will serve one or two people at a time. Friends, neighbors, co-workers and perhaps even recurring business associates.

- Wherever you go, be ready with a reasoned answer for the curious few in your life. When they ask you why you have hope in this world, you shouldn't have to have time to prepare.

- Think about this: You know from watching them and even moreso, from having been them prior to your conversion. You remember what it was like to feel alone and hopeless.

- What changed for you? What made a difference in your life? Why was it that you considered Christ a viable option for eternal security? They see that you expect Him to care for you!

- Eventually, if you remain in their circle long enough, that they will ask you to share what you have with them! Are you prepared to answer? Peter says that you should be and not just in any way.

- When you answer about the hope that resides in you, do it with meekness and respect. Last week, we discovered that "meekness" conveys the meaning of controlled power.

- When someone is asking you to provide the reason for your hope, take a moment to think of that that means for them. What are they admitting by even asking you?

- They are acknowledging that there is something working for you that they do no possess. Just to ask you took great courage. How should you treat that moment?

- Some will ask you that have a past with you. Perhaps they haven't been so kind. It might even be that they were part of a group that previously mocked you for your faith.

- Peter is saying, regardless of their previous offenses or activities, treat this moment with gentleness. Don't overpower them or use the Word of God as a weapon against them!

- Gentleness and fear! Respect the moment. Respect what God is doing in their lives. Don't tread too quickly or go too lightly, but don't lay on more than they can take!

- Share what you must with them in all good conscience! What is Peter referring to?

- First, I'd suggest that he is speaking about speaking. Speak gently, speak respectfully but speak completely!

- You and I know what God promises for those that believe and for those that disbelieve. When you are ministering the gospel, remember that you have to live with your conscience before the Lord.

- Did you fail to mention sin? Did you fail to mention hell? How about the exclusive claims of Christ to be the only way, truth and life? Be honest! There are things that are hard to convey.

- I would not want to stand before the Lord and explain why I gave an incomplete message, especially when He set me up to give it all!

- Secondly, and perhaps closer to Peter's point, is the way in which you deliver the message. Were you angry? Did you misrepresent the Lord in some way?

- Some have spent years being frustrated by unbelieving people around them, noting their actions or attitudes and have secretly wished to be the ones to teach them a spiritual lesson.

- When the time comes, they almost flippantly share the gospel, as if to spite the person who is now at their lowest rung. If that's you, repent!

- Those people used to be you when you didn't know Him! You have no right to look down your nose at anyone, ever! I say that to me as much as I say it to you!

- Let me also add along that line, that Peter might be referring to how we act after we speak. There was a target on our backs before we shared. How much more is there one after the fact?

- Remember that you live before the one that sits on the throne of your heart! Don't sin against your conscience and live in a way that besmirches your witness!

- I believe that we are very near what the Apostle was talking about based upon what he says in the back half of verse 16.

• I Peter 3:16b-17 : "that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." : Look at those words again. You have shared the word of life with these people and how do they respond?

- There will be some that will gladly receive you, but just as many that will defame you! It will happen! Notice that Peter uses the word "when," not "if!"

- In this world, set yourself to understand that there will be no good deed that will be unpunished! Peter's present tense reflects that they will be speaking evil of you.

- They will come out and twist your words or make rash statements about your intentions.

- But when you live in good conscience, the ones that insult your good work for the Lord will be ashamed. The text almost literally says that they will blush!

- There is as much certainty in that as there is in their defamation if God allows this. Notice scripturally that there are very few mentions of some idyllic life owed to the righteous ones!

- Here again, not only is there a repayment of evil for good, but it may in fact be suffering that  comes from the will of God!

- If you are one to believe that God only wants your comfort in this life, this will repeatedly stumble you. But if you recognize the true nature of Christianity, you will understand.

- God doesn't have your comfort in mind. He has Christ's character in mind and suffering helps to bring His Son's perfect image to the forefront!

- It is never good to suffer for doing good, but if the will of God allows it to occur in your life, it's best to suffer for doing good than for doing evil! Want an example? Look no further than verse 18.

• I Peter 3:18-20 : "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water." : Peter's audience was in danger of potentially suffering for the sake of their witness to unbelievers on behalf of Christ.

- Remember that He also suffered for our sins in a similar manner! He is the One that suffered once, conclusively for our sins.

- As a side point, keep this in mind: The Roman Catholic church believes that Christ suffers each new week during the Mass. Peter, their supposed first Pope, disagrees!

- Jesus suffered once for sins, the just taking the place of the unjust. The Righteous One for the ones without righteousness! Theologians have termed this the Great Exchange.

- Jesus, the only Just Man to ever live, suffered in the place of the unjust in order that the Just One would bring the unjust ones toward an access point to God!

- If you have to suffer in this life for the answer of the hope that lies within you, can you not also see your suffering as potentially redemptive?

- Perhaps your endurance through suffering will cause the unbelievers in your life to finally recognize the truth of your claims, the reality behind your answers!

- "Anyone can claim to believe anything when things are going well. These people believe in Christ even more when the heat gets turned up in their life!"

- Christ remained on the cross even though He didn't deserve it because it was redemptive in nature and because it was transitory! It wasn't what finally defined Him!

- Yes, He was put to death in the flesh, but was that the end of the story? No! The Spirit revived Him to life! Jesus was quickened by the Holy Spirit.

- Why is it important to Peter to note the Holy Spirit's involvement? I'd suggest that it is related to the activity. Christ preached by the Holy Spirit. This word is better translated "announced."

- This particular Greek word would have been embodied by a herald's cry and subesequent publishing of a King's decree. What announcement would Christ have made?

- We aren't privy to that information, but we are aware of the Lord's audience! He announced this to the "spirits in prison."

- This word reflects the cages that were once employed by the Romans centurions, who stood watch over those that had offended the state.

- These "spirits" were under a similar, but divinely sustained watch. They are described as those who formerly were unwilling to be persuaded. Remember that word "apeitheo" from last week?

- These had been disobedient from the days of the flood! What is Peter referring to? To answer that, let's turn in our Bibles to Genesis 6.

- Every indication we get textually reveals a planet in chaos. Verses 1 and 2 provoke our imaginations as to the spiritual origin of that chaos.

• Genesis 6:1,2 : "Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose." : The key element here is the interpretation of the "sons of God." Generally, that phrase refers to angelic beings.

- Other conservative camps believe that this refers to the godly line of Seth mentioned in Genesis 5. The issue with that is both the result of these unions and the response of God.

- Genesis 6:4 tells us that giants were born to men and because of that wicked rebellion, God determined to destroy all living things with the flood. Doesn't sound like mere human interaction.

- From what we read here, what we will read, Lord willing, in 2 Peter and again in Jude, it seems as if the prevailing belief gained from the natural reading is that Peter believed in fallen angels!

- God patiently stood by during the time that it took Noah to prepare the ark, which God announced in Genesis 6:3 to be a 120 year period.

- The ark stood as a living witness to the watching world that God was a Holy and Just God, who withheld judgment for the sake of mercy, but whose mercy would soon give way.

- Yet, the final tally that were saved through water, ie, who entered into the visible manifestation of God's salvation, was a mere eight souls! Verse 21.

• I Peter 3:21,22 : "There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him." : The boat saved Noah and his family. There is an antitype, a corresponding figure that saves us. Peter says that it is "baptism."

- The Apostle is not referring to the act of baptism, but what the act represents! When a person is baptized, they are making a public declaration that they have believed in Christ.

- When they go under the water, there is an element of washing, but symbolically, they are publically identifying in Christ's death.

- As they raise up out of the water, they are joining Christ in His resurrection, freed from the guilt of their past, alive to things of God!

- The faith that accompanies baptism corresponds to the faith that Noah's other passengers experienced! Their salvation led them eventually back to dry land.

- Our salvation leads to where our leader has gone: Into heaven at the right hand of God! And He is the ruler over all who serve under Him!

- Peter tells this to us for two reasons. First, it explains what was proclaimed by Christ to the disobedient spirits in prison. Our Lord proclaimed victory and freedom to the captives!

- In the end, the rise of Christ from the dead, vindicated His life. His ascension to heaven vindicates His claim to be the Messiah! And that leads to Peter's second purpose.

- Your witness, at the worst, ends in your death. This was especially true for the people that initially read this letter. If we live long enough on this earth, it might be our fate as well.

- Remember then who holds the keys to death and hell! Remember the One that has gone before you to prepare a place, that where He is, there you might also be!

Conclusion

- Our suffering might be necessary, but it might also be redemptive. Some might only see truth when it is tested under great duress.

- Our suffering might even end our life, but it doesn't define our future! There is victory for those that trust Christ.

- Really, what harm will come to you who imitate that which is good? Who can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? There isn't a power on Earth or heaven that can!