1 Peter 3:8-22: God Can Use Suffering
Notes
Transcript
The Average American Christian Has No Theology of Suffering
The Average American Christian Has No Theology of Suffering
Look at how we treat each other
no unity
no patience
no empathy
We cannot bear one another, how do we hope to bear suffering?
We serve our whims and emotions more than we serve the Lord
Christians Are to be Different
Christians Are to be Different
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
We move on from our submission to worldly institutions to the congregation
Our community should demonstrate certain qualities that result in brotherly love
Harmony & Humility
unity is the goal
“humility of mind”
Sympathy and Tenderness
these imply gentleness
our faith is demonstrated in these qualities
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
This is how we demonstrate “brotherly love”
Evidence of genuine faith is shown within the body
The reader is responsible for complying
We Are A People of Blessing
We Are A People of Blessing
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
The world repays evil for evil
We are separate (holy)
We are to bless instead
We have and share the blessing of salvation
And we have earthly blessing
Peter quotes Psalms
The Lord listens to the righteous
if we do good and seek peace
refrain from evil and deceit
We Focus on Good
We Focus on Good
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
In general, if we strive for good, we will be left alone
but even if we do suffer, the Lord will honor us
What is our focus?
Honor Christ
in our hearts (not just lips)
this allows us to respond to the world
Preparing yourself to answer about your hope
sharing the Gospel
not arguing theology
Respectfully
This is difficult
but necessary
Because we will be slandered
they will attack us
we put them to shame in gentleness
If we must suffer, than at least make it for the will of God!
Christ Suffered for the Unrighteous
Christ Suffered for the Unrighteous
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Ressurection is the key to understanding this passage
Put to death and made alive
Jesus died for the unrighteous
brought us to God
saved the disobedient
The disobedient in Noah’s day:
were captive
but then made free by Christ
The earth in Noah’s day:
was destroyed because of sin
but was saved through Noah
Likewise, we die to sin and are raised again through Jesus
This is represented through baptism
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
And now we serve the Lord Jesus Christ who sits at the right hand of God with all authority
And now we serve the Lord Jesus Christ who sits at the right hand of God with all authority
We must maintain a posture of gentleness, humility, and blessing
We must maintain a posture of gentleness, humility, and blessing
Our calling is to do good whether suffering is included or not
Our calling is to do good whether suffering is included or not
Because God has done amazing things through suffering
Because God has done amazing things through suffering