How Christians Find Encouragement in the Midst of Suffering | 1 Peter 3:18-22
Series: A living Hope in a dying world
Title: How Christians find encouragement in the midst of suffering
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22; Romans 8:28 NIV
Bottom line:
SERMON OUTLINE
NOTES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
OUTLINES
MAIN REFERENCES USED
SERMON OUTLINE
Introduction
“The Battle of Waterloo is one of the most famous battles in history. It occurred on the mainland of Europe on June 18, 1815. It pitted the French army, commanded by Napoleon, against the Anglo-German-Dutch forces led by the Duke of Wellington and the Prussian forces commanded by General Gebhard Blucher.
There is an interesting story about how the news about Waterloo reached England. News was carried first by a ship that sailed from Europe across the English Channel to England's southern coast. The news was then relayed from the coast by signal flags to London. When the report was received in London at Winchester Cathedral, the flags atop the cathedral began to spell out Wellington's defeat of Napoleon to the entire city:
"Wellington defeated." However, before the message could be com-pleted, a good old-fashioned London fog moved in, and the rest of the message was hidden.
Based on incomplete information, the citizens of London thought Napoleon had won. That would have been a devastating defeat for England. Gloom filled the nation as the bad news quickly spread every-where. But when the mist began to lift, the flags high up on Winchester Cathedral completed the news. The flags spelled out this triumphant message: "Wellington defeated the enemy!" The English fears had been unfounded. Joy immediately replaced the gloom. All over England people danced in the streets, rejoicing at this great victory over one of the most dangerous enemies the nation had ever faced. In like manner, the resurrection and ascension of Christ gives us a certain hope that our own victory has been secured.” -David Helms
“If you should suffer .. he writes. The imperial persecutions that would sweep across the Roman world had not yet come. Christians were not yet being compelled to affirm the deity of Caesar. No doubt there were already those who had given their witness as martyrs (see 4:6), but much more was to come. Yet it was already time to prepare. Churches today that experience little persecution need Peter's instruction; in a future nearer than they suppose they may find themselves suffering with the rest of Christ's afflicted church in the world.
Peter would prepare the church not simply to endure persecution, but to find in persecution an opportunity for witness. Both the boldness and the humility needed for witness come about through a fundamental exchange. Christians must exchange the fear of others for the fear of the Lord. Peter gives the secret of boldness as one who had found it after failure. Waiting in the courtyard of the high priest's house while Christ was being examined, Peter had failed miserably. Rembrandt's painting captures the scene: Peter has just denied Christ for the third time, swearing with fearful oaths that he was no disciple of Christ, was not with him, did not know him.! In the background shadow stands Jesus. He has just turned to look at Peter.“
-Edmund Clowney, pastor, author, professor, and mentor to Tim Keller
Opening illustration is Napoleaonic war mistaken messaging story
In 1807, John Newton, best known as composer of the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’, encapsulated the amazing grace of God in some of his last words as he lay dying. He declared: ‘I am a great sinner but Christ is a great Saviour.’
Think like a detective. Even though there are some very hard to understand verses in this passage, we can still come away answering the main theme questions from these verses and be encouraged in the midst of suffering.
Relying on David Helms’ commentary for this outline and looking back to our previous passage:
Structure in the passage brings us 2 key ideas:
I. A particular word: Submission/Subject
2:11-12: Exhortation to honorable conduct and good deeds
2:13, 18; 3:1: Three examples on submission: what good deeds look like
Rulers
Masters/bosses
Wives
II. A special relationship: Jesus
3:8-17, 18-22: Two messages of encouragement,
One from the victory of David
Ps 34:12-16
1 Peter 3:10-12
One from the vindication of Jesus
In other words, “They inform us that 3:18-22 are not concerned with the arduous task of submission, suffering and death…”
“…Rather, this passage is about final victory gained through them…”
“…Therefore, we can say that Peter wants to encourage us by lifting our hearts and minds to Heaven where Christ is already seated.
In other words, ‘Take heart, you too shall one day win!’”
Conclusion
Bottom Line:
Q. What do I want them to know?
A. That we win because Christ won.
Q. Why do I want them to know it?
A. Because this changes our outlook in the midst of suffering.
Q. What do I want them to do about it?
A. Suffer knowing that it’s temporary and like in the flood and on the cross.
Q. Why do I want them to do it?
A. Because God will vindicate you and bring people to God in the process.
Q. How can they begin to do this?
A. Move from complaining to thanking God for Romans 8:28
Pray
NOTES
Seems to be Peter is encouraging believers in the midst of their sufferings that though they are a small remnant (like in the days of Noah), God is faithful and will save them and bring them through it.
Question: Why is it better (to suffer for doing good than evil)? In other words, v. 17–why?
3 possible answers:
Because sometimes it’s God’s will to suffer for doing good. Or at least he allows it to accomplish his purposes. Ex. Someone runs into a building to save a person and ends up getting burned in the process.
Because if you’re going to suffer regardless it seems that for good is always better than for evil. Good > evil. It’s taking what someone meant for evil and redeeming it for good.
Because this is what Christ, our Lord and example, did TO BRING US TO GOD.
What did Jesus do as described in 3:18-20?
3 possible answers:
In time between death and rez, Jesus took gospel to the now dead who had rejected Noah’s message.
That pre-incarnate Christ was proclaiming gospel through Noah and that’s why they’re imprisoned. (Rejected Christ’s msg through Noah)
That then imprisoned spirits were actually fallen angels who’d tried to corrupt humans in Noah’s day. (See Gen 6:1-7)
Peter sees in the flood a picture of baptism or salvation by the power of Holy Spirit through the cross and rez of Jesus Christ. Water baptism and the flood (water) are both outward symbols of cleansing and deliverance.
Applications
Be encouraged by embracing the cross & trials of life.
Be encouraged by Christ’s victory of sin & death in the resurrection.
Christ won and, therefore, we win.
We see it in history
Flood/Ark
Cross/Rez
We see it in future
Christ as King
Revelation and New heaven/earth
We are encouraged in the midst of suffering when we reflect on the history (past) and conclusion (future) of His Story (History) played out in and through Jesus Christ and his people.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process:
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?
Who am I going to tell about this?
Final Questions (optional or in place of above)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
OUTLINES
II. THE CHRIST OF BELIEVERS (3:18-22): Peter describes a fourfold ministry accomplished by the Savior.
A. His death (3:18)
1. The permanence (3:18a): He died for our sins once and for all.
2. The purpose (3:18b): He died to reconcile sinners to God.
B. His journey to the spirit world (3:19-20)
1. The transgression (3:19): Jesus preached against the sins of these evil spirits.
2. The time (3:20): They committed their wickedness in the days of Noah.
C. His resurrection (3:21)
1. The salvation (3:21 a): Jesus' resurrection guarantees our redemption.
2. The symbol (3:21b): Water baptism.
D. His ascension and exaltation (3:22)
Clowney’s Outline
7. The blessing of living with Christian suffering (1 Peter 3:8-22)
Response to suffering in a life of blessing (3:8-12)
Called to a life of blessing
Called to bless in response to cursing
Called to bless as heirs of blessing
The blessed witness of suffering for righteousness (3:13-22)
The opportunity for witness in word (3:13-15)
The opportunity for witness in life (3:16-17)
The victory of Christ’s suffering (3:18-22)
Helms’ Outline
Encouragement to Continue
I. The Need for Encouragement (1 Peter 3:8-17)
A. The Encouraging Phrase: Called to be a blessing
B. The Ideal Biblical Reference: Psalm 34
C. The Precise Words: Fear and Blessing
Fear
Blessing
II. Encouragement in Christ’s Victory (1 Peter 3:18-22)
A. Detectives in search of meaning
B. More clues from the surrounding context
A particular word: Subject
A special relationship: Jesus
An encouraging conclusion to our pursuit
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“1 - 2 Peter and Jude,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
“1 & 2 Peter ” by RC Sproul
“1 & 2 Peter and Jude” by Thomas Schreiner
“The Message of 1 Peter” by Edmund Clowney
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)
“1 Peter: A living hope in Christ”, Jen Wilkin Bible study
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)
ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt