“Living Hope”

A Sermon Series Through 1 Peter

“The Suffering Christian and His Future Vindication”

1 Peter 3:20-4:11

Introduction

You are blessed, blessed because you may suffer for doing good. To explain this blessing, Peter discusses Jesus making a proclamation to a group in a spiritual “prison” (1 Pet. 3:19) and he connects it with baptism. God as far as the disobedient in hell, “the disobedient in hell all enemies of Christ are under his feet. For the believer, since baptism, there is salvation through him who rose again and sits at God’s right hand. You are blessed in such a way will not fear men or be shaken, you will sanctify Christ in your heart (by doing good), and will be ready to answer men at any time regarding your hope, always keeping a good conscience.”[1]

The emphasis of the text is not what Jesus said (what He proclaimed we don’t know), but the fact that He went to captured spirits (demons, hell, those who rebelled in the days of Noah) and made a proclamation.

“Baptism is a symbolic picture of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”[2] By faith only eight people got into the ark and were saved from the flood. By faith a person follows Jesus’ teaching to be baptized – not because baptism saves you, it is by faith you take action. Water baptism is an outward expression of the believer’s inward faith. They already have faith in Jesus, that is what saved them – baptism is an expression of that faith.

“Water was a means of judgement (in the case of those outside the ark), and it was water that lifted the ark and was the salvation of those inside the ark. The same water that judged the unrighteous saved the righteous. Jesus also has the same affect upon men (Luke 2:34); the Christ who the damned saw in terror in hell is the same Christ who is our hope on heaven.”[3]

In Luke 2:34 Simeon is at the temple and had been waiting for the Messiah to arrive, Mary and Joseph present Jesus to him and he says, “this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel,” – Jesus would preach and people would fall in repentance and bow down before God because of their sin, then they would rise up in praise, excitement, because of their pardon from sin, their being justified before God, and adopted as His children.

In another sense, “the fall” “was to happen to the worldly, proud, self-righteous – like the Scribes and Pharisees. While those who were lowly, prayerful, those who sought God, Jesus would rise them up to true dignity, happiness, and glory.

“The falling of some and the rising of others is what is meant. He will be a stumbling block to some who love darkness more than light, he will cause the rising of others.”[4] Judas despairs, Peter repents: one robber blasphemes, the other confesses.” (Plummer). Like a magnet Jesus attracts and repels.

“The righteousness of God that banishes forever from His presence those who reject it because they refuse to place their faith in the Savior, saves and keeps saved forever those who accept it at the hands of God who perfectly satisfied His just law which we broke, by stepping down from His judgement throne to take upon himself our sin and penalty, this satisfying His justice and making possible the righteous bestowal of His mercy.”[5]

Baptism is a Testimony of Your Faith (3:21-22)

21 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, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Peter says that baptism corresponds with those on the ark who were saved. Water, in both cases, is an agent of salvation. It does not remove sin, “filth from the flesh,” but it is an appeal to God for a good conscience. In Jewish traditions their ceremonial washings only washed the dirt off the outside, it did nothing for the soul on the inside (they were symbolic).

Obedience resulting from faith leads to a clear conscience before God. Baptism is a public declaration of what God has done (in the believer’s heart). It does not provide the elimination of immorality; that is something that is part of the Christian’s daily living.  Peter is tying a person’s baptism to the flood. Peter says baptism saves you, and the water of the flood saved those in the ark. But it is faith in God that saves you, resulting in obedient actions.

So why does Peter bring together the eight souls saved on the ark, our baptism, and the new life, Christ’s decent into hell to proclaim a message, and His resurrection and being seated in heaven? It all has to do with our being blessed and Christians undergoing persecution and suffering (for doing good).

Peter is wanting to fortify the churches he is writing to, to encourage them – the eight souls on the ark were few compared the world around them. The local church may feel small compared to the lost world that surrounds it. Even churches that stand for the authority and inerrancy of the Bible may feel greatly outnumbered.

Because you have placed your belief in Christ you will not be imprisoned in hell, but will be with Jesus in heaven (where He sits as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords). And when we see Him there will be no fear, only love.

Living the Christian Life Among Unbelievers (4:1-6)

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

In previous verses (1 Peter 3:18-22) Peter spoke of Jesus’ sufferings and His example of patience and submission to the Father while undergoing unjust treatment. Now he is saying that believers should “arm themselves” with the same way of thinking toward unjust suffering. Earlier, Peter said, “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (3:17)”

(v. 1) “arm yourselves,” This a military word for putting on armor – and there are two words that reference armor (heavy armor, and light armor).[6] Peter uses the word for a heavily armored foot soldier who carried a pike and a large shield.[7] To have the same understanding and attitude toward unjust suffering as Jesus had, will cause us to react toward the suffering has He did.

For “whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” – God has saved the sinner and broken the chains of sin from them – they no longer have to sin, they have been freed from sin. Literally, the Christian “has got release” from sin. So, our reaction to unjust suffering should be that of a person broken free from sin, not a sinner reacting in the flesh.

Once you have been saved, you can choose not to sin – you can be victorious over your sin. Historians say that when the Allies landed in Normandy in June 1944, it marked the beginning of the end of WWII. Yet still to come was the Battle of the Bulge, one the bloodiest battles of WWII, when the forces of the third Reich made their last stand. When we come to Christ, that is like D-day, the outcome is sure, but Satan and His forces (even though defeated) still have their last stand, their Battle of the Bulge.[8]

(v. 2) “so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” Verse 2 tells us why God has broken the chains of our sin; so that they can no longer live the rest of their time in sinful cravings (passions), but to pursue and keep the will of God.

(v. 3) “For the time that is past suffices,” – Peter uses a word for time that means a period of time that is now complete. When a Christian looks back on the time before he was a Christian it is as a completed period of time – that time of your life is done. Romans 6:4 “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.” There was plenty of time devoted to sinful activities (that time suffices), now spend your new time, and new life in pursuit of bring God glory and doing His will.

The Christian must constantly choose to use his/her time (that is left) for the glory of God,

instead of sinful pursuits.

 “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do,” Peter then reminds the churches what the Gentiles want to do, and gives a list that should cause the Christian to say, “yeah, that’s pretty bad.” You are not bringing God glory, or following His will by wasting your time pursuing sinful activities (sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry).

 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

(v.4) “they are surprised when you do not join (run with) them,” – notice it’s not the level of sinfulness that surprises them, but that you don’t join in with them anymore. “in the same flood of debauchery,” it is a picture of a crowd or mob all moving as a riot. “The character of an abandoned man.”[9] Another way of saying it is, “they are estranged because you no longer join in.”[10]

Because you don’t do the sinful things you did before, they “malign you.” Why aren’t you running as a mob with us in debauchery? But the word malign is stronger than “speak evil of,” it is more of a cursing Christianity because it turns people into the opposite of who they used to be.

“The problem for Christians consisted in the fact that their new way of life no longer allowed them the kind of full participation in the religio-cultural activities that was expected of all people within the Roman-Empire, a participation they had enjoyed prior to their conversion.”[11] Most of the festivals and social gatherings revolved around worshipping a false god, emperor, and festivals that involved sinful activities – so the Christians did not participate.

(v. 5) “they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” – God’s judgement upon anyone could happen at any moment, because God is ready to judge. Those who reject Christ will stand before Jesus (either because he returns before they die, or after the are dead), who will have to give an account of their blasphemy. “Why did you reject Jesus, why did you make His followers suffer?”

Believers will also have to stand before Jesus (who judges the living and the dead); so as we proclaim him through baptism, seek to live a holy life, suffer for His name, we will stand as His, free from sin and there will be no condemnation and those that stood against God will face His judgement. Jesus will say, “well done my good and faithful servant,” to the believer, and to the disobedient and those that rejected His name he will say, “depart from me, for I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23).

When believers stand before God at the day of judgement – for them it will be vindication. Lies were told about them, their business destroyed or went under because of the injustice of others, because of their walk with Jesus they suffered, etc. – but on judgement day their names will be called and their reputations made right. God will make the world right again.

(v. 6) “For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” Another way to arm ourselves for the suffering for seeking to live as Christ, is to have a genuine hope of the reality of eternal life. There were Christians who were killed “judged in the flesh” and were martyrs. Some may have even wondered what happens to them – before Christ’s return? Will they miss it? They may experience physical death, but their spirits remain alive.

Living the Christian Life Among Believers (vv. 4:7-11)

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(v. 7) “The end of all things is at hand;” Peter is saying that we need to be ready for Christ’s return, as Jesus did in Mark 14:38 when His earthly ministry was drawing to close, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” A lack of self-control and a lack of being sober-minded can lead you into sin which affects your prayer life. Your prayer life is essential to being ready for Christ’s return, and to keep God’s will for your life. Peter tells us that to be ready we need to love each other, to offer hospitality, and to use our gifts.

(v. 8) “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” The word for earnestly means “stretched out, put to full strain, exerted to the limit of its strength.” When you love one another, do it with a great amount of effort. Other people’s sins make it hard to love them, it strains the relationship. If you hate someone you are prone to highlight their sin, and gloat over it. But for the believer, it is not that we hide their sin (we are called to hold each other accountable for our sin), but we don’t allow it to dimmish our love for them, and we don’t bring their sin into the public to ridicule them with.

James 5:19-20 “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”[12] Love others in spite of their sins.

“Peter is not referring to sins that are committed against each other so that hiding means forgiving.”[13] You are not pretending that someone isn’t sinning (you hold them accountable), and you are not forgiving by ignoring – just pretend that it never happened (you go to them and talk about how they have hurt you or how what they are doing is harmful), and your love for them extends to remaining to love them through all those relationship straining things – we know our own failings.

Closing

Many of us struggle to know exactly what to pack when we go on our various travels. The Pilgrims in their voyage to the new world were no different. As Bill Bryson describes in his book Made in America:

“It would be difficult to imagine a group of people more ill-suited to a life in the wilderness. They packed as if they had misunderstood the purpose of the trip, They found room for sundials and candle snuffers, a drum, a trumpet, and a complete history of Turkey. One William Mullins packed 126 pairs of shoes and thirteen pairs of boots. Yet they failed to bring a single cow or horse, plow or fishing line.”

Among the professions represented on the Mayflower’s manifest were two tailors, a printer, several merchants, a silk worker, a shopkeeper, and a hatter—occupations whose indispensability is not immediately evident when one thinks of surviving in a hostile environment.

Their military commander, Miles Standish, Was so diminutive of stature that he was known to all as “Captain Shrimpe”—hardly a figure to inspire awe in the savage natives, whom they confidently expected to encounter. With the uncertain exception of the little captain, probably none in the party had ever tried to bring down a wild animal. Hunting in seventeenth-century Europe was a sport reserved for the aristocracy.

Even those who labeled themselves farmers generally had scant practical knowledge of husbandry, since farmer in the 1600s, and for some time afterward, signified an owner of land rather than one who worked it.

They were, in short, dangerously unprepared for the rigors ahead, and they demonstrated their incompetence in the most dramatic possible way: by dying in droves. Six expired in the first two weeks, eight the next month, seventeen more in February, a further thirteen in March. By April, when the Mayflower set sail back to England, just fifty-four people, nearly half of them children, were left to begin the long work of turning this tenuous toehold into a self-sustaining colony.[14]

Are you prepared for Christ’s return? Are you doing practical things that keep you where you need to be spiritually? Are you loving fellow believers, showing hospitality, and using your gifts for His service? Know that if you are suffering God will set all things right, and until then know that you are saved and a child of the King.

_______________

[1] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of The Epistle of St. Peter, St. John, and St. Jude (Minneapolis, Minnesota; Augsburg Publishing House, 1966) 168.

[2] Robertson, 120.

[3] Lenski, 169.

[4] Robertson, 29. Isa. 8:14; Matt. 21:42,44; Romans 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:16; John 3:19; Rom. 6:4, 9; Eph. 2:6.

[5] Wuest, 108.

[6] See also Ephesians 6:13-17, the armor of God. Paul uses a similar picture.

[7] Kenneth S. Wuest, First Peter in the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1960) 110.

[8] R.C. Sproul, 1-2 Peter: An Expositional Commentary (Sanford, Florida; Ligonier Ministries, 2019) 124.

[9] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume VI (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 123.

[10] Leonhard Goppelt, A Commentary on 1 Peter (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdsmans Publishing Company, 1993) 286.

[11] Dennis Edwards, The Story of God Bible Commentary, 1 Peter (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 2017) 175.

[12] See also Proverbs 10:12b.

[13] Lenski, 195.

[14] https://thepastorsworkshop.com/sermon-illustrations/bill-bryson-packing-for-passage-on-the-mayflower-id_3600