Explore the Bible Lesson Preview April 15, 2007 "Prepare for Suffering" Background & Lesson: I Peter 3:13-4:6

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview April 15, 2007 Prepare for Suffering Background & Lesson: I Peter 3:13-4:6 Motivation: In the world of sports, we've just concluded spring football practice, just begun the major league baseball season, and are looking forward to the NBA playoffs in basketball. As every sports fan knows, a solid team effort requires both good offense and good defense. In the Christian life we also need a good defense for the hope that is in you (3:15) and a good offense arm yourselves (4:1). The enemy is strong and will inflict suffering; anything less than total preparation is not worthy of our Lord. I. Encouragement: Be Ready to Share Your Testimony (3:13-17) A. Barriers to Proclamation Who is there to harm you...? (13) Judging from the number of Christians who never publicly share their faith, many obviously are fearful of some harm. B. Blessings of Public Witnessing But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake you are blessed... (14) A soulwinner is: 1) Blessed by obedience (Luke 8:21), 2) Blessed with wisdom (Prov. 11:30), 3) Blessed with dependence upon the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), 4) Blessed with preparation (3:15). A soulwinner will inevitably have his/her faith challenged by unbelievers which motivates greater study and more prayer, 5) Blessed with new friends. (I Thes. 2:19), 6) Blessed with rewards. (5:4) (Heb. 6:10). C. Boldness and Peace 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 (15) Boldness and peace come from a right relationship with Christ sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Practically, they also result in witnessing from knowing what you're going to say and having confidence in the Holy Spirit to take what you say and bless it. 1. A Prepared Witness be ready - We're commanded by the word to be ready in and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2), to 1 / 8

2 make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5), to take the gospel to all nations (Matt. 28:19-20), and to share our faith effectively (Philemon). Mark McCloskey writes: This process cannot be confined to classroom lectures, but will necessarily branch out into practical situations. It will demand much time logged in these experiences. A half-hearted, let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may attitude does not do justice to the Word. Nothing less than a rigorous, practical approach can do justice to the biblical goal of evangelistic training, which is to equip workers, who are few, for the harvest, which is plentiful. ( Tell It Often, Tell It Well, p. 257) 2. A Sensitive Witness with meekness. Paul writes in Colossians be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (4:5-6 NIV) The best witness is a humble witness, fully aware of his/her inability to convert and fully dependent upon God's Holy Spirit to convict and convince. 3. A Reverent Witness and fear Most of us would say I've got plenty of fear already - that's the problem! In this case, fear refers to a reverential awe of the power of God. (Prov. 1:7) It's so easy to get self and pride involved in the process. These become very evident when we show pride over acceptance of Jesus and are defeated over rejection. Fear involves a total understanding that witnessing is all about God; it's His business. People accept or reject His message, not us. Therefore, we prepare with prayer, present in His presence, and purpose to praise His name for the results. D. Behavior in Public having a good conscience (16) We might add another reason that church members do not witness. In the Billy Graham School of Evangelism participants are asked Why do you not witness more to family and friends? The overwhelming first response is The life I lead. Sometimes our inappropriate actions speak so loudly that people can't hear the good things we're saying. 1. Let your walk match your talk - Live such a Godly life that your critics may be ashamed. 2. Don't wait to become perfect before witnessing - None of us are perfect; Satan is the accuser of the brothers (Rev. 12:10) and will try to convince you that you have no right to witness because of your sins. Deal with sin as you are instructed (I John 1:9-10); at the same time, go forth boldly preaching 2 / 8

3 the gospel. E. Bearing Up Under Persecution For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. & quot; (17) We never want to consider that it would be God's will for us to be anything but comfortable and convenienced. However, those are not the optimum conditions for Christian growth. God does not send suffering our way simply to punish us (although He will allow us to reap the bad consequences of wrong actions - Galatians 6:7). However, we live in an imperfect world and bad things happen to good people, sometimes as a result of doing good. (I Peter 2:20) So, in general sense, God allows suffering to happen and as a result we can become closer to Christ. II. Explanation: Content of Your Testimony (3:18-22) A. Propitiation For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God (18) (cf. I Peter 2:21-25) 1. Christ's death was sufficient once for all (KJV) No other atonement is needed - Jesus paid it all. Notice that He died for us because of sin. (I Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:4; Heb. 5:1,3) 2. Christ's death was substitutionary the just for the unjust He died in your place. (2 Cor. 5:21) Peter makes sure we understand that Christ was dead in the flesh - He didn't just swoon or appear to die. His physical death was necessary for Him to be made alive in the Spirit. (Lot is called just 2 Peter 2:7) 3. Christ's death was sensible that He might bring us to God We may not understand why God had to allow Christ's death; but, had there been another way to atone for sin, would not God have chosen it? Christ's death provided access to grace (Rom. 5:1), to God (Eph. 2:18) and to the boldness needed to approach God. (Eph. 3:12) Relating verse 18 to 17, we see a vivid portrait of how an innocent person's suffering can bring about a great good. When we are falsely accused or persecuted for righteousness sake, we need look no further than the example of our Lord. 3 / 8

4 B. Preaching He went and preached to the Spirits in prison (19) There are more than 90 different written interpretations of this passage explaining where Jesus was during the three days in the grave. Since this particular fact is not necessary to our salvation or contributory to our daily walk, we're not given a full-blown itinerary. Probably, Christ accomplished two things: 1) He delivered the good news of the gospel to all the saints who had looked in faith to the Messiah. Ephesians 4:8-10 states that he led captivity captive presumably a reference to taking the Old Testament Saints from paradise to heaven, 2) Next, He could have announced His victory to the other side with no second chance. (Heb. 9:28) The reference to disobedient spirits in the days of Noah may relate to fallen angels (Gen. 6:1) and people throughout history who had rejected God's ways. God's patience with them is analogous to His patience with a rebellious world today that persecutes the Saints. (Rev. 6:10) C. Protection while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls were saved by water (20) Peter is comparing the salvation in the ark which floated on the water with the salvation in the church which is joined by water baptism. D. Picture saved through water there is an antitype which now saves us - baptism (21) Explore the Bible Commentary, p. 65: This verse, on the surface, seems to indicate that baptism brings about salvation. However, there is a qualifying phrase in the last part of the verse that is important in understanding Peter's statement. The sense in which baptism is alluded to as an agent in salvation is not mechanical or magical. Peter affirmed that baptism is not a means of washing away the sins of the flesh. Rather, baptism represents an earnest appeal to God for a good conscience. It is to be considered as the outward manifestation of a person's commitment to God through Jesus Christ with an emphasis on Christ's resurrection. Or to state it another way, believers' baptism is symbolic of a person's total experience of faith. This total experience of faith is what results in salvation, and it is based on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. E. Power who has gone to heaven and is at the right hand of God... (22) Peter brings His illustration full circle from verse 17. Jesus, an innocent person had to suffer to accomplish God's will. His submission and obedience are rewarded by putting every other created thing under His authority. (Phil. 2:9; I Cor. 15:28) 4 / 8

5 III. Live Like Christ (1-2) A. Motivation Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh... (1) Therefore refers back to 3:18. Our greatest motivation for Godly living should be the price Jesus paid for our redemption. B. Mindset arm yourselves also with the same mind... (1) T. W. Hunt wrote the wonderful book The Mind of Christ. Peter reminds us that we need to be armed on the battlefield of spiritual warfare. A basic part of our weaponry should be the same mindset that Christ had in going to the cross - a mindset that placed God's will above His own desires. (Phil. 2:5-8; II Cor. 10:3-6) C. Method For he who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (1) 1. Death - If, suffered in the flesh refers to martyrdom, then Peter could be literally saying, The only time one will be truly free from sin will be after he/she dies. This reminds us of the power of sin as reflected in I John 1:9. (James 1:14-15) 2. Discipline - Suffering certainly causes one to have a different perspective on the enticements of the world. In Peter's day, one who had endured persecution without renouncing Christ would have a new power and allegiance to Christ. (I Peter 2:20) 3. Discipleship - A part of discipleship is understanding a Christian's authority over the power of sin. In Romans 6:7, Paul writes For he who has died has been freed from sin, metaphorically speaking of our death with Christ on the cross. Sin only has the power over a Christian granted by that Christian. As we identify with Christ's suffering and death, we understand the power He gives us to withstand sin. D. Mark for the will of God (2) Our goal, our aim, our mark should be to live holy lives. We reckon ourselves dead to sin and the lusts of men ' and dedicate our lives to a pursuit of holiness. (I Cor. 9:27) 5 / 8

6 IV. Avoid Unchristian Actions (4:3-6) A. Prior Sin For we have spent enough of our past lifetimes in doing the will of the Gentiles (3) Peter assumes that many of the people reading his epistle will be Gentile converts. The sins he mentions are those associated with idol worship (although it's interesting that modern day pagans, who are supposedly idol-free, commit basically the same sins). Since Christians are born to a new way of life, they should not spend time acting like pagans. (Col. 3:5) B. Peer Pressure they think it strange that you do not run with them...speaking evil of you (4) It's not only teenagers who are influenced by their friends to do wrong. One of the most difficult barriers for Christian adults to overcome is the counsel of unsaved friends and relatives who think we're weird. One of the most important steps that a Christian can take toward the road to maturity is to associate him/herself with a small group of Godly believers who can reinforce upright beliefs. Sunday School can thus be a powerful resource for every Christian's life. C. Prospect of Judgment They will give an account to Him... (5) Peter wants us to view circumstances from two perspectives. First, we see things from an earthly view: we are being persecuted by former friends for living a Godly lifestyle. Since they are speaking evil of us, we feel a certain amount of pain and injustice. However, Peter writes that we must simultaneously understand a second view, that of God. He is viewing the same circumstances from a heavenly perspective. He's keeping a minutely detailed account of all that is happening here on earth. In the face of persecution, we should not feel defenseless, because God Himself will ultimately take up our cause. (Rom. 12:17-21) D. Past Saints For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead... (6) This is a difficult verse because of the various contexts. Those who are dead...&qu ot; could refer back to the spirits in prison (3:19). It also could refer to the immediate context of Christians who've died as martyrs. Believer's Study Bible, p. 1770: 6 / 8

7 4:6 The point of this verse is that the Good News of the gospel message was preached to Christians who are now dead. While these believers may have been condemned and put to death in the realm of the flesh, there will be a great reversal in God's judgment. God promises that believers will live in the new resurrection realm. Application 1. In a world of suffering, be a point of light for the gospel. 2. When faced with unjust suffering, have a good defense. 3. Avoid sin-don't bring suffering upon yourself. Teaching Packet: Item 14: Poster: Lesson Outline Illustrator: p. 70; All Your Conduct Notes: **You may now access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: cbiblestudy.org/ Dates: 1/23-4/17 - Living Proof with Beth, Apr. 5 - Broken For You/church wide event, Apr. 8 - Easter, normal schedule, Apr Aid Sudan Banquet, Apr Celebration Lunch, Apr FBA Auction, May Pineywoods Summit Spring Retreat; May 20 - Sunday School Leadership Appreciation Day; May 24 - FBA 8 th Grade Graduation; May 24 - First Kids Pre-K Graduation; May 27 - Memorial Day, both a.m. services (SS opt.) 6:30 Ascend; May 31 - Celebration Dinner - AEM; 7 / 8

8 May 30 - June 3 - Middle School Camp; May 31 - HCHS Graduation. 8 / 8