Christ Church

Christ’s Victory: Judgment and Salvation

Christ Church on

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Text

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us[a] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited[b] in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 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, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him” (1 Peter 3:18-22).

Suffering for an End

Peter has called Christians to be like Christ and to be like Christ even in suffering. An understandable question is whether suffering like Jesus is worth it? Peter has us consider two examples from the story of the Flood of delayed judgment and eventual salvation. This story is not only about the salvation of Noah’s family but also the judgment against the fallen angels. Peter points that both the spirits’ judgment and Noah’s salvation come through the victorious suffering of Jesus.

We learn three principles from these verses. Even though God’s judgment may delay for thousands of years, His justice will come like it was declared to the evil spirits. Even in judgment, God saves his people like he saved Noah in the ark. Even though Christ suffered unjustly to death for doing good, that suffering was not defeat but was instead a victory over all angels, authorities, and powers.

The Just for the Unjust (vs. 18)

Peter begins with the suffering of Christ which is the means of our salvation, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (vs. 18). The essence of the gospel is an exchange––Jesus Christ takes our sins and He gives us His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus accomplishes this salvation “being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit…”

A Journey through the Underworld 

What is death? We know that death results from separation from the living God due to our sin (Eph. 2:1-2). Death is also the separation of the soul from the body. Joe Rigney said, “God made human beings to be embodied souls and ensouled bodies. Death rips this asunder.” We are familiar with what happened to Jesus’ body after his death (Mt. 27:57-60). But what about Jesus’ soul? Where did his soul go during this time? Christ’s soul went to Hades to proclaim his victory.

Prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection, the souls of the dead went to Sheol. In the New Testament, Sheol is translated in Greek as “Hades” which, yes, is the Greek mythological underworld of the dead. Hades was divided into two regions, one a place of paradise (called Elysium/Abraham’s Bosom) and the other of torment (called Tartarus/Hades), and these were separated by a great chasm. This is confirmed in the quasi parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) where both men die and descend to Hades––Lazarus to the Abraham’s bosom and the rich man to torment in flames. Where did Jesus go when he died? To paradise in Hades (Lk. 23:43). And from here, Jesus preaches across the chasm to the imprisoned spirits in Tartarus (2 Pet. 2:4). What was the specific sin that landed these spirits in Tartarus?

Preached Judgment to the Spirits (vs. 19-20)

This takes us back to before the Flood. Genesis 6 begins with man multiplying on the face of the earth. Then, “The sons of God saw that the daughters of man were beautiful. And they took as their wives any they chose” (Gen. 6:2). The phrase “the sons of God” is used to describe angels (Job 2:1). These fallen angels and human woman were breeding, and God responded with a declaration for a fixed lifespan, a definite mortality. This gets at the sin of the rebellious spirits. They tried to generate immortality outside of God––attempting to reach the tree of life without God.

Their rebellion was a big deal in God’s history of the world since they were reserved for judgment (2 Pet. 2:4, Jude vs. 6) and singled out for Christ’s preaching. Jesus triumphed over them that life does not come through rebellion outside of God. How can we live? Peter points to Noah’s ark––only through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Noah and His Saving Baptism (vs. 20-21)

How were Noah and his family saved? There are two right answers––the ark and God. God used the ark as the means to deliver Noah. Those eight souls were saved because they were in the ark. Peter says this is a type of baptism, which now saves us.  Jesus Christ is the ark. Those who are in Christ pass though the water of God’s righteous judgment and are saved. We must note that during Noah’s day it was not enough to know about the ark, memorize its blueprints, live in its shadow, stand right next to it every Sunday morning for years while the ark was under construction. You got to be in the ark, just like you got to be in Christ.

Christ’s Victory and Reign (vs. 22)

The ark, which was the scorn of the world, soon came to define the world. Now Christ, the new ark, defines the world. Jesus Christ is the one “who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to him” (vs. 22). And so all these angels, authorities, powers, Caesars, presidents, masters, slaves, husbands, wives, sons, daughters are all under Jesus Christ. We are all under Him, but are we in Him? Christ’s death was his victory. And Christ’s victory is our salvation. And so his victorious suffering should be proclaimed!

Read Full Article

Sanctify the Lord God

Christ Church on

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Text

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;[a] 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing . . .” (1 Peter 3:8-19)

Called to be like Christ

This section is jam-packed with commands––be of one mind, have compassion, be tenderhearted, don’t pay back evil with evil, don’t lie, turn from evil and do good…and there’s more. The summary of this section is “be like Christ.” How can we do this? Because of our Christian identity––we have been made like Christ and so we are to be holy like Christ. Peter exhorts us to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (3:15). Our hearts are to be holy so that the Holy God may be Lord of our hearts and our lives. As Christians we are called to be like Christ, and to be like Christ all the time, everywhere, in each relationship. We do this together as the people of God. And so Peter begins, “Finally, all of you…”

Finally, All of You (vs. 8-9)

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this” (vs. 8-9). We are called to be like Christ, and Peter shows what this looks like.

But how should we respond when we are wronged? Again, like Jesus. Jesus says on the Sermon on the Mount to love you enemies, bless those who mess with you, pray for those who persecute you “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:43-45). When you give unmerited, undeserved love to those who don’t love you or aren’t lovable, you act as sons of God and are like the Son of God. It’s not enough to just leave the room or bite your tongue or hide, you are to respond with blessing.

Inherit a Blessing (vs. 9-14)

“Knowing that you were called to this that you may inherit a blessing” (vs. 9). The Father’s treatment of us directs our treatment of others. This is really important to understand because it removes your expectations, your mind, your actions from normal economy. God operates with his children, not by the economy of pay-back, but by the economy of grace. He has blessed us, and so we should bless others. If the contractor working on your bathroom delivers a mess of lies, don’t pay him back with the same currency. Peter says when you bless, you will be blessed.

So is this the prosperity Gospel? Maybe a little bit. “Do you want to love life? Do you want to see good days? Do you want to unlock your heavenly blessings?” Peter says, “Stop sinning!” A good life is a godly life. Peter quotes from Psalm 34, the psalm David wrote after feigning madness in front of Abimelech, the king of Gath (1 Sam. 21:10-15). Peter says this guy knows the secret to a blessed life––with giants, flung spears, pretend madness, cave hiding, long-suffering.

David says that we must restrain our tongue from evil and deceit, turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. The confidence to do all of this because God is God. He is the God who sees and the God who hears and the God who vindicates. His eyes are on the righteous, He hears their prayers, His face is against those who do evil (vs 10-12).

Fear and Sanctify the Lord (vs. 13-16)

Peter knows that fear is a central concern for those threatened with suffering or persecution or sickness. And so in verses 14-15 he quotes from Isaiah 8 when a joint invasion force of Syria and Israel is preparing to attack Jerusalem and Ahaz, the king of Judah. God told King Ahaz not to fear because it will be unsuccessful. But instead of trusting the Lord’s promise, King Ahaz makes a plea for salvation to the king of Assyria and pays protection money out of the temple treasures (2 Kings 16:8). But Lord speaks to King Ahaz, “Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for you a sanctuary” (Is. 8:12-14). Armies are surrounding you, and it’s scary. Who are you going to fear? Do you turn to medication, your bank account, your ability to negotiate peace? Let the Lord be your fear. Let the Lord of Armies be your sanctuary. Our modern understanding of sanctuaries are safe, quiet places. But a sanctuary in the biblical sense is a holy place where the Holy God dwells. Peter has called us the spiritual and holy house. As we are faithful to our calling to be and building the holy house of God, God defends his holy house and promises to be our sanctuary.

But we don’t merely hunker down in our holy sanctuary. We are to “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks for the reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (vs. 15).This hope is the “living hope” we received when we were born again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1:3). Our hope and our faith are in Jesus who God raised from the dead and gave Him glory (1:21). Our hope is in the God and Father of Jesus who raised him from the dead and promises to do this for us. Our hope is the gospel that we preach.

The Just for the Unjust (vs. 17-18)

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” Our hope is grounded on Jesus, the just One, who suffered for the unjust. When we hear the gospel, we should be ashamed. Peter says that “those who revile good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (vs. 16). Jesus was just––he followed what was good, he was full of compassion, he loved his brothers, he was tenderhearted, he didn’t return evil for evil, and he suffered for our sins. That means that we should be ashamed. God uses the shame and guilt of our sin to draw us to Jesus. “We’ve murdered our Messiah. What shall we do?” Peter’s answer is for you to repent and go to One who can bring you to God (Acts. 3:38-39).

The Lord our God is calling you now. How can we come to God? We must be brought to God by Jesus. The Just brings the unjust. The Righteous brings the reviler. The Holy One brings the sinner. But we can’t be brought to God without being made like Him. We are called to be like Christ and we have been made like Christ. Because of this, sanctify the Lord God.

Read Full Article

Christ Our Example: Suffering and Salvation

Christ Church on

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Freedom in Christ to Submit

Peter has labored for his readers to know their identity as the people of God––his chosen elect, his holy children, his redeemed people, his free servants. So how do you live as God’s people in a world hostile to God and to his people? But Peter says to Christian citizens, “Submit to your government” and to Christian slaves, “Submit to your masters” in order to advance Christ’s mission in the world. Peter begs us to realize that we are all engaged in a war––a war for our souls and a war for the world. And our secret weapon in the fight is godly suffering. God uses our submission to subvert the enemies of the gospel, and even to save them. And if you don’t believe this, Peter points at Jesus Christ who is our example of our suffering Savior.

The Submission on Household Servants (vs. 18)

Peter begins by admonishing “Servants, be submissive to your masters” (vs. 18). The word for “servant” is “oiketes” which means household or domestic servants. Two oiketes make a very important appearance in the story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10. The link between Cornelius’ vision from the angel and Peter’s vision and Peter’s Spirit-anointed sermon was the simple obedience of two household servants, Cornelius’ oiketes. Of course, the providence of God orchestrated the events and outcome, but God used and blessed their submission to their master. Their obedience to Cornelius was used to advance God’s mission in the world that Gentiles may glorify God (2:12).

To the Good and to the Harsh (vs. 18)

Peter, knowing what the Lord has done and plans to do, commands, “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh” (vs. 18). To be submissive is to put yourself under the authority of another, to obey. A servant is to treat his master like he would treat God, with all fear. But this is not because of who the master is, but because of who God is.

Already anticipating some “But Peters” he says you are to submit, not only to the good and gentle masters, but also to the harsh, surly, unfair, wicked masters. Even when the master abuses his power, you submit. Even when the master is unworthy of your obedience, you “salute the uniform” and submit.

Do Good and Suffer Patiently (vs. 19-20)

God sees those servants who, even though they do good in their duties, still suffer unjustly. But just because you’re suffering, does not mean you’re innocent. “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?” (vs. 20). If you broke into your master’s wine cellar and got whipped for it, don’t cry “Persecution.”

“But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (vs. 20). When you are not at fault and still suffer patiently, this pleases God. This should encourage you, especially if you question whether your diligence, faithfulness, obedience is worth it. Be like Peter and John who did good by preaching the gospel, and were arrested, beaten, thrown in jail, delivered from jail by an angel, preached the next day in the Temple, were arrested and beaten again and went away rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts. 5:41).

Christ our Suffering Example (vs. 21-23)

“For to this you were called because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps.” You are called by God to do good and to suffer patiently just like Jesus Christ who did good and suffered patiently and left us an example. The word for “example” literally means “under-writing.” Hypo-grammos was a training method of copying for children to learn the alphabet. There would be a faint lettering or dashes for the child to trace over and eventually learn to write on their own. Doing good and suffering patiently are the ABCs of Christianity. Jesus has learned them and now He hands all his students a dashed outline of the cross, “Here you go, now you can practice.”

Gospel Suffering (vs. 24-25)

Jesus is not only our example in suffering, He is our Savior because of his suffering. And so His suffering is good news, our Gospel. Jesus “himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, by whose stripes we are healed” (vs. 24).  Jesus Christ suffered, was crucified, and died in order to remove your sin, your foulness, your grossness, your offense to God. This is the Gospel that you are saved by Christ’s suffering. And this Gospel has an effect.

“That we having died to sins, might live for righteousness.” Because Jesus lives, you live like Jesus––for righteousness. And guess what? What does righteousness, goodness, doing right stir up? Suffering and persecution, just like it did for Jesus. And we can get into the same kind of trouble that his righteousness caused. And so submit yourself patiently, humbly, joyfully, just like Jesus. Peter says, “Look what God accomplishes through Jesus, your example!”

Read Full Article

Soul War and Submission

Christ Church on

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Text

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:11-17)

Introduction

Up to this point, Peter has primarily focused on the people of God as the people of God. You are the children of the Father so be like your Father and love your brothers (but there’s no mention about the Gentile neighbor kids). You are God’s house and this is what it looks like from the inside, but how does it look from the outside? Now the front door of the house is opened up and the children of the Father are about to enter the world. But Peter warns that the world is a war zone––a war within you that has consequences for the world. And this war must be fought by those who fully submitted to the Lord.

“Beloved”  (vs. 11)

Peter begins with a pleading admonition, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against your soul.” He wants them to know that they share their identity with Jesus, the Beloved Son of God (Mt. 3:17, 17:5). What did Jesus do as the Beloved? After his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and then the Beloved of God battled Satan. After his transformation, Jesus moves toward Jerusalem where he tells his disciples that he’s going to make war and must suffer and die and be raised from the dead. So when Peter calls us “Beloved” it means more than a mom’s parting words, “Stay safe and make good choices.” The beloved are filled with Spirit and on the mission of the Father.

Soul Warfare (vs. 11)

The beloved as sojourners and pilgrims are to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against your soul” (vs. 11). Within each of us rages a war whether Jesus will rule as king or not. You align with Christ or against Christ. And your life and heart and words are all skirmishes.  This should cause fear, but not despair. Fear, because this is of chief importance, but not despair because if you are with Christ and Christ is with you, you are on the victorious side.

Gentiles Glorify God (vs. 12)

The impact of your fight is not just for your soul but the salvation of unbelievers. Abstain from sin and have honorable conduct among the Gentiles so that “when they speak against you as evil doers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” Those who give glory to God are the good guys. That means that bad guys become the good guys, and this is initiated by how Christians live. God’s people are not only on the defensive, repelling the attacks of our sinful desires, but on the advance through your obedience. Tell us, Peter, how we can do this?

Submit for the Lord’s Sake (vs. 13-14)

“Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” Our reaction should be to submit to Peter’s command to submit. The test of submission is when you are required to do something you don’t want to do, but is required of you. You can only submit to man’s authority once you have submitted to God’s exhaustive sovereignty. “Submit for the Lord’s sake.” Jesus is Lord and his Lordship is over all and he has established all those in authority (Romans 13:1). That means that Donald Trump is the Lord’s ruler. Barak Obama is the Lord’s ruler. Caesar Augustus and Nero and Pilate are the Lord’s ruler. Any government from the Roman Empire to US Senate to the Moscow Board of Adjusters has been established by Jesus. And so we submit because our obedience is before God.

“But Peter, what if the government commands us to do what God commands us to do something to disobey God?” We have a very clear, and simple word from Scripture––obey God.

“But Peter, you didn’t live in a world like ours. You didn’t have a corrupt government like us.” Yes he did. We don’t submit to the government because it’s godly. We submit to the government in order for it to become godly. We demand the government to submit to God, but we have failed God’s commands to submit to our government. The fact that the world still looks like world is a failure of Christians to look like and live like Christ.

Free to be a Slave (vs. 15-17)

Your submission to kings is a powerful weapon for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom. “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Your good life and good conduct will silence those who deny God. Peter says you have been set free, set free to be the slaves of God. And God commands you “Beloved, abstain from fleshly desires. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

Read Full Article

Life with Our Holy Father

Christ Church on

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Text

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all yourconduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’ . . .” (1 Peter 1:13-25)

Introduction

Peter writes to the people of God who need to know their identity and their mission in the world. Their identity as the children of God is bundled up with Jesus, the Son of God. You are the elect of God, just like Jesus is God’s elect. Because of the Father’s abundant mercy, you to be born again to a living hope––a hope of life. This happened through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And so your salvation is union with Christ. His suffering is your suffering. His life, your life. His Father, your Father. His inheritance, your inheritance. This is the good news that the Spirit has prepared by the prophets and has been preached to you. God has made you his children. He has treated you as his children. Therefore, as his children, be like your holy Father.

Gird Up to Fully Rest (vs. 13)

Because all this is true, Peter exhorts, “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind…” and prepare for a great action. This charge would recall biblical examples like Elijah (1Kings 18:46), and Jeremiah (Jer. 1:17), and the nation of Israel, who ate the Passover meal with their loins girded, their shoes on, their staff in hand because the Lord was about to deliver them. Those prepared for warfare, for a God-given message, for a great delivery need to gird up the loins.

Peter adds, “and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the reveleation of Jesus Christ.” Gird up the loins and rest on the grace. Is this a contradiction, like one foot on the gas and the other on the brake? Paul says in Phillipians 2 after exalting Christ’s work on the cross that saves, “Therefore, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.” (Phil. 2:12-13). You gird up for the work while resting on Jesus Christ.

As Obedient Children Be Holy (vs. 14-16)

Here’s what the girded mind needs to know––you are children of a holy God. God is holy, and so his people are also holy (Lev. 11:45). The rallying call is not try harder, do better, attempt more righteous actions––as if you are capable of producing holiness. Your hope for holiness is that your Father is holy, and you are his child, . This is not legalism, but family resemblance.

Holiness has to do with your ability to be in the presence of God. Isaiah had to be made holy because he was in the presence of the Holy God (Is. 6:4). Israel had to be a holy people like Yahweh because He was in their presence (Duet. 23:14). Hebrews 12:14 says, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Do you want to see the Lord? Do you want to be in His presence? Do you want Him to be in your presence? Then pursue holiness in all your conduct.

Redeemed with Passover Blood (vs. 17-21)

If you call on God as your Father, Peter exhorts the church “to conduct yourselves in fear” knowing that God will judge you as His children. God’s judgement of His children is not at odds with his abundant mercy, grace, and love for His children but demonstrates how much He values us. As children you have been redeemed through the “precious blood of Christ” who is the new Passover Lamb (Ex. 12:2-13). The blood of the lamb identitied God’s chosen people Israel. Peter say you have been marked, identified, redeemed by the blood of Jesus. And this causes a great response in His blood-bought people.

Identity and Obedience

Leave Egypt! Grab your staff, fasten your sandals, gird your loins because we are going to the Promise Land. Just as Israel could not remain in slavery after the Passover, so God’s people can not remain in their slavery to sin. You have been identified and have been delievered by the blood of Jesus. You are free to obey, and you must obey. Obedience is a matter of life and death. If you remain in your sin, in the land of slavery and hard-hearts and hatred for God, you will die.

Born Again to Love Your Family (vs. 22-25)

Now Peter looks at the redeemed people and assumes they are already trekking out of Egypt with a pure soul, obeying the truth, fervently loving the brothers (vs 22), and they should keep it up. This is all possible because they “have been born again through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”

This word is the gospel preached that is able to deliver a nation, turn sinners into children, bring life from death, and gives the identity to the people of God. You are obedient children who have been born again through the Word of God. You are a holy nation that lives a holy life and provides access to your Holy Father. You are the redeemed Passover people, always offering and displaying the blood of the lamb who has delivered you. So gird up your mind, be sober, set your hope fully on the grace of the Jesus Christ, and live as obedient children with your holy Father.

Read Full Article