May 03, 2026

“BE HOPEFUL”

“VICTORY IN SUFFERING”

1 PETER 3:18-22

Main Point: If you are filled with His Spirit and suffering for righteousness sake victory will result.

Jesus Christ suffered for our sake and won: 

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”

*Notice Some Things About Christ’s Suffering

1. “Suffered once for sins…” vs.18

Romans 6:10 “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.”

This is past tense- “died to sin once”

2.  It Is Substitutionary- “for sins” vs.18

For our sins Jesus died- “the just for the unjust” vs.18

Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Romans 5:8

3.  Reconciled To God- “that He might bring us to God” vs.18

4.  Jesus’ Suffering Was Both Violent And Real- “being put to death in the flesh” vs.18

5.  The Suffering Resulted In Victory- “but made alive by the Spirit.” vs.18

1 Corinthians 15:56-57 “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

*Jesus Christ Openly Proclaims His Victory To His Foes- 1 Peter 3:19-20

1 Peter 3:19-20 “by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.”

1. Who Preached?- Jesus preached- vs.19

2.  In What Form Did He Preach?- In the “spirit” vs.19

3.  When Did He Preach?- between His death and His resurrection.

4.  To Whom Did He Preach?- “preached to the spirits in prison” vs.19- angels who fell during Noah’s day.

2 Peter 2:4 “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.”

Jude 1:6-7 “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Genesis 6:1-5

5.  Where Did He Preach?- “In prison” vs.19

The place reserved for fallen angels “tartaros” Greek word for prison. “Spirit” vs.19

6. What Did He Preach?- A proclamation not that of the gospel but a victory proclamation that it was over, Jesus Christ was claiming the victory- It is over!

7.  What Does This Have To Do With You?

1 Peter 3:20-21 “who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21There 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.”

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

There are about 150 verses in the New Testament that teach salvation is by faith and faith alone.

*What Does This Verse Teach? vs.21-Symbolism goes much deeper. This is not something on the surface- “good conscience” vs.21

Baptism is important, it is an act of obedience- if a person will not identify with Christ through baptism, how can he obey Christ in any other area.

vs.21 “…but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Peter is talking about the importance of being conformed to the “image of Jesus Christ.”

Baptism is the answer of a good conscience toward God.

Baptism is saying Yes to God, it is a victory!

1 Peter 3:22 “who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”

Christ victory is our victory as Christians.

Matthew 26:64 “Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Christ is on the throne, the right hand has to do with power and authority.

Acts 2:33 “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.”

It is a place of honor.

Hebrews 1:3 “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

It is a place of rest.

Romans 8:34 “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

It is a place of intercession.

Ephesians 1:20 “which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”

It is a place of prominence.

Hebrews 1:13 “But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?

It is a place of dominion.

Jesus Christ is over all, He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

*The key- Suffering for righteousness sake always results in victory. We are more than conqueror in Christ Jesus!