“We Share the Victory March!” 1 Peter 3:18-22

Suffering must be viewed through the sufferings of Christ Suffering must be viewed through the sufferings of Christ. Peter is making clear if you’re going through trials you need to remember Jesus suffered too…

Jesus suffered for doing right, but then He broke the back of evil in a victory march after His death…

Purpose: to learn by sharing in Christ’s sufferings we also share in His victory

I Jesus Has Gone to THE CROSS (v 18a) A. A Gulf Had to be Bridged

1 John 3:4 “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.”

There is no way to bridge this gulf until the holiness/righteousness of God is paid in full…

I Jesus Has Gone to THE CROSS (v 18a) A. A Gulf Had to be Bridged B. The Wages Had to be Paid

“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…”

I Jesus Has Gone to THE CROSS (v 18a) A. A Gulf Had to be Bridged B. The Wages Had to be Paid C. There is Now Access to God

II Jesus Has Gone to a PRISON (vv 18b – 21) A. Christ Preached Through the Person of Noah B. Christ Preached to Those in Hades C. Christ Preached to Those Who Died in the Days of Noah D. Christ Preached to Disobe- dient Supernatural Beings

III Jesus Has Gone to HEAVEN (V 22) A. Fear No Man

Ephesians 6:12 “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil…”

III Jesus Has Gone to HEAVEN (V 22) A. Fear No Man B. From the Cross to Glory

2 Corinthians 2:14 “But Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ…”

A preacher and barber were traveling through a really bad section of town. Barber mockingly asked, “How can…

Summary and Conclusion 1. Remember through immersion (baptism) we share in the triumph of Christ 2. Remember we are never out-numbered when we’re on God’s side. 3. Remember that judgment is inevitable and ONLY Jesus can save.