1. [By Ron Halbrook]

2. Introduction 1. 1 Pet. 3:19 Sin is a prison of man’s soul Satan offers sin as the greatest blessing like a kidnapper offers candy to a child Sin separates us from the fellowship of God Satan is a harsh slave master, enslaving our souls in heavy chains We cannot undo sin or escape this prison! 2 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

3. Introduction 2. God sent Christ to free us from this prison! The gospel free us from the prison We will not go back to the prison Christ frees us to serve God & man 3. Christ can make us free now, here, today! 3

4. I. 1 Pet. 3:18-22 The Gospel Frees Us from Prison A. Jesus Christ Paid the Price to Free Us Vs 18 The just one died for the unjust 4

5. I. 1 Pet. 3:18-22 The Gospel Frees Us from Prison B. See God’s Patience & Judgment in Noah’s Time Vs. 19-20 The longsuffering of God 5

6. Vv. 19-20 The longsuffering of God 6

7. I. 1 Pet. 3:18-22 The Gospel Frees Us from Prison C. We Submit to Christ in Baptism Vv. 21-22 Baptism saves as obedient faith in Christ as the perfect sacrifice for sin 7

8. 8

9. NOW or NOT? Satan holds people by deceiving  God: “Thou shalt surely die” (Gen. 2:17). Satan: “Ye shall NOT surely die” (Gen. 3:4).  God: Homosexuality “is against nature” (Rom. 1:26). Satan: It is NOT against nature.  God: “Baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). Satan: “Baptism does NOT save.” 9

10. Vv. 21-22 Baptism saves as obedient faith 10

11. II. 1 Pet. 4:1-7 We Will Not Go Back to the Prison A. Leave a Life of Sin to Obey the Will of God Vv. 1-2 We suffer with Christ to overcome sin 11

12. Vv. 1-2 We suffer with Christ to overcome sin 12

13. II. 1 Pet. 4:1-7 We Will Not Go Back to the Prison B. We Wasted Our Past Days Living in Sin Vs. 3 Shameful conduct in the prison of sin 13 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

14. Vs. 3 Shameful conduct in the prison of sin 14  Lasciviousness: debauchery, sensuality, shameless, stir unlawful sexual desires, lewdness (pornography, lewd song & dance, filthy talk, immodest dress, etc.)  Lusts: passions, uncontrolled desires, lack restraint in speech & conduct (money, sex, power, abuse, etc.)  Excess of wine: drunken debauchery, alcoholic  Revellings: orgies, feasting & drinking into the night, “wine, women, & song”  Banquetings: drinking parties, sipping wine, cocktails, a few beers, “not of necessity excessive” (R.C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament: 211)  Abominable idolatries: vices connected to idolatry

15. II. 1 Pet. 4:1-7 We Will Not Go Back to the Prison C. Many in Prison Cannot Understand Us Vv. 4-5 Shocked at our new life, they malign us 15

16. II. 1 Pet. 4:1-7 We Will Not Go Back to the Prison D. The Gospel Calls Us to Prepare for Judgment Vv. 6-7 No matter what men say, be faithful 16

17. III. 1 Pet. 4:8-11 Christ Frees Us to Serve God & Man A. We Learn a New Life of Unselfish Love Vv. 8-9 Show genuine love to each other 17 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

18. III. 1 Pet. 4:8-11 Christ Frees Us to Serve God & Man B. We Use Our Talents as Stewards of God Vv. 10-11 Use our gifts to the glory of God 18

19. Vv. 10-11 Use our gifts to the glory of God 19

20. Invitation 1. 1 Pet. 3:19 Sin is a prison of man’s soul Satan offers sin as the greatest blessing like a kidnapper offers candy to a child Sin separates us from the fellowship of God Satan is a harsh slave master, enslaving our souls in heavy chains We cannot undo sin or escape this prison! 20

21. Invitation 2. God sent Christ to free us from this prison! The gospel free us from the prison We will not go back to the prison Christ frees us to serve God & man 21

22. Invitation 3. Christ can make us free now, here, today! 1 Pet. 3:21-22 Sinners in the world: Believe, Repent, Confess him, Submit in water baptism 22

23. 1 Pet. 3:21-22 Baptism saves as obedient faith 23

24. Invitation 3. Christ can make us free now, here, today! 1 Jn. 1:9 Sinners in the church: Repent, Confess sins, Pray to be forgiven 24 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.