DAYS OF NOAH

 

1 Peter 3:18-22

Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey,

 

 

 

1.      Peter in this passage gives a clear picture of salvation or redemption.  First, he explains that Jesus suffered for the sins of all once and for all.  His sacrifice was more than enough to free all mankind from sin.  No other sacrifice is needed.  It is by grace you are saved and not of yourself.  Jesus’ broken body, shed blood, death, burial and resurrection was once and for all.  As it says here a righteous man for the unrighteous.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.   This explains why Jesus suffered.  The universality of his sacrifice and why a righteous man had to suffer on our behalf. 

2.      Peter says that this happens in order to bring us to God.  Sin is an eternal problem and manmade problem.  So only an eternal man could solve it.  He came from glory to earth, was incarnated as a man, then suffered, died, was buried and lastly rose from the dead.  This is so you and I could come to God.  Jesus is the bridge over troubled waters.  He made a way where there was no way.

3.       He was put to death in the flesh.  Jesus died.  The Roman authorities certified him dead.   He was put into a borrowed tomb but he was alive in his spirit.  Jesus in Luke 16:19-31, gives us a picture of hell.  There was a righteous and unrighteous compartment.  There was a gulf between them.  Old Testament saints were on one side the unrighteous dead on the other.  Both were transported there, Lazarus by an angel.  Both were conscious, alive and both knew why they were there. 

4.      When Jesus died he went to the righteous compartment he stayed there for three days then he went to the edge of the gulf and made a proclamation to the unrighteous dead.  He told them they would stay there until the Day of Judgment.  Then he lead as Paul states captivity captive and took all the righteous dead out of hell to heaven.  The righteous compartment is now empty.  Now when a person dies they go right to the presence of the Lord.  The lost still go to hell

 

When God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.

 

1.      Peter reveals the patience of God during the time of Noah.  It took Noah a hundred years to build the ark.  During that time we know he preached for people to come in the ark.  The people had a visible warning that judgment was coming.  Unfortunately only eight people were saved.  They were saved through water. 

2.      Here are some facts about the time of Noah.  Everyone followed every evil in their heart.  There was no standard for morality no one was blameless.  There was intermarriage between the Sons of Seth and the daughters of Enoch and this caused  compromise, then acceptance, and finally participation. 

3.      The earth was corrupt and full of violence.  People were married and given in marriage.  We can learn some lessons from Lot.  First, he chose to settle near Sodom, then he moved into Sodom, next he became an elder of the community.  Then he had to be prayed for, rescued and the end result was he ended up in an incestuous relationship with his daughter.

4.       Today evil has become good and good become evil.  If you stand for righteousness you will be cursed, shamed, mocked, labelled as a bigot, racist, narrow minded, not up with the times.  You will be intimidated, legislated, fined, arrested, prosecuted and eventually jailed.  People are losing everything for righteousness. 

5.      This is the exhortation and description given by Paul to Timothy in 1 Tim 3, “You must understand that in the last days there will come times of much trouble. 2 People will love themselves and money. They will have pride and tell of all the things they have done. They will speak against God. Children and young people will not obey their parents. People will not be thankful and they will not be holy. 3 They will not love each other. No one can get along with them. They will tell lies about others. They will not be able to keep from doing things they know they should not do. They will be wild and want to beat and hurt those who are good. 4 They will not stay true to their friends. They will act without thinking. They will think too much of themselves. They will love fun instead of loving God. 5 They will do things to make it look as if they are Christians. But they will not receive the power that is for a Christian. Keep away from such people.

6.      Our Response!

a.      Keep away from such people. 

b.     You are to watch and pray.  You are to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of your testimony and not love your life until death. 

c.      Pick up your cross and follow Jesus.  Keep yourself from being polluted by the world. 

d.     Walk in love acceptance and forgiveness. 

e.      Be a light.  Live ready.  Remember Jesus can come back at any time.  Get ready.