HOW DID THIS BECOME A PROBLEM?

1 PETER 3:18-22

Pastor Rick Jackson

In some places here in the United States they don’t want to display an American flag in the classroom because it might offend someone. How did this become a problem? Pledging to the flag is also a no-no. How did this become a problem? Praying before a ball game or a meal. How did this become a problem? The list goes on and on. In our Scripture text come solutions to three “problems” faced by the church of Jesus Christ. Ironically enough for two of the problems the Devil wrests the scriptures to cause the problem. One is the doctrine that Jesus went to Hell after Calvary- and there are various versions of that one- some held by good people even. Secondly, that numbers/prosperity define success. The third problem is the false doctrine that one must be baptized to be saved. Now if you read the text you would not find those doctrines so you may have to ask yourself- How did this become a problem? Providentially the answers are found in the Scriptures but first let me answer in part- How did this become a problem?

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you

3:16b-18 …they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

I. JESUS PREACHING TO PEOPLE IN PRISON? [v. 18-20a]

1. What He Did [v. 19]

2. When He Did It [v. 20]

3. How He Did It [v. 18, 1:10-12]

Isaiah 59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

II. SUCCESS BY THE NUMBERS? [v. 20b]

1. Noah was a Success [Heb. 11:7] B

y faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

2. Noah was a Preacher [2 Peter 2:5]

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

3. Noah Had 8 Converts One Hundred Years [v. 20]

III. BAPTISMAL REGENERATION? [v. 21-22]

1. Baptism is a Picture [v. 21a, Rm. 6:3-6]

2. Baptism has a Purpose [v. 21b]

3. Baptism has a Person [v. 21c-22]