Pastor’s Notes
“Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you”.
What a strong and wonderful challenge Peter gave us last week! Last week Peter challenged us all to shine on in the midst of darkness as this week he equips us with what we say to those who ask us how and why we are able to do such things during hardships.
You might not realize this from reading through this week’s text, but this week’s verses are jam packed with debated questions and discussions within the christian community. This week’s verses are a good example of how God’s word can be difficult to interpret at times, even to the scholars of the world and throughout time this is true.
Which spirit is Peter speaking about in this week’s text, the human spirit or Holy Spirit? Who are the spirits in prison that Jesus preaches to? Better yet, where is this prison that Jesus preaches in and when exactly in time does this occur? Lastly and largely debated in some circles, is Peter telling us that Baptism saves us in verse 21?
Within all of the questions though, Peter gives the reader and you and I today very simple Gospel truths to use while defending our faith. Peter equips the early believer in seeing the suffering that Jesus endured on the cross so that one day we will be with Him in Heaven. Peter equips the early believer with seeing the fullness of Jesus being God as he points them to the resurrection. In the midst of the questions and debates, Peter focuses on the very clear gospel truths a believer needs to defend their hope and faith during difficult times.
When Peter introduces the matter of suffering for the sake of good, he brings immediately to our attention the suffering of our Lord. Peter does not simply equip, but he reminds these strangers in the world that God does and did not just pardon sin. Peter reminds us that there was a price to be paid and that Jesus was the one who suffered so that our bill would be cleared. The reason that we have hope in the midst of struggle is our knowledge and understanding of the grace and mercy that was given to those who believe and have faith in the one who suffered for us. Peter is not telling the early reader that the water saves us, but that our good conscience towards the one who gave us the water does. That our knowledge, faith, and love for the one that brought us to the water is our response to those who ask why we have hope.
This week we are going to tackle many of those questions listed above, but spend most of our time looking at the gospel truths that Peter lays out so that we can better rest in those truths during difficult times and give a defense for the peace that we have in the midst of them.
Scripture to go along with the message
Just like how we encouraged you to go and read the story of Joseph a week ago, we now encourage you to read the story of Noah in Genesis 6-9. We will reference the story of Noah on Sunday morning so take time and read through these 4 wonderful chapters.
Highlight in your Bibles
Highlight verses 15 & 18-20 in 1 Peter 3.
Questions to consider
1.) When thinking about your “defense” for the hope that is in you, do you feel comfortable and equipped to do so?
2.) If so, how has your confidence and readiness to do so increased in the last year? What has led to this?
3.) During today’s challenges in the world, have you been successful or struggled with showing the goodness in God through hope to others? I encourage you to journal all your opportunities so that when all of these world events end, you can look back at the God of opportunity to give thanks!