Strengthened to Suffer:

March 27, 2025

Michael Boyd

Strengthened to Suffer: LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOUTUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live 1 Peter 3:18-25 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. Today it is normal in most places to suffer for being Christians. 1 Peter 4:12. "Do not be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes upon you as though something strange were happening to you Matthew 10:24-25 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant[f] above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign[g] those of his household. I Peter Prepares Us for Suffering 1 Remember That Christ Suffered Verses 17–18: "It is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. FOR Christ also suffered." 2. Christ Has Triumphed and Brought Us Safe to God Our worst enemy—sin—has been defeated Suffering is no sign that God has forsaken us and turned against us! 18 For Christ also suffered[b] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 3. Remember the Days of Noah v 19–20For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. It assures of the greatness of Christ. It is better to obey him and suffer than to disobey and be cast into the prison of verse 19. It is no disadvantage to you to be a small rejected minority. 4 Describing the meaning of baptism. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 5. Look to Christ at God's Right Hand, Ruling over All Verse 22: "He is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him." No harassing, oppressing, deceiving, accusing demon is free to do as he pleases. All angels, authorities, powers, devils, evil spirits, demons, and Satan himself are subject to Jesus Christ. Grace Baptist Church Podcast HTTPS://PODPOINT.COM/GRACE-BAPTIST-CHURCH-OF-SECOND-LIFE-PODCAST WEBSITE https://gracebaptistofsecondlife.godaddysites.com