Jesus Suffered For You! Series

INTRODUCTION

• SLIDE #1

• A couple of weeks ago we started to look at the basic issue that sometimes life is not fair.

• We see it all around us; it is something that gets us angry at times.

• How we deal with unjust suffering says a lot about us, it says a lot about how our faith impacts our life.

• Dealing with life’s injustices is no fun, it is not something that any of us look forward to, but it is a reality of life.

• As we consider Jesus, we see that life was not fair to Him either, but what did He do about it?

• He could have done anything He wanted to do about it, but instead, Jesus endured His unfair treatment, His suffering because it lead to a greater good, the opportunity for salvation for mankind.

• Today I want us to look at the impact of Jesus; willingness to endure the unjust suffering that was dealt to Him.

• My hope is that by looking at the benefits and impact of Jesus’ suffering that when we are faced with suffering for doing good, we will not lose heart or deal with the situation in a way that brings dishonor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

• Let us turn to 1 Peter 3:18-22 together. We will begin with verse 18.

• SLIDE #2

• 1 Peter 3:18(ESV) 18For Christ also suffered£ 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,

• As we open with our text this morning we see first of all…

• SLIDE #3

SERMON

I. Jesus’ suffering was not pointless.

• So many times it looks like the suffering we face is pointless, but that is not so with Jesus.

• Jesus suffered for us! He suffered no because of His sins, but rather because of ours!

• The term “for sins” was a regular term used in the LXX (Greek translation of OT) to denote a “sin offering”.

• This gives emphasis to the atoning nature of Jesus’ death! He died a sin offering to God!

• Jesus died for EVERYONE so therefore EVERYONE can benefit from Jesus enduring the suffering.

• When Christians suffer for doing what is right there are times when our patiently enduring the suffering can open up doors of service for us also.

• In the Old Testament the Priest made sacrifices all the time with the blood of goats and bulls to help set aside the sins of the people, Jesus was the FINAL sacrifice for sin.

• SLIDE #4

• Hebrews 9:11-12(ESV) 11But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,£ then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

• You were worth it to God for Him to allow His Son to suffer for you!

• When Jesus suffered and was in the tomb it looked like victory for Satan, but Jesus did not stay down for the count!

• When it looked like Satan had won, Jesus rose from the dead insuring us the opportunity to be able to become a part of God’s family.

• The word in verse 18 “bring” is a word used of the official who would decide who would have access to the king and who would not get access. Jesus is our access to God. Jesus is the one who allows us to be with God.

• Jesus died so we could be brought close to God. Jesus took our sins and offers cleansing to all who will come to Him.

• 18For Christ also suffered£ 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

• As you look at the end of verse 18 you will notice that it says he was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

• Jesus suffered physical death and in doing so His spirit was released from the limitations it had while in the body. His spirit was energized!

• Luke 23:46 back this thought

• SLIDE #5

• Luke 23:46(ESV) 46Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

• Does all that seem pointless to you? It did not seem so to God!

• Jesus knew all along why He was here and what He was going to do.