Mysterious Text

The Mysterious text 1 Peter 3:18-22

Today’s Reading alludes to several things

The text alludes to Christ Death Christ’s Resurrection

Christ’s Ascension, Alludes to Noah, the Ark, and the Flood

Text even alludes to Baptism ,This reading also alludes to a mysterious passage Jesus descends to hell

First let’s look at the Mysterious Sacrifice of the Christ

A. Christ died once for all

B. Christ the Righteous one died for the unrighteous

C. Christ Really died vs. 18 He was put to death in the body

D. Christ was made alive in the spirit

Second Mysterious thing is where He goes after the crucifixion

He goes into a different realm

A Place where no one has gone before Star Trek

A. Christ Descends into Hell The traditional versions of the Apostles Creed found on page 882 of the United Methodist Hymnal says

" He descended into Hell" vs. .19 he went and preached to the spirits in prison

Third Mysterious thing we find in this reading

is who Jesus Preaches to

A. the Bible says he preaches to the spirits in prison 19through whomD also he went and preached to the spirits in prison

B. the Spirits are those who disobeyed 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

Fourth thing that is mysterious is the flood

now is not viewed as destructive but redemptive

A. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledgeE of a good conscience toward God.

The fifth thing that is mysterious in this particular Reading is what Jesus’ death removed and his resurrection accomplished

A. His death removed the condemning factor of sin and . His resurrection accomplished Forgiveness.

18For Christ died for sins once for all

B. His Death removed The permanency of the Grave His Resurrection

accomplished Hope that Overcomes that Grave

Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

C. His Death Removed The Prison Bars and His Resurrection Accomplished Freedom

He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whomD also he went and preached to the spirits in prison

D. His Death Removed my dirt my filth, my shame, and

His Resurrection Accomplished a cleansing of my Conscience "I feel Good" ,

21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of

dirt from the body but the pledgeE of a good conscience toward God

E. His Death Removed the Great Barrier of Death, and His Resurrection Accomplished Sovereignty over all things. All things are in Submission to the Great I am

.Jesus Christ; who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

The Letter to Corinthians says the last enemy he destroyed was death He is over all

F. His Death Removed I don’t Know

His Resurrection Accomplished I Know

Job 19:25I know that my RedeemerC lives, I know in the end he will stand upon the earth.D

26I know after my skin has been destroyed, yetE inF my flesh, I know I will see God;

27I know I myself will see him with my own eyes--I, and not another. I know How my heart yearns within me!

Paul says Death no-longer has mastery over Christ Romans 6:9

. 1Co 15: 54"Death has been swallowed up in victory."

1Co 15: 55"Where, O death , is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting

Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Let this mysterious one save you