"The Good News”

I Peter 3:18-22

September 17, 2008

Pastor John L. Harper

“The Good News”

Introduction:

I. (vs. 18) The Death of Christ

A. Christ died for our sins once and for all

B. Christ the righteous died for the unrighteous

C. Christ died to bring us to God

1. Christ was put to death in the body

2. Christ was made alive by the Spirit

II. (vs. 19-20) The Declaration of Christ

A. The Spirit anointed Christ to “preach” to the spirits (men or demons?)

1. Those who disobeyed God in the days of Noah

2. Those who disobeyed God while the ark was being built

B. The Spirit extended salvation to all in that day

1. Only a few people were saved

2. Only eight people were saved through the water (the ark was the instrument of salvation, not the water.)

III. (vs. 21-22) The Destiny of Christ

A. The water symbolizes baptism

1. This water saves from a bad conscience, not from sin

2. This water is not a removal of dirt from the body

B. The act of baptism is

1. A pledge of good conscience towards God

2. A picture of salvation (Romans 6:4) that will culminate in the same resurrection that Jesus experienced

C. The Ascension of Christ

1. He is now at the right hand of God (power, position, prestige)

2. The angels, authorities, and powers are subject to Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION: The death of Christ is the reason that we can declare the “gospel” that will culminate in our Resurrection.