Victory Series

1 Peter 3:18-22. [18] For 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, [18]For 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, [19]in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, [20]because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. [20] because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. [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, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. (ESV)

Students of World War 2 have often remarked that although VE-Day was not until May 8, 1945, in a very real sense the war in Europe was over on June 6, 1944 — D-Day. It was only the beginning of a military buildup that Germany could never have stopped. Victory in the fight against evil in Europe sure was sure. But this rather academic assessment of things differed greatly from the perspective of the soldiers on the ground. They were still dodging bullets and all manner of military force. They were bleeding and wounded, many were still dying, and there were still many harrowing days of the war yet to be endured, even some setbacks.

There is something about all this that has close resemblance to Christian experience. God himself has invaded history. He came as one of us to our rescue and has fought the decisive battle of the war. In his death and resurrection Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12). Final victory has been secured. He has made full and final satisfaction for our sins, and having successfully completed the work that saves he has triumphed over Satan. “Now is the ruler of this world cast out” (John 12:31), the works of the devil are destroyed (1John 3:8; cf. Heb. 2:14), and Christ has forever secured his elect people for eternal life (John 6:38-39). But then again it does not always seem that way. The people to whom Peter was writing to in Asia minor recorded for us in 1 Peter, continued to suffer. They would be misunderstood, harassed, slandered, rejected and could face death for their faithfulness.

We are caught up in a real battle. Our adversary walks about like a hungry lion trying to eat us (1Pet. 5:8), and our constant struggles are struggles against him (Eph. 6:12). He takes people captive, and he is powerfully deceptive, masquerading even as an angel of light. Satan is alive and well. Like Hitler, knowing his time was all but up yet launching his last great hurrah at the cost of so many of his soldiers, From the perspective of the trenches, the war is still on. Sin, temptation, suffering, injustice, sickness, death, loneliness, and disappointment. “Satan hinders us,” and so does the world. And so does our own flesh. And in the trenches, if we are not careful, we can lose perspective. We must never lose sight of the fact that we struggle in hope and in certainty of final victory. Redemption has been accomplished. It may not yet have been fully applied. There may be many skirmishes still. But it is heartening indeed as we recall that D-Day is behind us. And we are assured by it that VE-Day is ahead. The redemption that Christ accomplished for us will yet be ours in full experience, with Him. (https://credomag.com/2013/09/d-day-and-ve-day-fred-zaspel/)

In 1 Peter 3:18-22, the Apostle Peter draws together various examples to show us how the Victory over sin and death has been accomplished, yet the fighting continues. Using the examples of judgement against sin as seen through Noah, Peter explains how Victory in Christ has been secured, how we identify with that victory in Baptism and how the ultimate victory for believers in Christ is assured to come. God urges us to consider four elements of the Lord’s victory. His: 1) Victorious Sin-Bearing (1 Peter 3:18a), 2) Victorious Sermon (1 Peter 3:18b–20a), 3) Victorious Salvation (1 Peter 3:20b–21), and His 4) Victorious Supremacy (1 Peter 3:22).

The work of Christ has brought Victory over sin and death because of His: