Transforming Perspective
MAY 9– TRANSFORMING PERSEPCTIVE 1 PETER 3:13-22
QUICK REVIEW
Theme – The divine, eternal perspective is appropriate even under discomfort and trial. Peter first lays out the exhortation (13-17) and then reveals the encouragement that Jesus is the author of such behavior (18-22). The natural human perspective is assumed in Peter’s argument, but he counters it with great detail regarding the eternal, divine perspective on “unfair” things: 1. God sees all. (verse 12) 2. The general principle of positive retribution remains. (13) 3. When the general principle is violated: (14-17) a. Know you are blessed. (14a; Matt 5; James 1) b. Keep your head. 14b c. Acknowledge Jesus’ Lordship over this. 15a d. Speak truth. (or give witness) 15b e. Stay clean. 16 f. Err toward non-resistance. 17 Then, Peter describes how the divine, eternal perspective is based in Jesus the Christ. 1. The thesis statement is v. 18 carried through 21f-22. (19-21e is a digression about God’s work in time/space.) Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, exaltation, and glorification validate the divine, eternal perspective. 2. God’s activity in time/space history also validates the right perspective: a. Jesus showed fallen angels that they failed to thwart God’s plan. 19 b. Noah’s family adopted the divine, eternal perspective and it saved them. 20 c. Baptism similarly pictures our salvation as we trust Him for the right perspective (a good conscience). 21 Life Change Objective – That we live by the divine, eternal perspective.
RECONNECTING TO THE SERMON In reflecting back over the sermon, which particular point or passage of Scripture most challenged, confused or caught your attention?
OPENING QUESTIONS Can you recall a time where you or someone you knew suffered for doing what was right? What happened? Is it easier to suffer for doing what was right vs. suffering for doing what was wrong? Why or why not? How does understanding the big, eternal picture impact this type of suffering?
OBSERVE: WHAT DO YOU SEE? In v.13, what is the contrast to v. 12? In v.14, what are we if we suffer for doing right? In v.14, how should we react to those who make us suffer for doing what is right? By not _____________________________________. In v.15, instead of being afraid, what are we told to do? o Set _____________________________ o And always be _________________________________________ In v.16, how are we told to do this? o With __________________ and ___________________________ o keeping a ___________________________________ o so that _________________________________________________ In v. 17, what is better? Whose will is it that we would suffer for doing right?
Observation exercise for paragraph 3:18 - 3:22: This paragraph has been the subject of many bible expositor discussions. V. 19-20 - Who are the spirits in prison? Why or what did Jesus preach to them? Per the NET Bible: The meaning of this preaching and the spirits to whom he preached are much debated. It is commonly understood to be: (1) Christ’s announcement of his victory over evil to the fallen angels who await judgment for their role in leading the Noahic generation into sin; this proclamation occurred sometime between Christ’s death and ascension; or (2) Christ’s preaching of repentance through Noah to the unrighteous humans, now dead and confined in hell, who lived in the days of Noah. The latter is preferred because of the temporal indications in v. 20a and the wider argument of the book. These verses encourage Christians to stand for righteousness and try to influence their contemporaries for the gospel in spite of the suffering that may come to them. All who identify with them and their Savior will be saved from the coming judgment, just as in Noah’s day.
INTERPRET: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Why would it be a blessing to suffer for doing what is right?
Why would it be so important for believers to remain above board, act with courtesy and respect, etc when suffering?
Why is it better to suffer for doing good?
Why is the eternal perspective so important?
After learning last week that we are not to repay evil with evil, Peter now moves to how we are to behave in order to glorify God and impact unbelievers: Believers are called to suffer for Christ's sake according to the will of God by doing what is right. That brings glory to god and produces no basis for Christ to be slandered. Further, unbelievers will be surprised that believers do not pursue a sinful lifestyle and endure suffering and persecution. In addition, our eternal perspective allows us to rise above the suffering and see it in its proper place: Believers should rejoice at their sufferings knowing the beneficial outcome and that God is pleased with their faithful service and consistent testimony. Even in the face of suffering, believers should continue to exercise their spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. It should be a privilege and honor to suffer for Christ. It is not a cause to be ashamed. - Indented sections from Dennis Mock New Testament Survey.
APPLICATION: HOW CAN I PUT THIS KNOWLEDGE TO USE? Are there people in your life right now that you "fear" who are making you suffer for doing what is right? How can you overcome that fear? Why is it important that you do so? Are you always ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess? In good times and bad? Why or why not? How can you get so that you are? Share with the group some examples of how you've seen the meaning of the passage lived out as an encouragement to others.
APPENDICES
QUICK REVIEW
Theme – The divine, eternal perspective is appropriate even under discomfort and trial. Peter first lays out the exhortation (13-17) and then reveals the encouragement that Jesus is the author of such behavior (18-22). The natural human perspective is assumed in Peter’s argument, but he counters it with great detail regarding the eternal, divine perspective on “unfair” things: 1. God sees all. (verse 12) 2. The general principle of positive retribution remains. (13) 3. When the general principle is violated: (14-17) a. Know you are blessed. (14a; Matt 5; James 1) b. Keep your head. 14b c. Acknowledge Jesus’ Lordship over this. 15a d. Speak truth. (or give witness) 15b e. Stay clean. 16 f. Err toward non-resistance. 17 Then, Peter describes how the divine, eternal perspective is based in Jesus the Christ. 1. The thesis statement is v. 18 carried through 21f-22. (19-21e is a digression about God’s work in time/space.) Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, exaltation, and glorification validate the divine, eternal perspective. 2. God’s activity in time/space history also validates the right perspective: a. Jesus showed fallen angels that they failed to thwart God’s plan. 19 b. Noah’s family adopted the divine, eternal perspective and it saved them. 20 c. Baptism similarly pictures our salvation as we trust Him for the right perspective (a good conscience). 21 Life Change Objective – That we live by the divine, eternal perspective.
RECONNECTING TO THE SERMON In reflecting back over the sermon, which particular point or passage of Scripture most challenged, confused or caught your attention?
OPENING QUESTIONS Can you recall a time where you or someone you knew suffered for doing what was right? What happened? Is it easier to suffer for doing what was right vs. suffering for doing what was wrong? Why or why not? How does understanding the big, eternal picture impact this type of suffering?
OBSERVE: WHAT DO YOU SEE? In v.13, what is the contrast to v. 12? In v.14, what are we if we suffer for doing right? In v.14, how should we react to those who make us suffer for doing what is right? By not _____________________________________. In v.15, instead of being afraid, what are we told to do? o Set _____________________________ o And always be _________________________________________ In v.16, how are we told to do this? o With __________________ and ___________________________ o keeping a ___________________________________ o so that _________________________________________________ In v. 17, what is better? Whose will is it that we would suffer for doing right?
Observation exercise for paragraph 3:18 - 3:22: This paragraph has been the subject of many bible expositor discussions. V. 19-20 - Who are the spirits in prison? Why or what did Jesus preach to them? Per the NET Bible: The meaning of this preaching and the spirits to whom he preached are much debated. It is commonly understood to be: (1) Christ’s announcement of his victory over evil to the fallen angels who await judgment for their role in leading the Noahic generation into sin; this proclamation occurred sometime between Christ’s death and ascension; or (2) Christ’s preaching of repentance through Noah to the unrighteous humans, now dead and confined in hell, who lived in the days of Noah. The latter is preferred because of the temporal indications in v. 20a and the wider argument of the book. These verses encourage Christians to stand for righteousness and try to influence their contemporaries for the gospel in spite of the suffering that may come to them. All who identify with them and their Savior will be saved from the coming judgment, just as in Noah’s day.
INTERPRET: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Why would it be a blessing to suffer for doing what is right?
Why would it be so important for believers to remain above board, act with courtesy and respect, etc when suffering?
Why is it better to suffer for doing good?
Why is the eternal perspective so important?
After learning last week that we are not to repay evil with evil, Peter now moves to how we are to behave in order to glorify God and impact unbelievers: Believers are called to suffer for Christ's sake according to the will of God by doing what is right. That brings glory to god and produces no basis for Christ to be slandered. Further, unbelievers will be surprised that believers do not pursue a sinful lifestyle and endure suffering and persecution. In addition, our eternal perspective allows us to rise above the suffering and see it in its proper place: Believers should rejoice at their sufferings knowing the beneficial outcome and that God is pleased with their faithful service and consistent testimony. Even in the face of suffering, believers should continue to exercise their spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. It should be a privilege and honor to suffer for Christ. It is not a cause to be ashamed. - Indented sections from Dennis Mock New Testament Survey.
APPLICATION: HOW CAN I PUT THIS KNOWLEDGE TO USE? Are there people in your life right now that you "fear" who are making you suffer for doing what is right? How can you overcome that fear? Why is it important that you do so? Are you always ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess? In good times and bad? Why or why not? How can you get so that you are? Share with the group some examples of how you've seen the meaning of the passage lived out as an encouragement to others.
APPENDICES
