Today on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe. Peter is explaining that our mighty Savior is not a victim but a victor. The cross is not a tragedy, it's a wonderful triumph in the eternal purposes of God. Not a defeat, but a victory. We are now, those of us who know him, we're on the side of victory.
We share in this wonderful triumph. Welcome to the verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Today we're diving deep into 1 Peter 3:18, discovering how this single verse addresses our deepest questions about suffering and salvation. When you're suffering unfairly or unjustly, there's one place to turn for answers and direction.
Now, here's Pastor John Monroe. and the wondrous cross. The symbol of the Christian faith is the cross. In today's society the symbol of the cross is made into expensive pieces of jewelry. which may distract us from the understanding.
of the old rugged cross. Jesus Christ was crucified on a piece of wood. on a tree. not a beautifully decorated piece of art.
So, what do you think of the cross? Is it merely a piece of jewelry, or does it have some deeper meaning for you? Today we're looking at verse 18 of chapter 3 of Peter's first letter. I love this verse. As it magnificently presents important truths regarding the cross.
If the cross is the symbol of Christianity, it is important that we grasp its meaning.
So here is the Apostle Peter writing about the wondrous cross. My question is how do we deal with difficulties in life. How do you personally deal with difficult situations. Particularly Uh when you find yourself in a situation where you're suffering, but it is undeserved. Do we become bitter?
Do we become absorbed by self-pity, Do we become angry? What is our response? Do we look to our therapeutic world for an answer through counselling or therapy? What do we do? How do we deal with undeserved suffering?
The Apostle Peter writes about that in this wonderful epistle. of 1 Peter. He's riding. to suffering Christians. And he gives the best of all advice.
And that is. He points to them. to our Lord Jesus Christ. Open your Bibles with me, please, to 1 Peter. Chapter three.
We're going consecutively through this letter, and today we're just looking at one verse. A wonderful verse. I called this message. The wondrous Yeah. Here is Peter.
Writing in the first century, the Apostle Peter. 1 Peter 3:18. 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. Isn't that magnificent? And there's one verse Peter presents one of the most succinct and richest summaries of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the best descriptions, as it were, in one verse, of the theology of the cross of Christ. He's saying to his readers and saying to us today through this living word of God when you're suffering Look.
To Christ. When you're going through difficult circumstances, come to the cross of Christ. Robert Murray McShane says, For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ. Suffering difficulties. Questions?
wondering about our society our city, our nation. Many responses, here is the best response of all. Look.
So the cross. of Christ. Riding to suffering. Christians, then in the first century, Peter presents Christ, who he says, also. suffered.
Not only did our Savior suffer, he triumphed over The powers of evil, of sin, of darkness, yes, and of death itself. How do we deal with death? Here is the hope. The only hope is found in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is not just a hope, not just a way, he is the hope, he is the way.
He is our Lord Jesus Christ. And then this verse As we reflect on it. We're going to think of six truths. about the cross. What Peter is doing is what Paul did when he came to ancient Corinth.
Paul says, I determined. Decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. In other words, of all that Paul could have said, of all that Peter could have said. He says this, this is the most important thing. Price.
Crucified. That is, there is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ. There is no salvation in an uncrucified Jesus. Or hope. is found in Christ.
All of our endeavors, our good endeavors to change the world, through political action or social justice won't do it. Salvation is found in Christ and in Christ alone. I emphasize this because this week I read about what's called the post evangelical movement. It prides itself And according. focusing on a more inclusive and flexible approach to Christianity.
Finally, we're not flexible enough.
Now if they're saying that the gospel By being inclusive is to be preached to everyone, we heartily agree. But if in their flexibility and in their creativity they want to change the truths of the gospel to make them more palatable to an unbelieving world, to be more acceptable to the surrounding culture, we firmly reject such a movement. It is essential that our faith is rooted in Christ rooted in the gospel. Rather than an alaita's trend or fad in our crazy society.
Now, as we come to our text, If you're reading from the English Standard Version, as I am, or if you're reading from the Old King James, the text says Christ also suffered for sins.
Some translations, such as the New International Version or the New American Standard Version, which I used for many years, read, Christ died for sins once.
So there's a difference in the ancient manuscripts, and I thought it would be fun to put up a little Greek. on the screen which might help us to understand. There is the Greek for to suffer and below it is the Greek force to die.
Somewhat similar. And you can imagine, as the scribes are writing the ancient scriptures, copying them, when they come to this word that Christ suffered for sins. Much more frequent in scripture is not that Christ suffered for our sins, but that Christ died for our sins.
So we can understand possibly if the original is suffered, which I think it is, some scribes saying, well, not being particularly attentive. writes the word to die. Both of course are true. Christ did die for our sins. Christ suffered for our sins.
But in the context of Peter, Peter is saying to suffering Christians, Christ also suffered. for our sins. And so I prefer the reading in the English Standard Version as we have, that Christ suffered for our sins.
Now let's look at these six truths about the wonderful cross. First of all, Christ's suffering is an example of innocent suffering. Christ Also suffered. You may be suffering, I may be suffering, but Christ also suffered. And by this, for Peter is linking it to the preceding verse, verse 17.
As we saw last time, Peter says: it's better to suffer for doing good. If that should be God's will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered. Do you get the connection? The point of comparison is that Christ also suffered for doing good rather than for doing evil.
If you're suffering, For doing good. Learn. From the example of Christ. He is described, says Peter, as righteous. Christ also suffered for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous.
He is righteous. Preaching in Jerusalem, Peter describes our Savior as the holy and righteous one. Peter has already said in chapter 2 that our Saviour committed no sin. Yet he was killed. Yet he experienced an unjust trial.
Yet he was humiliated, yet he was lashed, yet he was. Pierced. As they hung him on a tree. If anyone suffered for doing good, it is our Savior. No one has ever been so innocent, no one has suffered more.
So says Peter. I realize You, my readers, are going through difficult times and you're suffering. But look at Christ. He is the perfect example of innocent suffering. That is, his suffering is exemplary.
You're not the first who suffered. for doing right. Christ is not only An example, he is the example. He is the supreme example. Look back at chapter 2.
Verse twenty-one. Where Peter said, For to this you have been called. Because Christ also suffered for For you. leaving you an example.
So that you might follow in his steps. Here is the perfect example of how we should respond when we're suffering for righteousness' sake. This is the force of Peter's argument. You're suffering. Look at Christ.
Christ also suffered. But although. Christ suffered, that was not the end. Says Peter in this wonderful verse, verse 18. He was put to death in the flesh.
but made alive in the spirit. Here is great hope. Here is great motivation and encouragement to Christians who are suffering for righteousness. First. The suffering?
Then The glory. First the injustice, then the vindication. First the humiliation and then the triumph. First the cross and then the crown. suffering.
is an example, is the example of innocent suffering. That's the first truth. Second one is this. that Christ's suffering is sacrificial. Notice what Peter says.
Christ also suffered once for the first time. Four. Sense. Peter is using the Old Testament Language of sacrifice for a sin offering. Christ's death was much more than an example to follow, much more than an example to inspire us.
It is that, but it's more. is death. Is a sacrifice for Four. Isn't this wonderful? For Our Sense.
The death of Christ was an atoning sacrifice. It was a sin offering, as it were, presented to God for our salvation. As John the Baptist said as he looked at Jesus, behold the Lamb of God who takes away. The sin of the world. Takes away all of my sin has been taken away.
Peter said, chapter 1. Verse 18, knowing that you were ransomed. From the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things as silver or gold. Here it is. Here's the words of sacrifice.
but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. That Peter knows well, the lamb of the Passover without spot or blemish, which died, so that the People of God could be redeemed.
Now the Lamb has come. The sacrifice for our sins. That the death of Christ are wonderful. Takes away all of our sins. and cancels all of its effects.
First. Christ-suffering is the example for innocent suffering. Secondly, Christ's suffering is sacrificial. Third, Christ's suffering is sufficient. Look at their text again.
Christ also suffered. What's the little word? Once. Four. Sense.
It's the Greek word hapax, W.E. Vine says this term, once, that Christ suffered once for sins, refers to a perpetual validity that does not need repetition. You get that? A perpetual validity that does not need repetition. that Christ's sacrifice on the cross is complete.
It's unique. It cannot and will not be repeated. Christ suffered once For our Sense. They say, What's the point? Points are rather obvious one if you think about it.
They try sacrifice. It's perfect. It's accomplished. You cannot add to it. It is 100% sufficient.
That is, because the death of Christ Is one hundred sufficient to atone for our sins. Salvation is all of grace. We're saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Is absolutely perfect, and you can't improve on perfection. There is nothing.
We dealt with this in the Uh newcomers, new members class yesterday. As we interacted, about salvation. And I said then and I say now. that you cannot add anything to the sacrifice of Christ. We don't add baptism.
We don't add church membership. We don't add the ordinances. The death of Christ is 100. percent sufficient. Salvation is not grace plus anything.
It is grace and grace alone. It is pure grace by. Because, as Peter says so wonderfully, Christ suffered once for our sins. It's perfect. And you can't improve on perfection.
Here is a picture. By Claude Monet. One of my favorites, French Impressionists. I used up a print of this in my bachelor flat. Whatever happened to that when we got married, good night.
Um it disappeared. There it is. No I did not have the original. But just imagine. that we have the original.
And I said that's a a really nice painting, but You know Don't know if that umbrella is I think I can. Let me get a little bit of paint. And uh Touch up. The umbrella. Or, I don't know if the poppies are the exact color of true puppies.
And let me get a little bit of red and dab it. If I was doing that to this masterpiece. You would say John Get your hands off it. Leave it alone. This is a magnificent masterpiece famous by the famous Code Monet.
Who are you to add or subtract to that masterpiece? The cross of Christ. is a true masterpiece. Do you think you're going to touch it up? Do you think there's anything that you can do to improve on the sacrifice and suffering of our Saviour?
No, Peter, by saying once, is stressing the finality and the perfection of Christ's sacrifice. Therefore, No works. No prayers of merit, no penance. No personal atonement for your sins. Absolutely.
Perfect. Absolutely sufficient. I remember a few years ago I was conducting a a funeral out of town. Saying the Talon in the morning as I was checking out. I had a sc I heard My favorite words.
Paid in full. Sir Your bill has been paid in full. Staying in a hotel. Eating in the restaurant. No, my friends had gone ahead and said, we will take care of the total cost.
of John Monroe sitting in this hotel. Everything. has been taken care of. Everything. had been paid in full.
When our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, He said, it is Finished. The penalty for our sin is paid in full. And once something is paid in full, you never have to pay for it again.
So we sometimes sing Jesus. Pay debt. Remember the next word? Oh, oh. Jesus paid it all.
All to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson tide. He washed it white as. Snow. He suffered once.
I love that. Once for our sins. Not true. Under the old covenant. The day of atonement described in Leviticus 16.
The high priest went in and he offered these sacrifices and they offered sacrifices year after year after year. In our school, Calvary Christian Academy, they've been studying the tabernacle. And in the tabernacle In the holy place, in the Holy of Holies, there's various articles of furniture. There's the candlestick, there's the table. There's the altar.
In the Holy of Holies, there's the Ark of the Covenant, there's the mercy seat. But notice. in the tabernacle In the temple, there is no chair. There is no chair. Why?
The work of the priests was never completed. He could never sit down. There was always another sacrifice, another animal, another offering, over and over and over again. But our Saviour when he completed his work. Peter says verse 22, he has gone into heaven.
And he is at the right hand of God, seated at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. The priests always stood. Their sacrifices never ended. This perfect sacrifice is all sufficient. That's why the cross on our ceiling is empty.
Their sacrifice is final. It's perfect. Listen to the writer of Hebrews. Riding. to first century Jews, some of whom We're true believers.
Others possibly not. Hebrews 10. Verse 10, and by that will We have been sanctified. Through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, Once For all. And every priest stands daily at his service.
offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when Christ has offered For all time. A single sacrifice for sins. He sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
That's the writer of Hebrews agreeing with what Peter is saying here. That this sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ needs no repetition.
So, salvation is entirely by the grace of God.
So I ask you. Is your hope for salvation in Christ alone? When you stand before God What is the basis? of your acceptance by God. If it's anything added to grace that's no longer grace.
You can't add to grace. The work is absolutely perfect. Our only standing before a holy God is Christ and Christ alone. He suffered. He died.
once for our sins. This is the verdict with Pastor John Monroe and the opening portion of his message titled The Wondrous Cross. John returns momentarily with his closing thoughts. Today's powerful message reminds us that when we're facing unfair or unexpected suffering, there's one place to look for hope and direction. As we learn today, Christ's suffering wasn't meaningless.
It was substitutionary. purposeful. and enables us to be victorious. Having a Biblical perspective changes everything. That's why we're offering you John's booklet called For the Time is Near.
a straightforward look at revelation that provides encouragement and hope for life to day. And right now we're offering this booklet absolutely free.
So don't wait. Download your free copy today by visiting theverdict.org. And if you'd like to play a part in our gospel mission, here's how you can multiply this ministry's impact. Every financial gift you make enables these messages of hope to reach new listeners, perhaps someone facing an unexpected crisis, health concerns, or problems at work or home. Whether you contribute $35, $100, or any amount God leads you to give.
you are investing in lives that desperately need biblical encouragement. Make your secure donation online at theverdict.org. Or call us at 833-551-2231. For those in the Charlotte area, we'd love to welcome you to Sunday worship at Calvary Church, where John serves as senior pastor. or join us remotely through our live stream online.
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Now, here's Pastor John Monroe. Well, what's your verdict? Have you been to the cross? I don't mean the actual location of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. I mean, Have you been to the cross in terms of understanding?
not only the meaning of the theology of the cross, but of its practical application to yourself. Have you had a personal encounter with the Saviour? Christianity is a message of the cross. In this message and the next, I'm explaining the centrality of the cross and how it is essential for your salvation. Have you come?
To the cross. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies. Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
