A Daily Walk

John Randall: In verse 20, it says, which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in heavenly places. Where? Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And he has put all things under his feet and gave him, Jesus, to be head over all things to the church. I love that. Everything it says here is under his feet. You ever find that there are many things that are over your head? They will always be under his feet. He is in control. He is in control.

Guest (Male): Pastor John Randall reminds us who is in control. When we're suffering, we usually fixate on the pain that we feel and do everything we can to bring relief. But today on A Daily Walk, we want to draw your attention to the blessings that follow suffering for righteousness' sake. And there's no better example to consider than Jesus and all that he went through, as well as the blessings that followed that. Pastor John Randall is at the tail end of First Peter chapter 3. Last time, we learned that Jesus' suffering on the cross brought about salvation for humanity, but it was also a proclamation of victory as Pastor John now explains.

John Randall: Included in that number of those who were suffering, Peter tells us that there were demonic spirits that were part of the corruption and wickedness of the earth. And the influence of these demonic spirits was so rampant that it brought the judgment of God upon the earth through the flood to which Noah and his family were the only ones who survived.

Peter writes about this a second time. Here we are comparing scripture with scripture. Second Peter, chapter 2, verse 5. Listen to what Peter said: If God did not spare the angels who sinned, cast them down to hell, delivered them into the chains of darkness to be reserved for judgment, and he didn't spare the ancient world but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly.

Peter highlights a second time a group of fallen angels, demonic spirits who were reserved for judgment. The spirits were once disobedient. You say, "Well, when did that happen?" Again, here is one way to look at it. And many have. Great commentators, my own pastor would lean this way. I remember hearing him teach on it. Genesis chapter 6, verses 1 through 4. This is what it is a reference to.

In Genesis chapter 6, it says that the sons of God, maybe underline that, saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful, and they took wives for themselves, all of whom they chose. What was the result of these relationships? There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God had relationships with the daughters of men, they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Again, there are two different ways to look at this particular passage. I'm going to present one of them.

When you see the words "sons of God," it is only used three times in the Old Testament in Job: Job chapter 1, verse 6, Job chapter 2, verse 1, and Job chapter 38, verse 7. And in each case, it refers to angels, sometimes fallen, sometimes unfallen, or good ones versus bad ones. And in Genesis chapter 6, it says that these sons of God, if it is interpreted as angels, somehow either they inhabited the bodies of fallen men—this is what some people teach—they inhabited the bodies of fallen men, had relationships with these women, somehow they were influential and produced this race of giants and wicked men upon the earth which caused God to judge the world and spared only Noah. They sought to ruin and destroy God's creation.

The Bible mentions this again, cross-referencing now. Jude chapter 1, verses 6 and 7. Listen to what Jude says. It says, "And the angels who did not keep their proper domain but left their own abode, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of that great day." There it is again. This group of angels left their proper domain. Some say somehow they had relationships, others say they were just there. Either way, God judged these angels, fallen angels, put them in a place of judgment, reserved for the end.

Luke chapter 8, think with me now, follow the flow. Luke chapter 8, Jesus is confronted by a man who is possessed with a demon. And when the man came and confronted Jesus, Jesus said, "What is your name?" and he said, "Legion, for we are many." And the demonic spirits within the man said, "Do not send us to the abyss." Don't send us there. In other words, they knew there were angels already reserved in judgment there. They knew it. The demonic spirits confessed this. They said, "Rather send us into the swine," and Jesus released them, and they went into the swine, and they were drowned.

Another reference. The question is, what happened? When did it happen? Between his death and his resurrection, Peter tells us Jesus went and proclaimed his victory over the spirits who were in prison. That's what you can know for sure. How do you know that? Because we just read it. It's taking something that's difficult. This guy says this, this guy says that, this person says this. Well, what does the Bible say? The Bible says there were definitely demonic spirits who were incarcerated and Jesus went and proclaimed his victory over them in between.

And I believe when that happened, he emptied out this part of Sheol, taking the saints with him to glory. This part still remains and it will remain until, as the Book of Revelation says, when death and Hades gives up its dead in the ultimate judgment at the Great White Throne, still yet in the future. Another reference concerning the descent of Jesus is found in Ephesians chapter 4, verse 8. Paul talks about it. He says, "Therefore he says, when he ascended on high, he led captivity captive." Verse 9: "Now this he ascended, what does it mean? But that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth." Paul said Jesus, who ascended, first descended into the lower parts of the earth. He led captivity, this group, captive to glory to where they are with him at this time. He proclaimed his victory and set the captives free.

Folks, when you put all of these verses together that we just considered, you come to realize that Jesus, in between death and resurrection, went and proclaimed his victory over the demonic spirits who were incarcerated for the final judgment and he pronounced his triumph over them. The Bible puts it this way: Colossians chapter 2, verse 15. This is what Paul the Apostle said concerning Jesus, that Jesus has disarmed principalities and powers and he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. The principalities and powers, that's a reference to demonic spirits. How did Jesus disarm them? How did he disarm principalities and powers? Folks, he disarmed the devil at the cross and his resurrection. He defeated the enemy and he declared his victory over them and he made a public spectacle of them. Isn't it interesting that Jesus became a public spectacle and yet it says concerning his adversaries, they actually were the public spectacle because he proclaimed his victory over them? That is what the Bible says.

Let me just wrap all that up by saying this. What do you know for sure, John? Here's what I know for sure: Jesus died, Jesus rose again, and he proclaimed his victory over the spirits who were in prison. That's what it says.

Now Peter goes a little bit deeper. You thought that was deep? Get ready. Take a breath. Alright, here we go. Now he looks back at the flood in Noah. I'm going to have a talk with Peter when we get there. I’m just going to say, "Hey brother, how come you anyway, just something."

It’s so funny because Peter actually writes about the Apostle Paul. Did you know that? And here's what he said concerning Paul. I just find this amusing. He said the things that Paul writes are hard to understand. That's what Peter said about Paul. I'm saying, "Hey Pete, this isn't the easiest text. In fact, commentators say it's the most difficult." That's just my thinking out loud, but here we go.

Peter considers this fact of the proclaimed victory of Jesus over those spirits in prison because of their influence on humanity during the flood. And now he writes of how Noah and his family endured on the ark, coming through the waters of the flood, and says that that serves as a picture of baptism. Verse 21: "There is also an antitype which now saves us, baptism, not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Here is yet another verse that has been subject to misunderstanding, misinterpretation, taken out of its context, and becomes the false teaching known as baptismal regeneration, which simply means that unless you're baptized, you're not saved. For Peter says here, something saves you, it's baptism. And so people will look at this passage and they will say, "If you're not baptized, listen friend, you better get to the water today because you're not getting in." And others would go even further than that and say, "If you're not baptized into our church, then you're definitely not getting in." So you gotta make sure you get baptized in the right church if you're really going to make it.

Is that what Peter is saying? No. And I think that Peter knew that people would misinterpret what he's saying. That's why he immediately said it's not for the removal of the flesh. Baptism could never save you. It's just the opportunity for you to identify with Jesus. Peter makes a comparison between Noah going into the ark, coming through the floodwaters, with us going into the waters of baptism. Let me make the connection for you. Listen carefully.

Noah was told by the Lord that there was a flood coming. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Genesis tells us. And God told him, "A flood is coming," and God told him, "You need to build a boat, a very large boat. And you're going to have to get two of every animal and bring them onto the boat." God told this to Noah. Folks, Noah believed it. So how do you know he had faith to believe it? Because he spent the next 120 years of his life building it. That's how I know. He believed God. If he didn't believe God, there's no gopher wood, there are no animals, there's nothing. He'd drown like everybody else. God said it to him. Judgment is coming. He believed it. He started building. He expressed faith in God, in what God said.

Then Noah went into the ark and came through the floodwaters and he was delivered. Going into building the ark, going into the ark was evidence of his faith. It was evidence of his faith. It wasn't the ark that saved him, in a sense, was it? It was his faith in believing what God said. Because if he didn't believe, he never would have been saved.

For us, how do you get saved? You're saved by grace through faith. It's a gift of God. It's not of works lest anyone should boast. The Bible tells us all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I believe it. Salvation can come through no one else except Christ. I believe that. I confess that. I repent of my sin. Jesus, you're my savior. I say that. I believe it. I'm justified by faith, not by works. The same way Abraham was justified is the way that we're justified. By faith, I believe what God said.

And now I go into the waters of baptism, declaring my faith. I'm saved because God said that he saved me. But by going into the water, I am declaring to the world I am buried with Christ, I am raised with Christ. It is the outward demonstration, public declaration of the inward work that has happened in me through the work of the Spirit. I'm saved by faith. I am baptized to identify with Jesus, what he has done.

Baptism is a symbolic expression of the heart's appeal to God. I love what someone said concerning this. They made the connection. "I trust you to take me into Christ like Noah was taken into the ark and to make Jesus the substitute for my sins and to bring me through these waters of death and judgment into new and everlasting life through the resurrection of Jesus my Lord." Noah believed, "Lord, I believe you, and I believe that this ark, you're going to get me there." Listen, I believe I'm saved. And you know what? Outwardly, I am declaring to the world, I believe. It's true. He's going to save me. Listen, if you're a Christian and you have not been baptized yet, why? Why? What are you waiting for? Water? No, come on. You should not wait. This is the outward to the world saying I'm following Christ, the world's behind me, no longer turning back. It's happened here, but I want the world to know it. Every believer should be baptized. It's a blessing. It's a joy.

Jesus' suffering on the cross brought about salvation for humanity. Jesus' suffering brought about a proclamation of victory. But finally, Jesus' suffering has given him all power and authority. Verse 22 says concerning Jesus, "He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to him." Folks, following his death, following his resurrection, Jesus ascended back to heaven where he is presently seated upon the throne, in charge, in control. All angels, all authority, all power belong to him. The divine privileges that Jesus set aside temporarily when he came to this earth are now once again completely active.

Jesus prayed this, you remember, in John chapter 17. This is what he prayed: "I have glorified you on the earth. I've finished the work which you've given me to do. And now, Father, glorify me together with yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was." Jesus has been restored to his rightful place of glory with all authority and dominion and power.

Hebrews chapter 1, in verse 3, speaks to this fact. It says, "When he had by himself purged our sin, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." Hebrews chapter 12, in verse 2, talking about enduring the cross and despising the shame, Jesus has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Now why did he sit down? Because the work's done. He did it. It's finished. It's complete.

Paul in writing to the Ephesians, in chapter 1, in verse 20, it says, which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in heavenly places. Where? Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And he has put all things under his feet and gave him, Jesus, to be head over all things to the church. I love that. Everything it says here is under his feet. You ever find that there are many things that are over your head? They will always be under his feet. He is in control. He is in control.

In the Book of Revelation, in chapter 4, John gets this glimpse of glories translated into this heavenly scene of the throne room of God and he hears and he sees things and he writes it down. And in chapter 4, it says, "You are worthy, oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. You created all things, and by your will they exist and were created."

And then in Revelation chapter 5, he said with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing." In Revelation chapter 5, it says, "And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: 'Blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.'"

You understand that what he suffered, he went through, but now he has all authority, all power, all dominion, all glory because of what he endured. You know, the Book of Revelation tells us that one day Jesus, who has all power, all authority, all glory, all dominion, will come again to the earth and establish his kingdom and we will rule and reign with him, the Bible says. What a future. What a blessing.

How was the blessing of salvation secured for humanity? Through suffering. Jesus suffered. How was Jesus able to make this proclamation of victory over principalities? Because of what he suffered. How does Jesus have all power, all authority, all glory? You know, because of what he willingly suffered. As Jesus was blessed as a result of what he endured, do you understand what Peter is saying? He's saying to suffering believers, "Jesus also suffered, and look at the result." You might be suffering in this moment, but guess what's coming? Paul would say that the sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.

Romans chapter 8, verse 16, powerful verse, a promise that many of us love, perhaps have applied to memory. It says, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." And we say, "Oh, praise him, I'm a child of God." And the benefits: "And if children, then guess what that means? We're heirs. Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." It means that everything that belongs to Jesus throughout all of eternity, he will share with us. But there's a part of this verse that sometimes we skip over. "Joint heirs with Christ, oh, wait, here it is, if indeed we suffer with him, that we also may be glorified together." I just want, can we just be glorified together? Can we just do that? What's the suffering part? Like, why we gotta have that in there? Can we just take that out? Somebody maybe scratch that out. Should not be in my Bible. It's in here. It's part of life, but it's just temporary. The glory that will be revealed in us, again, Paul said, just, it's just not, you try to weigh them out, ah, just can't. Eternity versus temporary. A brief stop along the way to eternal glory, and this can't be compared.

Guest (Male): We'll stop right here for now, but don't go away. Pastor John Randall has a bit more to say here on A Daily Walk. We're in the middle of a study in First Peter and today's talk goes by the title of "Suffering and Glory." And I imagine some of you would like to hear this message again. Maybe you joined us late. Go online to adailywalk.org and have a listen whenever it's most convenient, or listen wherever you get your podcasts and at oneplace.com. Another way to listen to Pastor John's teachings is through our mobile app. Just do a search for Calvary South OC.

Ever feel like you're just an ordinary guy or gal, nothing special, and wonder if God could use you? Today, we'd like to offer you a great book from John MacArthur called 12 Ordinary Men. You'll discover how God used ordinary men as his disciples to change the world. The good news is he can do the same thing through you and me. You can order 12 Ordinary Men online at adailywalk.org or call us at 877-242-0828. That's 877-242-0828 and adailywalk.org. The cost is just $12, and anything given above that amount will be put to good use and help people all over the world grow in their daily walk as they listen to these daily studies. In some cases, actually enter into a relationship with Christ. You can donate online safely and securely at adailywalk.org. Well, we say it often around here at A Daily Walk because it's true, we want to hear from you. It lets us know where the ministry is having an impact, and we also love praying for our listeners. Write to Pastor John by email today at adailywalk@gmail.com. That's adailywalk@gmail.com. Here to close out our time together, recalling a recent experience, here is Pastor John once again.

John Randall: You know, this last week, I will mention it, and if the family's watching today, I hope you don't mind. But we received a call from one of our brothers who has been battling cancer for a long time and been watching church here online, part of this body from home, not able to come. But it was on New Year's Eve that we received a call that things were turning for the worse physically. And so we had the privilege, the honor, of being invited into the home and to sit with this brother and read the word, read what he was about to experience in just a short amount of time. The glories of traveling into a place where there's no more sorrow, no more pain, no more sin, former things are passed away. And yea, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord will be with you. And then receiving the word the next day that he had gone home to be with the Lord on New Year's Day. A new year in the presence of Jesus, seeing him face to face, hearing him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord." Man, this life is a drop in the bucket. It's a reminder, it's temporary. Live for the glory of God. Live for eternity. Jesus suffered, oh, but all the blessings that came as a result.

Guest (Male): Be encouraged to embrace your calling in Christ. Next time on A Daily Walk with John Randall as we enter First Peter chapter 4. This program is made possible through your generosity and brought to you by Calvary South OC.