Sermons

Self-Identify: “SPIRITUAL REALM”

We want to understand more about the spiritual realm.

(1 Peter 2:18-22) For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few – that is, eight people – were saved through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.

1. LIVING in the Spiritual Realm
(18) [Jesus] being put to death in the fleshly realm and then being made alive in the spiritual realm.
   A. Any particular person can only exist in one realm or the other.
   B. Christ’s purpose was to bring each of us into the presence of God.
   C. Through baptism we can “pledge” ourselves to be Christ followers.
   D. We will be given new bodies the moment we enter the spiritual realm.
(Luke 23:43) “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
(2 Corinthians 5:8) We are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 15:44-46) If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body… However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.
   E. Our spiritual bodies will be much greater, and our minds will be much more capable.
(1 Corinthians 15:40) There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is different from that of the earthly ones.
(1 Corinthians 13:10-12) When the perfect comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.

2. PREACHING in the Spiritual Realm
(19-20a) In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in the prison who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the Days of Noah while an ark was being prepared.
   A. Jesus went to the rebellious angels of old and claimed victory over them.
      • The word “spirits” is most often translated “angels”
      • Evil angels being imprisoned fits Revelation 20:7.
      • Genesis 6:1-4 may explain why the evil angels are in prison.
      • This understanding matches Jewish teachings of Genesis 6:1-4.
      • This understanding is supported in verse 22.
      • Genesis 6:1-4 violation occurred just before the flood.
      • This understanding makes better sense out of verse 19.
   B. Rebellious disobedience to God cannot be tolerated
   C. The cross provided a way for God to forgive anyone who IS repentant.

3. REIGNING in the Spiritual Realm
   A. Jesus is in charge of the spiritual realm.
(22) Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.
(Psalms 110:1) The Lord declared to My Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
   B. Jesus’ enemies are our enemies.
   C. Jesus reigns over our enemies.
(Matthew 28:18) “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
(John 16:33) You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”