So you have at the cross an unjust suffering, you have at the cross a terrible persecution,

and in the midst of it all a triumphant sin-bearing and a triumphant sermon.

And Jesus in the midst of His suffering triumphs over sin and triumphs over Satan,

hell, demons and death at the very same time.

Welcome to Grace to You with John MacArthur. I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

It's been said that to have suffered much is like knowing many languages. It gives you access

to many more people. And that's true. God can use the struggles you face to equip you to

minister to others who are suffering. Today on Grace to You John MacArthur continues a series that

can help you prepare for the trials you can expect as a Christian. It's a compelling look at

first Peter that can help you find the path through suffering to triumph. That is the title of John's

study. So follow along now with John as he begins the lesson.

First Peter chapter 3. We're looking at the triumph of Christ's sufferings, the triumph of Christ's

sufferings. The suffering of Jesus Christ as you know was the time of His greatest humiliation,

the time of unjust treatment, but it was also the time of His greatest triumph.

For when He suffered most, He accomplished most. Now the point that Peter wants you to understand

is this. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, His body died and His body went where?

To the tomb. But when His body was dead, His spirit was what? Alive.

Now the question is, where did He go? This living spirit. Well, it tells us in verse 19.

It says in which that is in His spirit also, He went and made proclamation to the spirits

now in prison. You say, well, now wait a minute. If Jesus went to a place where demons are in

prison, how come demons are running around all over now? Different demons, different demons.

Not all demons are in the prison. Can I give you a little diagram, a little angelology,

...