Jesus was “put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit?” Jesus made proclamation to the spirits now in prison who were present in Noah’s day? We are “saved by baptism?” Certainly 1 Peter 3:18-22 might be one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted passages in all of Scripture.

However, when you understand these statements in the context of one another and in the context of Peter’s overall message, it becomes more clear. In this eighteenth sermon from the series “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter,” Dr. David Rhoades unpacks the mysteries of this passage so that we can appreciate the beautiful, eternal gospel.

When you think of endurance, what image comes into your mind? A marathon runner? Or maybe a visit to the dentist?

Does the word “endurance” make you think about a follower of Christ? Or do you imagine Christ-followers as wimpy people who make excuses or look for an escape from dealing with real-life problems?

God’s understanding of His children is always perfect, and He envisions His people as those who endure suffering in exchange for a greater glory. In this seventeenth message from the series “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter,” Dr. David Rhoades shows how endurance plays an essential role of the life of a Christian.

Most American Christians, including myself, have no experience whatsoever in what it means to be persecuted. The religious liberty we enjoy—and take for granted—shields us from the harsh reality experienced by many Christians since the day Peter and John were arrested in Acts 4.

While our level of suffering may not even rise to a level that we could rightly call it “persecution,” we nevertheless must deal with people who may mistreat us due to our faith in Christ. One of the distinguishing marks of the Christian faith is how it instructs us to react in these situations.

In this sixteenth message from the series, “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter,” Dr. David Rhoades shows how we can fulfill the biblical exhortation to bless bad people.

Submission is difficult because we resist the idea. Love is even more so because of the same reason.

Wives are called to the difficult task of submitting to their husbands. Husbands are called to the difficult task of loving their wives.

In this fifteenth message from the series “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter,” Dr. David Rhoades instructs husbands in their highest and most noble task.

Submission in marriage. Does the phrase make you think of a caveman dragging around his poor wife by the hair? It shouldn’t!

A wife’s submission to her husband, when prompted by his love for and service to her, is an incredible experience. Both partners in marriage supply the other with what they need.

In this fourteenth message from the series, “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter,” Dr. David Rhoades unpacks the teachings of Peter on this important subject.

What is the essence of the relationship of an employee to his or her boss? Although we might not think of it using this term, the answer is submission.

When a willingness to do what an employer wants is lacking, trouble is sure to follow.

In this thirteenth message from the series “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter,” Dr. David Rhoades makes the transition from first-century slavery to modern-day employment as he explores this most important dynamic.

If you are a Christian, Scripture would have you understand that you are an exile living in a strange land. Your citizenship is ultimately in God’s kingdom, not man’s.

No matter what nation you belong to or the governmental system of that nation, God calls you to submit to its leaders. Christians in the United States must soon submit to Donald Trump when he becomes President.

Submission to those in authority is a general principal. It does not mean that human authority is unlimited or that we obey people when they command us to disobey God or our conscience.

Learn more about what the Bible says about this in the twelfth message from Dr. David Rhoades’ series, “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter.”

Sin. More than a mistake, a trap, or a fault; it is a power that enslaves.

Grace, likewise, is a power. And the power of grace is greater than the power of sin.

In this eleventh message from the series “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter,” Dr. David Rhoades explores how God’s grace helps us abstain from sin.

The idea that God would have a people that He would call His own, especially after having created all the people of the earth, is amazing. The thought contains within it a strong element of exclusivity, which runs very counter to the common thinking of our day.

Dr. David Rhoades invites you to discover what it means to be God’s people in the tenth message from the series “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter.”

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the Temple was the place in Jerusalem dedicated for God’s people to worship Him. It was a place of holiness, reverence, and sacredness.

Now, Jesus Christ has made God’s people the very Temple of God itself. In this ninth message from the series, “Hope for Exiles: The Teachings of First Peter,” Dr. David Rhoades explores the responsibilities and privileges of being God’s Temple.