GUEST NOTES
05-03-2026 🎙️
Sermon Title: “The Just for the Unjust”
Scripture Text 1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring [f]us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
Introduction
There is no greater summary of the Gospel than this single verse. In just a few words, the Apostle Peter captures the heart of salvation, the sacrifice of Christ, and the purpose of the cross.
This verse answers three powerful questions:
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Why did Christ suffer?
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Who did He suffer for?
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What did His suffering accomplish?
We going to walk through this verse and discover the power of “The Just for the Unjust.”
1. The Purpose of His Suffering: “For sins”
“For Christ also suffered once for sins”
Jesus did not suffer by accident. His suffering was intentional and redemptive.
The suffering of Jesus Christ was:
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Not for His own wrongdoing
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Not because He failed
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But for sin — YOUR sin and MY sin (SIN… Something we don’t talk much about these days)
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Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
SUFFERING….
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“The Passion of Christ Gives us a Glamps of what he went.
The cross was not just an event — it was a payment.
Sin demanded justice. God’s holiness required a penalty. And instead of leaving us condemned, Christ stepped in.
This tells us something powerful:
You are not saved by good works, church attendance, or moral effort — you are saved because Jesus paid the price for sin.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
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2. The Substitution: “The Just for the Unjust”
“…the just for the unjust…”
This is the heart of the Gospel — substitution. His Life for ours
John 15:30 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
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The Just = Jesus (perfect, sinless, righteous)
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The Unjust = Us (flawed, broken, sinful)
Look around you, every person that you see is flawed broken in some way and sinful
Jesus took our place.
**** There will come a time in every human being life where they will face this truth. There will be no middle ground. Either you believe or you didn’t. ****
We won’t go into the ‘WHAT ABOUTS TODAY?
He stood where we should have stood.
He received what we should have received.
This is what theologians call “substitutionary atonement” — Christ taking the penalty meant for sinners.
Think about it:
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We were guilty… He was innocent
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We deserved judgment… He offered mercy
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We were far from God… He came near
The cross is the greatest exchange in history:
Our sin for His righteousness.
Our death for His life.
Our separation for His presence.
3. The Finality of His Sacrifice: “Once”
“…Christ also hath once suffered…”
Unlike the repeated sacrifices in the Old Testament, Jesus suffered once — and it was enough.
There is no need for:
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Another sacrifice
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Another Savior
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Another way (I know several people that just can’t grasp that Jesus is the only way to God)
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John 14:6 I am the way, I am the Truth, I am the life. No man comes to the father except by me.
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When Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He meant the work of redemption was complete.
This gives us confidence:
You don’t have to earn salvation — it… has… already been…. accomplished.
4. The Result: “That He might bring us to God”
“…that he might bring us to God…”
This is the goal of it all — relationship with God.
Sin separated us from God.
But through Christ:
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The distance is removed
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The barrier is broken
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The relationship GOD and Man is restored (THANK YOU JESUS) AMEN………..
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When I pray. I begin by saying. Father come to you through your son Jesus Christ (some as Jesus the Christ)
Jesus didn’t just die to forgive you — He died to bring you back to God.
Not religion…
Not ritual…
But reconciliation
Salvation is not just about escaping hell — it’s about entering into a living relationship with God.
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5. The Power of His Resurrection
“being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
Jesus died physically, but He was made alive again by the Spirit.
The Holly Spirit. When I go away the Holly Spirit (The Helper) will come and dwell within you.
Remember This:
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The cross was not the end
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Death did not win
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The grave could not hold Him
The resurrection proves:
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His sacrifice was accepted
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His power is eternal
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Our hope is alive
Because He lives, we can live.
Song… Because He lives I can face tomorrow.
Application: What Does This Mean for Us?
1. Receive the Gift
You cannot earn what Christ has already paid for.
You must receive it by faith.
2. Live with Gratitude
If the Just died for the unjust, how can we live casually about sin?
3. Share the Message
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There are still people who don’t know that Jesus died for them.
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4. Draw Near to God
Don’t stay distant when Christ died to bring you close.
Closing Illustration
Imagine standing in a courtroom, guilty beyond doubt.
The judge declares the penalty — death.
But then someone steps forward and says,
“I will take their place.”
That is what Jesus did.
He stood in your place.
He paid your debt.
He took your punishment.
So that you could walk free.
Closing Prayer
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ALL OF THIS START WITH BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
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I realize that everyone is comfortable with a public profession of faith in Jesus. If you want the opportunity for salvation is a small intimate environment
Reach out to us by calling of texting 336-338-8037 or southplainfieldfriends.org/ click on contact us and we will guide you through the next steps.
If you’re ready to surrender your life to Christ and to be a part of a loving community of people (THAT AREN’T PERFECT) But will Love you
Say this prayer with me
Jesus,
I know that I need You.
I believe You died for my sins
and rose again to give me new life.
Today, I turn from my old ways
and give my life fully to You.
Please forgive me of my sins,
change me,………and lead me ……from this day forward.
I trust You as my Savior,
Thank You for loving me and saving me.
Amen.
If you said this prayer and truly believe it in your heart, we believe that you are a Christian.
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