For the week of August 3, 2026
MONDAY
Day One: Christ Suffered for Sins
Truth: 1 Peter 3:18-22 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Sermon Point: Christ suffered not only to reconcile us to God but also to show us the path of faithful obedience – a path that may include suffering for doing good, just as it did for Him. His once‑for‑all sacrifice fulfilled and surpassed the old sacrificial system, as The Righteous One took on our sin and gave us His holiness so we could stand blameless before our Holy Father. In His death, Jesus bore the punishment we deserved, and in His resurrection, He conquered both sin and death, becoming the source of new and greater life for all who are born again in Him. Because He was made alive in the spirit and now reigns with all authority, we too can live alive to God – free, reconciled, and empowered to follow Him even when obedience is costly.
Application: Identify a specific situation where doing good is costing you something – relational tension, obedience that feels inconvenient, integrity that comes with a price, etc. Write it down, pray over it, and consciously say: “Lord, if this is Your will, use it for my good and Your glory.” Receive God’s empowering grace which enables you to embrace suffering rather than resent it.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Praise God that through the willing sacrifice of His Son, we can be reconciled to Him forever.
- Thank Jesus for His willingness to become like one of us so that by grace through faith, we might become like Him as the Spirit sanctifies us.
TUESDAY
Day Two: Jesus Proclaimed to the Spirits in Prison
Truth: 1 Peter 3:18-22 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Sermon Point: Peter introduces a mysterious but important moment in Christ’s victory when “He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison.” While there are multiple theories about who these “spirits” are, Scripture doesn’t give enough detail to make a definitive claim. However, what matters, is that after being made alive in the spirit, Christ proclaimed His triumph over sin and death to every realm – even to those imprisoned spirits – revealing the total scope of His victory.
Application: Choose one concrete act of obedience – sharing the reason for the Hope that you have, serving someone sacrificially, or stepping into a difficult conversation – because Christ’s victory guarantees that no spiritual force can ultimately oppose His work through you. Act as someone who knows the risen Christ already reigns!
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Thank God for the colossal gift of salvation we have in Christ – triumph over sin and death – and power to now live victoriously for God’s Glory Alone.
- Pray that FM would be unabashedly bold to proclaim Christ’s victory in all we do and say, standing firm in God’s grace and peace, no matter what!
WEDNESDAY
Day Three: Noah
Truth: 1 Peter 3:18-22 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Sermon Point: Peter gives us some important information about the imprisoned spirits; namely, that they were those who rebelled against God in the days of Noah. Their story highlights both the depth of human and spiritual corruption in those days and the steadfast obedience of Noah, whom God preserved through the flood. In recalling this, Peter shows that Christ’s authority extends even to these rebellious beings, underscoring God’s enduring pattern of judging evil while saving His chosen people.
Application: Many in Noah’s day ignored God’s warnings; let’s not be like them. Today, choose one attitude, habit, or sin where you’ve been resisting God’s authority. Confess it honestly and take one practical step to move toward repentance and alignment with His will.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Repent of all the times and ways you have been resisting God’s authority in your life – receive His grace and forgiveness – and recommit to humbly submitting to and serving Him.
- Thank God for grace upon grace upon grace in your life – be specific – and let your heart overflow with praise and worship!
THURSDAY
Day Four: Baptism
Truth: 1 Peter 3:18-22 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Sermon Point: Peter shifts his focus to baptism to show how it corresponds to God’s saving work in Noah’s day, helping us grasp the full weight of Christ’s death and resurrection. He reminds us that Christ fulfills the entire story of Scripture, that His suffering was part of God’s master plan, that God is patient with sinners, and that He saves those who obey Him – just as He saved Noah through the waters. Baptism, then, is not a cleansing ritual that removes sin but an appeal to God for a clean conscience, meaning, a sign of repentance and new life made possible only through Christ’s once‑for‑all victory. It symbolizes dying to sin and being raised to new life, just as Noah was lifted above judgment and Christ was raised from the dead. Ultimately, baptism is an outward sign of the inward grace that makes us born again; it’s a God‑given marker of the salvation accomplished by Christ alone.
Application: Noah faithfully obeyed God’s specific instructions – we have specific instructions, too. Today, go and make disciples all throughout your everyday, ordinary life.
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Praise God and pray for all those who faithfully took their next steps toward Christ at our Salvation Celebration service a couple of weeks ago.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to grant us understanding of the incredibly important Truths we are learning in Peter – so that we can both believe and behave in step with them.
FRIDAY
Day Five: Christ Ascended and Has All Authority
Truth: 1 Peter 3:18-22 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Sermon Point: Peter ends by reminding us that the same Jesus who suffered and died for us now reigns at the right hand of God, with every angelic and spiritual power placed under His authority. He is Lord over all and His victory is absolute and eternal! That’s why we can now live with unshakable hope and deep joy, even through suffering – our Savior rules the universe and will one day call us Home.
Application: Worship in humility and truth with this song today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFHowWhVG2E&list=RDkFHowWhVG2E&start_radio=1
Kingdom Prayer Focus:
- Pray that we would learn to trust in God’s authoring and rely on the power of His Spirit more than we trust in and rely on our own strength.
- Praise God for Jesus’ triumph over sin and death – pray that it would root us in unshakable hope and uncontainable joy.