Gospel Light Christian Church

Exilic Life in the Light of Eternity [1 Peter 4:7-11]

By Pastor Jason Lim Christians live in a hostile world. Our savior was hated. We will be persecuted too. But we respond by focusing on our: 1. VERTICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD We are to be clear-minded about the return of Jesus, who will judge all things. We are to be prayerful for the sake of our purity and perseverance. 2. HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH Jesus' return should lead us to love one another earnestly. We show hospitality and serve one another with our gifts. We are so prone to believe that what God is after in us is only huge acts of service. But God really intends for the Christian life to be a long journey of small, humble, and joyful obedience. May God be glorified in His church!

Armed to Suffer Well [1 Peter 4:1-6]

By Pastor Jason Lim There is only 1 command in this passage- to arm ourselves with the Jesus way of thinking to suffer well. Why? 1. EXAMPLE OF CHRIST Whilst it is never easy to suffer, it's easier knowing we are not pioneers, but followers of suffering. 2. EXPECTATION OF CONFLICT The world around us hates Christ and His church. Persecution is not strange, because we have become strange to the world. 3. EXONERATION OF THE CHRISTIAN Whilst the world may judge us, God will vindicate us, and raise us to new life, like how He raised Jesus in the Spirit. As Christ suffered before us, let us suffer well: do good, bless others, trust God, and glorify Him through the way of the cross.

The Way of Jesus: Victory Through Suffering [1 Peter 3:18-22]

By Pastor Jason Lim Suffering is not a curse. It is the path of Jesus. Peter thus exhorts his readers to endure, to do good: 1. PROCLAMATION. Jesus, after His death & resurrection, proclaimed His victory, by the Spirit, to fallen angels in Tartarus. 2. PROTECTION. Peter uses the same Noahic story to show just as God saved the 8 in the ark from the waters, He will save His people in Christ from His judgment, through Christ’s death & resurrection. 3. PRE-EMINENCE. Jesus shows that suffering injustice is the path to glory. God wants us to be priests who glorify him. And it is via surprising ways of submission and suffering.

Shining in Suffering
[1 Peter 3:13-17]

By Pastor Jason Lim God can bring good to people as they suffer. 1. REASSURANCE Whilst Christians will suffer even when we do good, there is no ultimate harm. We can trust God, like David, and our greater David, Jesus. 2. RESPONSE We are called to: Replace our Fear (fear God instead of man's threat). Relate our Faith (give a defence of the hope that is in us). We are fishers of men in all circumstances. 3. RESULTS Peter summarises how suffering injustice is good. It brings good to us (promised inheritance), and good for others (present influence). God wants us to be priests who glorify him. And it is via surprising ways of submission and suffering. This is the way of Jesus

Bless, That You May Obtain A Blessing [1 Peter 3:8-12]

By Pastor Jason Lim Jesus said, "Love your enemies." Peter carries this ethos into His letter here in 1st Peter. 1. VALUES Embrace the 5 inward values of harmony, sympathy, charity, pity & humility, so that they will be expressed in outward blessing to others. 2. VOCATION To follow Jesus, is to withhold retaliation and to bless instead. This is what it means to be spiritual priests offering sacrifices. 3. VINDICATION Whilst we may think non-retaliation will mean that we lose out, it will ultimately pay off when we receive our future inheritance and glory. Christians are free from vindictiveness because God is our vindication.