Gospel Light Christian Church

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.

The Sweet Husband [1 Peter 3:7]

By Pastor Jason Lim Husbands are commanded to subject themselves to their wives too- not in obeying them, but in understanding and honoring them. 1. UNDERSTANDING Husbands are to live with their wives in an understanding way- Study your wife! Be an expert on your wife! Do a PhD on her! 2. UNDERTAKING Instead of abusing their wives, husbands are to undertake the role of lifting her up. He is to honor her. 3. UNDERPINNING There are 2 reasons why: 1) God values your wife. 2) God values your witness. She is a fellow heir with you. She is precious. How you honor your wife will be a "sermon" people will watch and hear about Christ.

The Submissive Wife [1 Peter 3:1-6]

By Pastor Jason Lim Wives are commanded to subject themselves to their husbands as an expression of their priesthood (2:9). 1. PRINCIPLE Wives submit as part of God’s created order, doing so for the Lord’s sake and in reverence to Him—not by nagging, belittling, or “mothering” their husbands, but by appreciating, praying for, and supporting them. 2. PRIORITY Wives should prize inner, soul-deep beauty over outward appearance, because it is imperishable, precious to God, and a powerful witness that can draw a husband to the Lord. 3. PATTERN Holy women like Sarah submitted to their husbands because their hope was in God, not man. Trusting Him to make all things right in His time, they found freedom from the “what ifs” that threaten quiet confidence in submission.

Our Boss And The Cross [1 Peter 2:18-25]

By Pastor Jason Lim Apostle Peter teaches the need to suffer injustice as a means of glorifying God. 1. COMMAND Slaves must obey even unjust, harsh, wicked, and perverse masters. The fear of God is their motivation. 2. COMMENDATION Suffering injustice in the hands of unjust masters is not meaningless but beautiful because God is honoured. 3. CALLING We are called to follow Jesus, suffering injustice without retaliation. 4. CONFIDENCE Jesus entrusted Himself to God who judges justly. And so can we. 5. CONSEQUENCE Through our obedience (enduring in the face of injustice), people may be saved too, by the grace of God. Suffering injustice is not a weakness, nor a waste, nor a wrong. It is the surprising plan of God to witness to and to win the lost.