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

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.

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.