There are threats that have been foretold, there are those that have already happened, and there are those that could be conspicuously anticipated. Many are living in fear and vying for survival. Yet how can a true believer shine ever more brighter in the midst of those threats?

1. Reality to Trouble and Promise

1) Trouble is a reality

• <Job 14:1> <Psalm 46:1>

2) God is in control

3) God is in the trouble

• God is effecting His will through the trouble
• <Amos 3:6> <Isaiah 14:24> <Isaiah 45:15>

4) God hides himself

• Pain and unhappiness comes when we keep asking “Why?”
• Trust and submission should transcend our need to know why we are in our troubles.

Theme verse of the conference: <John 15:18>

2. New kind of Trouble

* There will be a trap of assimilation from the world (ideologically and the way we live)

This is because Christians have a unique identifying mark. <1 Peter 2:9>

• Chosen: Chosen as God’s people
  – Identity
• Evangelistic: Declare the praises of Him who bring you out of darkness
  – The way we live

1) Threats that have been foretold 
(Bible, church history)

2) Threats that are already happening

3) Threats that could be conspicuously anticipated
(“What works” is the belief of the free society)

How to face these threats?

* The world is subtly demanding our conformity.
* How do we secure ourselves and maintain our comfort, our peace, and our position as the only light the world has in this era?
* How do we live as the only light of the gospel even as darkness is looming?

Verses to read: <1 Peter 3:12-17; 4:12-14>

1) Eagerness to do good.

• <verse 13> “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?”
  This is the first line of defense against threats and persecutions.
  

• Reasons why people cannot do good:
  – Too busy (No time to internalise the truth. Ask yourself: What is taking all your time away?)
  – Influenced wrongly (Peer pressure, other Christians, etc.)
  – Let our pride grow (Because of freedom, knowledge that we have, etc.)
  – Lack of good role models (Do right in God, and not merely do what works)

2) A willingness to suffer

• <verse 14> “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.”

• <verse 4:14> says: “That you may participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. “

• <verse 15> You are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

• The suffering of Christ >> Glory and Joy

3) Set apart Christ as Lord

• Lord: Sovereign and Holy

• In the midst of trials, do not focus on the persecutor. Focus on Christ. Focus on His sovereignty and goodness. It will bring about a sense of deep, loving, loyal, confident submission to do His will in you.

4) Be prepared to give an answer to everyone for the reason of your hope

• Be prepared to give a defense when people questioned you about your faith.
  There is no better time to present your faith (Not to retreat or compromise).

• Be sincere in your defense, and do it with gentleness and respect as the bible says.

5) Keep a clear conscience 

• Do not continue living in sin. Make sure that we are not doing things that are ungodly and unloving.
• <verse 17> “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
  The trials and persecution is going to come. But our prayers are that we can win our enemies over through our faith.

Reflection:

1. Can you foresee the threats (as mentioned) that are coming upon us?
2. Why can’t we have a passion for good at times?
   How to overcome it?