By Pastor Jason Lim

Covid-19 spreads through close contact. Isolation and decontamination are required.

Sin also spreads through close contact. Isolation and decontamination are also required.

Paul, using the imagery of leaven in bread, talks about the contamination that 1 sinner can bring to the entire church.

He then goes deeper into the Passover Festival to draw out the gospel-centered implications to a decisive cut with sin.

But does this mean we are to withdraw from all sinners?

By Pastor Jason Lim

There are 2 major covenants in the Bible- the Old Covenant & the New Covenant. There are 2 approaches to God.

The Old Covenant is about self-righteousness- man earns his own way to God by obeying the 10 commandments.

The New Covenant is all of grace- that God will forgive and change us because Jesus paid it all!

Here, the Apostle Paul dives deeper into the New Covenant, and shows us 4 things:

1. Comparison

Paul says the Old Covenant is glorious. But he says the New Covenant far surpasses it.

The New Covenant brings life, brings righteousness, is the work of the Spirit, and is permanent.

So, it is fare more glorious than the Old Covenant.

2. Communication

The apostles are unreserved in preaching the gospel, because they are confident it is the message that brings righteousness and life. They know it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.

3. Comprehension

People do not see the glory of the New Covenant because there is a "veil" over their hearts. This veil is removed only when one turns to the Spirit.

4. Confirmation

The glory of the New Covenant is seen in transformed lives. Instead of letters of recommendation written by man, Paul says the greatest proof of ministry is Christ-like lives!

By Pastor Jason Lim

Because the Corinthians questioned and challenged Paul as an Apostle, he wrote 2nd Corinthians to defend and to explain his ministry. In these verses, he revealed

1. The Proof of Ministry

Whilst the false teachers probably accumulated letters of recommendation, Paul was not interested in any of that. Instead, his confidence was placed on the people, and how their lives have changed. Whilst letters of recommendation are not wrong, the best proof of ministry is increasing holiness and Christlikeness in God's people.

2. The Power in Ministry

The false teachers might have vaunted their own eloquence, charisma, credentials and so on. But Paul reminded his readers that his sufficiency is of God alone. The true minister recognizes that except the Lord build the house, we labor in vain that build it.

3. The Premise of Ministry

The Apostles focused on the New Covenant- the agreement God had made to Israel that He will sovereignly, unilaterally and graciously forgive them of their sins and to give them a new heart (not of stone, but of flesh, with God's laws written therein). So instead of the Old covenant where one depends on his own strength to earn favor with God (which is doomed to failure because of our spiritual weakness), Paul preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, whereby the Holy Spirit works in human hearts unto salvation. His was a ministry of life and freedom!

Today, this new covenant is also available to those who will repent and believe.

And this new covenant is also the basis for us to serve in the gospel.

By Pastor Jason Lim

Paul introduces the Apostolic ministry using 2 pictures- a triumphal procession and the spread of aroma.

1. The Apostle is likened to a captive in chains in the Roman triumphal procession.

2. A conquered enemy in captivity brings glory to the Roman General.

3. An apostle is like that conquered enemy that brings glory to God.

4. Paul says in effect the glory and power of God is displayed through the suffering and weakness of the Apostles.

5. This is the Paradox of Ministry

6. So, far from pomp and pride, the apostles realise they are jars of clay.

7. God has chosen to amplify His power & glory through the weakness of His servants.

8. Ministry is not where we "live it up", but where one dies to self for God's glory.

9. As John said, "He must increase, and I must decrease."

1. The Apostle is likened to the spread of aroma

2. The Purpose of Ministry is to spread the knowledge of God.

3. And whilst not all will repent and receive the gospel, one must be loyal and faithful to the message.

4. The most important thing in ministry is faithfulness to God's word.

But finally, let us also note the Privilege of Ministry.

Far from being upset or discouraged by the sufferings, Paul gives thanks to God in v14 for the ministry.

By Pastor Jason Lim

The song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" was a big hit in 1973, and has remained one of the most popular songs in the world today. It is a song about forgiveness and restoration. It tells of a man who has done his time in prison, and who is writing to see if he will be welcomed by his loved one upon his release.

In 2Corinthians, Paul also calls for the church to forgive and receive the penitent sinner. Yes, sin must be dealt with. But when there is repentance, the church should also be quick to forgive and receive, lest the brother sink into excessive sorrow, the people develop hard-heartedness and the church remains divided.

This quickness to restore should also be applied in our marriages and in our relationships.

And we can also be encouraged that the God of the Bible is quick to forgive and receive the penitent.

By Pastor Jason Lim

Integrity is vital to leadership.

People will not follow people they cannot trust.

So when the Corinthians accused Paul of being fickle and frivolous in his plans, Paul had to explain himself.

His assured them that he wasn't disingenuous towards them, but that the change of plan was for their genuine good.

His life and ministry had always been singular and sincere towards them, just as God is always faithful in the gospel.

The importance of integrity is not just for church leaders.

Every Christian is called to a life of integrity and truthfulness.

So what does this life of integrity look like?

And how can we live out such a life?

BY Pastor Jason Lim

Our church, like the Corinthian church, is plagued with sin. So, the study of the book of 1st Corinthians helps us approach the sin issue. As we wrapped up the problem of schism last time, we now progress to the problem of sexual immorality.

The sin is a shameful one- that one of the members of the church will commit immorality with his father's wife- something that even the unchurched will not be caught doing.

But instead of grieving and dealing decisively with sin, the Corinthian church prided themselves in their "toughness" or even in their "tolerance". Paul says, "quit it! Deal with it! Put that man out! Let him suffer in his sin... so that perhaps one day, he'll repent and be saved."

When should we exercise church discipline? How should it be done? Who should decide?

All these and more will be covered in the sermon.

But underlying all this is a wonderful promise that our God is a God of grace and mercy, who will forgive the sins of those who will humble themselves and repent. May this simple message also encourage you to do so, that you may be healed.

By Pastor Jason Lim

Much ink has been spilled over the division in the Corinthian church. We now come to the final appeal Paul made to the Corinthians to end their feuds. In this last segment, Paul appealed to them to look to his

1.Walk.

Paul was not someone who had all talk but no walk. He led by example. When he said to them not to be boastful or arrogant, he modeled a life of humility and servanthood. He was not "living it up", but was willing to be the refuse and scum of the world. So he says to them, "be imitators of me".

2. Warmth.

He needed to use a harsh tone and harsh words to jolt them to their senses. But he also quickly reminded them of his warm affectionate love for them as their "spiritual father". Ultimately, we know he said these tough things for their own good.

3. Warning. Paul was no softie. And he would not tolerate sin and schism in the church. Much as he'd loathe to do so, he would not hesitate to dole out discipline in the church if the prideful schisms persist when he should come.

The pastoral ministry requires a nuanced balance of firmness and gentleness.

Paul, at the end of the day, showed the great importance of exampling- "be imitators of me". And that is also what our Savior has done for us. The enduring images of His crucifixion and of His washing the feet of his disciples burn in our hearts the supreme importance of humble servanthood. May the gospel melt our stubborn pride away, and may it heal deep divides and unite the church of Jesus Christ.

By Pastor Jason Lim

People often assume that "Sufferings = not loved by God", and that prosperity = "loved by God."

Whilst it may be true at times, this is not true all the time.

In the Bible, we see that God uses the instrument of pain for the good of His beloved children.

Whilst the Corinthians despised Paul for his many sufferings, Paul reveals that they are instrumental to molding him to be the minister God wants him to be. He is afflicted, so that he may then be comforted, and so that he can comfort others too.

So we see that afflictions are not a good sign of God's favor or disfavor.

But afflictions is a good school for us to learn of the things of God.

And finally, this sermon will help you see that afflictions is like a seamstress to weave our lives together in the church.

Find out more from this sermon, and see how we can all rejoice in the Lord, in good times and tough times!

By Pastor Jason Lim

Someone said that the job of a university professor is to talk in other people's sleep! Well then, what is the job of a pastor?

Paul in 1Co 4:1-5 lays down plainly the job description:

1. The Role.

The Pastor is not a celebrity or superstar- he is a servant. The word means galley-rower. It refers to a Roman slave pulling the oars in the lower decks of a ship. Pastors must not be filled with a sense of inordinate self-importance. He is satisfied when no one applauds him, as long as everyone applauds Jesus. He does not want to photobomb Jesus!

2. The Responsibility.

The Pastor is likened to a steward who manages the household for his master. He dutifully dispenses what is needed to the workers so that they can do the work. A Pastor dispenses the mysteries of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And he must do so with faithfulness- no modification, addition, or subtraction from the truth.

3. The Review.

The job review is done only once when Jesus returns. But it will be a thorough and accurate review. And then everyone will receive his commendation from the Lord. Till then, we are to be faithful, and to keep our eyes fixed on that day. In Christ, we can be freed from the trap of performance before men.