Philippians: "Shine as lights" Philippians 2:12-30

Today we are on our 6th sermon in our series on the book of Philippians.

Last week we covered Paul’s message to Philippi about having a mindset of unity

And to have a mindset of unity Paul highlights that we need to have the same mindset Christ had.

Service (humility, selfless look out for each other)

[Citizens of Heaven]

The next passage Paul covers in versus 12-18 is a blueprint for the church in Philippi to follow.

I am going to read versus 19-30 before we unpack versus 12-18,

because I believe it will give helpful context of what Paul is trying to communicate to them. (Don’t Recommend this geerally but you will understand shortly why I am doing this.

Philippians 2:19–30 (ESV)

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:15-17 own interests) goes on to say...

22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. (Phil 1:14 Boldness)

I want to build some context for you this morning from Paul’s letter here. (Citizens of Heaven)

Greatest Example… Jesus

In the middle versus 12-18 (Blueprint)

Human Example’s… Timothy and Epaphroditus

Before I read versus 12-18 of chapter 2 I want to remind you of Paul’s situation.

Paul is in prison and is not sure if he is going to be executed or remain alive… (that is the reality that Paul faces)

Philippians 2:12–18 (ESV)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Story of architect… (obedient, hold firmly to the plan)

Paul giving the blueprint…

Paul’s main point is to shine as lights.

1. Shine as lights

Philippians 2:15 (ESV)

15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

(Paul to the church in a pagan city)

1. Shine as lights

a. Walk in Obedience

Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

To shine the light of Jesus,

we need to walk in obedience to Jesus.

Their is tension in these two versus about walking in obedience as someone who is a citizen of heaven.

Paul begins with saying you need to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”

NLT Phrases it as “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.”

Paul begins with the idea that to walk in obedience to God we need to work hard to produce fruit that shows that we have been born again.

But it is important not to stop there...

Because Paul goes on to say in verse 13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

NLT “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Paul has already introduced this idea of God working in the believer life in the beginning of his letter.

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

It is important to understand that God is working in your life to produce the desire to do what pleases Him.

But it is equally important to understand that we have to submit our lives to his power in order for him to work in our lives.

Story work out video...

God will give you the power to walk in obedience,

but you need to do your part and submit your life to Jesus as Lord of your life.

1. Shine as lights

a. Walk in Obedience

b. Live Blameless and Innocent lives

Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV)

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

I remember many years ago,

going to a softball game with my brother and hearing a sermon that was called we are being watched. (Christian always being watched)

[what do people see]

Paul communicates that as Citizens of Heaven,

there is a higher call.

Paul has already touched on this idea of being blameless

Philippians 1:10 (ESV)

10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

I will be honest that being called a Christian today has a lot of baggage.

(Pastor’s falling) [Working with Christians has been harder than non Christians]

Not holding firmly to the word of life...

1. Shine as lights

a. Walk in Obedience

b. Live Blameless and Innocent lives

C. Hold firmly to the word of life

Philippians 2:16 (ESV)

16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Philippians 2:16a (NLT)

16 Hold firmly to the word of life;

Holding firmly to the word of life (Cling)

vs

Holding firmly to the word of men

(grumbling or disputing) [lose my light]

Paul says if you want to carry the light into a cooked and twisted generation,

you have to hold firmly to the word of life.

See when you hold firmly to the word of life,

you wont be moved by every negative situation that happens.

When you hold firmly to the word of life,

you built your life on the Rock, Jesus Christ

and you will speak the word of life.

If you want to carry light wherever you go,

you need to speak the word of life everywhere you go,

you need to live out the word of life everywhere you go. Amen!

Paul closes out this passage about shining the light of Jesus in this pagan city of Philippi,

and gives the church this amazing blueprint to follow by….

a. Walk in Obedience

b. Live Blameless and Innocent lives

C. Hold firmly to the word of life

V16 so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Christ return…

Philippians 1:10 ESV

10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Paul understand that each one in Philippi will give an account of their lives when Jesus returns…

Thus, Paul’s message is for the church in Philippi to follow this blueprint,

so when Jesus comes again that he may be a proud spiritual father… (This passage is not new ideas for Paul)

As a father… what blueprint am I instilling into my kids…

Legacy... (Worldly success or Spiritual success)