Let It Shine

Read with me starting in Philippians 1:27 through Philippians 2:11.

Someone. please ask WHY???

The Philippians were a unique church. They were founded during Paul’s visit, written in Acts, where he met Lydia, a seller of purple. Philippi is in the area of Macedonia where he was called to in a dream. He and Silas went there first where he cast a demon out of a young girl who was fortune telling. When he did her owners, she was a slave, brought Paul and Silas to the magistrates. Because of the complaint, Paul and Silas were beaten, thrown in prison without due process, a big deal for Philippi and a Roman citizen, then when the jail cells opened, later, they were able to minister to the warden. He and his family came to Christ because of that. You can read about all of that in Acts 16.

The church at Philippi was in a Roman town, but originally founded by Philip the father of Alexander the Great. It was where many Roman soldiers retired to. It had no poll or land tax assessed against it because it was an important trade route and well known for it’s loyalty to the Roman empire. The worship of the emperors was practiced there as well as worship of Egyptian gods, Isis, Serapis and several others gods, emphasis on little g.

The Church was also noted for its continued support of Paul while he was in prison. None of the other churches he founded were noted for this assistance. They sent Epaphroditus and later Timothy made a round trip, to Philippi and then back to Rome. They sent funds and checked to see if he, Paul, were alright.

They, the church, lived their mission. The mission Paul had taught them to follow. The words he wrote to them were not idle praise, but recognition of the great things they were doing.

When I started writing this sermon, I almost forgot my first priority. That priority is, “Everything in context.” This passage Philippians 2:12-18 is part of a greater context within this part of the letter he had written to them. It is an exhortation or call to unity. It is so easy to miss the context of the message and present something that was not part of the text from the view of the writer. Context, context, context…

The message doesn’t make a complete picture if we just looked at the next short passage, Phil 2:12-18

1. You Are Doing Great, Keep it up

Tom said I should tell you this while he is out. In fact he assigned this passage because he didn’t have to preach it.

I am just kidding, by the way. I do find it ironic that this is the passage in Philippians that came up while he is out.

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.

I want you to read this in another translation. It opens up some of the wording and may make it more clear.

Philippians 2:12-13 NLT

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

2. Focus on Sanctification (getting better day by day)

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling means, take it very seriously, just like it was stated in the New Living Translation.

Don’t stop because you think you have arrived.

Don’t assume you have your ticket to heaven and just do whatever you feel like.

You must keep growing and moving forward.

In discipleship you should always be learning and growing. That is the focal point of our church mission, “Glorifying God by growing others in Christ.”

Most of you, like most of the Philippian church, GOT IT!

The problem?

We are all called to,

GET IT!!!

Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 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,

What is the contrast here?

You live in the midst of a what? A crooked and twisted generation, that’s what.

What does that imply?

It says that even though you live in the middle, you are not of it. You know my favorite question. Say it!

Why?

Because, you are children of God. You are not children of the world. You just live in it. You are called to be disciples who are always learning, who are always growing, who are always maturing, Who are always doing the will of God the Father.

That’s why.

The Philippians, for the most part, were doing just that. That is why {all has high praise for them. This letter is used to show how we are to act and who we are to be because of who we represent.

How?

I am so glad you asked. Here is how.

Philippians 2:16 (ESV)

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.

Holding fast…is that some type of speed?

No.

Holding fast means to hold onto with all your strength. It means to never let go. You have given yourself to this and plan to live it for all of this earthly life. That is what holding fast means.

Are you holding fast?

Would you give your life for the truth of God, or would you let go when you were threatened the first time?

Paul is asking this question for a very good reason. He is currently, at the time of writing, sitting in a Roman prison cell. He is on the palatine hill in the mamartine prison waiting on a decision that was life or death. Either he was going to be released to go back to his ministry or he was going to lose his head.

It is believed that shortly after writing this he was sentenced to death. Because he was a Roman citizen by birth, he was beheaded rather than crucified.

Philippians 2:17–18 ESV

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. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

If Tom or I were to be sacrificed for our beliefs and because we taught you the truth of the word, would you support us still or would you abandon us? Most of the people and churches abandoned Paul, but not the Philippians. They stuck it out. They sent money to him so he had food and his other needs were taken care of. They sent people to check on him and to take information to him and return with information from him to the churches. Not every church did that. As far as we know, the Philippians may have been the only ones to support him.

More important is, will you be faithful if things go bad here in our country. It could still. We may have been given a period of grace by getting a certain leader in place who is favorable to religious freedom. It could also be something different or even worse.

In this world we are called to be salt and light. Will your light shine.

Matthew 5:13–16 ESV

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.