Lights of the World

Paul has built his foundation. The first chapter of this letter are words of encouragement from Paul, in the Spirit, to the Philippians (v. 3-11). Life is hard. When you(church) are committed to magnifying Jesus’s name in your friends, families, and community, trouble and persecution will follow (v. 12-18; 29-30). BUT when our foundation and future is securely fixed in Jesus Christ we can endure the troubles and persecutions because the pain has a purpose and that is a source for endless joy and it is that Joy that motivates us to keep going despite those struggles (v. 19-26).

We then see a shift from this encouragement to some theological and practical teaching. What is the heart and mindset that we need to say “To live is Christ and to Die is gain” ?

Paul starts in v. 27 with this phrase “Let your (the church) manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ...”

1. Unity of Spirit (all saved)

2. Unity of Mind (all humble, considering others more important that yourself - v. 2:1-11)

3. Unity of Mission (all striving for the Gospel v. 12-18).

That second point is what we talked about last week. Paul gives us the glorious example of Jesus and his story that gives us our path to follow. He concludes that story with the culmination of his mission, God glorification through Christ’s exaltation.

Read Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5–11 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Where do we go after that?

Isaiah 6:1–8 ESV

1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

After we encounter to holiness and glory of God, we should be moved to action.

That is the direction Paul goes here. THEREFORE - because of the glory and greatness of Jesus Christ … go be a light in the world.

Main Idea: Because of the glory, greatness, and love of Christ, Christians, being full of Joy, should actively and intentionally live a life that is set apart from the world bringing light to the darkness.

Point 1: The Christian Life is an active and intentional life.

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.

This work is not a saving work.

The greek word Paul used for Salvation (the process of being saved) can also mean rescue which tells us he had no intention of communicating that we could at all save ourselves. Another commentary gives the idea of a process of being saved..being saved is not something you do. That is a passive phrase. If I say you are being fed, you have no part in that other than receiving the food.

We are commanded to “work out our salvation” which can be a bit confusing because in the same breath we are saying that we don’t do anything to be saved.

Work out here has the sense of bringing to completion. It is not a matter of working for salvation. We could never do that. The very word salvation (which means ‘rescue’) signifies that we cannot save ourselves (cf. Jn. 15:4–5; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 2:5, 8), but we can and must live lives that show God’s saving power that we have made our own - Francis Foulkes, “Philippians,” in New Bible Commentary

A verse that I think could help clear this up a bit is James 2:18

James 2:18 ESV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Now let’s talk about what work means. Someone look up the definition…WORK is active and intentional. No one just works to work.

The beauty of this work is that we are equipped and empowered to do it because of God.

He gives both the desire and the strength to do what is pleasing to him. - Francis Foulkes, “Philippians,” in New Bible Commentary

Through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, we are empowered to work for God.

Application: Put in the work, but it should be a response to salvation not an effort to gain salvation.

Point 2: Blind the world with your work.

Philippians 2:14–16 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, 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.

What is the “all things”? This is the Work that Paul just mentioned. So you could say “Work actively and intentionally without grumbling or disputing…” OR to connect last weeks, “Be humble without grumbling or disputing…”

It is not just our actions but also our attitude that separates us from the world. If you are doing something for someone else and then complaining about it, then you are not serving them.

If you are serving at a church function or event and complaining the whole time then you are not truly serving.

If you are “building a relationship” with a fellow student and then complaining about them you are not doing anything to build a relationship.

The attitude behind your actions makes a difference. Ask your parents. If you take the trash out like you were told and slam the door, cabinet, lid and everything in between, you are going to get in trouble because that is a poor attitude.

But why does it even matter what our attitude is? That’s between me and God right? NO. Paul clearly says here that your attitude is what sets you apart from the World. It is possible to be obedient and sinful at the same time.

Your attitude AND your obedience to God make up the light that you shine.

The world is a dark place and we need the light of the Lord to shine through us. God honors that through our attitude and obedience. Maybe you are the only one at your school or in your circle that is trying to shine your light…one light makes a difference.

How do you keep your attitude right? The word of life. Listening to the Voice of God that is the Bible will help you keep the right attitude.

Paul says if they continue as lights in the world he will not labor in vain..or that is what will make his joy complete..to see these children of his in the faith living lives that are lighting up the world…That’s my desire for you and I know your parents desire for you.

Application: Desire and fight for a joyful attitude in all the work you do.

Point 3: The work we do for Christ is a great, glorious, and eternal work so work with joy!

Philippians 2:16–18 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. 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.

Paul is so joyful…he is so happy. You can sense it in the words. “I am glad and rejoice with you all” Why? because of the Word of Life the foundation of his faith that drives his will to work.

v. 17 - Even if he dies because of the work he put in for the Philippians and the faith they have…he is happy.

V. 18 - And the Philippians should “be glad and rejoice” too because Godly work is good work!

It reminds us of Philippians 1:18

Philippians 1:18 ESV

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Gospel work..Godly work is good work. We have to understand that.

How can we work with joy?

What do you love to do?

How can you do Godly, Gospel work in that?

Application: Do good, Godly, Gospel Work with Joy!

Conclusion:

Main Idea: Because of the glory, greatness, and love of Christ, Christians, being full of Joy, should actively and intentionally live a life that is set apart from the world bringing light to the darkness.

This cannot happen apart from a deep love and understanding of Philippians 2:5-11.

If we aren’t lit up with the love of Jesus our light will not shine in the darkness of the world.