It's Time to Shine
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· 1,109 viewsMy message in response to the coronavirus and the churches response
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Good morning GCA!! We’re so glad that you’re able to join us this morning.
Online services until we’re given the green light to meet again. (Even though we can’t meet in person we’re going to provide options for to join us) Format for the next two Sundays
On Wednesday at noon I’ll be continuing our Bible study on the book of Hebrews.
Pastor Brock and Olivia will be hosting an online youth service on the Evidence Instagram page.
Pastor Jennifer will be posting some things for Children’s ministry.
Church office will remain open if you have needs or would like to donate food.
Giving (Walk through steps)
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
During this time of “Social Distancing” the church can become closer than ever!
During this time of “Social Distancing” the church can become closer than ever!
Let’s interact - Like, Love, comment, host a watch party with friends and family. (Practice: how many of you came to online church today in your PJs?)
Find out needs within our church family and do your best to meet them or contact the church or pastoral staff to make us aware.
**Have Jennifer encourage and lead in prayer (AGWM Executive Director Greg Mundis, AG Missionary Ron Maddux)
Text Background: Paul chained to a wall in Roman prison awaiting his trial and execution. Writing letters to many believers and churches never knowing if they recieved them and never knowing if the church takes off or not.
Text Background: Paul chained to a wall in Roman prison awaiting his trial and execution. Writing letters to many believers and churches never knowing if they recieved them and never knowing if the church takes off or not.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Phil 2.
1. Allow God to Work Deeply in You.
1. Allow God to Work Deeply in You.
phil 2.1-18
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion.” (mathematic equation)
phil 2.
The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion.” (mathematic equation)
The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion.” (mathematic equation)
It was also used for “working a mine” - getting everything valuable out of the mine or “working a field” - getting the greatest harvest possible.
The purpose God wants us to achieve is Christlikeness, “to be conformed to the image of his Son” ().
The purpose God wants us to achieve is Christlikeness, “to be conformed to the image of his Son” ().
Our lives have tremendous potential, like a mine or a field, and He wants to help us fulfill that potential.
Our lives have tremendous potential, like a mine or a field, and He wants to help us fulfill that potential. One of the wonderful things about being a Christian is the knowledge that God has a plan for our lives and He will help us to work it out for His glory!
One of the wonderful things about being a Christian is the knowledge that God has a plan for our lives and He will help us to work it out for His glory!
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
“Our God is a God of infinite variety” Warren Wiersbe
“Our God is a God of infinite variety” Warren Wiersbe
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
“Our God is a God of infinite variety” Warren Wiersbe
The principle Paul laid down in verse 13 is this: God must work in us before He can work through us!
The principle Paul laid down is this: God must work in us before He can work through us!
The principle Paul laid down in verse 13 is this: God must work in us before He can work through us!
(Ex: Moses, David, the Apostles)
“God is more interested in the workman than in the work”
“God is more interested in the workman than in the work”
Our English word “energy” comes from the word translated “worketh” in . It is God’s divine energy at work in us and through us.
“God is more interested in the workman than in the work”
What things does God use to “Work” in our lives?
The Word of God
Prayer & Meditation
Suffering
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
“At work in you” - energeō - to be active, efficient: be mighty in.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
energeō - to be active, efficient: be mighty in
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
How are you going to allow God to work in you during this time?
2. Do Your Best to Keep a Blessed Attitude.
2. Do Your Best to Keep a Blessed Attitude.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Paul contrasts the life of the believer with the lives of those who live in the world. Unsaved people complain and find fault, where as the Christian is taught to rejoice in adversity.
“Grumble” - Gongysmon = foolish reasoning or reasoning that has malicious desire.
If you’re a grumbler or complainer … YOU’RE ANNOYING!!!!!!
Grumbling -
Blameless and Pure -
Warped and Crooked Generation -
Shine like stars -
Spurgeon gives three examples of things we must not murmur against:
• The Providence of God
• One another
• The ungodly world
3. It’s Truly Time to Shine.
3. It’s Truly Time to Shine.
Jesus put it this way:
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The word “star” was also used in the first century for a navigational guide that would shine in the dark to lead the ships safely into the harbor.
How do I shine like a star? DON’T GRUMBLE!!
Illustration: A Hindu trader in India once asked a missionary, "What do you put on your face to make it shine?" The missionary was a bit shocked, answered, "I don’t put anything on it!" And the Hindu began to lose patience and spoke more forcefully, "Yes, you do! All of you who believe in Jesus seem to have it.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
