Shining Brightly for the Sake of the Gospel

Shining Brightly for the Sake of the Gospel

Philippians 2:12-30

Hopewell Baptist Church

May 10, 2020

Opening Illustration

As a family, when we get ready for a road trip, we usually buy some special snacks for the kids to have, something that’s good and a bit of a treat for them. However, when we get them, we have to set them apart from everything else in the house so the kids won’t find them and eat them.

Likewise, Paul encourages the Philippian believers to live their lives set apart, shining brightly, for a purpose.

Big Idea: As Christians, we are called to lives our lives shining brightly for the sake of the Gospel. Here in Philippians 2:12-30, we will see exactly how Paul encourages the Philippians to do that in their lives.

Philippians 2:12-30

Pray

I. The Reality of Obedience – Philippians 2:12-13

a. The reality of obedience is that obedience is something we must live out in our lives.

b. v.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.

i. Paul makes the statement “as you have always obeyed” – Throwback to Phil. 1:3-5, in how they were eager to partner for the Gospel from the beginning.

ii. Here, Paul is not saying that we have to work our own salvation, but to work it out.

iii. Not how to be saved, but how to live out our salvation in our lives, how to apply this so great a salvation to our every day lives. And how do we do that? Obedience. Faithful obedience to the One who saved us.

iv. Fear and trembling – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” – Proverbs 1:7

v. In this verse, Paul exhorts the Philippians to do this all the time, whether he, Paul, is there or not.

c. v.13 – for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

i. The God who works in us…is not doing the work for us (obedience) but empowers us to do so, to work out our own salvation.

1. When our FINITE work of obedience in this life is empowered by the infinite work of God, our work becomes an expression of God’s work.

d. The Reality of Obedience is that obedience is one of, if not the greatest, expression of love of God and of living a life set apart for God in such a way that those around us will see.

II. The Application of Obedience – Philippians 2:14-18

a. Applying this obedience in our lives is what truly makes us shine, setting us apart from the world.

b. v.14 – Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

i. Paul here is exhorting the Philippians to NOT be like the ancient Israelites whose grumbling and disputing got them 40 years wandering in the desert.

ii. Explicit – Don’t grumble or dispute. Implicit – Joyful obedience.

1. Remember, we serve the risen Savior, the Creator of the world

c. v.15-16 – 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, 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.

i. Paul is encouraging the Philippian believers to:

1. Be blameless and innocent

2. Be without blemish

3. Shine as lights

4. Hold fast to the Word of life

ii. This is a call to be Holy, a call to be set apart. A call to shine brightly for the sake of the Gospel!

iii. Paul is proud, boasting in Christ, that in the end days, he will not have labored in vain

1. Pastors are also held accountable for those in their flock (Hebrews 13:17), so Paul obviously, here, is feeling accountable for them.

d. v.17-18 – 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 should also be glad and rejoice with me.

i. Even if Paul is to die as a martyr for the Gospel, he will continue to rejoice in the faith of the Philippian believers.

ii. In verse 18, he calls upon them to rejoice, as well, for his suffering and the good it is doing for the sake of the Gospel.

III. Examples of Lives that Shine – Philippians 2:19-30

a. Timothy – v.19-24

i. Paul desires to send his dear Timothy, as soon as he can!

ii. Paul encourages the Philippians that, unlike those who preach the gospel out of selfish gain (Phil. 1:15, 17), Timothy is genuinely concerned for the Philippians and to preach the Gospel (v. 20, 22; Phil. 1:15-16).

iii. Timothy – v.22 - 1. Proven reliability 2. Like a son to Paul 3. A faithful servant of the Gospel.

iv. Paul desires to send Timothy after he has an idea of what is going to happen at his trial. He wants to then come shortly after Timothy, fully expecting that he is going to be found innocent and released (v.23-24).

b. Epaphroditus – v.25-30

i. Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippian church to aid and minister to Paul, as the state doesn’t care or provide for its prisoners.

ii. Epaphroditus is

1. My brother – Paul’s brother in Christ

2. Fellow worker – Paul’s fellow worker in the harvest of God

3. Fellow soldier – brother in arms, fighting the good fight, contending for the Gospel.

4. Messenger – deliverer of this letter to the church in Philippi

5. Minister to my need – He was sent to minister to Paul

iii. Epaphroditus also yearns to go back to Philippi because the last they had heard of him was a report of his illness that brought him close to death. Him arriving with word from Paul would be encouraging that 1. He is alive, and 2. That he brings word from Paul.

iv. Paul also encourages the Philippians to honor such men as Epaphroditus, who have risked so much for the sake of the Gospel…and in doing so, it brings honor and glory to God.

IV. Application

a. Both Timothy and Epaphroditus are examples of shining for the sake of the Gospel, living their lives easily seen as set apart for God and the Gospel.

b. In the same way, we are called to shine brightly for the sake of the Gospel. We are called to shine as holy, set apart for God, shining as a light for the gospel in the darkness of the world.

c. Paul exhorted the Philippian believers here to be:

i. Be without blemish, shining as lights, holding fast to His Word (v.15-16)

ii. Be concerned with heavenly interests (v.21-22)

iii. Be willing to give it all for the Gospel (v.30).

d. And in that, I exhort you to be just as Paul exhorted the Philippian believers.

e. What could this look like for us now?

i. Avoiding Sin, seeking and giving forgiveness where needed, making things right

ii. Reading and studying and knowing the Word of God

iii. Looking at life through the lens of the Gospel and how to apply the Word to every day life, how to work out ourslavation with fear and trembling!

iv. Being willing to stand up for what is right, for what is Godly, no matter how hard it may be; no matter what the cost may be.

v. And so much more.

V. Invitation

a. Repent and Believe – So if you’re here and you have seen people in your lives that act differently, that there’s something different about them…and you’re drawn to that, I encourage you to repent and believe in the Gospel, for that is the difference. Turn away from your sins and towards the Savior, for all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved!

b. Be Baptized – If you have never been baptized, taken that first step in obedience with believer’s baptism, I urge you to take that step!

c. Surrender to the call of ministry