Shine, No Matter What!

Obedience Shows Up As Light

On the heels of the beautiful hymn in previous verses

Unity discussion

Living in a manner worthy of the Gospel!

1) Practical Christianity

“Work out salvation”

Past (Eph. 2:8-9), Present (Rom. 1:16), Future (Rom. 13:11)

ACT LIKE CHRISTIANS! - Obedience to God (no matter who is or is not looking, God knows the heart, people see our heart by our actions)

Solve problems

Persevere (this is essential)

-work is just that, WORK

Our culture: instant gratification, instant entertainment, even church is just that to so many people, we want shortcuts, new rides, latest “stuff” which we get tired of

Bible truth- disciples are pilgrims, long hard road following Christ, who was obedient to death!

To continue obeying Christ is to work OUT

Church harmony: serving one another - individual responsibility

Be sober, in control, aware

Be aware of the attitudes and the words that tear apart a community, and don’t let them affect the church

Why work it out?

Because God works IN

Car maintenance, or healthy body

God took the initiative

God gave you responsibility - We work because God works

Christ’s work is definitively applicable NOW

God accomplishes His purposes with human energy

Human energy cannot accomplish His work

God’s initiative minus human energy/work = nobody sees God

Human effort minus God in your life = nobody sees God

Psalm 127:1 NASB95

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

BAD PHRASES:

“Let go and let God” - “Get out of God’s way” - “God helps those who help themselves” (Ben Franklin)

James 2:26 NASB95

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

2) Positive Outlook - Steadfastness

-the “how” or “in what way” of doing the work

Fear and trembling

Awe in the presence of God!

Deut 11:25, 1 Cor. 2:3, 2 Cor. 7:15, Eph. 6:5

Attitude of humility and submission in God’s presence

The ONLY appropriate attitude in His presence

QUOTE: “When we worship and serve the God who highly exalted Jesus, who works in us, our attitude in God’s presence should be one of humble submission before God”

THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE SEE WHEN WE LIVE FOR HIM

Christ above worldly struggles

Christ above politics

Christ above our own preferences, when we need to think of others and help them connect

Fear of the LORD does not drive us away, but draws us to Him

Fear and trembling PLUS trust and love in Jesus = inspiration to work out our salvation

DO ALL THINGS (Work out) Without grumbling, disputing, complaining

Complaints must end

Selfishness + vain glory ---> complaints

Grumbling (murmuring) - whispering complaints (secrets about others, negative comments about others behind their backs)

Disputing, arguing - debating in ways that are divisive, raising doubts

God’s purpose is to save us, and to work through us, through our work for Him

When we put our own will aside, and work for God’s will, rejoicing in Him (not complaining) we UNITE!

Moses in the wilderness (Deut. 32:5)

Deuteronomy 32:5 NASB95

“They have acted corruptly toward Him, They are not His children, because of their defect; But are a perverse and crooked generation.

Sacrifice - put self aside

What is OUR generation? is this US? Perverse and wicked/crooked?

Christians complaining affects the moral life of the church

And the world sees that witness

But why stop complaining? Blameless - this is God’s goal

The world? distorted, depraved

Christians are measured by purity, blameless, to show the depravity of the world as the polar opposite of Christianity

And the Bible shows this

And the CHURCH? To provide straight model in the middle of distorted living

And we MUST understand the Word of God to do this

1 Corinthians 10:10 NASB95

Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

A command and a warning -Be like Israel, or be like the Church!

Blameless, in and out of church - this is the reason we do not murmur, grumble, complain, dispute for own glory

Shine like stars

The Philippians, they shined like stars, even with imperfections

How? The held out, or HELD FAST the Word of God, the Word of Life

Their very LIVES were the measuring rod of the surrounding world

For God, not Paul (or anyone else)

People should be able to see their way through the dark world based on the light YOU shine!

3) Personal joy in ministry

Confidence of the calling, regardless of circumstance

Are YOU confident?

Could anything cause you to stray?

Death could not dampen the joy for Paul

No fear in death, the POWER OF CHRIST (“in Christ Alone”)

Joy and joy with (v. 2:18)

Poured out and sacrifice - accompaniment

To Paul, his sacrifice was worth it for the church, his primary mission

His own part, his own role, was secondary

He recognizes the sacrifice of the church, for his benefit, for God’s purpose

Their success, the success of the church, was costly to him, and he rejoiced in their success

Their church was epitomized by sacrifice, service, based on the humility shown by Christ, reflected in their humble service and attitude.

Cornerstone?

BE LIKE CHRIST - The Primary Calling

Stand true

Have mind of Christ

Work out salvation in obedience

BE LIKE CHRIST

KEY POINTS

When you hear negative, respond with positive

Can’t do and complain at the same time

Rejoice, no matter what

Dark world needs light - Hold out and hold fast to the Word

David, complained, and THEN obeyed - no complaining with service

What is the purpose of THIS ministry? Do you see us all as partners, or is this a place we just come to on Sundays because we can?

Can we share mutual joy? JOY is our distinguishing mark, being partners in Christ.

LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES - coming soon

Reach out to disconnected

Get busy, working together with other imperfect people

Some will watch others work

Some will work, doing God’s will

Which are you? The church and its future depends on your answer