Do All Things Without Complaining And Arguing

Philippians 2:14–16 NKJV

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

The Church at Philippi

Paul’s opening expressed joy, and grace

Reminds them that the things that have happened to him worked to further the gospel

even when some people preach from wrong motives

Admonishment to live in a way that glorifies Christ

be in one Spirit, striving for the faith of the gospel

be willing to not only believe in Jesus, but also to suffer for His sake

Loving one another - considering others better than ourselves

Have the same mind as Jesus

being obedient and humble

even to the point of death

Knowing God will exalt you in due time

Work Out Your Own Salvation

We must all “work out our own salvation”

With fear and trembling

Your salvation is not something you should be carefree about

Do you know that you are saved?

How do you know that you are saved?

Too many people these days preach a watered down gospel of easy grace and no repentance - but you cannot find that in the bible

There is a trend toward universalism which preaches that everyone is saved - that salvation is automatic

but this would make Jesus a liar--

Jesus said the way was narrow, and only a few find it (in comparison)

Our salvation is by grace - through faith - it is a gift and not of works

yet this faith that we speak of is a faith in Jesus Christ - not mind over matter

a faith that does not produce genuine repentance is not faith

a faith that does not produce good works is not faith

a faith that is not faith is not a saving faith

You can know that you are saved - it is not subjective

we know this by faith

have you had a life changing faith encounter with Christ

Is the life you now live, being lived by the faith of Christ, or the will of self?

You must work this out for yourself --

Have you?

Example after example, and exhortation after exhortation, there should be no problem knowing what a life of salvation actually looks like — and what it does not look like.

Do All Things Without Complaining

How are we doing with this?

Why is it that so many Christians are just as grouchy as the rest of the world (But not around here)

Our Salvation is not determined by our circumstances

God’s love is also not measured by our temporal circumstance

We are in this world, but we are not of this world — stop complaining!

And arguing....

why do so many of us have to have our own way— or else?

As He said - we should each consider others better than ourselves -

If we really did this, there would be so little left to argue about

It really is easy to get along with others in love — just try

Become Blameless and Harmless

As Christians we should not be harmful

gentleness, kindness, tenderness --- these are Christian virtues

There may be plenty of blame, a lot of wrong, but it does not have to come from us

In The Midst of a Crooked And Perverse Generation

One of the biggest excuses Christians offer for un-Christlike behavior is --- they weren’t treating me that way!

WE are in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation

He has not taken us out of the world

We are supposed to shine in the world

Love your enemies

Do good to those who hate you

Pray for those who use you...

Yes, you can bless while everyone else is cursing

You can love while everyone else is hateful

You can be pure while everyone else is filthy

You can be a virgin while everyone else is a fornicator

In the midst of..... You can shine as lights in the World!

Holding Out The Word of Life

We do not preach our opinions or some fancy stories

We are not preaching fables and superstitions

We Preach The Word Of Life - Jesus Christ and His Gospel

This Word has stood for all ages

This Word will stand for all ages

Not one jot or one tittle shall fail till all be fulfilled

if you can stop the sun from rising, then only could you break His Word...

The Word of God is incomparable to any other book or work throughout the history of the World

there is no comparison -

The Word of God is alive and powerful

By it we are saved

By it we are healed

By it we are made wise

Don’t compare my preaching to other preachers of this day

compare my preaching to the Word of God!

That I May Rejoice In The Day Of Christ

That I have not run in vain or labored in vain

There is a “Day of Christ”

He will return

Paul said that if they did not do this (work out their own salvation), then he would have labored in vain

All the church services and sermons you have ever heard are useless unless you respond in faith

You must repent. You must be changed.

This is a wonderful thing, and it is not grievous at all.

Put On Jesus!

Turn to me and be saved all the ends of the earth.

(For I am God and there is no other)