Shine Brightly for Christ (Part 2)
Introduction:
Remember: Your faithful service is an offering to God.
Philippians 2:14-18 NLT
Shine Brightly for Christ (Part 2)
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Examine the Scriptures:
Philippians 2:14-18 NLT
Shine Brightly for Christ (Part 2)
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing,
More specific instructions for Christians.
Here Paul is speaking to the church at Philippi, but the same principles would apply to us.
Do everything
Without complaining.
No complaining.
No muttering or grumbling.
Complaining about our circumstances could be seen as a contradiction to recognizing God as sovereign and all powerful.
Without arguing
No arguing.
No disputing.
No questioning.
No criticisms.
- Do everything without complaining and arguing.
2 Timothy 2:23 NLT
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
Titus 3:9 NLT
9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.
Complaining and arguing should not be a part of our lives.
Jude 16 NLT
16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires.
- Complaining and arguing arise from self-centeredness.
Replace complaining and arguing with:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8 NLT (Later in Paul’s letter)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
- Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
15 so that no one can criticize you.
- It’s hard to have an effective testimony for Christ when you are always arguing with the people around you.
Philippians 2:2 NLT
2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
- Christians need to show themselves as united and as one in Christ.
Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,
Become blameless and pure … without fault. (NIV)
Not perfection, but whole hearted devotion to doing God’s will.
Above reproach – undiluted, not weakened.
(Don’t be like wine that has been diluted or metal that has been weakened)
Romans 14:13 NLT
13 …. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
- Relate to others in such a way that you do not cause them to stumble.
Go back to Paul’s prayer (1:9-11)
Philippians 1:9-10 NLT
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
Progress in your spiritual maturity.
- Keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
Matthew 10:16 NLT
16 “Look, I (Jesus) am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.
shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Ephesians 5:8 NLT
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
John 8:12 NLT
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
We too are living in a world full of crooked, unscrupulous, and perverse people.
For the most part, our nation has turned it back on God and on Biblical principles.
- We should shine as lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
16 Hold firmly to the word of life;
Believing God’s Word and following it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Hold forth. Share God’s Word with the lost and the dying.
John 6:68 NLT
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
- Believe God’s Word and follow it.
- Share God’s Word with the lost and the dying.
then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
3 John 4 NLT
4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.
2 Timothy 4:7 NLT
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
- I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.
17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,
Pouring out wine onto the altar or onto the ground.
Illustrating a life “poured out” for God’s service.
2 Timothy 4:6 NLT
6 As for me (Paul), my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.
Just like your faithful service is an offering to God.
Romans 12:1 NLT
12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
The Philippians’ faithful service is an offering to God.
Genuine faith is active and working.
Faithful service is hard work.
Philippians 2:12 NLT … Work hard to show the results of your salvation …
- Our faithful service is an offering to God.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
And I want all of you to share that joy.
- Share in the joy of serving the Lord.
18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Philippians 4:4 NLT
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (NIV)
