For light to be effective, it has to be seen.
Sermon Title: SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD
Sermon Text: PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18 (ESV)
Sermon Series: PHILIPPIANS: FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18 ESV
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, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 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, 16 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. 17 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. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
DANIEL 12:3 ESV
3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
JOHN 8:12 ESV
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
MATTHEW 5:14 ESV
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
For light to be effective, it has to be seen.
I. GUARANTEE. What we do with what we have matters.
EPHESIANS 1:13-14 ESV
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
PHILIPPIANS 1:6 ESV
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
If you think that you’re going to heaven because you’re a pretty good person, you are not going to heaven!
work out | Greek: katergazomai (“to bring about, accomplish, to carry out a task until it is finished.”)
PHILIPPIANS 1:12 NLT
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.
Christianity is more than just a decision to make Jesus our Savior. It’s also a determination to walk with Jesus as our Lord, as our Master.
Spiritual growth is not accidental.
Working out our salvation will mean doing some things that not easy.
II. Grumbling. How our attitudes and behavior affects our testimony.
grumbling | Greek: goggusmos (“to mutter in a low voice, a low tone, an undertone.”)
EXODUS 16:8 ESV
8 And Moses said, “When the LORD gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him--what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.”
disputing | Greek: dialogismos (“a calculation, reasoning, thought, movement of thought, deliberation, plotting.”)
Grumbling is contagious. And it is the starting point of disputing.
III. Grip. What we hold on to results in our worship.
hold fast | Greek: epechó (“to hold fast, hold forth, give heed unto.” )
1 TIMOTHY 4:16 ESV
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
We don’t just take a hold of the Bible, the Bible has to take a hold of us.
JOHN 5:39-40 ESV
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
Many people will never read the Bible, but they do read you.