TOPIC: SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD
TEXT: PHILLIPIANS 2:12-15:
My dear friends, you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I'm absent. In the same way continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing. 15 Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God's children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world GW
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; KJV
CMS: Shinning as lights in the world demands that we live our lives without Murmuring and Disputing.
INTRODUCTION:
We thanks God for a successful thanksgiving 2013, God is indeed good and faithful to us as a family, individual and Church. We Give God Thanks. We will continue on our series purposeful living. This morning we will be considering the letter to the Philippians Church, by Apostle Paul, here he commands them to “Do All things without Murmuring and Disputing”. I do believe that it is pertinent for us to consider this, as we can easily relapse into this attitude after thanksgiving. The command is simple: don’t complain or argue. Obedience is not so simple; it’s natural for us to complain. We must work at it in dependence upon the Lord.
- Murmuring is defined as to complain in a low tone; grumble.
- A low indistinct, continuous sound, a quiet expression of an opinion or feelings
Until then we can still shine as lights in the world in the way we handle our differences!
i. With attitude of gentleness, patience and humility prescribed in 2 Timothy 2:23-26
ii. With qualities of long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness described in Colossians 3:12-13
iii. With willingness to forgo personal liberties exemplified in 1 Corinthians 8:13
We can truly shine as lights and make a positive impact on the world for Jesus, if we can
i. disagree, without being disagreeable
ii. Be different in the way we handle our differences!
Conclusion:
Murmuring and complaining will hinder the benefits of thanksgiving from manifesting, as a result let us do away with such and always look for reason to be thankful and joyful. Developing a Christ-like character will help us live our lives purposefully and shine as stars in the world. Your brightness will emerge in Jesus name.
TEXT: PHILLIPIANS 2:12-15:
My dear friends, you have always obeyed, not only when I was with you but even more now that I'm absent. In the same way continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing. 15 Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God's children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world GW
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; KJV
CMS: Shinning as lights in the world demands that we live our lives without Murmuring and Disputing.
INTRODUCTION:
We thanks God for a successful thanksgiving 2013, God is indeed good and faithful to us as a family, individual and Church. We Give God Thanks. We will continue on our series purposeful living. This morning we will be considering the letter to the Philippians Church, by Apostle Paul, here he commands them to “Do All things without Murmuring and Disputing”. I do believe that it is pertinent for us to consider this, as we can easily relapse into this attitude after thanksgiving. The command is simple: don’t complain or argue. Obedience is not so simple; it’s natural for us to complain. We must work at it in dependence upon the Lord.
- MURMURING
- Murmuring is defined as to complain in a low tone; grumble.
- A low indistinct, continuous sound, a quiet expression of an opinion or feelings
A. DANGER OF MURMURING /COMPLAINING
N/B: Complaining and dispute thrive when people are self-centred instead of God centred. Complaining is the opposite of rejoicing.
B. REPLACE MURMURING WITH THANKSGIVING
Murmuring is an indication of dissatisfaction. A Christian has so much to be thankful for, including:
i. Thanks God for our inheritance Colosians 1:12
ii. We should abound with thanksgiving Colossians 2:6-7
iii. Be vigilant in prayer and thanksgiving Colosians 4:2
An attitude of gratitude will help us shine as lights in the world much better than murmuring, grumbling and complaining.
DISPUTING
The word disputing means: arguing; disputing
It is not describing the discussions of differences between individuals who seek to find common ground
But rather divisive “wrangling” condemned in scriptures. 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:14-16
Such disputing can devour those in the body of Christ Galatians 5:15
It can also destroy our ability to convince the world concerning Jesus! John 17:20-23
A. HOW DO WE HANDLE DIFFERENCES
There will always be difference among brethren
i. We come into the kingdom with many different backgrounds and perspectives.
ii. it will take a while until we all develop the mind of Christ and the oneness of mind for which Paul pleaded in Philippians 2:2
- Complaining displeases God. Numbers 1:1-3
- Complaining brings about God’s judgement. The people of Israel murmured frequently in throughout their wilderness wanderings, and many were destroyed because of it. 1 Corinthians 10:10-11
- Complaining denies God’s sovereignty. Exodus 16:7-8 NKJV. God delivered them from Egypt by his power; this is a demonstration of his sovereignty.
- Complaining disrupts Christian unity Complaining discredit our Christian testimony. E.g Paul and Silas when in prison did not complain rather they were singing and praising God. Believer our testimony is important, God uses our lives to influence others. We cannot shine as lights if we are found to be a group of complainers.
N/B: Complaining and dispute thrive when people are self-centred instead of God centred. Complaining is the opposite of rejoicing.
B. REPLACE MURMURING WITH THANKSGIVING
Murmuring is an indication of dissatisfaction. A Christian has so much to be thankful for, including:
- Salvation in Christ
- Assurance of a Heavenly father who understands and will provide our needs Matthew 6:31-33; Heb. 13:5-6
- God’s help “who works in you both to will and to do” Ph. 2:13
i. Thanks God for our inheritance Colosians 1:12
ii. We should abound with thanksgiving Colossians 2:6-7
iii. Be vigilant in prayer and thanksgiving Colosians 4:2
An attitude of gratitude will help us shine as lights in the world much better than murmuring, grumbling and complaining.
DISPUTING
The word disputing means: arguing; disputing
It is not describing the discussions of differences between individuals who seek to find common ground
But rather divisive “wrangling” condemned in scriptures. 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:14-16
Such disputing can devour those in the body of Christ Galatians 5:15
It can also destroy our ability to convince the world concerning Jesus! John 17:20-23
A. HOW DO WE HANDLE DIFFERENCES
There will always be difference among brethren
i. We come into the kingdom with many different backgrounds and perspectives.
ii. it will take a while until we all develop the mind of Christ and the oneness of mind for which Paul pleaded in Philippians 2:2
Until then we can still shine as lights in the world in the way we handle our differences!
i. With attitude of gentleness, patience and humility prescribed in 2 Timothy 2:23-26
ii. With qualities of long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness described in Colossians 3:12-13
iii. With willingness to forgo personal liberties exemplified in 1 Corinthians 8:13
We can truly shine as lights and make a positive impact on the world for Jesus, if we can
i. disagree, without being disagreeable
ii. Be different in the way we handle our differences!
Conclusion:
Murmuring and complaining will hinder the benefits of thanksgiving from manifesting, as a result let us do away with such and always look for reason to be thankful and joyful. Developing a Christ-like character will help us live our lives purposefully and shine as stars in the world. Your brightness will emerge in Jesus name.
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