Notes: A Shining Faith

IMAGE: Light Brite- out of refills. Don’t get to see the blackness go from dark to light.

NEED: Scripture says that we are to be different. The lukewarm (Rev 3:16) will be spit out of his Mouth. We are called out of the world. There is a movement to being more like the world. We over correct legalism and freedom.

SUBJECT: How to have a Shining Faith (A faith that is displayed)

Preview: What--displaying our faith, How--we let it shine, When--all the time...in all situations

Philippians 2:12-18...

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

I. What: Put your FAITH to work (2:12-13)

a. Therefore--because of what Christ has done (emptying of Himself), and the promise of everyone’s response...

b. “as you obeyed” The church was born out of their obedience

i. Paul’s deep love for them

ii. Continue to…in my absence…Paul is in prison, possibly facing death

c. Work out your salvation, with fear and trembling--yielding to God

i. Not “for”

Psalm 111:10...

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Proverbs 1:7...

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 9:10...

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

d. Be aware of God and yielded to Him

i. He created all and He can destroy all. He will judge all.

1. No one is getting away with anything.

e. God works in you (energizes) energeō

Colossians 1:29...

29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Philippians 1:6...

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

i. Even our desire to do good is from God. It is God who does good through you!

Philippians 2:14-16

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

II. How: Let your FAITH shine (2:14-16)

a. How to shine --> Don’t grumble or complain.

b. We are commanded not to gossip, but it is huge in the church

i. We are commanded to do everything without complaining, but we complain more than non-believers

1. We say Christ is enough, but the reality He is not. But if it is God who works in us, then what we have is in God’s sovereignty.

a) "God, I can’t wait to see what you do!" : GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING!

i) Prison

ii) Singleness

iii) White-picket fence

1. ILLUSTRATION: Stuck on the dart train; waiting 2.5 hours for the next.

a) Talked about Christ with the Driver...maybe that’s what God was doing. It’s not our job to figure that out, but be faithful.

b) I say Christ is enough, but my children see otherwise.

1. Israelites: God provided. They got frustrated.

1 Corinthians 10:5-11...

5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

1. Remember your witness when talking with co-workers

a) Devastation from a break-up

b) Traffic

i) Not act like He is enough; ask why He isn’t enough

1. Complaining about your boss, your job, your boy friend, etc...

a) Venting is not OK... “I just need to get this off my chest”

i) Part of the problem or part of the solution

1) Girls: don't gossip about a guy

2) Guys: very few good guys...bothers me

c. Blameless--above reproach (your witness)

i. Pure like good wine

d. LIKE SHINING STARS: Contrast with our surroundings

i. Are you different?

ii. When you look at the night sky, your eyes don’t drift to the darkness, they drift to the stars.

1. “looking at the darkness” STAND OUT!!!

2. You will be put less often in compromising situations

a) Strip club invite; bar invite

b) We idolize the invite

e. “Hold out” offer to wine to a guest (show forth Christ)

i. Extend it to others

ii. Because Christ is coming back (boast in His return)

Philippians 2:17-18...

17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

III. When: Constantly pour out your FAITH

a. Poured out like a drink offering over the sacrifice of their faith.

i. Symbol of Joy in sacrifice

ii. This is a constant pouring out in all situations. Facing death even.

1. Paul faces death under Emperor Nero

2 Timothy 4:6...

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.

Romans 12:1-2...

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

iii. Exodus 29- Moses poured out a drink offering over the lamb, to show the blood of Christ. 5.5 liters of pure wine. Gen 35- Jacob.

1. Not sacrifice for sin. Christ accomplished that. Sacrifice for worship.

b. Once we shine, it is not something we turn off

i. Do I? Do I not? Get to the point, where it is not an option.

c. Muslim who was going back to face real consequences of his faith

i. He is willing to die, most of us won’t even live.

1. Moravian pastor said: “Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten.” --Count Zinzendorf

Work out your faith

Let it shine--display it!

So your life might be constantly poured out

Matthew 5:14-16...

14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Don’t stand apart to stand apart…be poured out.

Do you stand out in the darkness?

To be a Christian this is what you are signing up for.