Don’t Complain; Do Shine
Philippians 2:14-18 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain. 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. So, you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)
The book of Philippians is known to be a letter of joy. True to the title, the above verses are an encouragement from Paul to the church at Philippi telling them to rejoice at all times. In fact, Paul is writing this letter from prison. This goes on to show us that the source of our joy is the Holy Spirit and not the circumstances that we are in.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Just like the above verse tells us, the kingdom of God is not a matter of us meeting our earthly wants and needs but it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. God gives us the grace to have joy in the Holy Spirit no matter what the circumstance.
In the previous session we studied about working out our salvation from Philippians 2:12 and 13. Today we will be continuing from where we left off.
1. Live in obedience (v.12a)
Irrespective of who is around, we should make sure that we walk in obedience to God’s word.
2. Live with fear and trembling (v.12b)
Do everything out of reverence for God. The fear mentioned is the fear of God and not fear of man or things. It is not a bad or negative fear but a redeeming fear. Fear of God is good and it helps us lead a holy life. It is a reverence that comes from the knowledge of the awesomeness of God and knowing of our helplessness. It is a fear that makes us honour the Word of God.
3. Live without complaining or arguing (v.14)
1 Corinthians 10:10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.(NIV)
The above verse is speaking about the Israelites who were grumbling about everything as they left Egypt to go to the promised land. From this verse we see that the ultimate end for grumbling/ murmuring/arguing is death. So, we should be careful not to complain or grumble. Complaining and murmuring saddens God’s heart. In 1 Corinthians 10 as well as in the Old Testament, we see how the Israelites kept complaining about everything and how God was very displeased about it. For God, complaining was a more grievous sin than many other sins and he killed them for that.
A grumbling heart cannot reflect a joyful saviour. True happiness comes from being content with what we have and not from grumbling. Grumbling dims the light but gratitude shines the light.
4. Live blameless and pure (v. 15a)
This is a part of sanctification. As we are constantly refined by God, we will become blameless and pure.
5. Live as stars of Jesus (v. 15b)
During the time that World War 2 was taking place, there was a lighthouse that was guiding the ships safely to shore. No matter what was happening, the lighthouse served its purpose. Now, it couldn’t stop the war or make the war any less destructive than it already was but it did do its job and led the ships to safety. This is how we should be when we shine like stars. No matter what happens, shine like stars and seeing this, others will be led the right way. Darker the night, brighter the star.
6. Live holding to the word of God (v. 16)
Hold fast to God’s word and pass it on to the next person and the next generation. You don’t just run the race but you carry the flame.
7. Live in sacrificial labour (v. 17)
If we are not doing the above-mentioned actions as a part of working out our salvation, we are undoing all the work that is already done in regards to our salvation. Paul mentions how he is ready to sacrifice himself for the church.
Finally in verse 18 Paul tells the church to rejoice along with him even in the midst of sacrifice.
The book of Philippians is known to be a letter of joy. True to the title, the above verses are an encouragement from Paul to the church at Philippi telling them to rejoice at all times. In fact, Paul is writing this letter from prison. This goes on to show us that the source of our joy is the Holy Spirit and not the circumstances that we are in.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Just like the above verse tells us, the kingdom of God is not a matter of us meeting our earthly wants and needs but it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. God gives us the grace to have joy in the Holy Spirit no matter what the circumstance.
In the previous session we studied about working out our salvation from Philippians 2:12 and 13. Today we will be continuing from where we left off.
1. Live in obedience (v.12a)
Irrespective of who is around, we should make sure that we walk in obedience to God’s word.
2. Live with fear and trembling (v.12b)
Do everything out of reverence for God. The fear mentioned is the fear of God and not fear of man or things. It is not a bad or negative fear but a redeeming fear. Fear of God is good and it helps us lead a holy life. It is a reverence that comes from the knowledge of the awesomeness of God and knowing of our helplessness. It is a fear that makes us honour the Word of God.
3. Live without complaining or arguing (v.14)
1 Corinthians 10:10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.(NIV)
The above verse is speaking about the Israelites who were grumbling about everything as they left Egypt to go to the promised land. From this verse we see that the ultimate end for grumbling/ murmuring/arguing is death. So, we should be careful not to complain or grumble. Complaining and murmuring saddens God’s heart. In 1 Corinthians 10 as well as in the Old Testament, we see how the Israelites kept complaining about everything and how God was very displeased about it. For God, complaining was a more grievous sin than many other sins and he killed them for that.
A grumbling heart cannot reflect a joyful saviour. True happiness comes from being content with what we have and not from grumbling. Grumbling dims the light but gratitude shines the light.
4. Live blameless and pure (v. 15a)
This is a part of sanctification. As we are constantly refined by God, we will become blameless and pure.
5. Live as stars of Jesus (v. 15b)
During the time that World War 2 was taking place, there was a lighthouse that was guiding the ships safely to shore. No matter what was happening, the lighthouse served its purpose. Now, it couldn’t stop the war or make the war any less destructive than it already was but it did do its job and led the ships to safety. This is how we should be when we shine like stars. No matter what happens, shine like stars and seeing this, others will be led the right way. Darker the night, brighter the star.
6. Live holding to the word of God (v. 16)
Hold fast to God’s word and pass it on to the next person and the next generation. You don’t just run the race but you carry the flame.
7. Live in sacrificial labour (v. 17)
If we are not doing the above-mentioned actions as a part of working out our salvation, we are undoing all the work that is already done in regards to our salvation. Paul mentions how he is ready to sacrifice himself for the church.
Finally in verse 18 Paul tells the church to rejoice along with him even in the midst of sacrifice.
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