How Can Your Light for Christ Shine Brighter?

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and turn to or find Philippians 2:12.  Also, I want you to find Matthew 5:14-16.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “How Can Your Light for Christ Shine Brighter?”

 

Matthew 5 is Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  What did He say about His followers and their role in the world today?

 

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

Notice also what Paul said of the Philippians Believers at the end of verse 16.  You shine as lights in the world. 

 

However, how can we shine brighter?  Why?  Because we are living in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. 

 

 

Exposition

Chapter 2:12 begins with “Therefore” encouraging us to look back at what was said previously.

 

The Philippian Church was divided for one reason or another.  Paul eventually got to the point of naming two women specifically who were part of the problem: Euodia and Syntyche.  See 4:2.

 

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

 

However, he introduced this theme of unity in 1:27 and sought to develop it throughout the rest of his letter.  See 1:27.

 

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

 

In other words, good citizens of heaven are united in spirit and mind striving together. 

 

Chapter 2 continues the development of that thought.  He pled with them to please their pastor or make Paul’s joy complete by being united because of who they were and who they loved.

 

1 Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

 

In verses 1 and 2 are the solution to the problem of division is unity, then verse 3 and 4 give the specifics of how to be united.  First, think of the other person as more important, and secondly, think of your self less often. 

 

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Of course, the best example of humility is the Lord Jesus.  In 2:5-7, even though He was God, He laid aside some of His divine privileges and became fully man taking the form of a bond servant. 

 

However, He went even further by dying on the cross for our sin.  That was accomplished through His obedience to death on the cross. 

 

Now, we are caught up.  Turn your attention to verse 12.

 

Paul encouraged his brothers and sisters to work out their salvation.  In other words, put into practice what they had been asked to do. 

 

Notice that he didn’t say work for your salvation but work out your salvation.  The NT speaks of three aspects of our salvation. 

 

Justification is when we are converted or born-again.  Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our life making us more like Jesus.  Glorification is when we are with Jesus in heaven. 

 

Here in verse 12, Paul spoke of sanctification.  Do what you know to do, and work out what God has worked in you. 

 

That is what is said in verse 13.  God will aid you obeying, in being united, in becoming more like Jesus.  It will be a joint effort between you and God. 

 

The specific way you can do that in the Philippian Church is by doing everything you do without complaining and disputing.  In today’s vernacular and not as nice, we would say, “Stop whining!” 

 

Certainly, he had Israel in mind and they regularly complained to Moses about God.  However, here, it seems the Philippians Believers were complaining about one another. 

 

Do you know why Paul encouraged them to stop?  Because it is an awful witness to a watching world. 

 

If you stop, you will become blameless and harmless for world that is watching, and your light for Christ will shine brighter living in a dark, crooked, and perverse world.  Did you know that the same is true today?

 

Brothers and sisters, it is an awful witness for Christ and this church when a watching world hears you bemoan your brothers and sisters in Christ!  Please stop for the sake of the gospel.  Please stop at work and at school and in your friend groups and on FB. 

We don’t have to all agree.  We don’t have to share the same preference or opinion.  However, we don’t have to share our displeasure with one another in front of a watching world.

 

However, let me take this one step further.  I would not only ask you to stop complaining about brothers and sisters in Christ, but also, stop complaining about the world. 

 

You are hurting EBC and the gospel if you are always complaining to the principal and always complaining to coach and always complaining to the restaurant owner and the store manager.  Now, that doesn’t mean you settle for mediocrity.

 

However, there is a big difference in always pointing out the problems and willing to be part of the solution for the problems.  Instead, Paul’s admonition is stop complaining and decide to rejoice. 

 

That is verse 18.  However, notice verse 17.  It seems that he isn’t as confident in his return to the Philippian Church.  Instead, it seems that he is thinking about martyrdom.

 

Verse 17 says he is being poured out as a drink offering as a sacrifice and service to the faith.  He used similar language in 2 Timothy 4:6.

 

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

 

Regardless of what the future held, Paul asked the Philippian Believers to be glad and rejoice with him.  Remember, he penned those words chained to a Roman Soldier. 

 

 

Conclusion

To shine brighter in the world today, work out your salvation, become more like Jesus by doing all things without complaining.  Stop complaining about your brothers and sisters in Christ, and stop complaining about the world.  Instead, decide to rejoice because of the internal reality of our hope in Christ.