Shining as Stars in the Universe
Introduction: "America is walking the Romans road to ruin! Romans 1:18-32” In his letter to the Philippians, Paul outlines the Christian’s right and responsibility to proclaim the truth to our generation. Philippians 2:12-16 do we live in a crooked and depraved generation? depraved /dĭ-prāvd′/ adjective Morally corrupt; perverted; reprobate. Describing a person or action that is perverted or extremely wrong in a moral sense. God’s equipment for our mission
Verse 13: God willing and acting within us brings about His good pleasure He does the work, we just have to be willing to allow Him to work within us. How do we do that? Submission….. Without Arguing and Complaining Verse 14 and 15 suggest that perhaps we should change our approach. Arguing and Complaining seems to be a way of life in this generation. We need a change. Complaining The Root of Corruption: Rejection of God’s Will So how can we connect the dots between verses 14 and 15? How does avoiding complaining make us different from this dark, depraved, twisted world? Here’s how: think about the reason why the world is the way they are. It’s because they are hostile toward God and his law. They are in rebellion against God’s law.
There are two roads that go in opposite directions. One is marked “Gratitude to God,” and the other is marked “Complaining.” Focusing on What God Hasn’t Given Complainers focus is mainly on what God hasn’t given them rather than on what he has given. Being blameless and pure is a needed contrast in a crooked and depraved world… Being blameless and pure begins with being United with Christ thru Faith, Confession, Repentance Baptism and being empowered by His Holy Spirit. Shining as stars….. What does it mean to shine like stars? Matt. 5:14-16 ¶ “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
2Cor. 6:14 ¶ aDo not be 1bound together with bunbelievers; for what cpartnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Eph. 5:8-14 for ayou were formerly bdarkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as cchildren of Light (for athe fruit of the Light consists in all bgoodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful bdeeds of cdarkness, but instead even 1dexpose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible awhen they are 1exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason 1it says, “aAwake, sleeper, And arise from bthe dead, And Christ cwill shine on you.” Conclusion He will empower you and protect you, but you need to “let you light so shine before men that they will see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven” Matt 5:16. Are you ready to Let your Light Shine