Philippians 2:14-18 Stop complaining and start shining
Philippians 2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing
Description of Israelites wandering through desert:
- Grumbling
- Complaining
- Stiff-necked
- Rebellious
- Tested the Lord
- Hardened their hearts
- Unbelieving
- Would not listen
- Forgot his works
- Provoked the Lord
- Evil congregation
- Questioned God
- Longed for going back to Egypt
- Refused to believe God’s promises
- They wanted to appoint a new leader
- A crooked and twisted generation
I think you could safely say:
- Complaining is often what unbelief sounds like
- Gratitude is often what trust sounds like
Philippians 2:14-15 “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.”
The word used here for blameless means – Without hidden cracks
Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”
1 Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Titus 2:7-8 “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Philippians 2:14-15 “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 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”
We are called to shine out of darkness!
DARKNESS DOES NOT EXTINGUISH LIGHT
Darkness does not extinguish light it reveals light!
Philippians 2:14-16 “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 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 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Hold firmly to the word of life:
- Not to hide from others
- But to share with others
Philippians 2:17 “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.”
What is a drink offering and why does it apply here?
The Hebrew word for drink offering is nesek – That which is poured out
Exodus 29:38-41 “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. 39 Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight. 40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering. 41 Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.
Three major ideas as to the meaning of this drink offering
- Complete surrender – Once poured out it could not come back
- Joyful worship – Pleasant aroma lifting up to God
- It finished the sacrifice – Paul saying I have finished well
Philippians 2:17-18 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.
