Light and Darkness is a
recurring theme in the Bible. Light is
always associated with good things and darkness is always associated with bad
things. Where we fit in that spectrum is
up to us. When we become children of God,
we become children of light. Sometimes
we walk in that truth and sometimes not so much. It doesn’t change our identity, but it does
affect our impact.
Philippians 2:15 - Then you will shine among them like stars
in the sky
Things to think about:
· What are some
examples you can think of where the Bible uses the metaphor of Light?
· Similarly,
what are some that relate to Darkness?
· In Philippians
2:14-16, Paul is exhorting the church to live up to their calling
o
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.
o
As we all know, the absence of light is darkness. We see here that
our attitude (grumbling and arguing) can dim our light.
§ Grumbling or
complaining is telling God you don’t think He is doing a very good job. How does this make our light not so bright?
§ Arguing is
having disagreements with others. Jesus
was clear in John 17 that the world is looking to see our unity as clear
evidence of the truth of the gospel. How does arguing dim our light?
· Our passage
also says we live in a warped and corrupt generation (which equals darkness).
· The inherent
darkness of sin, coupled with grumbling and arguing paints a very dark scene,
kind of like a midnight sky with no stars.
o
BUT we can overcome the darkness and shine like stars
· What is our
light source?
o
Our goodness? Our good
works?
o
No! It is the Word of life.
§ 1 John 1:1 - That
which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with
our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we
proclaim concerning the Word of life.
§ In a word -
Jesus
· Paul tells us
we must hold firmly to the Word of life
o
Light requires energy, darkness requires nothing
o
Similarly, we must continually remain diligent and faithful while
allowing the Spirit to empower us
· What is the
result of our shining like stars?
o
In the Philippians case, it was proof that Paul did not labor in
vain.
o
In our case, that the godly men and women the Lord has used in
your life made a difference for the Kingdom.
§ Who in your
life didn’t labor in vain (who poured into you to help you become the man you
are today)?
o
As it says in Philippians 2:13 - for
it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good
purpose. He wants to use you today to
bring light into a dark world that desperately needs Him.
§ Your light is
shining today on someone who is being inspired by your witness. Let us be pure and blameless, holding firmly
to the Word of life - to the glory of God.
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