- without grumbling - Philippians 2:12-18 Lights in the world - without grumbling - Philippians 2:12-18

Philippians 2 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, Paul’s loving words to the believers in Philippi: 12 Therefore, my beloved,  as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,

Philippians 2 Context: 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,   6 who, though he was in the form of God, . . . 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 

Philippians 2 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 

Philippians 2 “work out” “salvation” (Greek: soteria) “fear and trembling” Our salvation in Christ is the work of a lifetime, accomplished in deep awareness of the utter holiness of the God we serve.

Philippians 2 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1

Philippians 2 How can the Philippians “obey” in Paul’s absence? How can they “work out” their salvation with fear and trembling?

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, Philippians 2 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Israel in the wilderness: 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, . . . “he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” Exodus 16 (ESV)  

8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”

Earlier in Philippians: 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,  Philippians 1

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Later in Philippians: 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Philippians 4

Philippians 2 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, “Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”

Like the Philippians, to live a live worthy of the gospel of Christ, we must in fear and trembling before God put an end to any grumbling and disputing, among ourselves and with other believers. Why?

Philippians 2 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 

Once again Paul looks to Israel’s history: 5 “They have dealt corruptly with [God];     they are no longer his children  because they are blemished;     they are a crooked and twisted generation.” Deuteronomy 32

“I will make you as a light for the nations,     that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:5b

Philippians 2 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 

- without grumbling - Philippians 2:12-18 Lights in the world - without grumbling - Philippians 2:12-18

Philippians 2 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ  I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 

Philippians 2 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Philippians 2 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness* be known to everyone. Philippians 4 * Greek: epieikes - A gentle response where retaliation (or grumbling!) is usually in order.

Philippians 2 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus . . . Not only how we think but how we behave towards one another Social, not cerebral How we fulfill God’s mission: “lights in the world” (without grumbling)

- without grumbling - Philippians 2:12-18 Lights in the world - without grumbling - Philippians 2:12-18