Shining As Lights In The World Philippians 2:12-16

Shining as lights in the world Direction- “Work out our own salvation” “With Fear and Trembling” Hope- “God works in you…” Warning- “do all things without complaining & Disputing

Shining as lights in the world “Children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked & perverse generation.” Philippians 2:15

Shining as lights in the world Not enough just to be “children of God” Must be “without fault” Will be true ONLY if we are “blameless and harmless” What does it mean to be “blameless” & “harmless?” Is this how the world sees professed “children of God?”

Shining as lights in the world Blameless- “deserving no censure, free from fault or defect.” Does not mean “without sin” according to 1 John 1:8,10 As Paul told Titus in Titus 2:7,8 “nothing evil to say of us” WHY is it Important to be “Blameless?” Inconsistency or Hypocrisy hinders our cause Glaring faults will cause them to not take our message seriously

Shining as lights in the world How to Become “Blameless” Practice what we preach Includes “working out your own salvation” Sin, Confess Guilt Immediately – 1 John 1:9 Teach others in spirit of gentleness, patience & humility – Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Shining as lights in the world Harmless- “without a mixture of evil, free from guile, innocent, simple.” Three Times in Scriptures: Matthew 10:16 “harmless as doves” Romans 16:19 “simple concerning evil” Philippians 2:15 Define- Free from suspicion of evil Never suspected of duplicity No perceived potential for violence

Shining as lights in the world Why is it Important to be “Harmless?” Nothing evil to say of you – Titus 2:7,8 “Pro-life” intimidation, harassment & violence in their cause. Don’t such efforts give reason to speak evil of those who call themselves “Christians?” Attitude of Paul: 2 Corinthians 6:3 “give no offense” 2 Corinthians 8:21 “honorable things” Romans 2:23,24 “God blasphemed”

Shining as lights in the world How to be “Harmless as Doves…” Romans 12:17-21 “overcome evil with good” Love Enemies as Jesus taught – Luke 6:27- 36 – “as you want men to do to you, you do to them likewise” IF our ultimate goal is changing hearts of men – must be in accord with way God changed our own hearts, through gospel of love, sacrifice & mercy.

Shining as lights in the world IF we are Truly the “Children of God Without Fault,” we will imitate our Heavenly Father’s efforts by using love, prayer, doing good works, to change those who are still part of this “crooked and perverse generation.” By Following in the steps of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will Truly Be “Blameless & Harmless,” and “shine as lights in the world”