1. Shining as Lights in the World
By Doing All Things Without
Murmuring and Disputing
Philippians 2:14

3. Introductory Thoughts
So far in this series on shining as lights in the world, we have been given both direction and hope
Direction in the form of the admonition - Work out your own salvation
Hope in the assurance that it is God who works in you
But now we have a warning
The need for this warning should become more apparent as we proceed with this morning's lesson

4. Murmuring The danger of murmuring
Murmuring defined - to complain in low mumbling tones; grumble
The people of Israel murmured frequently throughout their wilderness wanderings, and many were destroyed because of it - 1 Corinthians 10:10-11
In describing those who would be apostates, murmurers are included in the description -
Jude 3-4, 16-19
How can we then shine as lights if we are seen to be a group of complainers?

5. Murmuring
When a person is murmuring, it is an indication of dissatisfaction
A Christian has so much to be thankful for
Salvation in Christ Jesus, which includes every spiritual blessing - Ephesians 1:3
Assurance of a Heavenly Father who understands and will provide our needs - Matthew 6:31-33
If anything, the people of God should be known as filled with thanksgiving, not murmuring

6. Murmuring Consider what Paul wrote to the Colossians
We should thank God for our inheritance -
Colossians 1:12
We should abound with thanksgiving -
Colossians 2:6-7
Be thankful for the peace of God ruling in our hearts - Colossians 3:15
Give thanks to God the father through Jesus Christ - Colossians 3:17
Be vigilant in prayer with thanksgiving - Colossians 4:2
Surely an attitude of gratitude will help us shine as lights in the world much better than
Murmuring, grumbling and complaining!

7. Disputing The danger of disputing
Disputing simply means - arguing - disputing
It is not describing the discussions of differences between individuals who seek to find common ground
But rather the sort of divisive wrangling condemned in 1 Timothy 6: Timothy 2:14-16
Such disputing can devour those in the body of Christ, against which Paul warned -
Galatians 5:15
It can also destroy our ability to convince the world concerning Jesus

8. Disputing Being different in how we handle our differences
There will always be differences among brethren
We come into the kingdom with many different backgrounds and perspectives
It will take a while until we all develop the mind of Christ and the oneness of mind for which Paul pleaded in Philippians 2:2

9. Disputing
Until then, we can still shine as lights in the world in the way we handle our differences!
With the attitudes of gentleness, patience, and humility prescribed in 2 Timothy 2:23-26
With the qualities of longsuffering, forbearance, and forgiveness described in Colossians 3:12-13
With the willingness to forego personal liberties as exemplified by Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:13

10. Concluding Thoughts
We can truly shine as lights and make a positive impact on the world for Jesus
Too much harm has been done in the past by the way we have dealt with differences, and the tendency to complain
If we can only take to heart the warning of Paul and other scriptures against murmuring and
disputing