explore_9_28_92203

Posted: 9/19/03

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Sept. 28

Christians should shine so the world can see

Philippians 2:12-30

By John Duncan

Lakeside Baptist Church, Granbury

“I am the Light of the world,” Jesus said (John 8:12). A light is as common as a bulb on the end of the front porch, a headlight on a car and a glowing beam on a lighthouse on a shore's harbor. Look in the sky on a clear night and observe light shining from a star.

The Apostle Paul calls Christians stars; not movie stars but stars that shine like bright stars on a dark night. F. F. Bruce says, “The luminous do not shine for their own sake; they shine to provide light for all the world.” Paul sets forth Christ as the model of service (Philippians 2:5-11). Here in Philippians 2:12-30, he challenges the church to set forth a good example for the world.

Shine: Work out the salvation God works in you

God's work in believers is basic to both purpose and unity in Christian service. For Christians to shine, Christ must energize (continually work) their wills with his will and their work with his “benevolent purpose” (Lightfoot). The fourth century preacher Chrysostom said, “If you have the will, then he (God) works the willing.”

When God in his mercy works in the will, two things happen: (1) We look inward (2:14-15); (2) We look outward (2:15). As we look within our hearts and within the church, we stop grumbling (Greek, “gogusmos”: complaining, whispering).

Just as Moses faced grumbling in the wilderness (Exodus 16:7-12), an activity which dims the church's light of witness is constant complaining. Recharge your spiritual battery to shine God's light. As we look beyond, we see a dark world desperately in need of light. We live blameless in a crooked and twisted generation (2:15). Consequently, because we wish to please God and shine his light, God's Spirit makes us alert to shining as stars in the world. "In" indicates shining where God has placed

you.

How?

How do Christians shine? They cling daily to God and open the windows of the soul by allowing God's light into their own lives. His light is his word (Psalm 119). The word is one of life (Philippians 2:16). Paul labored with sweat and blood under and for the light. His life was poured out completely for Christ and in service because of his faith in Christ (2:16). Joy resulted (2:17-18).

A.T. Robertson says, “Joy is mutual when the service is mutual.” When Jesus' light penetrates the heart, it radiates in the church and shines to the world, and joy touches all three entities. God's work of salvation glows with earthly and eternal repercussions.

Paul's hope

Paul's heart returns to the hope of his fellow Christian workers, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul highlights the noble example for Timothy's concern for the Philippians and of Timothy's child-like quality of faith in service (2:19-24). Paul rarely loses sight of God's light for the world and God's light reaching to the depth of individual hearts. The light, like a porch light attracting moths, has an attractive quality and a light that draws people into a tight-knit circle. This circle of faith causes Paul to remember faces and friends and faith shared in the struggle of service.

Again, Paul highlights the example of Epaphroditus as a model of service in that he risked his life for Christ (2:25-30). Fred Craddock notes he was “probably a convert from paganism.” Paul names Epaphroditus as a brother, a fellow worker and soldier. These words indicate mutual affection, the unity of Christ and the spiritual battle these men shared together in service to Christ while bearing the torch of God's light (2:25). One misses two key elements in a casual reading of the words. Paul speaks of two qualities necessary in Christian service: “fides,” or faithfulness, and loyalty. These qualities supplied mutual strength and multiplied Christ's joy.

Paul tells of Epaphroditus' sickness, God's mercy and the joy of sorrow relieved (2:26-28). The struggle and the return of his health is all the more reason for Paul and the Philippians to rejoice in God's gracious and sovereign grace. He anxiously longs for a reunion. Paul asks the Philippians to receive him with joy (2:28-29). Joy expresses itself in reunions of joy when God's people gather together.

Paul recalls again this stellar example of faith and Christian service. He reminds the Philippians how Epaphroditus risked his own life to shine God's light (2:30). According to Lightfoot, he “gambled with his life.” A.T Robertson says he “exposed himself to danger.” The word has legal implications, meaning Epaphroditus risked danger because his friendship was so important. Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus longed to see people become friends with Jesus. What Paul could not do, Epaphroditus did in service to Christ at Philippi.

The individual Christian's great joy is in Jesus and in God's work of salvation to illuminate the truth and mercy of the gospel. The church's great joy is in shining that truth and mercy to a generation stumbling in the darkness. Where God's light shines, darkness evaporates, and joy explodes like an electrifying star.

Question for discussion

How brightly is your light shining? How can you add watts?