SHINE LIKE STARS

Passage: Philippians 2:12-18

Key verse: 14,15

NIV

Do Everything Without Grumbling

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,(A) 13 for it is God who works in you(B) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.(C)

14 Do everything without grumbling(D) or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless(E) and pure, “children of God(F) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a](G) Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ(H) that I did not run(I) or labor in vain.(J) 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering(K) on the sacrifice(L) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.(M) 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Lights in the World

12 Therefore, my beloved, (A)as you have always (B)obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for (C)it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for (D)his good pleasure.

14 Do all things (E)without grumbling or (F)disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, (G)children of God (H)without blemish (I)in the midst of (J)a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine (K)as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to (L)the word of life, so that in (M)the day of Christ (N)I may be proud that (O)I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be (P)poured out as a drink offering upon (Q)the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. For it is God who works in you (12-13)

God works in and through us to accomplish his own good purpose--to mold us into the image of Christ, and through us to bring the gospel of Jesus to the world. We must cooperate with him. We do this when we have an awesome respect for God, and humbly obey his word. This is what it means to 'continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.'

2. Shine like stars (14-18)

We live in a crooked and depraved generation, but this is not an excuse to be crooked and depraved. Rather, we must be blameless and pure children of God who shine like stars in the dark night. How can we do this? First, we must cooperate with God who is working in us, by doing everything without complaining or arguing. Second, we must hold out the word of life to all those around us. Paul rejoiced in the face of martyrdom because his sheep shone like stars. God would win the victory through them.

Prayer: Lord, continue to work in me until I can shine like a star.

One Word: Shine like stars