| OCR Text |
Show SHINING AS LIGHT IN THE WORLD "That ye may be blameless and the sons midst without rebuke, inthe crooked and perverse nation, of God, of a harmless, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2: 15) .... ' " The story is told about a church business meeting where the pastor presented a plan for the church to purchase a chandelier for the church. He explained the cost and pointed out how it would improve the atmosphere and help the members to worship better. When he finished, one of the men who seemed to objected to everything the pastor proposed leaped to his feet and said, "Brother Pastor, I object. We don't need , '. no chandelier. And if we got one, here knows how to play the even nobody thing. What we need here is more light." The world is filled with all sorts of gadgets that here is light. Apostle Paul was we don't need and here knows how to The nobody play. What we need more concerned about the welfare of God's people His church. He wanted to make and sure they did what they ought as disciples the vineyard. He knew that the way that in would not be easy. Still every believer had a responsibility to learn how to play light shine in the world. Light has always been, perhaps, the most important thing to God as well as to us. You remember in the beginning that and to let their the earth was dark and void and before 2 anything else, He said, "Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day." (Genesis 1: 2-5) We need light so God created . the waves will rise and fall. We need light so that the plants will grow. W e need light so that the earth will rotate and the day will be lite by the firmament. W e need light so that life will thrive and that every creature will live and reproduce after it's kind. Daniel had raised this back in 6th Century issue way B. C. He wanted the same people of God to realize what God was expecting of them. So he wrote, "And 3 they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that tum many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12: 3) Listen at this young, spiritual giant of the Kingdom telling us of the works of wisdom and the duration of that wise when you let shine to brighten up the world commitment. You your light and to be night as are stars in the darkness of the all the time. So here we are in Paul's letter to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi with grace and peace. Paul says the outworking of salvation manifests itself and affects others around us. First we are to be "BLAMELESS AND HARMLESS." Makes reputation sure is without just 4 your accusation, without true reproach, guilt, without accurate without substantial charge. your actions and behavior does not hurt anyone else, that Furthermore, make sure others, that you are innocent of the blood of another, and you do not offend without rebuke. BLAMELESS AND HARMLESS! Second, we are in a difficult world and must realize that it is "A CROOKED AND PERVERSE NATION." Disappointed judgments will be handed down. Court rules and laws will be reversed for bad. Politicians will be corrupt. Economies will go bankrupt. Business will fail. Teachings will be twisted. Moses corrupted themselves, 5 said, "They have their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse generation." (Deuteronomy 3: 5) "For the time will come when they and crooked will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lust shall they themselves heap to teachers, having itching ears; they shall tum away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4: 3-5) This is a crooked and perverse generation! The good news is that we can do something about the situation we find And ourselves in. The text "shine as lights summons us to in the world." Shine light up the dark places. Shine and expose the corruption. Shine and uncover the perversion. Let the light shine so that everybody will see the real truth. Plant churches and let your light and 6 from the grave. He ascended into heaven where he sits on the right hand of the making intercession for you and me. He is preparing a place for his children. When it is ready, He will come again and take us to be with Him for all eternity. Father . 6 shine. Reach lost souls and let your light shine. Tum others to the Lord and let your light shine. Illuminate the way of faith. Reveal the walk of faithfulness. path through dark valleys. "Ye Let your light are the light of the world shine before others." (Matthew 5: 14-16) 'Show the ... You are sons of God! That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst ora crooked and ., perverse nation, among whom ye shine " as light inthe world. (Philippians 2: 15) 7 |
