Christian Life Church
May 31, 2023 - 7pm
PHILIPPIANS 2 WEIGHTY WORDS (VERSES 14-18) PHILIPPIANS 2 YOUR FAITHFUL SERVICE (VERSES 14-18)
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
PHILIPPIANS 2 MAY 31, 2023
WEIGHTY WORDS (VERSES 14-18)
SCRIPTURE
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. Philippians 2:14-18, NLT
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WORDS
Paul has just explained the process of sanctification to the Philippians, then shifts his attention to some specifics. He begins with our words.
God creates with words, speaks through the written word, and receives worship through words.
THERE IS SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR WORDS
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26
1/ Grumbling
It is possible to complain in general.
Israel’s complaining began in Exodus 5 and it ultimately compromised their destiny.
Paul suggests our words should be different from the language of this world.
What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45
It is possible to complain in specifics.
The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12, ESV
It is possible to complain against others.
Do not grumble against one another. James 5:9, ESV
There is a difference between disputing, complaining, and discussing.
It is possible to complain against the Lord.
…He has heard your complaints, which are against Him, not against us. Exodus 16:7b
There is a “believing complaint” and an “unbelieving complaint,” as seen in the Psalms.
2/ Glorying
It is possible to rejoice in general.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
It is possible to rejoice in specifics.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonderous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered. Psalm 103:2; 105:1-5
It is possible to rejoice in others.
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Romans 12:15
It is possible to rejoice in the Lord.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
This is not about what God has done, but about who God is.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1
CLOSE
John MacArthur summarizes Paul’s essence: “As you lead your spiritual lives, if you are grumbling and complaining, I have run my race with you in vain. I have failed.”
PHILIPPIANS 2
YOUR FAITHFUL SERVICE (VERSES 14-18)
SCRIPTURE
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. Philippians 2:14-18, NLT
INTRO
“So Paul’s life is being poured out upon the lives of the Philippians. Their hearts and souls are being mixed together [in this offering].” Steven Lawson
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1, NIV
FAITHFUL SERVICE
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38, NIV
1/ My faithful service to God is personal.
Anna’s service came out of her circumstances of widowhood and how God led her.
2/ My faithful service to God is purposeful.
Anna’s service was rooted in continual fasting and prayer.
3/ My faithful service to God is public.
Anna’s service occurred during the day when others would see her.
3/ My faithful service to God is private.
Anna’s service occurred during the night when no one would see her.
4/ My faithful service to God is perpetual.
Anna’s service continues to influence people around the world.
WEIGHTY WORDS (VERSES 14-18)
SCRIPTURE
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. Philippians 2:14-18, NLT
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WORDS
Paul has just explained the process of sanctification to the Philippians, then shifts his attention to some specifics. He begins with our words.
God creates with words, speaks through the written word, and receives worship through words.
THERE IS SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR WORDS
As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26
1/ Grumbling
It is possible to complain in general.
Israel’s complaining began in Exodus 5 and it ultimately compromised their destiny.
Paul suggests our words should be different from the language of this world.
What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45
It is possible to complain in specifics.
The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12, ESV
It is possible to complain against others.
Do not grumble against one another. James 5:9, ESV
There is a difference between disputing, complaining, and discussing.
It is possible to complain against the Lord.
…He has heard your complaints, which are against Him, not against us. Exodus 16:7b
There is a “believing complaint” and an “unbelieving complaint,” as seen in the Psalms.
2/ Glorying
It is possible to rejoice in general.
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
It is possible to rejoice in specifics.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonderous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered. Psalm 103:2; 105:1-5
It is possible to rejoice in others.
Rejoice with those who rejoice. Romans 12:15
It is possible to rejoice in the Lord.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
This is not about what God has done, but about who God is.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1
CLOSE
John MacArthur summarizes Paul’s essence: “As you lead your spiritual lives, if you are grumbling and complaining, I have run my race with you in vain. I have failed.”
PHILIPPIANS 2
YOUR FAITHFUL SERVICE (VERSES 14-18)
SCRIPTURE
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. Philippians 2:14-18, NLT
INTRO
“So Paul’s life is being poured out upon the lives of the Philippians. Their hearts and souls are being mixed together [in this offering].” Steven Lawson
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1, NIV
FAITHFUL SERVICE
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38, NIV
1/ My faithful service to God is personal.
Anna’s service came out of her circumstances of widowhood and how God led her.
2/ My faithful service to God is purposeful.
Anna’s service was rooted in continual fasting and prayer.
3/ My faithful service to God is public.
Anna’s service occurred during the day when others would see her.
3/ My faithful service to God is private.
Anna’s service occurred during the night when no one would see her.
4/ My faithful service to God is perpetual.
Anna’s service continues to influence people around the world.