Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 2:12-18
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always 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 it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon 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.
Key Points
- Jesus gives us a new perspective: his light always shines in the darkness.
- God works in 3 ways to give us a new perspective:
1) Internally (vs. 12-13)
2) Externally (vs. 14-16)
3) Eternally (vs. 17-18) - As followers of Jesus, we are to shine as bright lights in a dark and lonely world.
- Those who persevere through tribulation and persecution will always shine forth as God sustains, strengthens, and shines through them in a dark and fallen world.
- Like things that glow in the dark, we continue shining bright in the darkness when we continue staying near to the light source: Jesus Christ – the one who is truly the Light of the world.
- How do we shine bright in the darkest nights?
1) We hold fast to the Word of life – the one who is our light in the darkness.
2) We hold out the Word of life – the only one who can rescue us from darkness. - We don’t shine bright for others to draw near to us and look to us, but for others to draw near to Jesus and look to Christ in us: the everlasting light.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” -Philippians 2:4 ESV*
*Note: Through the rest of this sermon series, “All Things New,” we will be working together as a faith family to memorize Philippians 2:3-11. Each week, we will introduce a new verse to memorize while encouraging one another to remember the preceding verse(s) from the previous week(s).
This week, try to recite Philippians 2:3-4 together:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: How have you personally experienced the light of Jesus shine brightest in the darkest nights of your own life?
2: Read Philippians 2:15. When Paul writes, “among whom you shine as lights in the world,” do you understand that phrase as a promise, a proclamation, an invitation, a command, or something else? Why do you think you receive it that way?
3: How have you experienced God working in you, “both to will and to work for his good pleasure” lately (Philippians 2:13)? Where do you feel most in need of the work of God in your life today?
4: Why do you think complaining is not (or should not be) characteristic of someone who belongs to Jesus?
5: What have you sensed yourself grumbling and complaining about most lately? Why do you think that is?
6: What would you say is the opposite of complaining? Why do you think expressing gratitude is (or should be) characteristic of someone who belongs to Jesus?
7: What new perspective has Jesus offered you in light of recent events? What have you chosen to do with the new perspective Jesus offered you?
8: What is the primary truth the Holy Spirit has illuminated for you today? Starting right now, how will you respond to that truth?
Pray
Lord, you are the Light of the world, and you are our Light in the darkness. Shine bright into our hearts today. These have been dark days, Lord. We need you. We need your light. We need your nearness. Lord, shine on us, and shine through us. As you continue to light up our darkness, use us to do the same thing in the lives of others still stumbling in the dark. Keep us close to you, Lord, and let us shine in the dark for your glory and our good.
