Rosemount Bible Church A Shining Star or a Dense Black Home Philippians 2:12-30 Message 4 in our...

Rosemount Bible ChurchRosemount Bible Church

A Shining Star or a Dense Black A Shining Star or a Dense Black HomeHome

Philippians 2:12-30Philippians 2:12-30

Message 4 in our 7-part series onMessage 4 in our 7-part series onPhilippians.Philippians.

Sunday, April 15, 2012Sunday, April 15, 2012

Speaker: Paul MargerrisonSpeaker: Paul Margerrison


Philippians Chapter 2 verses 12 to 30Philippians Chapter 2 verses 12 to 30

Paul's reason for writing to the PhilippiansPaul's reason for writing to the Philippians

• Thank them for the gift (1:5; 4:10-19)Thank them for the gift (1:5; 4:10-19)

• Send a missionary report on his own circumstances (1:12-26; 4:10-19)Send a missionary report on his own circumstances (1:12-26; 4:10-19)

• Encourage the Philippians to stand firm in their faith in the face of persecution & rejoice Encourage the Philippians to stand firm in their faith in the face of persecution & rejoice regardless of their circumstances (1:27-30)regardless of their circumstances (1:27-30)

• Deal with a problem they have in the church (2:14&15; 4:2&3)Deal with a problem they have in the church (2:14&15; 4:2&3)

• Show them humility and unity through his life and the supreme example of Jesus Christ Show them humility and unity through his life and the supreme example of Jesus Christ (2:1-11; 4:2-5)(2:1-11; 4:2-5)

• Commend Timothy and Epaphroditus to them (2:19-30)Commend Timothy and Epaphroditus to them (2:19-30)

• Warn them against those who show aggressive opposition to the Gospel (Chapter 3)Warn them against those who show aggressive opposition to the Gospel (Chapter 3)

• Remind them that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone (4:4; 4:11-13)Remind them that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone (4:4; 4:11-13)



Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle

• Paul was converted in about 35AD when he met the risen Lord Jesus on the Paul was converted in about 35AD when he met the risen Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus.road to Damascus.

• He was eventually tried and executed in around 68AD.He was eventually tried and executed in around 68AD. • In the 33 years between his conversion and death, he spent 17 years on In the 33 years between his conversion and death, he spent 17 years on

missionary journeys and 8 years in prison. missionary journeys and 8 years in prison. • Much of the book of Acts is devoted to this part of Paul’s lifeMuch of the book of Acts is devoted to this part of Paul’s life

• Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 are identified as having been written Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 are identified as having been written by Paul.by Paul.

• This letter to the Philippians was written around 61AD during one of his This letter to the Philippians was written around 61AD during one of his periods in prison, most likely under house arrest in Rome as these dates periods in prison, most likely under house arrest in Rome as these dates would agree with the account in Acts 28 verses 14 – 31would agree with the account in Acts 28 verses 14 – 31



PhilippiPhilippi



Continue to work out your salvationContinue to work out your salvation

A shining star or a dense black holeA shining star or a dense black hole

An apprenticeship that stands the test of timeAn apprenticeship that stands the test of time




39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him.

“Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us”40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,”

he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are

punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.

But this man has done nothing wrong.”42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into

your kingdom.”43Jesus answered him. “I tell you the truth, today you will be

with me in paradise”

(Luke chapter 23 verses 39 to 43)




He now has something to work withHe now has something to work with

Change is now possible in your lifeChange is now possible in your life




Obedience when he was with themObedience when he was with them

Obedience when he was absent from themObedience when he was absent from them




• The Holy Spirit reminds us of Christ’s words, activates our The Holy Spirit reminds us of Christ’s words, activates our consciences, influences our motives & desires and makes consciences, influences our motives & desires and makes us want to obey. us want to obey.

• Now, doing God’s will is something we desire with all our Now, doing God’s will is something we desire with all our

heart and mind so that serving God is our greatest joyheart and mind so that serving God is our greatest joy



A shining star or a dense black hole A shining star or a dense black hole

1515“All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen and “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen and

they saw that his face was like the face of an angel”they saw that his face was like the face of an angel”

(Acts chapter 6 verse 15)(Acts chapter 6 verse 15)




How do we think others see us?How do we think others see us?




Jesus calls us to be the light of the worldJesus calls us to be the light of the world

Paul calls the Philippians to shine like stars in the Paul calls the Philippians to shine like stars in the universeuniverse




88For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live asFor you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as

children of lightchildren of light

(Ephesians chapter 5 verse 8)(Ephesians chapter 5 verse 8)




We hide our light:We hide our light:

• by acting like the world. The world won’t want what we have if we by acting like the world. The world won’t want what we have if we appear to be just like themappear to be just like them

• with bad attitudes. A bad attitude does not cause our light to shine for with bad attitudes. A bad attitude does not cause our light to shine for Christ. It causes contempt and bitterness instead.Christ. It causes contempt and bitterness instead.

• by concealing our Christianity. Christians who don’t talk about their by concealing our Christianity. Christians who don’t talk about their faith are hiding their light.faith are hiding their light.

• by failing to do good works.by failing to do good works.




88Live as children of light Live as children of light 99(for the fruit of the light consists in all(for the fruit of the light consists in all

goodness, righteousness and truth) goodness, righteousness and truth) 1010and find out what pleases the Lord.and find out what pleases the Lord.1111Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but ratherHave nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather

expose themexpose them

(Ephesians chapter 5 verses 8 to 11)(Ephesians chapter 5 verses 8 to 11)




1717But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrificeBut even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice

and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.1818So you too should be glad and rejoice with meSo you too should be glad and rejoice with me

(Philippians chapter 2 verses 17 & 18)(Philippians chapter 2 verses 17 & 18)



An apprenticeship that stands the test of time An apprenticeship that stands the test of time

1.1. Success is having a genuine interest in others rather than yourselfSuccess is having a genuine interest in others rather than yourself

2.2. Success is having a character which remains consistent under pressureSuccess is having a character which remains consistent under pressure

3.3. Success means being brothers and sisters in ChristSuccess means being brothers and sisters in Christ• The Christian life is a family, we are related.The Christian life is a family, we are related.• The Christian life is a fellowshipThe Christian life is a fellowship• The Christian life is a fight.The Christian life is a fight.

4.4. Success means commitment to Christ regardless of the circumstancesSuccess means commitment to Christ regardless of the circumstances

5.5. Success means service for Christ is more important than your securitySuccess means service for Christ is more important than your security

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