Dr Tom Hover
February 5, 2023
Philippians 2:12–18 / Philippians 2:19-30
SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD! / BEING A SERVANT WORTH IMITATING
SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD!
Lighthouse Christians
Main Scripture Text: Philippians 2:12–18
Text: Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Introduction: Every saved person, every child of God, have been called to be a lighthouse. Now we could use a different figure of speech. We could say you’re called to be a soul winner; you’re called to be a witness; but whatever it is, God wants to use your life as a shaft of golden gospel sunlight into a dark world. Jesus was crucified because He was a friend of sinners. And we’re going to get to our text in just a moment; but Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth … Ye are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13–14) Now, friend, salt penetrates; and light illuminates. And that’s what we’re here to do. Philippians 2:12–18 We’re talking now about letting your light shine, making your house a lighthouse, and making this church-house a lighthouse. And these five principles are found right here.
I. THE RESPONSIBILITY FACTOR
Philippians 2:12, Ephesians 2:8–9, I Corinthians 2:1–3, “Fear” and “Trembling”—Why?
1. HIS BUSINESS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS — Souls are at stake!
2. WE ARE ENTERING AN UNKNOWN — No one knows how much following Jesus is going to cost them, or where it will lead — Paul— 2 Cor. 11:23–29. However, we do have His promise: Luke 18:28–30.
3. WE WILL HAVE TO FACE GOD AND GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF OUR LIVES II Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:12
7 BENEFITS OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD!
1. DEEP SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE Proverbs 1:7
2. DIVINE WISDOM Psalm 111:10, Job 28:28
3. A UNIQUE WEAPON AGAINST SIN Exodus 20:20
4. THE MERCY OF GOD Luke 1:50
5. LIFE Proverbs 14:27, Proverbs 14:27
6. PROTECTION FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN Proverbs 14:26
7. SECRETS OF THE LORD Psalm 25:14
II. THE POSSIBILITY FACTOR
Philippians 2:13
III. THE AVAILABILITY FACTOR
Philippians 2:14-15
IV. THE ACCOUNTABILITY FACTOR
Philippians 2:16, Psalm 126:5–6
V. THE EXPENDABILITY FACTOR
Philippians 2:17-18
CONCLUSION: There’s no greater joy than to bring a soul to Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) And, friend, it all comes down to obedience. Now we all can’t be preachers, but we can all be teachers. We can’t all do it the same way. We don’t all have the same gifts. But would you pray, “God, in my area of life, would you make me a light to my neighborhood, a light to my family, a light to my school, or a light to my office? Lord God, make me a lighthouse”?
PM SERVICE
BEING A SERVANT WORTH IMITATING
TEXT: Philippians 2:19-30
Matthew 4:19, I Corinthians 4:15–17, I Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 3:17, Philippians 2:19-30
