Obedience as Light

Transcript

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[0:00] Our scripture text today comes from Philippians 2, verses 12 through 18, and this is also in the NLT. Actually, I put it in the NLT because that's the Bible I like to carry, but I forgot my Bible. But it's still in the NLT, so we'll just read it from the paper.

[0:22] Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

[0:47] 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. Amen. Amen. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. Let's pray.

[1:37] Our God, we thank you for your word. We ask now for your blessing upon this word and this service. God, would you prepare our hearts, would you prepare our minds to receive what you would have for us today. These things we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

[1:58] So I've been going through Philippians. And when I came to this passage, this struck me. This we will be like bright lights shining in a world of crooked and perverse people. And I admit that I worry about how people see me as a Christian these days. That there was a time when I thought that the. crooked and perverse people were everyone else in the world and that Christians were above that label. And these days, I definitely don't see that. In fact, the church has become a crooked and perverse place itself. When I was in seventh grade, I was constantly striving to be seen as a good person. And that's where my identity was. And I'm not really sure why that was so important to me, but it really fueled a lot of my decisions at that time. And about halfway through the year, some friends of mine asked me, why don't you attend church? And it struck me that church was exactly the place where the good people go. And so I started going with them. And first, I went to church. And I went with them to youth group. And before I knew it, I was attending youth group every Wednesday and church every Sunday morning and Bible study every Tuesday. And I had perfect attendance at all of them. And that was two and a half decades ago. So I really don't know what this Silicon

[3:41] Valley was like 24 years ago. But in the Midwest at that time, church was really where all of those quote, good people went. And I remember that church was really where all of those good people went. And I remember that church was really where all of those good people went. And don't ask me to define good people. I didn't really know what I was striving for then. And I still don't know what I was striving for today. But I just knew I wanted to be a good people. And church was where good people went. And that's not true anymore. It's certainly not true here in Silicon Valley. Our country has been left beaten and bruised. And at the heart of the abuse are people who claim God, and particularly Christianity is their excuse for hurting other people. So if seventh grade me existed in 2022, I'm not sure I would have gone to church when I was invited. Because the church is no longer seen as people who want to do good. But lately, it's seen as people who have deeply, deeply hurt other people. It's seen as people who also oppress people, or take advantage of people. And I think that's a really good thing. And I think that's a really good thing. And I think that's a really good thing. And I think that's a really good thing. And I think

[4:51] of others for their own gain. Now verse 15 says that this is a world of crooked and perverse people. And we are living at a time where those crooked and perverse people obviously live outside of the church. But it seems as though some of the most crooked and perverse people of this generation are coming from the church and call themselves Christians. But my hope rests on passages like this. Because obedience to Christ is all it takes to reset the button that the church and the world beyond it truly need. So what does it take to be bright lights in this darkened world? Because I want that. I want to be a bright shining light. And I want that for you too. As people I love, I want you to also be bright shining lights.

[5:46] And all it takes is obedience. But we chafe at that word. It doesn't come naturally to us. Yoshi says, obedience is doing what your parents want. And then he said, I'm not sure if that's really true, but I do it. And I think that really sums up. I get where he's coming from. We chafe at obedience. We don't want someone else to tell us what to do. We were given free will. And we like that. We like making our own decisions and doing our own things. We don't like to be told what we have to do. So Paul seems to make this idea of obedience even harder. Because he says we must follow his instructions. And actually most translations don't specifically say that. But they do make it clear that it's Paul's instructions and not God's that we're specifically being told. Being obedient to. But this one does specifically say, follow my instructions.

[6:57] My being Paul. And then also most translations will begin with the word therefore. And it connects this passage back to the last. And specifically to verse 8 where Paul was talking both of Christ's humility and of his obedience. And the passage before this talked at length. About Christ's humility.

[7:21] But now the therefore connects us to his obedience. We know that Christ was humble when he didn't need to be. But Christ also obeyed God's will. Which as God himself, it makes sense. But as a human who had to suffer immensely. It would have been so much easier on Jesus if he just disobeyed.

[7:47] I'm glad he didn't. The themes and wordings in this section are also really closely tied to those of Philippians 1.27. Which we covered several weeks ago now. And ultimately they remind us of what Paul said in that verse. That the Philippians must conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

[8:09] So just in the last section of Philippians. Where Paul talked about being humble as Christ set an example for humility. Now they are to be obedient as Christ set an example for obedience. So Paul does first tell them to obey to be obedient to his own teaching. Paul's teaching. And we know that we are ultimately meant to be obedient to God. And not to human masters. Paul doesn't intend for them to hold him higher. Or especially not as high as God. But he does. And he really has never cared. Throughout the whole course of the New Testament we see that he doesn't care. If they hold him in high esteem or not. And usually he doesn't care about his title as an apostle. But in this case he feels responsible for what they are learning about God. And how they are applying what they learn to their actual lives. And as the apostle that taught them about God. It is important to him that they are obedient to his teachings.

[9:21] Because Paul isn't just teaching him things off the top of his head that he wants them to do. Paul is teaching them what he himself learned from God. And so being obedient to his teachings meant that they were being obedient to God ultimately.

[9:40] And it's not a terribly important distinction. The point is we have to be obedient to God. And that's why Paul is saying be obedient to God. But ultimately Paul did say be obedient to my teachings. He wanted to be obedient to him only so that they are also obedient to God. Which is important because he has responsibility for them. One person has responsibility for another person. So Paul is ultimately concerned with his responsibility. Over the Philippians. And their responsibility to him. It is his responsibility to teach the Philippians how to follow God. And their responsibility to him to follow that example. He sees himself as having to account before Christ.

[10:34] Not just for his own life and actions. But for the actions and lives of those he teaches. So we're an individualistic society. And this may have never crossed our minds. But we are responsible for those we interact with. I am responsible for each of you. And each of you are responsible for me. And each of you are responsible for each other. It matters what we do. Not just to ourselves. And not just to God. But to each other.

[11:09] We're even responsible for someone whom we may have never interacted with. Because our lives impact so many. And we will answer for these things before God Most High. On that day of judgment as Paul shows us. It is our duty. Given by God to walk alongside other Christians. And empower them. And even call them out when they're acting in disobedience.

[11:39] But we don't call them out harshly. And we don't call them out cruelly. We call them out in loving humility. And that's hard to do. If we're apathetic though. In calling people out. If we're apathetic in saying, hey.

[11:57] Are you walking with Christ? Then we will answer that to God himself. We may live in an individualistic society. But in God's community. We are all bound to each other. So the sin of one person does have an impact on many other people.

[12:16] Now we see Paul demand obedience from those he teaches. And not obedience to him particularly as he says. But to his way of life in Christ Jesus. And that's the thing. When we call other people out. We can't just say, hey. You're not doing things my way. Instead we need to really examine ourselves. And say, am I doing things Christ's way? Is what I'm expecting of this other person in Christ. And if it is. Then we need to walk alongside them lovingly.

[12:53] We see in Corinthians though that Paul tells them. He can either come with a whip or with a gentle spirit. Depending on their obedience. And I think today I'm going to go ahead and say don't bring a whip. Because that's not called for. But sometimes we have to be firm. There are times when we have to be firm. With other Christians. There are times when we have to be loving and gentle. And we have to discern which is which.

[13:25] Paul also tells Philemon that he has the authority as an apostle. To demand obedience. But he preferred to appeal to him on the basis of love. It sounds uncomfortable. But as Christians who are responsible for the actions and lives of our fellow Christians. We do have the right to demand our brothers and sisters obey the example of Christ. In fact it is loving for them. If we demand they follow Christ's example. But Paul shows us that when we lead by the example of love. It's usually a lot more effective. So that means we do have the responsibility to correct others when they're off. But first and foremost. We have the responsibility to lead by example. So if we see our brothers and sisters faltering. Our first and foremost responsibility is to check in with Christ. See if we're on the right path. And if we are then to lead by example. For others to follow. And lead lovingly by example.

[14:36] But instead we do seem lately to be in this place. Where human teachers are demanding that their followers. Obey their human and spiritual orders. And that their religion rules and habits. So these corrupt teachings are being passed on and obeyed in the church. Instead of the way of Christ being obeyed. And then others feel secure in acting any way they please. Because as Christians. They know that their salvation is ensured by Christ's death and resurrection. And I will never speak against that. We are secured in our salvation. By Christ's death and resurrection. And we are not powerful to break that. We don't have the authority to take that away.

[15:26] Which is good. Because each of us has done broken things. And we can rest in the peace and know that that can't be taken away from us. And so we certainly don't deny that. And we know that it's by faith alone that we're saved. And never by works. But then how do we answer those Christians who use that argument. That say.

[15:50] You know. I can do whatever I please. Because I'm saved by Christ. Well Paul says. Work hard to show the results of your salvation. Obeying God with deep reverence and fear. And if there was ever any question as to whether we are capable of earning salvation for ourselves. In the very next sentence. Paul dispelled that. He said. For God is working in you. Giving you the desire and power to do what pleases him. So first God gives us the gift of salvation. And it can only be achieved through faith in Christ. It cannot be earned. But then he gives us the desire to work for him. And to obey his will. And then he further gives us the ability to carry out that desire.

[16:44] So we need to balance verse 12 with verse 13. And vice versa. Because if we put too much emphasis on verse 12. Then we're in danger of a works based idea of salvation. Where we forget that it's Christ's death and Christ's death alone. That paid the price for our sins. But if we put too much emphasis on verse 13. Then we run into the danger of becoming apathetic. Just waiting for God to come. Waiting for God to do his thing. Waiting for an infusion of God's energy within us. To help us obey his will. And we can be apathetic and say. Well I haven't felt God come and help me obey his will. So I don't have to obey yet.

[17:28] And this infusion of energy though. Already comes to us. In the moment that we put our faith in Christ. So we need to balance those two verses. And it's necessary to understand that basic concept. Before we can take on the true spirit of obedience. That Paul is calling us to. Now obey like we said before. Is a word that people tend to cringe at when they hear. When we hear the word obey. We feel stifled and limited and frustrated. And we feel as though we are being forced into something. That we don't naturally want to do. There are rules and rigid limits. Placed over us which we are being asked to comply with. And then as a reward for that compliance. We earn our salvation through some sort of almost slavery to a system. But since we know. That salvation cannot be earned. There must be a different meaning of obey. In God's word.

[18:34] And there are things in life that we naturally obey. We obey the laws of electricity. And we never complain about it. Because we know how electricity works. And we obey the limitations of it. Because otherwise we won't have electricity. Or perhaps we'll have an electric fire. Or an electrocution. We do not complain that electricity works the way it does. We simply comply. Or else we go without it. And there are plenty of things that have rules and limitations. That we have to obey. Our own bodies have rules and limitations. That we've learned to obey. And we don't complain about having to obey these things. We just do it. We don't hold our breath. Just because we're offended by the rule that we have to breathe to survive.

[19:29] So being a Christian is a lot like that. We're not forced into a life of rigid rules and regulations. And our salvation is not dependent. On winning the rules. Or winning the rule following contest. But rather when we become a Christian. We're meant to act in accordance to God's will. We're meant to obey that which naturally comes to us. When we are surrendered to the love of Christ.

[19:54] Christ is living within us. We heard last week from Wendy. About how God came to make his dwelling place the world. During the seven days of creation. That he actually lives here in the world. Well at the point of time. At the point of salvation. Our hearts became the dwelling place. The living place of God. The spirit lives inside of us. So this obedience should be as natural to us. As the obeying of the rules of breathing.

[20:28] But our own individual and human lives. And hearts and wills are involved in this too. And humanity is broken. It's broken by the fall. So it's true that we'll never be saved apart from him. But it's likewise true that he will never save us. Apart from our own decision. To have faith and follow him. We do the living. And the choosing. And the acting. But then at the same time. We know a secret. That all along. It's he who is living in us.

[21:06] And he is. Acting through us. And choosing through us. So as Paul puts it in his letter to Galatians. I am crucified with Christ. So that is my self-centered will. Which once chose everything. In relation to me. By which I tried to run my own life. Has been brought to an end. In the death of Jesus. I am crucified with Christ. And I no longer live. But Christ lives in me. And the life I now live. In the flesh. I live by faith in Christ. So our human brokenness wants to battle this obedience. That should be so natural to us. But God gave us the desire and the power. To obey. We simply need to be in tune with Christ. To activate this desire and power.

[22:04] Believers. Can shine like a light. In this darkened world. By holding firmly. To the word of God. Holding firm. Means to observe. But the Greek word could also mean. Hold forth. Which means proclaim. Paul probably meant both.

[22:25] Christians ought to keep God's word. To be a shining example of Christ for others. But we must also proclaim his word. And we must also proclaim his word. Because faith comes by hearing the word of God. Being faithful to the word of God. Gives us a reason for our spiritual leaders to rejoice.

[22:45] Paul previously appealed to the Philippians to be united. To complete his joy. That was Philippians 2.2. Now he's asking them to hold fast to God's word. To obey God. So that he may rejoice on the last day. He's not looking for an opportunity to boast of himself. But to rejoice in the Lord. And Paul gladly sacrificed his life. For the sake of others. And wants greater joy. In seeing the fruits of his labor.

[23:16] Now Paul says that his obedience to God will be noticed. When we live in his will. We will be seen as innocent and blameless before God. And before the world. That's that umbrella of protection. I was talking about earlier. Will be seen as innocent and blameless. And that image will shine through us. We will be like stars shining in the darkness. And that is so necessary right now. I just. There is so much darkness. Like I said. Outside of the church. But inside the church these days as well.

[23:51] And it's overwhelming to think of it all. So what I want you to do right now. Is just to think of one place. And I want you to take out either your bulletin and a pen. Or your phone and make a note. But I want you to somehow. Write down. Where is one place. Where you see darkness in the world. And I want it to be specific.

[24:12] And we're going to just pause. For a second for you to do this. Where is one place. That you see darkness in this world. And now. I want you to imagine yourself. Within. That particular area of darkness. What is your current role. Or position within that darkness.

[24:57] So not where you want to be. But where you currently see yourself. within that darkness. And now, instead of where you currently are, I want you to imagine yourself acting in complete obedience to God's will. How does your obedience cause you to shine in that particular darkness? Go ahead and write that down as well.

[25:53] God wants you to be the light of your life. God wants you to be that light shining. God is already at work within you, and God is already at work within the world, even in those dark and painful places. And he will give you the desire and the power to be obedient, but you need to step out in faith.

[26:19] Now, this is the most important one. Write down one way, even if it's a very small way, one way that you can and will act out in obedience. And that's tricky because obedience is more than a first step. Sometimes it includes interacting with others, which means that you can't always plan it out in advance. But get creative and write down one way you can act out in obedience.

[26:58] When you get home later, I want you to put these papers somewhere that you can see them, or if you wrote on your phone, text it or email it to yourself, so that you can check in with yourself later this week.

[27:11] The other thing I want you to do is step out in faith and ask someone to hold you accountable. Because as we said before, we're all responsible for each other. So let's hold each other accountable to being lights for Christ.

[27:26] We are responsible for other Christians. We're responsible for those around us who have not yet come to faith. And we're responsible for ourselves. Obedience to Christ plays a role in all of those areas. So let's shine like stars through a broken and darkened world. Let's pray.

[27:48] Our gracious God, we ask you to help us to be obedient, no matter what. What the situation. God, would you make us innocent and blameless before you? Would you help us to shine like stars in the darkness?

[28:07] And God, by your power, by your grace, would you make the darkness turn to light? These things we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.