Shining Brightly: Embracing God's Transformative Work
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the joy of new life and the profound impact of God's work in our lives. I shared the excitement of becoming a grandparent, introducing my grandson, Jackson Allen, and reflecting on the legacy of faith that has brought us to this moment. This personal story served as a backdrop to our exploration of Philippians 2:12-18, where we are called to shine as lights in a dark world. Just as the SR-71 Blackbird, a marvel of engineering, relied on its celestial navigation system to find its way, we too must rely on our spiritual navigation—our faith and God's word—to guide us.
The core message is to let God work in us, transforming us into beacons of light for others. This transformation is not about earning salvation, which is a gift of grace, but about living out our salvation through sanctification—becoming more like Christ each day. We are encouraged to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, not in anxiety, but in humble reverence, allowing our relationship with Jesus to reshape every aspect of our lives.
To shine brightly, we must be aware of our tactical objective: to reflect Christ in all we do. This involves understanding our operational engagement, which means recognizing that God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. Our motivation and energy come from Him, not from external sources. We are called to be people of the Word and prayer, allowing these spiritual disciplines to fuel our journey.
Moreover, we must embrace suffering as a means of drawing closer to God and sharing His love with others. Suffering, paradoxically, strengthens us and enables us to comfort others with the comfort we have received from God. In a world where only a small percentage hold a biblical worldview, our distinctiveness as Christians should be evident, shining brightly in a crooked and perverse generation.
Ultimately, our assured victory comes from holding fast to the word of life and rejoicing in the joy that comes from submission to Christ. This joy is not only a future promise but a present reality, available to all who make Jesus the Lord of their lives. As we conclude, I invite anyone who has not yet experienced this joy to consider the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Let God Work in You: Embrace the transformative power of God's work in your life. Just as my family has been shaped by faith, allowing God to work in you can lead to profound changes and blessings. Trust in His process and let Him guide you toward His purpose. [11:36]
2. Shine as Lights in the World: Our calling is to be distinct in a world that often blends into darkness. By reflecting Christ, we become beacons of hope and guidance for others. This requires intentional living and a commitment to stand out by embodying Christ's love and truth. [14:09]
3. Understand Your Operational Engagement: Recognize that God equips us with the desire and power to fulfill His will. Our motivation should come from within, driven by the Holy Spirit, rather than external pressures. This inside-out approach ensures that our actions align with God's purpose. [24:21]
4. Embrace Suffering as a Path to Growth: Suffering is not a hindrance but a catalyst for spiritual growth. It draws us closer to God and equips us to comfort others. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, we can find strength and purpose in our trials. [35:36]
5. Rejoice in Assured Victory: Our victory is guaranteed when we hold fast to God's word and live in submission to Christ. This brings joy both now and in eternity. Embrace the joy of salvation and let it shine through your life, impacting those around you. [38:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:16] - The Marvel of the SR-71 Blackbird
- [11:36] - Let God Work in You
- [14:09] - Shine as Lights in the World
- [17:01] - Understanding Salvation and Sanctification
- [20:28] - Salvation Makes Us
- [24:21] - Operational Engagement
- [29:05] - The Power of God's Word
- [32:31] - The Importance of Prayer
- [35:36] - Embracing Suffering
- [38:24] - Rejoicing in Assured Victory
- [41:00] - Invitation to Salvation
- [43:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 2:12-18
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"? How does this relate to the concept of sanctification? [17:01]
2. In the sermon, the pastor compares the SR-71 Blackbird's navigation system to our spiritual navigation. What is the significance of this analogy in the context of Philippians 2:12-18? [07:16]
3. How does Paul describe the behavior and attitude of believers in a "crooked and perverse generation"? What are the specific actions he encourages? [24:21]
4. What role does suffering play in the life of a believer according to the sermon, and how does it relate to spiritual growth? [35:36]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor's personal story about his family illustrate the transformative power of God's work in our lives? What does this suggest about the impact of faith across generations? [11:36]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being distinct in a world that often blends into darkness. What are some practical ways believers can reflect Christ and stand out in today's society? [14:09]
3. The pastor mentions that our motivation and energy should come from God working in us. How can believers ensure that their actions align with God's purpose rather than external pressures? [24:21]
4. How does the concept of "rejoicing in assured victory" influence a believer's perspective on challenges and suffering? What does this mean for their daily life and faith journey? [38:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you allowed God to work in your life. What changes did you notice, and how did it impact those around you? How can you continue to let God work in you today? [11:36]
2. Consider your current environment. In what ways can you shine as a light in your community or workplace? Identify one specific action you can take this week to reflect Christ's love and truth. [14:09]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of internal motivation driven by the Holy Spirit. What are some external pressures you face that might distract you from God's purpose? How can you refocus on His will? [24:21]
4. Think about a recent challenge or period of suffering in your life. How did it draw you closer to God, and how can you use that experience to comfort others? [35:36]
5. The pastor encourages believers to hold fast to the word of life. What specific steps can you take to deepen your engagement with Scripture and prayer this week? [29:05]
6. Joy is a recurring theme in the sermon. How can you cultivate a sense of joy in your daily life, even amidst difficulties? What role does your relationship with Christ play in this? [38:24]
7. Reflect on the pastor's invitation to experience the joy of salvation. If you have not yet made Jesus the Lord of your life, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you share this joy with others? [38:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace God's Transformative Power
Letting God work in you is about embracing the transformative power of His presence in your life. This transformation is not about earning salvation, which is a gift of grace, but about living out your salvation through sanctification—becoming more like Christ each day. Trust in His process and let Him guide you toward His purpose. As you allow God to work in you, profound changes and blessings can unfold, just as faith has shaped the lives of many before you. [11:36]
"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel resistant to change? How can you invite God to work in that area today?
Day 2: Reflect Christ's Light in the World
Our calling is to be distinct in a world that often blends into darkness. By reflecting Christ, we become beacons of hope and guidance for others. This requires intentional living and a commitment to stand out by embodying Christ's love and truth. As you shine as lights in the world, remember that your distinctiveness as a Christian should be evident, shining brightly in a crooked and perverse generation. [14:09]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect Christ's light in your workplace or community this week?
Day 3: Align with God's Purpose
Recognize that God equips you with the desire and power to fulfill His will. Your motivation should come from within, driven by the Holy Spirit, rather than external pressures. This inside-out approach ensures that your actions align with God's purpose. Understanding your operational engagement means recognizing that God works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. [24:21]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you need to seek God's purpose rather than your own desires?
Day 4: Find Growth in Suffering
Suffering is not a hindrance but a catalyst for spiritual growth. It draws you closer to God and equips you to comfort others. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, you can find strength and purpose in your trials. Embrace suffering as a means of drawing closer to God and sharing His love with others. [35:36]
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you see God's hand in that situation, and how might it be shaping your character?
Day 5: Rejoice in the Joy of Salvation
Our victory is guaranteed when we hold fast to God's word and live in submission to Christ. This brings joy both now and in eternity. Embrace the joy of salvation and let it shine through your life, impacting those around you. This joy is not only a future promise but a present reality, available to all who make Jesus the Lord of their lives. [38:24]
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." (1 Peter 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you express the joy of your salvation in a way that encourages someone else today?
Quotes
"If you don't get anything else out of my sermon today, I want you to get this. Let God work in you. Let God work in you. This weekend, I witnessed God working in my family. I was sitting in the hospital room with four generations of people. Chuck and Becky, they're right here today. My in-laws. Before they had my wife, Lisa, they were not believers. They weren't raised in a Christian home. Chuck came to know the Lord after Lisa was born. Because he let the Lord work in him. Because of that, Jackson could be here with us today." [00:11:23] (51 seconds)
"I tell you what, when you let the Lord work in you, great things will happen. He can do great things in your life. I want to encourage all of you to let God work. I want to encourage all of you to let God work in your life. He can take the worst among us and turn us into something for his kingdom. Let God work in you. Philippians 1.6 says this, being confident of this very thing, that he who has began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." [00:12:23] (32 seconds)
"Last week, we talked about glorifying God through our humility. And so, and lo and behold, Paul gives us here another example of how we can glorify God through our humility. Humbly allow God to work in you and he will be glorified. When you humbly allow God to work in you, he will work through you and you will become a light in this dark world." [00:13:59] (26 seconds)
"Our goal as Christians is to follow this example, Jesus Christ. Follow in the context means to reflect him or to mimic Christ or to look like him. This is a process that all Christians should be going through. And it's what Paul's referencing in verse 12. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Now understand this, Paul is not indicating that salvation has anything to do with us." [00:15:15] (34 seconds)
"Paul teaches us that our tactical objective as Christians is to work out our salvation in humility so that we can look like Christ. He reinforces this objective. And verse 14, do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." [00:21:13] (34 seconds)
"The more you look like this crooked and perverse generation, the less your light shines. The more you distinguish yourself from this crooked and perverse generation by being like Christ, the more your light shines. Don't be the kind of Christian that people need special equipment to know who you are. Let your light shine in the darkness of this world. And this is getting harder and harder to do." [00:24:39] (29 seconds)
"As Christians, we also need to understand our operational engagement. Philippians 2.13 says this, For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure. I love how the New Living Translation translates it. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power. I don't know." [00:27:25] (20 seconds)
"God works in us to work through us. Often we seek as Christians outside motivation or outside energy to fulfill our Christian duties. This happens when you come to church and you check off a box. I came to church. I did my Christian duty or I read the Bible. I did my Christian job by reading the Bible today. You see, this is never going to work. It's bound to fail from the beginning. Our motivation and energy comes from the Lord working in us. It's not us. It's the Holy Spirit in us, giving us this motivation and giving us this energy." [00:28:23] (36 seconds)
"Paul praises God in 2 Corinthians verse 3 of chapter 1, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. In America, we pray for the burden of suffering to be lifted." [00:35:07] (29 seconds)
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