#18 7-29-07
Shinning as Stars
Text, Philippians 2:14-16
Introduction,
The impact of a person’s life can be for good or bad. The following examples demonstrate the different impact a person can have on their descendents.
1. Max Jukes, was an atheist who lived a ungodly life and married an ungodly women.
They had 540 descendents, 310 died paupers, 150 were criminals, 7 murders, 100
Drunkards, more than half of the women were prostitutes.
2. Johnathan Edwards, lived a godly life, and married a godly women. They had 1,394 descendents, 13 were college presidents, 65 were college professors, 3 U.S. Senators, 30 were judges, 100 lawyers, 60 doctors, 75 army and navy officers, 100 preachers and missionaries, 60 authors of prominence, 1 vice-president of the United States, 8 were public officials, 295 college graduates of whom some became state governors and U.S. ambassadors.
Do you see a contrast? One lived an ungodly life and had a detrimental affect on his descendents. The other lived a godly life and had a tremendous positive influence on his descendents.
What kind of impact will your life have on others? Apostle Paul speaks to the church of Philippi to be as shinning stars or great witnesses for God. In verse 14 through 16 of chapter 2 Paul shows how their lives can have a godly influence on others.
Transitional sentence; How can you have great influence on others.
I. The Witness of Your Words (2:14)
A. Don’t murmur or complain
1. Some speak mostly or only negative comments to others and themselves.
They are real downers to others. They discourage others with their
comments. They seem to only see the negative in everything.
2. Your words are to build up and edify others. (Ephesians 4;29)
B. The power of your words on others
1. On believers, You can be a positive influence on many believers by speaking
words of praise and encouragement. Speak words of faith and assurance
build up others. Some may be at the point of giving up but your words
gave them the strength to carry on. Your words could be a discouragement
and cause some to give up and fall away.
2. On unbelievers, You can either draw people to Christ drive them away from
Christ by your word. If unbelievers hear you complaining about your
Church or about other Christians, they will not be attracted to Christ.
C. Holding forth God’s Word (2:16)
1. God’s word is powerful
2. The more you can use God’s word the more influence your words will have.
II. The Witness of Your Walk (2:15)
A. How you as a believer should live your life
1. You should live blamelessly – what we are to the world
2. You should be innocent – be pure within
3. Without blemish – what you are before God
B. You are to be a light in the darkness
1. Don’t try to be like the darkness. Don’t try to copy what the world does and
looks like.
2. You are to be different from the world. You are to be a contrast to the world.
C. The importance of your walk (how you live your life)
1. Unbelievers will try to find excuses why they shouldn’t surrender to Christ.
If they see you not living what you claim to be, they will reject Christ.
What is the most frequent statement unbelievers make about the church,
It is that they are hypocrites.
2. Believers will be either be discouraged or encouraged by your behavior to live
a godly life.
3. Your life most demonstrate the message of your words, or your words will
mean nothing.
III. The Witness of Your Work (2:17)
A. Your sacrifice and service
1. Make sacrifices for others. The greater the sacrifice the greater the impact it
will have on others. Those who have given their lives in sacrifice are the
ones who have the greatest impact. Look at the example of Christ.
2. Serve others. Become a servant at heart. Look for ways to serve others in
ministry and in your daily life.
B. Your sacrifice and service demonstrate your faith.
1. Your word and walk most also have works accompanying them.
2. Faith without works is dead (James 2:L17)
C. Your need to serve joyfully.
1. For the greatest impact from your service it most be done joyfully.
2. When people since you want to serve and do it willingly that will a greater
impression on them.
What kind of an influence are you?
What kind of impact are your words having?
What kind of example is your behavior/
How many are benefiting from your sacrifice and service?
Will you be a Max Jukes or a Jonathan Edwards?
