A pastor is walking down the street one day when he notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell on a house across the street. However, the boy is very small and the doorbell is too high for him to reach.
After watching the boy’s efforts for some time, the pastor moves closer to the boy's position. He steps smartly across the street, walks up behind the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the child's shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a solid ring.
Crouching down to the child's level, the pastor smiles benevolently and asks, "And now what, my little man?" To which the boy replies, "Now we run!"
God Working in Us
Philippians 2: 13-15
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
I. God is in control of our lives (v. 13)
A. God should always be the one in control of our lives, especially since He knows what tomorrow holds. He sees the future and therefore knows what is best for us.
B. Our lives do not always go as we plan them to. Things are not always easy and at times, we deal with really bad things. Have you ever seen a really good, Christian person (maybe even yourself) go through some really bad times and wondered why? Jesus was speaking to His followers during the Sermon on the Mount and said ... He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Mt 5:45)
C. Even at moments when it seems so unfair, we must realize that God should always be in charge of our lives - the ruler of our destiny and at the center of our hearts.
II. We are bought by God - For God (vs13)
A. Our purpose is to fulfill God's purpose. We were purchased by Him with the blood of Christ. I Corinthians 6:20 tells us "You were bought for a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” This tells us we belong entirely to God.
Because of this, we should honor God through:
1. Being faithful to His house
2. Maintaining our purity
3. Saving ourselves for the right person
4. Refraining from drugs or alcohol
5. Live like Christ!
Ill. God has Plans for you (v 13)
A. God knows what He's doing! Never doubt your purpose or that you have a reason for being who you are where you are. God has a great plan in mind for us. We just have to realize it and surrender ourselves to His plan.
Jeremiah 29:11 is a beautiful reminder of the fact that God has awesome plans for our lives. It says "For I know the plans I have for you 'declares the Lord'; Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope." What a beautiful word from God just reminding us, Hey, I know what I want to do with you and your life - just trust me. And btw, it's good!
IV. Let's stop the complaining (v 14)
"Complaining is like bad breath, you notice it when it comes out of somebody else's mouth, but not your own."-Will Bowen
A young Catholic priest decided to enter a monastery. He joined one particularly strict sect. The head monk told him, at his indoctrination, that they were sworn to TOTAL silence. They could not speak one word at all. However, every ten years, they would be permitted to speak two words. After 10 years of total silence, the head monk indicated it was now time for him to speak his two words. The monk said, "Bed hard!" And then he resumed his silent study and work. Another 10 years passed and the head monk again indicated it was time for him to speak his two words. The monk said, "Food bad!" And then he resumed his silent study and work. Another 10 years passed and the head monk again indicated it was time for him to speak his two words. The monk said, "I quit!" The head monk shook his head and said, "I knew this was coming. You've done nothing but complain for the past 30 years!"
We all know someone who spends most of their time complaining about things... it's too hot or it's too cold ... the food tastes bad, the traffic is slow ... Brad is preaching too long ... the list goes on and on about things we hear people complaining about, but how does this bring glory to God? Do you think He is happy with us when He hears us complaining and groaning all the time?
A. Complaining can actually anger God
1 Corinthians 10:10 is talking about the Israelites while in the wilderness having been set free from Egyptian rule. They complained about everything - "And do not grumble, as some of them did-and were killed by the destroying angel."
Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 17:22 that "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" Will you be more capable of working for God if you are complaining all the time or when you show appreciation for what He has done?
B. Why not complain? (v 15)
1. To be blameless
2. To be pure
3. Without fault
4. Be different in this world full of bad
Ephesians 4:29 says "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear".
What does this mean? It means speak in a way that uplifts people, that is good, that brings glory to God - not in a way that makes us seem ungrateful, unhappy and as though a life with Christ is nothing special. We must remember that as Jesus says in Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."
Conclusion
Become the type of person who in the midst of every situation is able to say that God is good! Regardless of what we are facing, let's be the type of person who trusts God with our life, our purpose, our future and to help us in every area of our lives. May we develop the mentality in time of trouble that Job had when he made one of the most famous quotes from the bible - "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21b)
Do you have Christ living in you to lead your life? Are you walking in His plan or trying to go it alone? Do you find yourself always dissatisfied? Come and make a commitment to God tonight that you will let him lead you, that you surrender to Him and that you will walk in the way He wants you to go. Let Him work in you from this point on and watch where He takes your life!
