Shine Brightly For Christ In The New Year

Sermon: Shine Brightly for Christ In the New Year

Philippians 2:12-16 “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. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 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. 16 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.” NLT

Introduction: I once read a statement that said, “If you have taken Christ as your Savior, there is not one single thing you must do to get ready to meet the Lord.” I agree that there nothing you can to the salvation process, but there plenty you can do and are expected to do in life. Some people believe that when they receive Jesus as their Lord, from then on, they have it made! Contrary to popular opinion, in our text today, Paul urges the Philippians to press on. “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.” You see faith in Christ is the beginning of a journey of growth and development. Growth and development is not automatic. Growth and development are brought about by God’s power working in us both the desire and the ability to fulfil His purpose in our lives.

Paul begins by encouraging the Philippian Church to keep making progress. How proud he was of their faithfulness to God while he was among them. They were living differently; they were shining as lights in darkness. Now he urges them not to let their guards down. Their salvation was a gift from God that placed them in the Body of Christ. They began as spiritual infants with a God-ordained, freely given opportunity to grow into useful saints of God.

1. Work Hard to Show the Results of Your Salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. Paul calls the Church at Philippi and us to Sanctification – Sanctification is not option or for a limited few. We are called to be holy as God our Father is holy. When you and I were born physically, it was instant. Our growth and development took years of nourishment, training, instruction and more to become a well-rounded adult. Nothing was automatic. Without receiving what we needed, our growth would have been limited. One of the most heartrending sights is to see a man or a woman who for some reason fail to mature. They may have a child’s mind in an adult body. God has placed everything in us we need to be holy, set a part and to please him at a high level.

Am 4:12 So I will do this to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Amos and Apostle Paul both indicate that preparation and effort are required. We must all stand before God and give an account. Sanctification is important because it allows our light to shine brightly in a dark world.

Mt 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The responsibility of the New Testament saints is to receive Christ and then grow into spiritual maturity. We are to be conformed to the image of His dear son. We are called to be more than converts, we are called to be disciples. We are preparing for a final exam. We are preparing to give an account before God. Jesus Christ is our savior and our Lord. There is an assignment He has given us. We are His witnesses, givers, praisers and so much more. We are called to be salt and lights in this world. The darker the world gets, the more our light is needed. Salvation is a free gift, but the results of salvation must be worked out.