LIGHTS IN THE WORLD: Philippians 2:14-18


OUTLINE

How must we live in this crooked and twisted generation? We must live as shining lights (v. 15)

I. If we would be lights in the world we must not grumble or dispute (v. 14)

II. If we would be lights in the world we must hold fast and hold forth the word of life (v. 16)

III. If we would be lights in the world we must pour ourselves out for others (v. 17)

IV. If we would be lights in the world we must be glad and rejoice (v. 18)

DISCUSSION

I. What things are we commanded to do “without grumbling or disputing” in verse 14? What does Paul mean by “grumbling”? What does Paul mean by “disputing”? 

II. To what end are we to “do all things without grumbling or disputing” according to verse 15? How does Paul describe the public witness of the Christian? How does Paul describe those not united to Christ by faith?

III. According to verse 16, what must we “[hold] fast to” if we are going to live “as lights in the world”? What does Paul mean by “so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain”? 

IV. According to verses 17-18, what else marks the Christian life besides “[shining] as lights in the world”? What does Paul mean by “poured out as a drink offering”? How should this encourage you as you suffer for Jesus’ sake? What does Paul say we “should be” in verse 18?

Ekklesia Muskogee is a reformed baptist church that gathers for worship in Muskogee, Oklahoma. We confess the 1689 second London baptist confession of faith. We affirm the five solas of the Reformation as well as the doctrines of grace (otherwise known as the five points of Calvinism), and each of our pastors would not be ashamed to be called a Calvinist. We are a church led by elders, of which there is a plurality (also called pastors and overseers in the Scriptures). Our mission is to make disciples, love cities, and plant churches.