Whatever Happens, Burn Holes In The Darkness
Philippians 2:14-18
Pastor Robert J. Morgan
Preface: Olbers’ Paradox
Scripture:
Philippians 2:14-18 (NIV ®)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 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the
day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink
offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of
you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Introduction: Virtually every phrase of this passage comes almost directly from the Old Testament.
It traces the story of the Old Testament Israelites.
1. Do Everything Without Grumbling Or Arguing
Exodus 16:1-3 (NIV ®)1 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between
Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the
desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If
only we had died by the L ORD ’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the
food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to
death.”
2. That You May Be Blameless And Pure, Children Of God Without Fault
When we come to Jesus Christ and receive Him as Savior, we are clothed with the blamelessness and
purity of Christ in God’s sight, but we still need to grow into our clothing.
Deuteronomy 18:13-15 says, “You must be blameless before the Lord your God. The nations you will
dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has
not permitted you to do so. The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among
you. You must listen to Him.”
3. In A Warped And Crooked Generation
Deuteronomy 32 says: “They are corrupt and not His children; to their shame they are a warped and
crooked generation.”
Jesus used similar words in Matthew 12:39, when He called the people of His day “a wicked and
adulterous generation.” We need no convincing.
4. Among Whom You Shine As Stars In The Sky, Holding Forth The Word Of Life
Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV ®)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….
In Deuteronomy 10:22, Moses said, “Your fathers went down to Egypt with seventy persons, and
now the Lord your God has made you as the stars of heaven in multitude.” And in Daniel 12, The
Lord promised that those who were wise unto eternal life would shine like stars in the universe
(Daniel 12:3)
5. Then I Will Know I Did Not Labor In Vain
This portion is also packed with the Old Testament. For example, Isaiah 65:23 promises that we will
not labor in vain. And Paul used the same phrase in 1 Corinthians 15:58, one of my favorite Bible
promises:
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
We do not realize how God has and is using us, and He will continue to do so.
So this is Paul’s message to the Philippians and the Lord’s message to us. Let’s take it to heart and
burn holes in the darkness.
Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV ®)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 16 as you hold forth word of life, knowing that our work in the Lord is never in
vain.