TODAY’S MAIN PASSAGE:
The defining mark of “Kingdom Living” is being Christ-centered.
Philippians 1:21
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:27
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Phil 2:5
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus…
Kingdom living is perfectly modeled by Jesus.
- Selflessness
- Humility
- Obedience
- Servanthood
Pastor’s Prayer in 2022
Father, help us to be Kingdom-minded and to draw closer to You as we live obediently, love radically, and serve sacrificially.
Philippians 2:9-11
For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
SHINE LIKE STARS
Philippians 2:12-16
Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life.
Because Jesus is Lord then I am called to obey him.
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
To “work out” your salvation is a way of expressing the call to obedience.
Ephesians 2:4-10
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!… 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
Titus 3:4-8
But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.
We are not saved by our good works, but we are saved to do good works.
- Regeneration
- Justification
- Sanctification
- Glorification
It is about how saved people live out their salvation.
Both the will (desire to obey) and the work (the obedience itself) is only possible because of God.
Philippians 1:6
I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Romans 9:16
So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy.
Philippians 2:14-16
Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life.
Exodus 15:24
The people grumbled to Moses, “What are we going to drink?”
Exodus 16:2-8
The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness…Moses continued, “The Lord will give you meat to eat this evening and all the bread you want in the morning, for he has heard the complaints that you are raising against him. Who are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord.”
This is a call to holiness.
1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
As you live in holiness and obedience you will shine like stars in darkness of this world!
Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lamp stand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
In what ways do you need to walk in obedience and live in holiness?
Philippians 2:16
…by holding firm to the word of life.
Philippians 1:27
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel…
Philippians 2:16-18
Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.