Growing to Shine in a Dark World

Main point: By God’s , we to look like Christ so that we may  in a dark world.  

Philippians 2:12-16 (ESV)

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

1. Christians are called to work what God works (12-13).
   1. How we work out our salvation:
      i. We grow in the .
      ii. We practice to God.
      iii. We own our responsibility to grow .
      iv. We encourage one another to grow .
      v. We work in a posture of and .
   2. God works in us for His will and His good pleasure.
      i. God’s work in us gives us .
      ii. God’s work in us gives us .

2. As we look like Christ, we will shine in a dark world (14-16).
   1. We are to as in a dark, crooked, and twisted generation.
   2. We shine like Christ when we avoid and .
   3. We shine like Christ when we model .
   4. We shine like Christ when we cling to and extend the .