Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the last half of the Epistle Lesson just read, from Phil. 2. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Christians are really quite amazing people. The call to be a Christian is an upward calling. It is a calling to live an “examined” life, a sentient life, a life filled with meaning and importance rather than a mere existence of 70 or 80 years.
- It is true that other people have ambitions as well. One doesn’t have to be a Christian in order to want to be rich, or to be successful, or famous. Both selfishness and pride come quite naturally to most people. However, the ambition that we have as Christians is to overcome selfishness and to live in proper humility.
- Our calling and life as Christians is constantly contrasted against the general demeanor and nature of non-Christians. It is true that many non-Christians also seek to live a noble and meaningful life – but where does such a desire come from? I suspect that it is an influence from Christianity that has injected a desire for greater civility and decency even amongst secular folks.
- However, it is also clear that “crookedness, deceit, immorality, and evil” are not encouraged and perpetrated by genuine Christians – even though we remain sinners. Our response, when we fall into sin is not “Oh boy! Goody goody! I can’t wait to do some more evil!” Rather it is deep-seated repentance, a desire to make amends, and to get back on the track of good and decency.
- Because of this, the Apostle Paul refers to his hearers, his fellow Christians and children of God as “lights in the world.” The goal is not to stand out from others, not to make sure we appear to be better than others, not to take pride in our “goodness” [since we know that any good we do accomplish is God’s work in us]. Rather, the goal is live out of love for God in response to His great love for us. And even though we may not be able to see much of a difference, we should stand out from the unbelieving generation that we live amongst. This is Paul’s emphasis, that:
I. The Distinction Between Christians And Non-Believers Should Be Real And Apparent – We Should Shine As Lights In The Midst Of Darkness, The Crooked And Twisted Generation That We Live In
Text: “Do all things without grumbling or questioning . . . that you may be children of God . . . in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Statement: We should mark the first admonition – to “do all things without grumbling or questioning.” Grumbling and questioning denote a weakness of faith or perhaps even an absence of faith! We ought not have to be compelled or even coerced to live a “shining” life that is filled with goodness and love; as we live in God’s gracious mercy, forgiveness, and love we should be eager and excited about doing what is good, right, and decent!
Application: And when we find ourselves burnt out and irritable about devoting ourselves to Christian worship and fellowship and service, this is a sure indication that our motives and heart are in the wrong place! This should move us to recognition of our sin and weakness, and to deeper repentance that our sinful nature is so recalcitrant, and back to God’s gracious love and perfect patience with us. We should stop, take a breath, and rest ourselves in His love – and then our “light” will brighten up, as we rejoice in God’s love.
Transition: And this repentance and faith is critical, for:
II. The Nature Of Our Light Is Being Blameless And Innocent Children Of God – Without Blemish
Text: “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.”
Statement: This is the blessing of God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy, that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” It is in our baptism that God provides us with this cleansing, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her [the church] by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” [Eph. 5:25-27]
Application: Thanks and praise be to God that in spite of our continuing weakness and sin, we remain “blameless and innocent” in the sight of God – and He surely sees us “shining as lights” in the darkness of the unbelieving world that rejects His love. It is this reality – this gracious cleansing and forgiveness from God that creates light and glowing in us. So the fount and source of our light is God – received from Him through a life of repentance and faith! And it is the realization of this status that we have as His children that ultimately changes our hearts – so that without grumbling or questioning we seek to live lives of goodness and love!
Transition: So that we might continue to grow brighter and stronger:
III. God Facilitates This Transition In Us As We Hold Fast To The Word Of Life
Text: “among whom you shine as light in the world, holding fast to the Word of life.”
Statement: The law of God shows us our sin and God’s condemnation of human sin. It might be referred to as “the Word of death.” It is the good news of sins forgiven, of God’s redeeming love that gives us life. This good news is found only in Holy Scripture – that by His grace, without any merit or worthiness in us, God has forgiven us, cleansed us, and made us His dear children, with the gift and inheritance of eternal life.
Application: And this good news permeates our life together within the church. It is the center of worship – the absolution, the Scripture Lessons, the sermon, and the Sacrament. All of these things bring the Word of life to our ears, and the Holy Spirit brings life to our hearts through faith! And in the joy of God’s gracious love – we glow, and shine in the world!
Transition: And this remains true even though:
IV. Being Light In The World Of Darkness Creates Conflict For Us, But We Have Greater Gladness And Rejoicing In God’s Love And In One Another
Text: “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”
Statement: This is a distinguishing feature of children of God, lights in the world: they do not seek first their own comfort and convenience, ease and pleasure. Rather, they are willing to endure opposition, anger, hatred, and even persecution – in order to be children of God and “lights in the world.” Rather than destroying faith and the church, this rather strengthens our bounds of love and compassion for one another. And oddly, there is joy even when Christian brothers and sisters must suffer for being “lights in the world.”
Application: If we can see this reality – this encouragement in Christ, this comfort from love, this participation in the Spirit, this affection and sympathy – and if we participate in it, then many blessings will come to us, and the difference between God’s light and the darkness of this world will be clearly seen in our lives. Then our fellowship here in this congregation will not just be “going to church,” but rather full immersion in the light of God’s love, so that we take our illumination with us into the world, wherever we go.
Conclusion: This is your noble and upward calling as Christians. It does in fact change everything in your inner being and life. Especially, it refocuses our ambitions, our priorities, and our goals.
This does not induce pride or arrogance or “better than others” within us; rather we live humbly and gratefully in the mercy of God. But it does instill within us an eagerness to do what is good and right – for the sake of God, because of His great love for us.
God grant His light to shine in each of us abundantly – through the Word of life – so that we rejoice to be “lights shining in this fallen world.” Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.