Shining as Lights in the World

By Doing All Things WithoutMurmuring and Disputing

Philippians 2:14

Introductory Thoughts

So far in this series on shining as lights in the world, we have been given both direction and hope

Direction in the form of the admonition - Work out your own salvation

Hope in the assurance that it is God who works in you

But now we have a warning

The need for this warning should become more apparent as we proceed with this morning's lesson

Murmuring

The danger of murmuring

Murmuring defined - to complain in low mumbling tones; grumble

The people of Israel murmured frequently throughout their wilderness wanderings, and many were destroyed because of it - 1 Corinthians 10:10-11

In describing those who would be apostates, murmurers are included in the description - Jude 3-4, 16-19

How can we then shine as lights if we are seen to be a group of complainers?

Murmuring

When a person is murmuring, it is an indication of dissatisfaction

A Christian has so much to be thankful for

Salvation in Christ Jesus, which includes every spiritual blessing - Ephesians 1:3

Assurance of a Heavenly Father who understands and will provide our needs - Matthew 6:31-33

If anything, the people of God should be known as filled with thanksgiving, not murmuring

Murmuring

Consider what Paul wrote to the Colossians

We should thank God for our inheritance - Colossians 1:12

We should abound with thanksgiving -Colossians 2:6-7

Be thankful for the peace of God ruling in our hearts - Colossians 3:15

Give thanks to God the father through Jesus Christ - Colossians 3:17

Be vigilant in prayer with thanksgiving - Colossians 4:2

Surely an attitude of gratitude will help us shine as lights in the world much better than

Murmuring, grumbling and complaining!

Disputing

The danger of disputing

Disputing simply means - arguing - disputingIt is not describing the discussions of differences

between individuals who seek to find common groundBut rather the sort of divisive wrangling condemned in

1 Timothy 6:3-5 - 2 Timothy 2:14-16

Such disputing can devour those in the body of Christ, against which Paul warned -

Galatians 5:15

It can also destroy our ability to convince the world concerning Jesus

Disputing

Being different in how we handle our differences

There will always be differences among brethren

We come into the kingdom with many different backgrounds and perspectives

It will take a while until we all develop the mind of Christ and the oneness of mind for which Paul pleaded in Philippians 2:2

Disputing

Until then, we can still shine as lights in the world in the way we handle our differences!

With the attitudes of gentleness, patience, and humility prescribed in 2 Timothy 2:23-26

With the qualities of longsuffering, forbearance, and forgiveness described in Colossians 3:12-13

With the willingness to forego personal liberties as exemplified by Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:13

Concluding Thoughts

We can truly shine as lights and make a positive impact on the world for Jesus

Too much harm has been done in the past by the way we have dealt with differences, and the

tendency to complain

If we can only take to heart the warning of Paul and other scriptures against murmuring and

disputing