Shinning as stars

God wants His people to shine like stars in the universe.
Philippians 2:14-18
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing

God desires every one of His redeemed people – us to shine light stars in the universe. God wants His people to conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel. He wants our behaviour to shine forth as lights in a wicked world. No one is going to argue about that today. Are you shining? What about your everyday walk with God? Can you say, “I live my life in such a way that I uphold the Gospel of Christ”? It’s about the way we live our lives every moment of every day.

We should never forget that it is God working in us “to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:14). He is concerned about each one of us. God is holding on to each of us, and He will go on working in each of us.

Let’s remind ourselves of Galatians 5:16-25
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Perhaps you never have time to read the Word of God day and night. Do you say, “I don’t have time to read the Bible.” Do you have time to watch television? Do you have time to read the newspaper? Do you have time for whatever you want to do?
Psalm 1:1-2. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night”
The Apostle Peter also encourages Christians scattered throughout “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” to in 1 Peter 2:1-3. Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good

We, each one us can testify to how good God is “we have tasted that the Lord is good” and we know that God has chosen us to a live pure and holy lives.

Matthew 5:13-14 “You are the salt of the earth”? “You are the light of the world”? Through Paul, the Holy Spirit is reminding the Philippians that they are to “shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:15). How does this shining occur?
Not only does Paul tell the Philippians what to do, but he also tells them what to avoid. He appeals for Christian living; it is easy when things are going well. What about when things get tough?

Followers of Jesus are different! Are you different? Christians are to be different
Remember whatever life throws at us we have a God who understands. He walked where I walk.

God is holding on to you, and He will go on working in you and holding on to you, we don’t have to do this on our own. So this evening are we shining as stars in the universe?