Well once again we'll turn to
the epistle of Paul to the Philippians and the second chapter and we'll
read verses 14 to 16. So the epistle of Paul to the
Philippians and the second chapter and reading verses 14, 15 and
16. Do all things without murmurings
and disputings. that ye may be blameless and
harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world,
holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day
of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in
vain. So here we have gracious words
of exhortation from the Apostle to the Philippian Church and
how thankful we are that there are words in the Word of God
of exhortation and direction for us as we live upon the earth. And of course this was written
very many years ago but We can see the same need there is of
such words in the day and age in which we live. And so we should
be very thankful that God in his great providence and mercy
has left for us the word of God which meets every age and every
case. And so tonight may we realize
the relevance of it to us even today. So this 14th verse commences
with the Apostle saying, do all things without murmurings and
disputings. We've often commented how comprehensive
the Word of God is, and this Word is also very comprehensive
because it says do all things, not just some things, not just
the easy things, not just the things that we like doing, but
do all things without murmurings and disputings." Again, it's
good to have such direction in our lives today. Sometimes we
may think that such words are unnecessary and they're not needful,
but yet we prove that they are necessary and they are needful
in all of our hearts, because we find that Our heart is deceitful
above all things and desperately wicked. And therefore we do fall
sometimes into the traps which the devil sets before us of murmuring
against the way that the Lord sets before us. If it doesn't
meet our requirements, if it doesn't meet the way that we
want, then we murmur against it. And it's a great blessing
therefore to be delivered from it without murmurings. and also
disputings. The devil loves disputings because
disputings often create separation and that's the devil's great
aim is to separate the Church of God. And so we should be very
thankful that we have a statement like this which tells us so very
clearly to do all things without murmurings and disputings. We read that 144th Psalm together,
because as we come down to the end of that Psalm, in actual
fact the penultimate verse in the 144th Psalm, we're told that
our oxen may be strong to labour, that there be no breaking in
nor going out, that there be no complaining in our streets. Well that's a good word isn't
it? that there is no complaining. We don't complain about the path
that God leads us in. But we recognise it is the right
way. The right way for us, although
perhaps we don't always understand it, we don't always see it at
the time. And yet to be able to look back and observe that
great word, as for God, His way is perfect. And to know the Lord
never makes a mistake. And so, do all things without
murmuring and disputings. And the reason? That ye may be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as
lights in the world. Well, we remember, of course,
Word of God, the words that the Lord Jesus spoke himself in what
we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount, speaking about light,
how the children of God are lights in this world. And he tells us,
ye are the light of the world, that's verse 14. A city that
is set on a hill cannot be hid. It's a very obvious statement,
but it just brings home to us the relevance of this verse. Neither do men light a candle,
and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth
light unto all that are in the house. Of course, again, a candle
in a house, covered up, wouldn't be of any value at all. And so he then draws us to this
statement, let your light, my light and your light, so shine
before men. They may see your good works
and glorify your Father, which is in heaven. And surely that
directs us to the one light, the true light, the one that
says, I am the light of the world. And may that light shine forth
in our lives to the honor and glory of God and that men and
women and boys and girls therefore may take knowledge of us that
we have been with Jesus and have learned of him. This means really
you see that we're not to therefore be troublesome or quarrelous
in this world but we're to set a good example that our light
might shine forth for his honour and for his glory. What a blessing
it is that all is graciously left on record such words of
direction that ye may be blameless. When left to ourselves, of course,
we're not blameless. We're often at fault. And again,
it's a mercy if God shows us that we are at fault. and we
need God to help us to do those things which are good and right
and for his honour and for his glory and so do all things without
murmurs and disputings that ye may be blameless and harmless
the sons of God what a blessing it is if you and I are indeed
the sons of God because if we're not The reality is that we are
not his children and we are eternally lost. The Lord directed the Apostle
John in the beginning of his Gospel, we read in the beginning
was the Word. And the Word was with God and
the Word was God. That's what is really shown to
us and set before us as we come on to this 16th verse holding
forth the Word of Life. This is the Word of Life and
remember that we live in the midst of a crooked and perverse
nation, whom ye shine as lights in the world. And what a wonderful
blessing and favour it is if we understand the greatness of
this truth, in the beginning was the Word, the Lord was always
in existence, the eternal God, the eternal Father, the eternal
Son, and the eternal Spirit. The beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Well, the apostle
goes on and he comes down to the Fourth verse, and him was
life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth
in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. And so we
find ourselves today living in a dark world. And what a blessing
if our light shines forth, that men and women, boys and girls,
take notice of us. that we have been with Jesus
and have learned of Him. And so to be found the sons of
God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation
among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the
word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have
not run in vain neither laboured in vain. Well, that he might
rejoice in the day of Christ. Surely that's a wonderful blessing
for us today, to rejoice indeed in the day of Christ, rejoicing
what he has done in his great and glorious work that he finished
upon that cross at Calvary so many, many years ago. that I
may rejoice. Well, the Apostle Paul says,
again I say, rejoice. In the midst of this dark world,
oh may we look beyond the darkness of this world to the glorious
light of the gospel, which is of course focused in the Lord
Jesus Christ. And as by faith we view him,
may we indeed truly rejoice and praise God from whom all blessings
flow and be so thankful that we have such a wonderful and
glorious Saviour. The Apostle Peter refers to the
great truths, how the Lord sets before us a wonderful example
and how we should follow that example In this world, when we
find ourselves in this crooked and perverse world, the Apostle
said in the second chapter of the first epistle, verse 23,
who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered,
he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. he did the will of his father,
who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness,
by whose stripes ye were healed, for ye were a sheep going astray,
but now are returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls. these words of exhortation be
instructed to us, and may we be found holding forth this Word
of Life, the glorious Saviour, in all that He has done, that
we may indeed truly rejoice in that finished work. And as the
Apostle says, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured
in vain, no, he set before the Philippians the glorious gospel. And we today are blessed with
a glorious gospel. And therefore may these words
not fall to the ground and be in vain, but may we take them
to heart for the honour and glory of almighty God and the eternal
good of our souls.