A Heavenly Holdout
August 3, 2008
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Text: Philippians 2:14-17
Caving - diets, exercise - Giving in - The devil made me do it! Cop-out! Give into sin, self, and world. How we give in to the ways of our culture
God - Don’t cave! The call to followers of Christ is to hold out for the good news of Jesus - Living for Jesus!
Hold out for the faith and don’t cave to the flesh!
How do I hold out for the faith?
1) Have a holy discontent
V14
“The me monster” - Causes complaining and disputing - never satisfied, never good enough - “worldly discontent causes spiritual disruption”
V15 - Blameless - not the cause of trouble or stumbling - always forgiven up! “Practice what you preach!! Eschew hypocrisy!”
Pure – unmixed - no deceit! Harmless - not one that will inflict hurt!
Pure motives - the best interests of others! How we are suspicious - A child of God! Faultless! Real! Genuine - set apart for sure!
Poster issue in Spfld. Point - world wants to bring you down!
Genesis 3, 2 Corinthians 5:15
2) Realize it is your time to shine
You are a luminary for Jesus!
God the Father has you where he wants you!
Work – relations – situations - that’s your time to shine
This world! Wicked! Woe, weary, Yet we have the light of Jesus!
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
We must take our stand!
It is our time to shine! Show the way! A luminary for Jesus!
Conclusion
V16b - How stars come out at night - What if OHC began to shine everywhere? Holding out for life! We can say yes Lord! Yes! We held out for the word of life! Never giving in but always holding on!