In the summer of 1982, a little known 33 year old truck driver, by the name of Larry Walters, accomplished a great feat. Tired, and bored of just sitting around, he decided he needed an adventure. So, on July 2, of that same year, he rigged 42 helium filled weather balloons to a Sears lawn chair, and lifted off. Armed with a pellet gun to shoot out a few balloons, should he fly too high, Walters was shocked to reach 16,000 feet so rapidly; but, needless to say, he wasn't the only one. For, several airline pilots reported seeing, "some guy in a lawn chair floating in the sky," to confused, and perplexed air traffic controllers.

Finally, Walters began to shoot off a few balloons, which allowed him to land safely in Long Beach some 45 minutes later. This bizarre stunt got him a Timex ad, as well as a guest spot on The Tonight Show. He quit his job, and began to deliver motivational speeches across the country. However, when asked what possessed to do such a thing, Walters' answer was, "It was something I had to do, because I just couldn't sit there and do nothing!"

In much the same way, Paul exhorts us, in these verses, to get up and begin to do something for God. As you know, in the verses that precede our text, the great apostle has wonderfully described the example for our life, the Lord Jesus. However, now, he goes on to not only speak of the example for our life, but the evidence from our life. You see, he is saying that if Jesus is our pattern, then there ought to be a practice. If He is our reason for living, then He is, also, our recipe for life. Thus, in these verses, Paul seems to be saying, "You have seen the example, the way to do; now, put it into practice, and do it!" Simply put, he is exhorting us to "Stop Blowing, And Start Showing!"
 

Paul explains:

In these two verses, Paul's theme is our glorious salvation.
 

 You'll notice, by observing what he is saying, as we see:

A. THE OCCUPATION OF SALVATION BY THE SAINT

1. Notice verse 12. Paul exhorts us, and says, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Thus, he is speaking, here, of the saint's occupation in regards to salvation.

2. No doubt, these are words that have cause great confusion among many. However, the confusion comes from misunderstanding of what is being said.

3. You see, Paul isn't speaking of working for salvation; but, rather, working at salvation.

He's not referring to working to get one saved,
    working because one is saved.

There is a duty, a job, and an occupation of each believer.

4. For, you will notice the phrase "work out" that he uses.

 This phrase has the idea of bringing something to completion or  fullness.

it's as if Paul is saying, "Don't stop halfway, but go on until the work of salvation is fully wrought in you."

5. This word was used, in Paul's day, to describe mineworkers.

 Those miners would work that mine until they had completely  worked it out.

 They mined until they got the maximum benefit from that mine.

6. The word was also used to speak of a farmer working in a field. The seed had already been planted, and the crop was already growing; yet, it was up to the farmer to harvest the crop.

7. Paul is exhorting us, as believers, to achieve our maximum potential.

 Since God has placed great potential in us, we must, every day, be  committed to working until that potential is reached.

8. As you know, this potential won't be fully wrought until we get to heaven.

 But, I believe that you would agree with me,  that this is something that must be done everyday of our lives.

9. I like what Oliver Cromwell, the great English leader of the 17th century said, "He who ceases to be better, ceases to be good!"

   That is exactly what Paul is saying here.

10. I ask you, are you a better Christian today than you were a year ago?

             Are you a better Christian today than you were last week?

              Or even yesterday?

That's the point being made here, for that is The Occupation Of  Salvation By The Saint!

B. THE OPERATION OF SALVATION IN THE SAINT

1. Notice verse 13. Not only do we see the occupation that is to be done by the saint; but, we see the operation that goes on in the saint.

No doubt someone would ask,
 "How can I keep working to my full potential?
 How can I be a better Christian?"

2. Paul answers those questions by informing us that
"it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

we're informed that we're not alone in this progression, but by the power of God, the person of God, and the presence of God in us  we're able to be what He wants us to be.

3. It's quite interesting to note the words "work" and "do".

 Those two words come from the same Greek word that  we get our word ‘energy' from.

It's God's energy working in us to desire, and deliver our potential to be what He wants us to be.

I think of the story of a country farmer who was visited by his new pastor. As the pastor surveyed the farm for the first time, he commented, "John, this is a great farm that you and God have." The farmer replied, "Thank you  pastor, but you ought to have seen it 5 years ago when God had it all by Himself!"

4. When I read that, I thought, that's exactly the same scenario in the lives of many Christians.

 So, I ask you, regardless of how long you've been a Christian, how  much does God have of you?

                Does he have all,
                  does He have some,
                    does He have none;
                                  or, does He have only that which you allow Him to have?

5. You see, salvation involves much more than initial faith, and belief in Christ.

It is an everyday progressive, and continuing process.

6. it's only by the power of God, and God's energy working in us, that we can fulfill the blueprint He has for our life.

BUT...His power is only allowed to work in the life of one who will let it work.

7. Therefore, salvation is more than a possession; but, rather it is a program carried out by a person.
For, there is The Occupation Of Salvation By The Saint, and The Operation Of Salvation In The Saint.
Without question, what is spoken of here is A Truth We Must Contemplate!

This command follows the command of verse 12 to obey.
While verse 12 deals with attitude,
verse 14 deals with action.
 

While verse 12 tells us what to do, verse 14 tells us how to do it.

SO, in examining what is being said, we see:

A. THE DUTY OF OUR SPEECH

1. Notice, again, Paul says,
 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings."
 

Therefore, he is speaking of the duty of our speech.

2. It's interesting to note the words "all things."

"What things is he speaking of?"

 He's referring to that which he has just mentioned.

We are to submit,
we are to strive,
we are to sacrifice,
and we are to serve
"without murmurings and disputings."

That's the duty of our speech.
 

It's said that, during World War II, the British General Montgomery was named commander in forces in North Africa for the purpose of rescuing the Allied forces. He met with all of his officers, and subordinates, and told them with great force, "Orders no longer form the basis of discussion, but for action!"

3. That is exactly the same message that Paul is sending to us.

 When we discover what it is that God wants us to do,

 we're not to deny it,  defy it, doubt it, or debate it.

  WE ARE TO DO IT!

4. Whether it be cleaning a restroom, or mop a floor. We are to do it!

    Whether it be teach a class, or visit a shut-in. We are to do it!

    Whether it be to drive a bus, or knock on a door. We are to do it!

5. I don't know about you, but I believe that we ought to be so thankful that God has found something for us to do, and somewhere for us to serve, that we wouldn't even think of grumbling, and griping about it.
  We just ought to do it!
                                                 That's The Duty Of Our Speech!

B. THE DANGER OF OUR SPEECH

1. notice, again, verse 14. Paul not only speaks of the duty of our speech, but the danger of our speech.
  "Do all things without murmurings and disputings."

2. It's quite interesting to note the two categories of speech he refers to.

The word "murmurings" speaks of ‘grumblings that come from an unhappy spirit.'

Perhaps the best example of this is the rebellious murmurings of the children of Israel, as they journeyed in the desert.

3. Of all that God had done for them, time and time again.

 Yet, they grumbled, complained, and murmured against God,  and the man of God.

    They were an unhappy, an ungrateful, and an unthankful people; and, as a result, it manifested itself in their speech.

4. The word "disputings," however, is also an interesting word.

 This word describes ‘a questioning mind.'

It speaks of a mob who distrusted their leaders, and were on the verge of an uprising.

5. This is someone who constantly questions what is going on, and what is being done.

So much so, that they began to dispute everything to the point that they are ready to literally explode.

6. Paul is speaking against complaining and questioning, murmuring and disputing, for these are a danger of our speech.

I think of the time that, while John Wesley preached, he noticed a lady in the audience who was known by everyone for her critical attitude. All through the service, the lady had a scowl on her face, and sat and looked at Wesley's new tie. When the service was over, she came up to him, and said very sharply, "Mr. Wesley, the strings on your bow tie are much too long. It's an offense to me." He asked if one of the ladies had a pair of scissors in her purse.  He then handed the scissors to the lady, and told her to trim the tie until it suited her. After she clipped it near the collar, he asked her if she was suited with it now, and she said she was.

Wesley then said, "Let me have those scissors for a moment. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I make a slight correction. You're tongue is too long, and it's an offense to me. Please stick it out, I'd like to cut some off!"

7. Without a doubt, that's the problem with many Christians today,  their tongue is far too long.

But, may I also say, that if you'll allow them to talk, and fill your ear full, then you're just as guilty as they are.

8. You see, this kind of speech never delights, but it always divides, disrupts, and discredits.

When we grumble, complain, question, and criticize, we're simply hindering the word that God wants to do.

9.   So, Paul says,
"Hush that grumbling, hush that complaining, and hush that questioning, because there's a work to be done."

That's The Duty Of Our Speech, and The Danger Of Our Speech.

 If we are to be the Christians God wants us to be then we must
  "Do all things without murmurings and disputings;" and, there's A Talk We Must Alleviate!

in the last part of verse 15, Paul exhorts us to "shine as lights in the world."

There's not much question left as to the day Paul was speaking of,  "a crooked and perverse nation."

But, while he was speaking to the Phillippians, he's also speaking to us.

For, it doesn't take long to pick up a newspaper, and turn on the  television to see this same description in our world today.
In the day in which we live, how can we shine as lights, and demonstrate a testimony?

He answers that by showing that:

A. WE ARE TO DEMONSTRATE THIS TESTIMONY OUTWARDLY

1. Notice in verse 15, the word "blameless" that he uses.

He's speaking here of an outward testimony.

2. The word "blameless" speaks of being pure.
It describes a life that is lived to where nobody can find anything that would classified as a fault.

3. what's being spoken about here is our outward testimony with others.

We are to be blameless, without reproach, and pure.

I think of September 11, 1985, the night that Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb's all-time hit record. The jubilation that must have been felt by his fans as they watched that ball jump off the bat into left-center field; and, as Pete rounded 1st base.
For over 20 minutes there was a rousing, standing ovation. The crowd wept and Pete wept. However, that feat was tragically short-lived. For, as you know, a few months later, Pete Rose was banned from baseball for betting on the team's games.
 You see, in spite of all of his accomplishments, his achievements,  and his awards, there will always be that stain on his name.

4. Paul is exhorting us to remain pure, undefiled, unblemished, and unstained.

 We are to die to self everyday.
             Live in Him, by Him, and through Him; and, We Are To Demonstrate This Testimony Outwardly!

B. WE ARE TO DEMONSTRATE THIS TESTIMONY INWARDLY

1. Notice in verse 15, the word "harmless."

In that word, he tells us that we're not only to demonstrate this testimony outwardly, but inwardly.

2. The word "harmless" literally means ‘unmixed or unadulterated."

 The word was used of wine or milk that isn't mixed with water; and,  of metal which has no alloy in it.
   It literally refers to a person's character.

3. while being ‘blameless' speaks of my outward life,
     being ‘harmless' speaks of my inward life.

While being ‘blameless' refers to what others think of me,
 being ‘harmless' refers to what I really am.

4. while we may look clean on the outside, we've got to be clean on the inside.
Sure, our methods, manners, and means are to be clean. But, our motives are to clean as well,
because We Are To Demonstrate This Testimony Inwardly!

C. WE ARE TO DEMONSTRATE THIS TESTIMONY UPWARDLY

1. You'll notice that Paul goes on to say that we are to
    "sons of God, without rebuke.."

2. The word "rebuke" speaks of ‘being without blemish or without spot.'

 This word is used in connection with the  Old Testament sacrifices that were offered on the altar.

3. So, just as those animals had to be without defect, blemish, or spot. our life , too, is to be offered.

4. This word speaks of not how others see me, or even how I see myself.

  Rather, it speaks of how God sees me.   Am I right with Him?  Am I in fellowship, and friendship with Him?
  Am I in tune with Him?

5. However, there's an impossibility here.

You see, it's impossible for me to be right upwardly,
   and be wrong outwardly and inwardly.

Yet, it's also impossible for me to be wrong outwardly and inwardly,
   and be right upwardly.

6. Our entire testimony is being included here.

 Not only my testimony in regards to others,  and my testimony in regards to myself;  but, my testimony in regards to God.

 We're To Demonstrate This Testimony Outwardly,

 We Are To Demonstrate This Testimony Inwardly;

and, We Are To Demonstrate This Testimony Upwardly.
 

If we are to "shine as lights in the world,"
                                       then there is A Testimony We Must Demonstrate!
 

I think of David Livingston, a great pioneer missionary to Africa. He endured many hardships, but remained faithful to God.
His wife died early in his ministry, and he faced stiff opposition from the Scottish people. He ministered half-blind, and he walked over 29,000 miles loving, preaching, and ministering to those African natives. However, what a witness and testimony that he carried. On one occasion, when Sir Henry Stanley visited him, and spent some time with him, he said of Livingston, "If I had been with him any longer,  I would have been compelled to be a Christian, and he never spoke a word to me at all!"
 

Someone has well said, that
"The best argument for Christianity is a Christian. But, the worst argument for Christianity is also a Christian!"

 I wonder today,
  are you ‘shining forth as a light in a dark world.'

 I'm not asking about your theological knowledge,
  or your experiential stories.

I'm asking, "Are you shining a light at work, at home, and at school?"

Paul seems to say to our hearts that if we are to be who we should be,
 and what God wants us to be, then there is A Truth We Must Contemplate,
A Talk We Must Alleviate,  and A Testimony We Must Demonstrate.

Simply put, Paul is saying,

   "Stop Blowing, And Start Showing!"