1. Stars in The Night Philippians 2:14-18 Sunday, November 15, 2009 Jim Beasley

2. Introduction Thermostats vs. Thermometers Thermostats vs. Thermometers Major vs. Minor Major vs. Minor Philippians 2:14-18 Philippians 2:14-18

3. The Prescription Don’t Complain Greek word “gongusmos” Greek word “gongusmos” Murphy’s Law Murphy’s Law – Nothing is as easy as it looks; everything takes longer than you think; if anything can go wrong it will. – The other line always moves faster. – The chance of bread falling with peanut butter and jelly side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet. – Inside every large problem is a series of smaller problems struggling to get out. – 90% of everything is crud. – No matter how long you shop for an item, after you’ve bought it, it will be on sale somewhere cheaper. – Any tool dropped while repairing a car will roll underneath the exact center. – The repairman will never have seen a model quite like yours.

4. The Prescription Don’t Complain Grumbling people are unhappy people. Grumbling people are unhappy people. Grumbling people are annoying people. Grumbling people are annoying people. A grumbling person is at heart a person who resists what God has given. A grumbling person is at heart a person who resists what God has given. Numbers 13 Numbers 13 Numbers 14 Numbers 14 I Corinthians 10:10-14 I Corinthians 10:10-14

5. The Prescription Don’t Argue Greek word “dialogismos”. Greek word “dialogismos”. Don’t argue with each other. Don’t argue with each other. Don’t argue with God. Don’t argue with God. Job 38:2; 40:2 Job 38:2; 40:2

6. The Prescription The Difficult Condition “Do everything” not some things “Do everything” not some things Taking this command seriously would impact: Taking this command seriously would impact: – What would it mean for doing our chores? – How would it change the way we watch an extra curricular activity at school? – How would it impact how we respond to interruptions? – How would it make a difference in the way we get out of bed in the morning? – How would it change our conversation about other churches? How would it change our conversations about this church? – How would it change the way we handle differences of opinions? – How would it change our discussions on decisions made by our leadership? – What would happen to gossip?

7. The Rationale “so that” means Paul is now listing for us the consequences of living a positive, trusting life instead of a grumbling, contentious life. “so that” means Paul is now listing for us the consequences of living a positive, trusting life instead of a grumbling, contentious life. Three reasons for eliminating complaining and contention. Three reasons for eliminating complaining and contention. – This kind of attitude is essential to spiritual growth. – When we don’t grumble and argue we become a beacon in a dark and dreary world. – When you act in this way you not only stand out as lights in the world, you make others proud. Eugene Peterson’s rendering of passage Eugene Peterson’s rendering of passage

8. Conclusions Practical Suggestions When you get up in the morning try saying, “Good Morning, Lord!” rather than “Oh No”. When you get up in the morning try saying, “Good Morning, Lord!” rather than “Oh No”. When you start to argue with God learn to say, “Lord, I don’t understand... help me to trust you.” When you start to argue with God learn to say, “Lord, I don’t understand... help me to trust you.” Ask someone to make a grumbling sound every time they hear you complaining or arguing. Ask someone to make a grumbling sound every time they hear you complaining or arguing. Look for productive ways to deal with problems rather than standing around and criticizing. Look for productive ways to deal with problems rather than standing around and criticizing. Avoid gossip. Avoid gossip. Keep a flash light, lighter or picture of a starry night in a prominent place and use it to remind you that you are to shine like the stars in a crooked and depraved world. Keep a flash light, lighter or picture of a starry night in a prominent place and use it to remind you that you are to shine like the stars in a crooked and depraved world.