1. Philippians 2:12-16 Blameless in a Perverse Generation Gangitis River Philippi apparently had only a small number of Jewish inhabitants and no synagogue. Consequently Shabbat worship was held outside the city on the Gangitis River. Here Paul met a group of women to whom he preached the gospel. Lydia, a merchant trading purple cloth, believed Paul's message and was baptized with members of her household. Subsequently Paul went and lived at her home. (Source: BiblePlaces.com)

2. Brief History of Philippi The city is named for Philip of Macedonia, who seized it from Thrace in 358 B.C. Philippi was situated on the Egnatian Way- a major Roman thoroughfare begun in 145 B.C. which, at its greatest extent, linked Byzantium with ports on the Adriatic Sea. It also made it much easier for Rome to move troops throughout the empire. It was the route taken by Paul from Neapolis to Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica. The Church was begun there by Paul, in about 52 A.D., with the conversion of Lydia, the jailer, and their respective households, Acts 16:11ff. Paul’s letter to this church is being written from prison, about ten years later in 62 A.D. And for you history buffs, Philippi was the place where Marcus Antonius and Octavius defeated Brutus and Cassius in 42 A.D. to overthrow the Roman Oligarchy- which allowed Augustus (Octavius) to become Emperor.

3. Living “Blameless and Innocent” in a “Crooked and Perverse Generation” The “R’s” have it:  Revere, respect, and obey God’s word, v.12  Realize that God is working for, with, and through you to accomplish His purpose of salvation, v.13  Remember regrets and complaints have no place in serving the Lord, v.14  Reflect the light of Jesus without reproach, v.15  Remain true to the Word unto the end, v.16 What’s the Recipe? Philippians 2:16

4. Living “Blameless and Innocent” in a “Crooked and Perverse Generation” We can be “born again” to a new and resurrected life in Jesus Christ, John 3:3-5; Rom.6:1-11. While we may not be able to “change the world”- we can change “our world” as well as that of our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers by converting them to Christ, 2Pet.3:8-9. 1Cor.5:9-10 You and I have to live in the world into which we were born, 1Cor.5:9-10. We do not have to live like the world into which we were born, 2Cor.6:17!