Work It Out!
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Sermon 4
Series: A Beautiful Hope in a Desperate World
Sermon title: Work it out!
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Intro:
Intro:
One raw winter night a man heard an irregular thumping sound against the kitchen storm door. He went to a window and watched as tiny shivering sparrows, attracted to the evident warmth inside, beat in vain against the glass.
Touched, the farmer bundled up and trudged through fresh snow to open the barn for the struggling birds. He turned on the lights, tossed some hay in a corner, and sprinkled a trail of saltine crackers to direct them to the barn. But the sparrows, which had scattered in all directions when he emerged from the house, still hid in the darkness, afraid of him.
He tried various tactics: circling behind the birds to drive them toward the barn, tossing cracker crumbs in the air toward them, retreating to his house to see if they’d flutter into the barn on their own. Nothing worked. He, a huge alien creature, had terrified them; the birds could not understand that he actually desired to help.
He withdrew to his house and watched the doomed sparrows though a window. As he stared, a thought hit him like lightening from a clear blue sky: if only I could become a bird-one of them-just for a moment. Then I wouldn’t frighten them so. I could show them the way to warmth and safety. At the same moment, another thought dawned on him. He had grasped the whole principle of the Incarnation.
A man’s becoming a bird is nothing compared to God’s becoming a man. The concept of a sovereign being as big as the universe He created, confining Himself to a human body was-and is-too much for some people to believe. –Paul Harvey.
Transition: Last week we read in Philippians chapter 2 about the example of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Paul used the mind of Christ as the perfect example of the submissive mind. We concluded last week with a discussion of Christ’s death and resurrection and how that same death and resurrection power is meant for all Christians now as we pick up our cross and die to self, daily.
This is just one more way that Paul has given us to be Unquestionably Xn so Jesus shines out of our lives and we attract people to the gospel of Christ, which is our Christ given mission till he returns.
We started a few weeks ago looking at these ways in verse 27. We read: Only you etc… Then List them all
Ways to Shine: To attract the lost to the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Ways to Shine: To attract the lost to the gospel of Jesus Christ:
· Remember who we are, we are citizens of heaven.
· Remember who we are, we are citizens of heaven.
· Remember what Jesus Christ did.
· Remember what Jesus Christ did.
· Have a single mind or be laser focused to spread the gospel of Christ
· Have a single mind or be laser focused to spread the gospel of Christ
· Be unquestionably Christian by having convincing conduct and showing courageous confidence.
· Be unquestionably Christian by having convincing conduct and showing courageous confidence.
· Have a submissive mind, the mind of Christ.
· Have a submissive mind, the mind of Christ.
In today’s passage Paul calls all of this activity, “working out our salvation.”
In today’s passage Paul calls all of this activity, “working out our salvation.”
Look at
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Therefore= Look back the previous section. Christ’s example.
As you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but much more in my absence- Refers back to verse 1.27. This was Paul’s way of tying this whole section together.
Work out your own salvation.
This morning I would like to focus on this:
The who, what, how, where, and why of “work out your salvation.”
Who?
Who?
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
v.12 “My beloved” Letter is written to Christians and to a church.
Also- Notice- “YOUR OWN.” He does not mean we are not to be involved in other peoples lives but what he is saying, no one can do the work for you. You have to do the work. So many Christians have been spoon fed all their life and they wonder why their faith is so weak. They sit and listen to someone teach the Word but never read and study it for themselves. They talk alot about prayer but rarely do the work of prayer each day. They want to be served by the church but they have not take time to serve others. They sit soak and sour. Some people have just never realized that coming to church is not really about themselves and what they can get out of it. Though it does offer many benefits. It is about the mission of the gospel and what each of us can do to reach the lost. It takes work to live the Christian life and each of us is responsible for our own work. Of course we help each other but that another topic.
What?
What?
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
v 12. “Salvation”- What is he talking about here?
Did Paul just say we have to work for our salvation? No! He said work OUT your salvation.
But what does that mean? Aren’t we saved by grace?
- Your salvation is from God.
and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
Paul wrote,
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
But he also wrote the next verse:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Its critical here to remind ourselves of the three stages of salvation found in the bible. They are all called salvation sometimes so it can be confusing.
a. Justification and Regeneration. There are two things happening at the same time and they happen at the moment someone accepts the Gospel message and makes Jesus their Lord.
The three phases of Salvation
1. Regeneration and Justification.
Salvation-three parts
Salvation-three parts
2.
3.
The moment someones gives their life to Christ-
Regeneration - In an instant, the Holy Spirit makes us a new creation and comes to live inside us. We experience the resurrection power of Christ in us as we are resurrected. Our Spirit was dead in sin but it is resurrected. Our bodies will resurrect later.
ESV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Justification -Past event. “I was saved (justified) when I was 8 years old.” Declared innocent by God. Guarantees Heaven.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The guilt is taken off of us and placed on to Christ. Christ is both the just and the justifier for those who believe and receive.
So someone may ask, “Do I have to work to keep my salvation.”
The Bible says, “NO!”
You have been born again, you can not become unborn.
You are a new creation, the old is gone. You can’t be come an old creation now.
You have been resurrected, you can’t be unresurrected.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
o Give hand illustration.
o Flat White illustration
But we have remaining sin, we still live this life in our old bodies. But one day we will experience the final resurrection and will be glorified.
The three phases of Salvation
1. Regeneration and Justification
2.
3. Glorification
Future event. “I will be finally saved (glorified) at the resurrection when Christ returns.” Will finally actually be innocent. Will be in heaven.
For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
What happens in-between Justification and Glorification?
What happens between bowing and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord and the day the Lord returns and transforms my lowly body to be like his glorious body?
The three phases of Salvation
1. Regeneration and Justification.
2. Sanctification.
3. Glorification.
Sanctification- Present activity. “I am being continually saved (sanctified) right now.” Becoming innocent. Experiencing Heaven on earth. Earning rewards in heaven.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
•
ESV
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Jesus said in :
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
o Give hand illustration.
o Coffee and creamer illustration.
Born again- You can’t be unborn.
· Step 2 is Sanctification: This is the work of Being Saved. At the moment of conversion, Christ comes to live in us, through the Holy Spirit.
ESV
·
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
; ;
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Sanctification is daily discipline of becoming more like Christ. It is a life long process of Salvation on Earth. It is getting to experience heaven on earth. Someone said once, that sanctification is being a little more like Christ today than we were yesterday and tomorrow being a little more like Christ than we are today.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
What a struggle! Sanctification is daily discipline of becoming more like Christ. It is a life long process of Salvation on Earth. It is getting to experience heaven on earth. The · Someone said once, that sanctification is being a little more like Christ today than we were yesterday and tomorrow being a little more like Christ than we are today.
What a struggle! Sanctification is daily discipline of becoming more like Christ. It is a life long process of Salvation on Earth. It is getting to experience heaven on earth. Someone said once, that sanctification is being a little more like Christ today than we were yesterday and tomorrow being a little more like Christ than we are today.
There is no static position in the Christian walk.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
Illustration: Adalyn and crawling.
Grown man in a mud puddle?
· “Christ accepts us as we are, but when he accepts us, we cannot remain as we are.” (Walter Trobisch).
· In Justification we are declared righteous, that in sanctification we may become righteous. In glorification we will finally be righteous.
· William Evans: One day Billy and Ruth Graham were driving thru a long stretch of road construction. They had numerous slowdowns, detours, and smooth pavement stretched out before them. The sign caught Ruth's attention: "End of Construction. Thanks for your patience." She commented that those words would be a fitting inscription on her tombstone someday.
Justification is what God does for us, while sanctification is what God does in us. Justification puts us into a right relationship to God, while sanctification exhibits the fruit of that relationship.
So those are three types of salvation mentioned in the Bible. Since the same word is used for all three it can get confusing. So it is necessary to look at the context of the passage to determine which one the author is referring to.
Obviously, Paul is referring to sanctification.
How?
How?
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
V. 12 Work it out. This could have two meanings. One would be to keep at it till completed like solving a problem.
The other and most likely what Paul had in mind is terms of mining out gold. We learned a few weeks ago that Philippi had been known for its Gold and Silver mines. The phrase work it out would given the word picture of digging in the mines to bring out the Gold. Its hard work but the reward is great. The gold has no value at all down in the rocks. Likewise, our salvation, everything we need to be more like Christ is inside of us placed there by God. We are to work out what he works in.
Diamonds 200 miles below the crust. Not valuable at all. Cant get them.
Caesar Augustus -in Spain- Moving mountains with Water! Like dynamite.
In today’s mining, dynamite is often used to blast away the rock to bring out the gold. Caesar Augustus had developed a technique for mining that only recently has been discovered. He obviously didn’t have dynamite but there are some mountains where 300 yard sections have been removed violently like dynamite would have done. He did it with water! He dug long thin shifts down the mountain and then turned them outward at 90 degrees. Then, water from a nearby reservoir was unleashed into the shafts. The force of the water as it traveled created the same explosive energy as dynamite, blowing up the mountain. Literally Moving the mountain! So we need dynamite like explosives to blast away the hard rock of our remaining sin! You know what it is? Obedience to the Holy Spirit.
When this happens, Christians transform from a life of frustration to a life of resurrection power, they experience a little heaven on earth. In the next chapter Paul refers to himself as “Straining” and Pressing on” towards the goal of Christlikeness.
How do we blast away our remaining sin and self? What is our dynamite?
Obedience to God. See what Paul said- Obey = work it out.
Just like Christ obeyed all the way to the cross, so we are to go all the way.
Next-with fear and trembling. This was a phrase used several times in the Bible which means awe and respect.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Warren Wiersbe tells story of Girl being pressured to go somewhere she shouldn’t go. The girls said, what's wrong Gloria, are you afraid your father will find out and hurt you. She said no, I am afraid my father will find out and I will hurt him.
We don’t want to displease God.
SO we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling NOT grumbling or disputing.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Problems seen from an earthly perspective, not Gospel perspective can lead to grumbling and complaining and fighting. We are NOT to do this.
I. There is not one bad circumstance in your life that is not made better by a proper understanding and application of the Gospel.
1. Christians today bored…going thru the motions. Why..haven't applied the gospel. There is a purpose for history and plan for His creation. A Magnificent plan
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
…gather together in one..all things in Christ. Unified after fragmented by Sin..we will have a paradise again.Jesus has done the work but we are part of the program. He has sent the HS to indwell and empower us.
2. Some are depressed and some are without Joy, we have forgotten all the blessings of our salvation. Citizens of Heaven. Joy is not dependent on circumstances or other people.
3. Some are worried...day in and day out...they have forgotten the gospel…or have not carried that truth to its logical conclusion….God gave His son!
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
…he will give us all things, god is not withholding from His children.If you don’t have you don’t need it or you haven't asked for it (James)
…he will give us all things, god is not withholding from His children.If you don’t have you don’t need it or you haven't asked for it (James)
4. Physical problems…let the Gospel sink into your heart. Me to live is Christ and to die is Gain…Christ was the source and secret of His Life and Joy. He is going to continue to reflect the Glory of Christ.To die is gain….more of Christ….they have sent me home to the one that I love.How frustrating that must have been to Nero and Paul's other enemies.The worst thing that can happen to you is you die…you go to the most beautiful place with the one who loves you like you never have been loved, you go to paradise
II. If you believe the gospel, it solves all problems of life but you have to mine them out…work them out in your life.
Christ came to change us and make us like Himself. It’s a glorious thing we can see him reflected in our life.For someone whose salvation is just fire insurance. That salvation is questionable. Its hard to believe that a child could go his entire life without knowing the benefit of being a family member, same with a child of God.
Fellow man expects you to bring riches out of it too…if you proclaim you are a Christian then those around are looking to see what is the difference it makes in you.Work out your salvation. Mine it out…bring it out the effects of change that God has made in your life when you were brought out of darkness into marvelous light.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Warren Wiersbe tells story of Girl being pressured to go somewhere she shouldn’t go. The girls said, what's wrong Gloria, are you afraid your father will find out and hurt you. She said no, I am afraid my father will find out and I will hurt him.
We don’t want to displease God.
We should work our salvation as it relates to other people because of the example of Christ.
III. Example is not enough! We need the example to be an enabling power on the inside!
Many people believe that once a person becomes a Christian they suddenly have the power within themselves to overcome sin and grow more like Christ.
“According to this idea the teaching of the New Testament is Justification by Faith and Sanctification by Struggle. But this is an utter mistake” (Thomas 206). Christians don’t just “fight the good fight”, but rather “fight the good fight of faith” (Thomas 206). Christians overcome sin, not by self- struggle but “through the mighty energy of the Holy Spirit within,” (Thomas 207).
Imitate Christ. What would Jesus do? It is not imitation, it is incarnation. God is living in us.
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
4. Where?
Your desire comes from God.Sharing faith, serving in some capacity, tithe, GOD has put that will. Don't let doubt creep in.To will: I just can’t get my self to do what I know is right. God is responsible.Pray, "Lord here I am, I know what I should do but just don’t want to. Help me want to! He will do it. Over time, he changes our desires and gives us will power. HE really does this doesn’t he. I don’t have the will, I need it, give it to me! He will do it.Might not happen in a flash of lightening, but over time he will do it.
Many people believe that once a person becomes a Christian they suddenly have the power within themselves to overcome sin and grow more like Christ.
“According to this idea the teaching of the New Testament is Justification by Faith and Sanctification by Struggle. But this is an utter mistake” (Thomas 206). Christians don’t just “fight the good fight”, but rather “fight the good fight of faith” (Thomas 206). Christians overcome sin, not by self- struggle but “through the mighty energy of the Holy Spirit within,” (Thomas 207).
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
·
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Ill-Lawnmower
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
Sponge illustration, how much are we willing to let go of our grip and let him take over.
The Yolks on you-
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
To most of us, these words may seem contradictory. After all a yoke is a type of wooden harness used to bring a pair of oxen under submission for the purpose of pulling a plow or other object. How is wearing one of those supposed to be easy and light?
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
The beautiful truth of this verse is, however, quite exciting! When a farmer has an ox that is weak and inexperienced, he yokes that ox side by side with a stronger, more experienced ox. Together they plow the field. This setup naturally causes the bulk of the burden to be pulled by the strong ox, while the weaker one follows beside. This would make the yoke easy for the young ox; it would make his burden light. The goal of this practice is to allow the young ox to learn how to plow and build his strength as he becomes more and more like the stronger ox. What a beautiful picture of our walk with Christ! If we take on His yoke and let Him lead us, we learn His ways and are strengthened. Yet, all the while the weight of the burden is on Him. In the process we fulfill our primary purpose, to become more and more like Him.
For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Unfortunately, we often let the worries and fears of this world cause us to not trust our Leader and instead go our own way, pulling the heavy burden ourselves. This disobedience could be why we find ourselves where we don’t want to be and why we are worn out most of the time. is an invitation to the lost for salvation. Then, in verse 29 there is a second invitation for Christians to take on the yoke of Christ and learn from Him; this is an invitation for the fellowship of discipleship with Christ. We all have a yoke upon us. The question is: will we trade in the heavy for the light, the difficult for the easy? Will we accept His call for discipleship? If we do, His promise is that we will find “rest for our souls.”
For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Ill-Lawnmower
Sponge illustration, how much are we willing to let go of our grip and let him take over.
Romans 7
Where?
Where?
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
vs. 2.15 in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation; in the world.
We are not to be isolated from the world.
Jesus told us to be in the world but not of the world.
Christians are not to hide behind rose colored stain glassed windows; seeing no evil and feeling no pain.
We are to wade into the darkness and snatch people out of the fire.
Why?
Why?
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
v. 2.15 shine as lights in the world.
Jesus said that he was the light of the world and then a little later in the sermon on the mount he said you are the light of the world.
Its our mission to Shine and attract people to the Gospel of Christ. To reach the lost.
Paul’s word choice = luminaries. A word consistently used for stars, planets, moon, etc.
When Paul wrote this letter, the telescope had not been invented yet so the stars in the sky that were visible with the unaided eye were all that were known. That would have been just a few thousand at the most and the universe though breathtaking I am sure would have appeared far less impressive than what we now know it to be. The telescope was invented in the 17 century and more stars were discovered but even as late as the 1920’s the Milky Way was thought to be synonymous with the Universe. This alone would have been awesome to consider since our spiral galaxy contains more than 200 billion stars.
Have you ever considered the difference between a million and a billion?
A million seconds is about 11 days. So if you were to start counting at 1 and continue counting at a rate of one number per second, it would take you 11 days to reach a million.
Do you know how long it would take to count to a billion? 32 years!
So our galaxy has 200 billion stars. But more recent developments in astronomy have revealed that our galaxy is a member of a local cluster of about 20 galaxies and that this local cluster is but one member of a massive super cluster of thousands of galaxies. So many of the super clusters are known to exist that the number of galaxies is estimated at more than 100 BILLION.
In , "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have ordained; what is a man that you take thought of him? And son of man that you care for him?"
So why should we work out our salvation with Fear and Trembling and without Grumbling or complaining? Because the same God who made this amazing, incomprehensible universe, is living inside you and me! He worked for only 6 days and made the entire universe! Imagine the masterpiece he can produce in us over a lifetime! Like the bright stars in the darkness of night, God wants to make you beautiful from the inside out. Let Him shine out so you can attract the lost to the Gospel of Christ and offer a beautiful hope in a desperate world.