Sermon Tone Analysis

Why do lights go dim?

In this world there are things that want to turn your light down (dim your lights).

In the midst of this crooked and perverse generation we need to be watchful that our lights do not grow dim.

(expand on each of these below)

Current lights today can be dimmed by hand

We can be dimmed by being distracted, detoured, discouraged, dismayed or Satan can even try to dismantle us so our light does not shine bright.

Current lights today can burn out

A light bulb can burn out and has to be replaced.

A Christian can burn out too can’t they?

Not that they have to be replaced but they would have to be renewed and recharged.

(ask the question) How can a Christian burn out?

Current lights today can be unplugged from power source

let dust build up on your bible and you are unplugged from the power source

What other ways can we be unplugged from the power source?

Lights, lamps may run out of oil, or need wick trimmed to burn bright.

An oil lamp, I’m sure most of you have one, two or maybe more in your home, I know we do.

Oil lamps need oil, they need to be refilled and the wicks need to be trimmed so as to be able to shine bright.

In our let your light shine so that together we can be a city set on a hill we have looked at our focal passage several times to get some direction and some hope, so tonight is no different.

We have had some direction in working out our own salvation (sounds like some wick trimming to me)

How to work out our salvation with fear and trembling; finding a good balance and understanding of the fear of the Lord.

We have seen hope for the God that works in you.

The power at work so we can shine bright.

This evening we are going to look at what can make our lamps (we are going to consider them oil lamps for this evening) grow dim, and how to avoid it as well as looking on what we should do.

Murmuring (grumbling)

Complaining (disputing)

And the other side of it, with trimmed wicks, displaying

Paul issues our verse as a warning.

Remember everything in the bible has meaning, and all words are there for a reason, so the warning is not without basis, but with a purpose, a reason.

Let’s look at the reasoning behind the warning and what we should be doing when contrasted against what we should not be doing, if that makes any sense.

No Grumbling (murmuring)

To grumble is to complain or protest about something in a bad-tempered but typically muted way.

Come on now, if we are honest we can do that can’t we?

The Bible tells us not to do that (Php2:14).

In other versions it says murmuring, murmuring is a subdued or private expression of discontent or dissatisfaction (bible example: 1Cor10:10-11)

These things were written for our instruction, why?

So we do not do them.

Other biblical examples of grumblers, murmurers (Jude3-4, 16-19)

Ungodly people who turn the grace of God into licentiousness and even deny Jesus Christ.

These are grumblers, complainers who do not want to accept the truth.

Not only that, they want to lead others away from the truth!

Grumbling can put your soul, or even the souls of others at risk.

Think about that for a minute, if you are sold out for something, if you are all in for something, do you complain or proclaim about it?

As a Christian who is to work out their salvation with fear and trembling are we grumbling, complaining, murmuring about things or are we in awe of God and what He has done, what He is doing and what He has promised to do?

So what should we replace grumbling, murmuring with?

How can we let our light shine a little brighter?

- by replacing murmuring, complaining with thanksgiving!

Replace murmuring, grumbling, complaining with the truth (Eph1:3; Mt6:31-33; Heb13:5-6)

What is the truth here?

- we have every spiritual blessing in heavenly places!

We also have the assurance from the words of Christ that our needs will be met.

What things will be added?

- worry replaced by trust, we know we will have our needs met!

We also know that we have all blessings in Christ Jesus today just as much as the day we first believed!

I have to bring in another passage too

He knows what we need and he will meet our need

Our part, is to be content with what we have!

Remember God’s truth for we know He works out all things for His good pleasure (Php2:13)

Biblical solutions to murmuring, complaining (Col1:12, Col2:6-7; Col3:15, 17 and how about Col4:2)

Be thankful for inheritance (Col1:12)

Abound in thanksgiving (Col2:6-7)

Let Christ’s peace rule (Col3:15)

Do all things with thanksgiving (Col3:17)

whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus!

So don’t murmur or complain, do it for the glory of God!

Have an attitude of thanksgiving (Col4:2)

Be devoted, be alert, be thankful, that is the attitude to have, an attitude of gratitude!

When we have an attitude of gratitude, an attitude of thanksgiving, when we let our light shine in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation we do it without murmuring, grumbling and complaining, we do it for the glory of God because we know He has all things worked out, so why complain!

How do people see us, do we constantly grumble, complain, murmur about our economy, our government, our healthcare system or some other social injustice?

Or do we shine the light of Christ in lieu of any circumstances as we look for our hope, Jesus Christ, to shine in us and through us.

Believe it or not, we have only gotten through one part of the verse we are focusing on today so in case you forgot the verse here it is again.

No disputing

Disputing means argue about (something); discuss heatedly.

So not just disagree, but to argue, not just to argue but to do it heatedly.

so can you see why Paul issues this warning?

Disputing is not discussing our differences, it is arguing about them

It is divisive wrangling that is condemned in (1Tim6:3-5, 2Time2:14-16 and Tit3:9)

Divisive wrangling are those who advocate different doctrine, have morbid interest in controversial questions that bring about envy, strife, abusive language and constant friction.

Then look at what more instructions are given.

We need not wrangle about words, but be diligent to present ourselves as approved to God as workmen.

Add to that

Avoid foolish, unprofitable and worthless things that cause division by disputing, arguing and wrangling.

For, these things can lead to something worse.

Here is one not on your outline, but worthy of putting in here now.

It is OK to be different, be different in how we handle our differences.

You can be different and not divisive in how you handle your differences

You can be different by striving to have the mind of Christ, so develop that (see Php2:2)

From dealing with “C” complain or compliment I mentioned with thanksgiving before now we see joy come into the picture.

Joy always comes with love.

May our love be intent on one purpose, the purpose of Christ that works in us both to will and to do.

So, until we are perfected and have the mind of Christ, and there are disputes.

Be one who let’s his light shine through the disputes in how we deal with the disputes, by not grumbling, complaining, or murmuring.

Let you light shine with the proper attitude (2Tim2:23-26)

Don’t be foolish, Don’t be quarrelsome

Be kind, teachable and patient

Use gentleness in correction and help by leading to repentance

Attitude impacts output, let these qualities be developed in you (Col3:12-13)

Put on compassion, put on kindness, put on humility, put on gentleness and patience

Do that all the while bearing with and forgiving one another!

Attitude impacts output, output is displayed in how we let our light shine (1Cor8:13)

Let our light shine when we deal with disputes, deal with them in a positive manner.