Sermon Summary: Reasons to Rejoice (Philippians Series)

Context

Paul writes Philippians from prison in Rome (~62 AD), awaiting trial before Nero.
Mentions joy/rejoice 14 times in 4 chapters.
Previous reasons (Ch. 1-2):
- God finishes what He starts (Philippians 1:6).
- God uses chains/circumstances for good (Philippians 1).
- To live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1).
- Unity through humility, following Christ's example (Philippians 2:1-11).

Joy when our witness/testimony impacts the world.
Church must be unified/humble (building on prior) to effectively witness in a lost world.

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (v.12): Live out what God works in (v.13); display faith publicly, not privately; produce fruit (reverence God).
Do all things without complaining/disputing (v.14): Avoid whining/arguing to maintain witness.
Be blameless/harmless children of God without fault (v.15): Contrast crooked/perverse generation; live without accusation (not sinless, but honorable/pure).
Shine as lights (luminaries/stars) in the world (v.15): Reflect Jesus in dark world; hold fast word of life.
Paul's joy: Not run/labored in vain (v.16); even if poured out as drink offering (imminent death, v.17-18).

Every generation since Eden: Crooked (skolios, bent like scoliosis); perverse (diastrepho, off God's path).
Modern examples: Pornography, sex trafficking, crimes against children, transgender issues, same-sex marriage, abortion.
God as plumb line (objective moral standard; Amos illustration).
Culture rejects God, adopts man-made standards; contrast U.S. founding (laws of nature/nature's God from Blackstone).
Historical parallels: Moses (Deuteronomy 32:5), Paul (62 AD), today.
Warning: Don't conform to world (Romans 12:2, Colossians 2:8); be transformed.
Mission: Conform (world) vs. transform others via Christ.