The Bible Speaks: Paul's Letters - Crystallizing Key Concepts for the New Church - AFC 1997

Shining Stars

Phil. 2:1­18

Hide it under a bushel? No.

Paul provided crystallizing metaphors for the new community. This set out conceptual handles for the new church to share, and became part of the foundation for its identity.

• Body of Christ
• Treasure in Clay Jars
• Citizenship in God's realm
• New Creation
• Shining stars

Stars - what significance do we give them?
models
guides

Stars stand in contrast to their surroundings. They stand out. They are present in, but have some independence from their context.

What makes Christians so different that Paul would describe them as "shining like stars" in a dark world?

He taught about a self-emptying Christ. This was really strange. What good is a savior that shows up and is quickly snuffed out by his enemies? What a contrast with the normal order of his (and our) day to claim and act as though this person was "Lord"-- the one to be most worthy to be honored and imitated.

Is Paul talking out of both sides of his mouth in vs. 12-13?

• What is it about Christianity that seems to grow strong under persecution and oppression?
• Why is it that Christianity seems to grow weak or corrupt or apathetic in times of prosperity and leisure?
• Are we different enough to be noticed?
• Should we expect to be noticed because we are so good?
• Should we stand out because we suffer so strangely?

"If we become the body of Christ, claim the treasure in clay jars, experience the new humanity, and live as a new creation, then we have the potential to shine like stars. This means, in essence, we become both models and points of navigation for the world. By our divinely renewed nature, we can live in a way not humanly possible. In so doing, we show forth what God has done and is doing."