Rubbish & Resurrection

  • Pastor Josh Smith
Do you find yourself grumbling about life’s challenges or questioning God’s presence in your struggles? Discover how to live a life of joy and purpose by embracing a posture of humility and faith. Let’s explore how holding firmly to the Word of Life can transform our daily walk and illuminate the world around us.

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Rubbish & Resurrection

Message Summary
Do you find yourself grumbling about life’s challenges or questioning God’s presence in your struggles? Discover how to live a life of joy and purpose by embracing a posture of humility and faith. Let’s explore how holding firmly to the Word of Life can transform our daily walk and illuminate the world around us.
Key Scripture
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”
Philippians 2:14-15 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: The Call to Contentment

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-16 NLT
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Devotional:
Contentment is a rare virtue in a world that thrives on dissatisfaction. Paul challenges us to live without complaining, which requires a deep trust in God’s sovereignty. By holding firmly to the Word of Life, we can shine brightly in a world that often seems dark and perverse. Our lives become a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel when we choose contentment over complaint.

Response Questions:

  1. What are some areas in your life where you find it difficult to be content?
  2. How does holding firmly to the Word of Life help you combat a complaining spirit?
  3. In what ways can you shine as a bright light in your current environment?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a heart that seeks contentment and trusts in God’s provision.
  2. Ask God to help you hold firmly to His Word and to live a life that reflects His light.

Day 2

Day 2: The Power of Purity

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-9 NLT
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

Devotional:
Paul’s transformation from valuing worldly achievements to considering them worthless highlights the power of purity in our relationship with Christ. True purity comes from discarding what the world deems valuable and embracing the infinite worth of knowing Jesus. This purity is not about external actions but an internal transformation that aligns our hearts with God’s desires.

Response Questions:

  1. What worldly achievements or values might you need to discard to gain Christ more fully?
  2. How does knowing Christ as your Lord change your perspective on what is truly valuable?
  3. In what ways can you pursue purity in your relationship with God?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the courage to discard worldly values and embrace the infinite value of knowing Christ.
  2. Ask God to purify your heart and align your desires with His.

Day 3

Day 3: Embracing Suffering

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11 NLT
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.

Devotional:
Embracing suffering is countercultural, yet it is a profound aspect of knowing Christ deeply. Paul desired to share in Christ’s sufferings, understanding that through suffering, we experience the power of resurrection. This perspective shifts our focus from avoiding pain to seeing it as a pathway to deeper intimacy with Jesus.

Response Questions:

  1. How do you typically respond to suffering, and how might this perspective change your response?
  2. What does it mean to you to share in Christ’s sufferings?
  3. How can embracing suffering lead to a deeper experience of Christ’s resurrection power?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to embrace suffering as a means of knowing Christ more deeply.
  2. Ask God to reveal His resurrection power in your life through the trials you face.

Day 4

Day 4: Living as Bright Lights

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Devotional:
Jesus calls us to be the light of the world, a beacon of hope and truth in a darkened world. Our good deeds, motivated by love and faith, are meant to shine brightly, pointing others to the Father. Living as bright lights requires intentionality in our actions and a commitment to reflect Christ’s love in all we do.

Response Questions:

  1. What are some practical ways you can let your light shine in your community?
  2. How do your actions reflect the love and truth of Christ to those around you?
  3. In what areas of your life might you be hiding your light under a basket?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for opportunities to let your light shine and for the courage to seize them.
  2. Ask God to help you reflect His love and truth in all your interactions.

Day 5

Day 5: The Joy of Being Poured Out

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Devotional:
Paul’s life was a testament to being poured out for the sake of the Gospel. He viewed his life as an offering to God, finding joy in the sacrifice and faithfulness of his journey. Being poured out means living selflessly, investing in others, and remaining faithful to the call of Christ, knowing that the ultimate reward is eternal.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you view your life as an offering to God in your daily activities?
  2. What does it mean to you to fight the good fight and finish the race?
  3. How does the promise of the crown of righteousness motivate you to live a poured-out life?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength and willingness to pour out your life as an offering to God.
  2. Ask God to help you remain faithful and focused on the eternal prize.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Opening Prayer:

Begin with a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to the message of Philippians 2 and 3.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Question: How often do you find yourself complaining, and what are the common triggers?
    • Context: The sermon highlighted that the average person complains 15 to 30 times a day. It emphasized that complaining, especially about God, reveals a lack of trust in His provision and presence. Discuss how recognizing these triggers can help us shift our focus to gratitude and trust in God.
  2. Question: What does it mean to live a “clean and innocent” life as children of God?
    • Context: The sermon explained that living clean and innocent lives means being unmixed with the world’s fears and values. It involves allowing God to purify our hearts, much like refining silver, so that His reflection is seen in us. Discuss practical ways to pursue purity and innocence in daily life.
  3. Question: How can holding firmly to the Word of Life transform your daily walk?
    • Context: The message encouraged believers to hold out the Word of Life, not just for personal growth but as a testimony to others. This involves letting the Word guide our actions and decisions, making our faith visible to those around us. Share experiences where Scripture has guided or transformed your actions.
  4. Question: In what ways can you live a life “poured out” for others this week?
    • Context: The sermon emphasized the importance of living a life poured out, like Paul, who was willing to sacrifice for the Gospel. It warned against becoming stagnant in faith and encouraged finding ways to serve and bless others. Brainstorm practical ways to pour out your life in service to family, friends, and community.
  5. Question: How does the concept of rejoicing in all circumstances challenge your current perspective?
    • Context: Paul, even in prison, urged believers to rejoice in the Lord regardless of circumstances. The sermon highlighted that rejoicing is a mark of faith and trust in God’s sovereignty. Discuss how adopting a posture of rejoicing can change your outlook on life’s challenges.

Closing Activity:

Encourage each group member to write down one specific action they will take this week to live out the message. Share these commitments with the group for accountability and prayer support.

Closing Prayer:

Conclude with a prayer asking God to help each member live out the truths discussed, to pour out their lives for others, and to rejoice in all circumstances.

Family Table Talk

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Weekly Practice

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