The Humble Don't Grumble (Philippians 2:12-18; Exodus 16:1-9)

THE HUMBLE DON’T GRUMBLE

PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18

EXODUS 16:1-9

We display Christ’s unselfish humility to the world when we refuse the temptation to grumble against one another.

I. WORK (2:12-13)

A. Working for Salvation? (2:12; cf. Philippians 1:27, 2:8; Deuteronomy 31:27)

B. The God who Works (2:13; cf. Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:11)

II. WITNESS (2:14-16A)

A. Without Grumbling or Disputing (2:9-11; cf. James 4:1-2; Numbers 14:26-30; Luke 9:46)

B. Luminaries in the World (2:15-16a; cf. Deuteronomy 32:4-5; Psalm 78:7-8)

III. OFFERING (2:16B-18)

A. Drink Offering (2:16b-17a; cf. Romans 12:1)

B. Mutual Rejoicing (2:17b-18; cf. )

C. Food and Drink for our Grumbling (cf. John 6:52-58)

DISCUSSION STARTERS

1. Monday—What kind of obedience is Paul talking about in verse 12? Contrast Paul’s attitude with the Philippians in this passage and Moses’s attitude with the Israelites in the end of Deuteronomy 31.

2. Tuesday— Discuss what Paul means when he says, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” How might we misunderstand what Paul says? If “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure,” then why do we have to do anything? In other words, are we passive in working out our salvation? How do you reconcile our work and God’s work in working out our salvation?

3. Wednesday—What causes grumbling and disputing among ourselves? Who are we ultimately grumbling against when we grumbling against each other? How do you know God takes grumbling seriously?

4. Thursday—Why does not grumbling and disputing show what Jesus is like to this world? Who were “a crooked and twisted generation” during the time of Moses?

5. Friday—What can we learn from Paul’s commitment to the Philippians? That he was even willing to be poured out as a drink offering for them? What if we had that kind of commitment to one another, what would we look like?