Calvary Vero Home Groups

Sermon-Based Discussion

Week of 10/19/2025

Pastor Jim Gallagher

Philippians 2:12-18

Jim began by talking about the backdrop of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul said that they were In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom they shined as lights. He was not speaking only of their time however, but of the world system through out all time. He described it as crooked, a word that speaks of an abnormal bend that can cause pain and discomfort. He also uses the word perverse, meaning all turned around the wrong way. When Christ returns, He will restore the world to it’s original intent, but for now sin has permeated and broken this whole world, and it is not an isolated moment in history, but the normal and yet abnormal condition of the world.

  • What are some ways that you have experienced or are experiencing the brokenness of this world?

  • What are some ways that you have experienced or are experiencing the wholeness of the kingdom of heaven.

Paul gave a few imperatives, things that they were told to do, in the midst of the backdrop of this sin broken world. First, they were told to work out (exercise) their salvation (not work for salvation), knowing that as they worked God was working in them. This refers to the biblical idea of sanctification: over time surrendering more to God and the work of His Spirit, becoming more like Jesus, and purposing to live out God’s way of doing things. In some ways there are immediate changes, and other changes take place over the course of a lifetime. At all times, although God is working in us, we are called to cooperate with Him and give the Holy Spirit reign of our lives day by day.

  • What has the sanctification process looked like in your life?

  • Were there things that changed immediately after giving your life to Christ?

  • What things has God changed in you that took a some time to change?

  • What things is He still working on?

  • What has cooperating with God looked like in your life?

Paul also tells us to Shine as lights in two ways. First we shine by NOT doing some things. We are told to “do all things without complaining or disputing.” Jim described this as murmuring, an inward complaining attitude. This kind of attitude hides the Light that is in us. Instead we are told to “hold fast the word of life.” This means both embracing/valuing the word, and also holding forth the word, and sharing it with others. As we do these things we let our light shine in such a way that God is glorified.

  • What are some ways that we tend to murmur and complain that unfortunately come very naturally? How do you combat murmuring and complaining?

  • If complaining is no longer a regular part of your life, how did God help you to stop?

  • How do you hold fast to the word of God? What does that look like in your life?

  • How do you hold it forth? What does that look like in your life?

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16