Opening Statement:
Personal obedience can be a challenge, especially when we feel tempted to believe that we stand to lose more through our obedience than we might gain.
However, obeying God is essential to pleasing Him—not just in times of temptation, but at all times.
I) Work out your salvation (12-13)
A lot of people find these verses confusing because they go, “Wait a second. I thought I was saved by faith in Jesus, not works? What is this working out my salvation? And who’s supposed to do the working here? Is it me or is it God?”
Well, let’s take a closer look at these verses and see what they mean. There are three important principles in these two verses:
A) You can’t work out what you don’t already have
Philippians 2:12 is not talking about working to earn your salvation. It is talking about working out your salvation in obedience to God. You can’t work out what you don’t already have. Faith comes first, then obedience.
B) Don’t take the working out of your salvation lightly
Salvation is not only something you receive, but something you do. Working out your salvation means obedience. You need to work out your salvation with an attitude of awe and respect towards the God who saved you. Don’t take the working out of your salvation lightly.
C) It won’t work out unless God is already working in
Remember, God is the one who began this good work in you, and he is the one who will carry it on to completion. (Philippians 1:6) In fact this is the reason you are to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, because God is working in you.
II) Back up your witness with your life (14-16)
What’s the old saying? “Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying.” Personal obedience is an essential part of your gospel witness. You must back up your witness with your life.
A) No complaining or arguing (14)
And Paul starts with a doozy here: no complaining or arguing. Not do some things without complaining or arguing. Not do most things without complaining or arguing. Do everything without complaining or arguing. Any other complainers here today? You may want to make Philippians 2:14 your next memory verse!
B) Stand out from the world (15)
As Christians we are to stand out from the world. We are children of God, but all too often we act like we are children of the culture. We blend in. We allow the world around us to conform us to its image rather than let God work within us to conform us to Christ’s image. How can you back up your witness with your life, if your life is indistinguishable from those in the world around you?
C) Hold forth the word of life to others (16)
When God tells you no complaining or arguing, and when he calls you to be blameless and pure, this is not personal obedience just for your own sake, but it is part of your gospel witness to a watching world. You are to shine like stars “as you hold out the word of life” to others.
III) Rejoice in your part of the sacrifice (17-18)
A) Pour yourself out in service to others
As a Christian, God calls you to pour yourself out in service to others. The Christian life is not a solitary life of obedience to God. It is a community life of serving each other out of obedience to God.
B) Mutual sacrifice, mutual joy
In Closing:
Personal obedience to Christ is an essential part of your gospel witness. And in these verses God gives you three motivations to obey Christ. 1) God is working in you to will and to act according to his good pleasure – that’s love for God. 2) The world is watching your life as you share the gospel – that’s love for the unsaved. 3) Others have poured themselves out for you in the gospel – that’s love for the body of Christ.
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