God @ Work

Philippians 2:6–8 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:13–18 ESV

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Main Idea

God finds pleasure in working for your good and His glory

What we are looking at

God has done a great work for you

God wants to do a great work in you

God wants to do a great work with you

God has done a great work for you

Philippians 2:6–8 (ESV)

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

God’s great work for you is His redemptive work he accomplished through Jesus

God wants to do a great work in you

I say “wants” because this great work in you is completely dependent upon you willingly receiving the great work he did for you.

Philippians 2:13 (ESV)

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Sanctification: God patiently making you more holy like Jesus

God wants to do a great work with you

Philippians 2:12 (ESV)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

We have to work backwards because you have to understand the work for you and the work in you before you can really understand the work Paul is commanding us to participate in here.

This work out your salvation is not saying you have to work for salvation.

It’s essentially saying you are applying it. Bringing out into view what God has already done for and in you.

Manifesting your new holiness in your body so that people will see how glorious God is!

It’s all about you humbly showing the world what Jesus has done in your life!

God made the dough, he turned on the oven and put the dough in the oven, but God is inviting you to open the oven with Him, take out the bread, and serve it to those around you.

Here’s what it might look like:

Philippians 2:14–15 ESV

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

It’s all about us living out our salvation Jesus paid for, shining it like a light to the world, so that they might be able to see in the darkness.

Philippians 2:16–18 ESV

16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

The inward work leads to outward work and it all centers around this concept:

JOY

J esus

O thers

Y ourself

What Now?

Receive God’s great work for you.

As we have reflection time you may need to close your eyes and tell God you want to receive Christ.

Carve out time for Jesus before you go to bed!

For God’s good work in you to have its most beneficial effect on you, you need to meet with Him by reading His Bible, talking to Him, thinking critically about what you are reading and what you are saying to Him.

During your Jesus time...

Think about how you behave and relate to others.

Think about your school day. How did you behave? Did you bully anyone? Where you mean to someone?

If you were, confess it to Jesus and ask Him to help you be a light instead of spread darkness.

Consider what you are viewing on your phone!

Does it promote the light of Christ or does it reek of the darkness of sin.

Start to talk to your parents about Jesus.

Talk to them about what you are learning here. If you don’t like it, tell them! If you do, tell them!

Tell them why you don’t like it or why you do like it.

Now What?

Receive God’s great work for you!

Carve out time for Jesus before you go to bed!

Think about how you behave and relate to others!

Consider what you are viewing on your phone!

Start to talk to your parents about Jesus.

Grow Group Questions

What was God’s great work for you?

What great work does God want to do in you?

What is sanctification?

Are you aware of God’s great work in you?

What great work does God want to do with you?

When do you read the Bible during the day?

What is one thing from tonight you can share with your parents?