Living Our My Responsibility Phil
Living Our My Responsibility Phil. 2:12-16 EBC 2/21/10
Dr. David Jeremiah- has the following 4 Lines written in his Bible:
1- Do what has to be done
2- Do it when it has to be done
3- Do it as well as can be done
4- Do it every time
This is the definition of discipline for Bobby Knight the former coach of the Univ. of Indiana. We will only succeed as Christians as we discipline ourselves according to the word of God. Webster’s Dictionary lists discipline as “training that corrects and molds the mental facilities or moral character.
Adrian Rogers- One of the greatest secrets I have ever learned is this: God doesn’t want me to do anything for Him. He wants to do something through me. People say, “Well, I just serve God in my poor, little, old weak way.” I feel like saying, “Well, quit it.” He doesn’t want you to serve Him in your poor, little, old weak way. He wants you out of the way, so He can flow through you! We need to make ourselves available to God and say, “God, I’m tired of being inhibited. I want to be inhabited by You. I want You to live Your life through me.”
1 Cor. 15:10- In that inspired statement, the apostle makes it clear that God’s divine grace and power undergird the faithful and obedient effort of believer. New American Commentary- 3 Personal salvation brings with it responsibilities which Paul related to Christians’ obedience. The responsibility was to live in accord with their salvation, letting the implications of their relationship with Christ transform their social relationships. Paul really meant, in the first place, that they were to act like Christians. To live like Christians, the Philippians were to have an attitude of obedience. The obedience was not to Paul, although apparently his presence encouraged it in their lives. The obedience was to God. The church members were to solve their problems as an act of obedience to God. Such obedience confirmed the fact that they were truly saved. Perseverance, whether in individual purity or harmonious group relations, was expected of Christians.
James 4:17- John MacArthur- . Believers’ sanctification requires their diligent effort. Yet it is empowered by God, who, according to His sovereign power, works out His will for and in His children.
Ex. 14:13-16- it is God’s will that his people actively participant to accomplish His purposes.
James 4:17- our role is to follow the leader, the Lord Jesus. With fear and trembling- These words reminded them of their relationship to God and that they were to conduct their lives with a seriousness and reverence due him. They were to go about their Christian lives with awe and wonder.
I. I will Do My Part (12)
A. Working this thru to its completion. Work out- present imperative- Imperative – a command, present tense- continuous happening.
1. The command is for believers to make a continuing, sustained effort to work out to ultimate completion their salvation, which has been graciously granted to them by God through their faith in Jesus Christ. They were to make salvation work in their lives. We are part of something that is far beyond our imagination. Roger Ellsworth- Mundane Christian duties dance and shimmer with delight when we learn to coat them with privilege. And living for the Lord becomes easier when we understand that it is the Lord for whom we live.
2. The principal of working out has two aspects:
a. The first pertains to obedient daily living.
1. 2 Cor. 7:1- we are to cleanse ourselves of all defilement
2. Col. 3:2-3- set our minds on the things above. What influence can my actions have on others around me.
3. Col. 3:13-14-
b. The second has to do with perseverance- faithfulness to the end.
1. 2 Peter 1:3-7- Peter was saying you have been given great resources, now go out and realize the full potential of things that you have been given.
B. Jay Adams writes “you may have south to obtain instant godliness. There is no such thing. We want someone to give us three simple steps to godliness, the trouble is goldliness doesn’t come that way.
1. 1 Tim. 4:7- exercise-comes from Greek word “gumnos”. Where we get our word Gymnasium.
II.I Will Depend on God (13)
A. Kenneth Weust- “God is the one who is constantly putting forth His power in you”.
1. Eph. 3:20-
a. David Jeremiah- God has worked in us and is still working in us. We are to work diligently so that we might realize the benefit of all that God has done. The reason the Philippians were to work out their salvation was the soberness of realizing that God worked in them. We are to work out what God has worked in. They were to show outwardly what God had done inwardly.
b. God’s work in them provided both the motivation and the ability to do his good pleasure.
B. Our application is obvious:
1. Without God taking the initiative they would not have had the opportunity to work out their salvation because they would neither want to or be able to do so.
2. The fact that God started the work in them gave them stewardship responsibility.
III.I Will Be Different from the World (15)
Unsaved people complain and find fault, but Christians rejoice. Society around us is “twisted and distorted,” but the Christian stands straight because he measures his life by God’s Word, the perfect standard. The world is dark, but Christians shine as bright lights.
A.As we allow God to achieve this purpose in our lives, we become better witnesses in a world that desperately needs Christ. Apply these characteristics to Jesus and you will see that He lived a perfect life in an imperfect world. Paul does not admonish us to retreat from the world and go into a spiritual isolation ward. It is only as we are confronted with the needs and problems of real life that we can begin to become more like Christ.
1.I will live cheerful in an unhappy world- do all things without murmuring-
a. murmur- an outward expression of an inner lawlessness and rebellion that shakes the fist in the face of God.
1. Moses told the Israelites that their murmuring wasn’t against him but against God.
2. I will live straight in a crooked world-
a. To live blameless is to live in a way where people can’t point their finger at us.
b. Harmless- pure, unmixed
3. I will be a light in a dark world-
a. When we shine as lights in the world the testimony of our holiness speaks volumes to those around us.
b. The only way we live a godly life is by keeping an eye on the goal