Sobering Thoughts For All Christians

Philippians 1: 12-15

Philippians 2:12–15 (KJV 1900)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

The verse opens with the phrase "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed." This indicates that the Philippian Christians had a history of obeying God's commands and living according to the teachings of Jesus. Obedience to God's moral and ethical standards

The phrase "work out your own salvation" does not mean that salvation is earned through human effort. It means that believers are to actively and intentionally live out their faith in practical ways. Salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9), but it should manifest itself in a transformed life. Christians are called to apply their faith to their daily choices, behaviors, and interactions with others

"With fear and trembling" underscores the attitude with which believers should approach their faith and relationship with God. It implies a sense of awe, reverence, and humility.

There is a problem!

I. I live in a dark world -- THE PROBLEM

a. I live in a crooked world

to something that is not straight or aligned with a proper standard. In a moral and spiritual sense, a "crooked" world is one that is characterized by deceit, dishonesty, and moral distortion. It implies a lack of integrity and a departure from the straight path of righteousness. It's a world where people often act in ways that are contrary to God's moral laws and principles.

Character : Inner Values and Ethics: Character refers to a person's inner qualities, values, ethics, and moral principles. It represents who a person truly is at their core and reflects their integrity and honesty. Who you are when no one is looking!

Consistent and Enduring: Character is enduring and relatively stable over time. It represents a person's consistent patterns of behavior and decision-making, regardless of circumstances.

The Crooked world....

Sinful Nature: Romans 3:23 (KJV) states, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." This passage emphasizes the universal human condition of sinfulness, highlighting the imperfection of human character.

Deceptive Hearts: Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" This verse acknowledges the capacity for deceit and wickedness in the human heart

Resistance to God's Ways: In Romans 8:7 (KJV), it is noted, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

b. I live in a perverse world

a state of unbelief

morally corrupt or twisted. It describes a world that has deviated from God's intended path of righteousness and has instead embraced sin, rebellion, and wickedness. In the Bible, "perverse" is often associated with behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to God's moral standards. It suggests a deliberate turning away from God's truth and righteousness.

the use of these terms serves to emphasize the contrast between the behavior and character of believers and the prevailing moral and spiritual condition of the world. Believers are called to shine as lights in the midst of this perverse and crooked world, meaning that they are to live out their faith in a way that stands in stark contrast to the moral corruption and spiritual distortion that is present in society.

Isaiah 5:20 (KJV):"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

Romans 12:2 (KJV):"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

John 15:19 (KJV):"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Not of the World: Jesus tells His disciples that they are not of the world. This means that they do not conform to or adopt the values, priorities, and behaviors of the world. Their identity is rooted in their relationship with Him.

Chosen by Jesus: Jesus makes it clear that He has chosen His disciples out of the world. This choice signifies their selection to be His followers and to live according to His teachings and principles.....

Purpose

II. I have work to do (His good pleasure) -- THE PURPOSE

a. I should approach this premise with a fear of God ( reverence)

b. I should apply this premise with a trembling hand ( Sincere Loyalty)

When people fear the Lord with reverence, they approach Him with a sense of deep respect and worship. This reverence leads to a desire to obey and please God,

God's Work: "For it is God which worketh in you" - This part of the verse emphasizes that the source of spiritual transformation and the ability to live in a way that pleases God comes from God Himself. It underscores that it is God's work in the lives of believers that enables them to grow spiritually and act in accordance with His will.

"Both to Will and to Do": - This phrase highlights that God's work in the lives of believers involves two aspects:

"To Will" - This means that God not only empowers Christians to do good but also to desire to do what pleases Him. He influences their hearts and minds, aligning their will with His."To Do" - This part emphasizes that God's work extends to enabling believers to carry out actions and behaviors that are in line with His good pleasure.

"His Good Pleasure": - The ultimate purpose of God's work in the lives of believers is to fulfill His good pleasure or His divine will. It means that God's work in us is intended to bring about outcomes that are pleasing to Him and in accordance with His plan and purposes.

III. God works in me to do this work -- THE PROMISE

a. I should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading

b. I should be seeking the Holy Spirit's power

The Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of God, plays a central role in the lives of believers, guiding, empowering, and enabling them to do God's good pleasure. This is accomplished through conviction, leading, intercession, and the production of fruit in the lives of those who are filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live in a way that pleases God and aligns with His will.

IV. I must exercise Godly work habits -- THE PRECAUTION

a. I should learn not to murmur (verbal sin against God)

b. I should learn not to argue (verbal sin against man)

V. My work habits affect others -- THE PRINCIPLE

a. Bad work habits bring blame to me from God

b. Bad work habits bring harm from me to others

We are let our light so shine before men....

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

closing....

Picture a gardener who has a beautiful garden that represents the life of a Christian. The garden is filled with various plants, each representing different aspects of a Christian's character and behavior.

Obedient Gardener: The gardener is diligent and obedient. He has always taken great care of the garden, ensuring that the plants receive the right amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients. This reflects the obedience of the Philippian Christians mentioned in verse 12. Working on the Garden: Now, the gardener is actively working in the garden, carefully tending to each plant. He is removing weeds, pruning branches, and nurturing the soil. This work symbolizes how Christians should actively "work out their salvation." They are not passive but actively involved in living out their faith. Gardener's Reverence: As the gardener tends to the garden, he does so with fear and trembling. He understands the beauty and importance of the garden, and he approaches his work with a deep sense of respect and humility. This corresponds to the idea of living out one's faith with a sense of "fear and trembling" before God. Shining in the World: As the gardener cares for the garden, it begins to flourish. The plants become healthy and vibrant. This is how Christians, by actively living out their faith, "shine as lights in the world" (verse 15). Their transformed lives, shaped by obedience and reverence, stand out as beacons of light in a world filled with darkness. So, in this illustration, the gardener represents the Philippian Christians and all believers. The garden symbolizes their lives, and the diligent care and obedience of the gardener reflect the call for Christians to actively live out their faith, with reverence and humility, in a way that shines as a testimony to the world.