Philippians 2:12-13

-therefore - well then, since

-The example of Christ is the basis of our obedience, why?

-my beloved - affection

1 Corinthians 10:14 ESV

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

-highlighting their relationship with God and how Pauel views them

-why is this important?

-past obedience

-what past obedience?

-when they first responded to the gospel

-continued obedience to the furtherment of the gospel

-why bring this up? Continue to obey

Philippians 1:5 ESV

5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Philippians 4:15 ESV

15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

-how are they to continue in obedience?

-work out their salvation

-work out = bring about, produce

-What does this mean?

-not only in my presence, but more so in my absence

-why? Not there to hold accountability

-with fear and trembling

-What kind of fear?

Exodus 15:16 ESV

16 Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.

1 Corinthians 2:3 ESV

3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,

2 Corinthians 7:15 ESV

15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.

Ephesians 6:5 ESV

5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,

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,

-a godly fear

V.13

-God has not left them on their own, but is doing a work within them

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

-to become what you already are in Christ

-the ongoing activity of God in their lives

-the only way they can work out their salvation with fear and trembling is the work of God in them

Ephesians 1:11 ESV

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

1 Corinthians 12:6 ESV

6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

-particularly about the personal Christian growth, and that happens within a Christian community

-and this is the will and good pleasure of God

-So how does this relate to the context: that Christ is the example of humility, we are to live in humility, we are to think of others as more important than ourselves, we are to reconcile