Applying the Mind of Christ

BACKGROUND

Last week Paul issues a call for unity in the body that comes through having the same mind and love for one another. The countercultural statement from last week was to do nothing from selfish ambition and conceit but to consider others more significant than yourselves by not looking to your own interests but to the interests of others.

We concluded last week with a call to have the same mind which is yours in Christ Jesus. The exemplar or example we are given is Christ emptying himself by stepping down from His heavenly thrown and laying aside his crown in glory for a time to be born in the likeness of man, humbling himself to death on the cross.

He has now been exalted by the Father so that one day, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and tongue will confess, that He is Lord.

INTRODUCTION

Today Paul is going to give us some instructions on how to apply the mind of Christ to our lives today.

Hip Hop pioneer William branch once said:

“Hip-hop knows glory. They know that glory is meant to be seen; glory is meant to be displayed. Hip-hop has an embedded conviction: if you come from nothing, and finally get “everything,” flaunt it. Thus [we hear] slang terms like “floss,” “swag,” and “shine.” So if you got it, flaunt it. Or in the words of the New Orleans-based rap crew Cash Money, “Get your shine on!”

In this passage Paul tells the church, “Get your shine on” by making the glory of Christ known in a dark and perverse culture. How do you follow such an amazing passage of scripture as we just read in verses 5-11. Paul uses the word the word “therefore,” and “so now,” to give the practical application aspects of what we have just read.

Paul is now going to connect two lines of thinking together:

Our work with God’s work.

Grumbling with Shining as Lights.

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV

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

Notice that Paul calls them his beloved before he admonishes them to walk in obedience whether he is present or not. Obedience is played out in how we are working out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

Theologically speaking we see Obedience being worked out which should lead our minds to go to the idea of our sanctification that is being worked out.

Just Paul has affirmed in vs. 5-11 that Jesus acted or worked out of obedience to go to the cross for you and me. So, we must now all work out of that same obedience to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Paul responds that if he were there with them now he would be looking for the marks of obedience in the lives. Paul does assert that the marks of obedience have always been present among them. Christ took the example to follow of obedience to the cross.

Applying the Mind of Christ Means that we must:

1. Learn to Work Out Our Salvation

There is one apparent theological issue that some might have with this text. What does it mean that we are to work out our own Salvation? I thought salvation was a free gift of God. Now Paul is telling us that we must work for our salvation.

In the NT most often “work” and all derivatives of “work” in the NT represent Greek words of the erg-group. The most common of these are the noun ergon, which represents “work” both as an activity and as the products of activity. The verb ergazomi, “work, do.”

So, you have the effectual working of God.

Ephesians 1:19 ESV

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

Ephesians 3:7 ESV

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

Colossians 2:12 ESV

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Grace is commonly translated in the Greek as “Works of Grace.”

In the OT The Hebrew words most often used for the work(s) of God are maʿaśēh and the related verb ʿāśâ. God is known as the one who works first of all in His work of creation. The creation and maintenance of all that exists are the “works” of God

Psalm 33:6 ESV

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

We have the image of the Creator as the potter. Isaiah 45:9 “does the clay say to you who formed it, what are you making?” Isaiah 64:8 “we are the clay and you are the potter, we are all the work of your hands.”

“The works of God” are, therefore, the works of redemption as well as the works of creation, and include the deliverance of the people of Israel from Egypt

Jesus presence in the world is the particular occasion for the works of God to be made manifest; when Jesus is no longer in the world, that occasion will be gone. Jesus life has not other purpose that to do the work of God that he had given Him to accomplish.

Jesus takes this a step further in John 14:10 where he declares that the works He does should be evidence of the indwelling of Jesus and the Father and to the very nature of the Father. This is the same with you and me, Paul identifies in Philippians 2:13 that it is God that works in us to fulfill his divine will, purpose, and plan. We also read in John 15 that we are the branches and he is the vine, apart from Jesus Christ we can do nothing.

*Christian Activity and the Indwelling God

In our text this morning you have a “working out” and a “working in.”

All Christian activity and work are evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God in our lives. Therefore, the actions of the members of the body of believers produces evidence of God’s working. God or His Spirit are at work in believers with the purpose of accomplishing His purposes. Paul refers to the work of the church as “the work of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

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.

Back to the question at Hand, what does it mean to work out our own Salvation?

WORKS OF THE LAW AND GOOD WORKS

Basically we see as Paul understands the state of affairs that has now been brought about by the coming of the age of Salvation through faith in jesus Christ alone as the one condition for our justification before God. As a result the activity of Jewish Christian missionaries who attempted to bring Gentile Christians more completely into the Jewish fold, Paul set up an opposition between God’s calling and faith in Christ, on the one hand you have “works of the law,” on the other hand the problem with works of the law is that a person can have a sense that what he or she receives from God is due as a payment, in effect for the persons working.

Justification and works seem to be consciously broken down in James 2:14-26.

James asks the question, can faith without works save someone? James takes it a bit further in verse 17 by concluding that faith apart from works. The working hypothesis that James gives is that good works are the visible test of whether someone has true saving faith or not.

James is trying to tie the presence of justification being faith + works = a genuine follower of Christ. So, is this what Paul had in mind when he said that we must work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling? I would push back a bit from what James is concluding simply because looks can at times be deceiving. Someone can be doing what on the outside look like good works, but on the inside may be legalistic works of the law. I have experienced people who on the outside appear to have checked all of the boxes but on the inside are not truly followers of Christ.

Are good works and fruit the same thing in scripture. No, fruit is what must be present in any true believers life. I believe that the presence of fruit is a more reliable test that someone is truly a child of God than works. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7 “They will know us by our fruit;” and a “good tree bears good fruit,” and a “bad tree bears bad fruit;” a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. I believe that the indwelling fruit inside of us is a greater picture of the indwelling spirit working in and through our lives. Works is the outflow of the fruit that the spirit is already producing in our lives.

The Believers Work:

a) Obedient Work

The Christian work carries with it the marks of obedience. The emphasis on obedience comes first. James frames obedience for us in James 1:22 that “we are to be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.”

Notice how Paul COMMENDS and then COMMANDS; Encourage and exhort. This is a good model of discipleship. He begins by commending them by saying, “you are doing this,” as he tells them so “do so even more.” We should continually give fresh encouragement and motivation to the body of Christ.

Have you ever been in a church service where people are continually beating the church up. Whether it’s guilt tripping people over not serving enough, or not giving enough, or being lazy. You see church members walk out the door with black eyes and bruised limbs. Someone asks you latter, what happened to you, Oh I went to Church today!

This is a reminder that we aren’t what we want to be, or should be, but one day by God’s grace we will be! We should continually press on to obey, “more and more” with great joy. This is why it is of vital importance that we go to church on Sunday. Hebrews 10:24-25

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

b) Responsible Work

When Paul say’s “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” He does not say that because the Philippians are justified so they should just passively coast along in their Christian journey. He urges them toward what Eugene Peterson calls “A long obedience in the same direction,” which will be a difficult task in this fallen and sinful world. (Peterson, “A Long Obedience).

We also see in light of verse 13 that once we become a Christian, we are left entirely to our own power to live this life of obedience. We can only work out our salvation because God is at work inside of us.

Proper Understanding of Responsible Work

What part does God play in working out our Salvation, and what part do we play? Some newer theologians have suggested that Paul is trying to convey that the passage refers not to individual salvation but to the church’s well-being which weakens and downplays personal responsibility for one’s own sanctification which I believe is dangerous and false.

A better understanding of the passage recognizes the that the phrase “He who works in you,” and Philippians 1:6 and “He who began and good work in you.

Both show the Human and Divine activity in the total work of our Salvation.

c) Sensitive Work

Our work is to be done with fear and trembling. It is a sensitive awareness of the preciousness of our salvation that has been given to us, resulting in a trembling concern that we would do anything that would cause us not to live up to the richness of the great privilege we have through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Proper Understanding of Our Sensitive Work

When you choose to dwell on bitter anger and resentment towards someone who has wronged you are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling? When you are traveling or away from home and you choose not to have them turn off the sexually explicit channels in your hotel room, or late at night in our room you search the internet for porn are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling? When you choose to not take care of your body by overeating or neglecting regular exercise are you working out your own salvation with fear and trembling?

A Godly fear grows out of recognition of weakness and or the power of temptation; A dreadful fear of Offending God. This is not the fear of a lost sinner before a Holy God, but the fear of a true child before the most living of all fathers; not a fear of what he might do to us, but of the hurt we might do to him.

Our work, as obedient, responsible, sensitive believers, rises out of the internal work of God. His is the basic activity; we respond to what He is doing. He is the inner work of transformation and renewal; our obedience to him is how we enter into the benefits of his indwelling.

Philippians 2:14–16 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, 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.

2. Learn to Shine as Lights in the World

Newsboys “Shine” 1994

Shine.

Make 'em wonder whatcha got.

Make 'em wish that they were not

On the outside looking bored.

Shine.

Let it shine before all men.

Let em see good works and then

Let em glorify the Lord.

What does it look like to work out our salvation with fear and trembling?

While certainly in means living like Jesus, Paul now moves into the next paragraph describing the attitude that we should have as we seek to obey Christ and seek to be like Him. The opening words of verse 14 hit you square betwen the eyes. Paul places the emphasis on the totality of the work that God has prepared for us with the command that we should “Do all things.”

This is a total all in response to what God is doing in and through our Lives.

Effortless Sanctification

Though maybe not as frequent today, I think this voice is still not silent in our Christian culture today. It is the idea of an effortless sanctification which is based on inner experience with God. The slogan ‘Let go and let God’ used to be popular.

You may have heard quotes like F.R. Havergal: “Holiness by faith in Jesus, Not by any effort of thine own.”

On first glance this appears to be a true statement. However, the new nature is ours by the gift of God, but the activation of that new nature in terms of new character and new conduct is through the responsive work of obedience, the stark reality of the daily warfare. When we say let go and let God we are in effect saying that we just let go and coast our way into Heaven.

It is purpose of Christian ethics to call us to be what we are, it is one of the amazing glories of the Holy scripture to tell us what we are (children of God) and to declare the characteristics of our way of life. To “do all things,” is the proper outgrowth of someone who is a child of God.

It’s like the natural progression that children go through when they do what comes natural to first crawl, and then, not to crawl better, but to stand upright and walk, so there is a natural progression of the life of God which we are cultivating by deliberately adopting its conduct.

1). The Child of God is to do all things without Grumbling or Complaining

We are to do all things without grumbling and complaining or questioning. It might surprise you that Paul chooses this concrete expression of working out our salvation.

The Danger of Grumbling and Complaining

We know that Christian perseverance is difficult. Discipleship is not an easy road, it is messy and paved with lots of struggles. Pursuing holiness, giving generously, practicing hospitality, loving one’s spouse and kids appropriately, sharing the gospel, and other facets of Christian discipleship could tempt one to complain and murmur. The temptation to complain and argue is not only a temptation personally; it’s a big temptation corporately as well.

For Example: Maybe you half half halfheartedly extended hospitality to someone who you thought would never take you up on it. Then one day out of the blue they call you and invite themselves over to your house to take you up on your hospitality. In your heart and mind you are grumbling and complaining the whole time they are at your house. Sometimes our complaining leads to complaining both to God and one another.

Complaining is a big problem in the church and your pastor puts himself in this category as well. Why? Well, people never live up to the expectations of others. At some point, the pastors, small group leaders, greeters, or the person who is discipling you will let you down. What will you do? You will be tempted to complain. At first, you play it off as just expressing a concern, or having a discussion, but, in reality you are caught in a full blown complaint and grumbling session.

In the now over 12 years since the Journey Church started I have seen people come and go. Often people come in with great enthusiasm for all that’s involved in a new young church start - the sacrifices, the challenges, the relationships, the risk, the vision. Then over time the honey moon ends, seasons change, and disappointment and discontentment set in. The temptation to complain and grumble takes over. The challenges of leading a church could tempt one to live in self-pity and despair, spewing out Israel like grumblings.

We find examples of grumbling and arguing in the wilderness narratives in Exodus and Numbers.

2). The Child of God is to be Blameless and Innocent

When our conversations with believers, or among outsiders begins to fill with negative murmuring, we lose our distinctiveness as Christians. The thing that sets us apart from the world. Grumbling causes us to lose our distinctive character, or in the words of Jesus, our saltiness (Matt. 5:13-16).

Are we standing out like bright stars in a vast sea of the darkness of this world?

3). The Child of God is to Hold Fast to the Word of Life

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.

What does it take to Shine?

Consider what an opportunity you have for making and eternal difference in someones life simply by speaking a different language from that of today’s culture - by going through the day avoiding the temptation to grumble, and replacing that practice with gratitude and praise.

In the past when I walk into a coffee shop or see someone I know and they ask me how I am doing, I respond, “far better than I deserve.” Yes, we are! When we pepper our ordinary days with expressions of gratitude instead of expressions of complaining, we get our shine on! We can make a difference in peoples life simply by living this verse out in our every day life. The fact is that we are all doing far better than we deserve.

Paul continues to remind us here and throughout the rest of Philippians that we are children of God (2:15). We do not deserve to be adopted children of the Father, but that’s what we are as Christians. Our Father loves us, hears us, and provides for us.

Paul is drawing a sharp distinction between the type of speech we should have and that of the rest of this “crooked and perverted” generation. Is your speech different? Do you see how important it is to avoid complaining and arguing?

4). The Child of God is to be Poured out in Service and Rejoicing.

Make no mistake, Paul is not complaining about being poured out as a drink offering. He leads by example. Paul calls us to be glad and rejoice with him. If you were alive when this is written and you went to the deep dark prison cell that Paul was residing in, you might hear him say something like this to you if you asked him how he was holding up.

He might possibly say, “Far Better than I Deserve.” You should rejoice and be glad with me in my suffering.

How are you pouring your life out today in Service and Rejoicing? Do you find it difficult not to complain and grumble? Do you find your daily conversations littered with complaining and grumbling about your current situation in life? Maybe you need to learn what it looks like to be poured out in service with rejoicing and being grateful for all that God has called you to as a child of God.

CONCLUSION

Working out our own Salvation with fear and trembling is only part of what God has planned and prepared for us from the very beginning. After Paul’s all important text Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.”

We read in verse 10 “For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Notice that from the very beginning God has created you for good works, this is not your doing, it is God’s doing.

The Parable of the Talents

Matt. 25:14-30

A master gives his property to his servants before he leaves for his travels. He gives one servant five talents, another two, and the third one. The servant who received five talents trades them and makes fire more. The servant who received two talents makes two more. The servant who received one hides it in the ground. After a long time had passed, the master returns and asks his servants for an account of the talents.

The one entrusted with five talents made five more, the master responds, “well done my good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over little, I will set you much, Enter into the joy of your master.” The one entrusted with two talents made two more, and the master responded in the same way. The one who received one talent came forward and declared that he knew that the master was a harsh man, reaping where he did not sow. He is expressing a fear that the master will expect him to produce a large return even though he was only given a small amount to work with.

The master responds: “you wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap wherever I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? The master took the talent away from the man and gave it to the one who had 10 talents. He cast the worthless servant out into the utter darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

WE MUST PUT WORKS INTO ACTION

You were placed on this earth to work. He does command us to bury our talents and sit back, waiting for our salvation. Rather we are commanded to work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling.

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN WHAT WE NEED TO FULFILL THE MISSION

It was not each servants job to compare what he had been given, but rather to be obedient with what they had been entrusted to invest in the kingdom.

WE WILL EVENTUALLY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

Hiding out sometimes seems like the best approach for people, especially in today’s culture of isolation. We have all been the third servant at some point. Sometimes we feel that we can get away with slothfulness without any consequences. In reality, on the day of judgement you will be held accountable for for what you have done with what God has given you to workout.

What will God tell you the day of His coming? Will he say well done my good and faithful servant, because you have been faithful with the little I have entrusted to you here on earth, your reward is waiting for you in my kingdom, or will he call you a wicked and slothful servant?

Don’t be a wicked slothful servant today!