Phillipians 2:12-18

Light of the world

Last week Jamo took us through verse 1-11 which discussed the importance of not doing anything from selfish ambition but actually humbling yourself enough for the gain of others and we get the beautiful example giving up equality with God being born in the likeness of men and was obedient all the way to the cross

So taking this mindset of humility we will jump into chapter 2 verse 12

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.

We see Paul writing to the Phillpians saying you guys have obeyed. Even in his absence Obeying who? God .We see Paul making a contrast between the new and old covenant, people in the old the people of God would disobey even more when Moses was absent such as worshipping the golden calf. (elaborate)

But the Philippians are the new covenant people they will obey more even in Pauls absense. Because seeing what the glory of Christ compels them to obedience

We see part of this obedience, is too “work out their salvation” Work out meaning to carry it out to its full perfection. It dose not mean you can earn or work your too God but rather when you are a believer you know how much he loves and demonstrated it by going to the cross that should compel you too want too work out salvation,

Salvation what dose salvation mean? Deliverance, from sin which separates us from God, Who brought us salvation ?Jesus secured it on the cross, because he took on the sins of the world so we could be seen as holy before God. It’s our redemption.

We are told to work this out with fear and trembling, what kind of fear is this? a healthy fear, its not like your just scared if you dont do this you will go to hell, but rather a Fear that understands just glorious God is more of a joyful fear.

I love how the Phillipians with or without Paul it shows they are following for nobody else except the Lord, thier not 1 person at church and then completely different somewhere else,

You know what you call that being two faced dont be two faced! I want to pose to you guys the question outside of Youth group and Sunday morning what dose your relationship with the Lord look like.

Can you say you have a personal relationship with your God.

Matthew 6:6 ESV

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The idea being dont Just pray in front of people to appear Godly, he says those people have gotten thier reward (the praise of man) rather do it for the Lord

IF your sitting here thinking I have no realtionship with Lord, your in a good place, you can start today.

V13 this truth should be an encouragement to us all that God is working in you to accomplish his will. So dose that mean we can sit back and not have to do anything.

No it actually increases our responsibility to work more diligently for the Lord because it is fully reliant on the Lord. To work through you and how can he do that through a healthy fear that is obedient.

V14 A little bit of uncertainty If Paul here was addressing grumbling amongst the Philippians, the word Grumbling we also see in the Old testament to describe the people in wilderness who would grumble but any time you see grumbling you see God’s judgement so the application seems to be work out your salvation, with fear and trembling and practically that could mean don't grumble,

Both grumble and disputing come from a place of selfishness

Gossip is “talking about someone else’s sin”

V15 We are to be “innocent” and “blameless” in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation so that we can be models for unbelievers who fail to see the importance in the word of God, that you guys may shine in the darkness.

IF you have a completely dark room so dark you cant even see your hand in front of your face and you light one match, its amazing the differnece one tiny light can make. That is the Christian life!! That can be each of you. AND too anyone hear who feels they are in darkness I am here to tell you there is light is Jesus name!

V16 Paul is likely referencing the gospel here. My prayer is similar to Paul as I pray this not time wasted but actually you guys are here learning about how to go closer to the Lord.

V17-18 Paul is writing in the context that he may be executed for his faith so that is likely what he is referencing. Even with that he is still glad and rejoices that his life is being used by the Lord and says that they should rejoice and be glad as well