pursuing Gods Work in You

Intro

Pray

philippians ch 2 vs 12-18

Who has worked on a skill for a long time?

What was it?

Was it hard ? Have you seen yourself grow?

Was it fun… was it time consuming?

Was it hard work?

Hard work is shyed away from many people

are you putting work into your skill the same as school

what about the same as getting to know God

ohhh convicting for me too.

today we are going to be talking about working

out our salvation

start in verse 12

Philippians 2:12 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved, as you 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;

paul is writing from jail…

He is reminding them how they where very obedient to the Lord when he was with them

but now even more importantly

while he is absent from them

now how much easier is it to be obedient

when others are around

think about it like this

when I am at someone elses house

I get done with dinner

dishes go in dish washer ——clean counters ——offer to take out the trash

when others are around it keeps you honest

but at your own house

dishes go right in the sink and the trash is overflowing

and the wife is getting on your case

and then your like I told bradley to do it

and shes like hes only 4

but for real when others are around

its easier to be obedient

but what about when no one is looking

dont you know that most sin is acted on

when nobody is looking

but how naive can we be

Colossians 2:5 NKJV

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

paul is always concerned about the churches maturity

and well being

that they are obedient to Christ

not only is paul and his teaching and his heart with the churches

but even more so Gods spirit is with you

God is always with you

there is no time that God is not with the believer

Gods spirit lives in you

and therefore there is no time that his presance is not with you.…

so wether paul was there or in rome

God was there always

he is in philippi and in Rome

Psalm 139:7–10 ESV

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

God is with you always

and to that effect

He desires obedience

1 Samuel 15:22 ESV

And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

It is important to obey Gods word and command

q. Where are some areas that your life is not

in step with obedience to God?

let the fact that He is always present

give you encouragment to become obedient

for knowing hes there

ought to give you urgency

but it must be in the light of Grace

in Christ your forgiven

Gods heart breaks for your struggle with Sin

and HE loves you

let that encourage you all the more to

sit at His feet and repent

yet thats the call

obey when your teachers are with you and when they are not

when your with the saints and when your alone

as we continue in the importance of

growing in Gods redemptive work

we see the 2nd part of verse 12

Philippians 2:12 NKJV

work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

put effort into your salvation

now this is key

you are not working for your salvation

you are working out your salvation

salvation——— by faith alone

-complete and finished work

-sealed with the holy spirit upon faith

Jesus earned it on the cross

Christians salvation is secure on basis of faith

in one sense salvation is complete

in another sense

it is an ongoing process

that includes sanctification

sanctification- growing in the likeness of God

salvation from the penalty of sin

is only the start

you were saved from more than hell

you were saved to an abundant life in Christ

and this includes service and growing in His likeness

you have this command to

put effort into your salvation

what does this look like

how much effort do you put into your hobbies?

how much effort do you put into knowing God ?

take it a step further

How much effort do you put into overcoming sin in your life ?

the problem is too many times we think of God as

a spiritual force that will do amazing works apart from

our effort

but guys we are called to co labor with Him

for we see the call

work out your salvation

but lets look at verse 13

Philippians 2:13 ESV

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

It is God who is doing the work in you

by Grace he is transforming your will ——desires

and working in you

to grow

He does this for his pleasure …

q. So who lives your christian life ?

God does and you do

1 Corinthians 3:9 ESV

For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

we are working together with God

and its for the purpouse of

glorifying Him

and serving Him

therefore you put in the effort

to work on your relationship with God

and work to obey Him

but you always recognize

it is God who is doing the work in you

to grow

so let us focus on GROWING

in Gods redemptive work in our life

we do it with fear and trembling

in the sense of awe and honor

because it is of the utmost importance to God

your salvation started with faith in Jesus

but it doesnt stop there

salvation includes your growth in Him

keep pursuing Gods transformative work in your life

now as we close the passage

lets read

Philippians 2:14–18 ESV

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 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, 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. 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. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

here we see some practical ways we

can walk out this exhortation

shine like lights in a dark world

we start by stopping our complaining

do all things means do all things

q. who finds themselves complaing a lot

I do sometimes

why are they doing that, why dont we do this , I cant believe that,

life would be so much better if ,

its so hotttt outside

school is so boring

the disputing has to do with thinking

stop thinking complaining thoughts

so that you can be innocent children of God

in the midst of a crooked generation

this is that behavior of the heart

that looks to love before friction

and compares that attituded with that of the rest of the world

meaning non christians

were supposed to be different

Deuteronomy 32:5 ESV

They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation.

a crooked and twisted generation

mocks God and lives against Gods will

instead as christians we shine like lights in the world

jesus said

Matthew 5:14–16 NKJV

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

we are meant to be seen by the world

as a testimony for God

let us grow in Christ

that our life is blameless

let us work out our salvation

so that we are a light that shines bright

that it will shine on those who need God

holding fast ti the truth

means we hold fast to the truth of the gospel

we dont waiver

in this paul states that the success of his ministry

is connected to the perseverance of the church

All of his labor would feel in vain if they walk away from the faith

and to this I think of all of you

will you still be standing with Christ in the end

will the trial come and pull you out of faith

will your desire for sin pull you away from God

or will you be rooted , standing firm until the end?

Philippians 2:17–18 NKJV

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Paul then refrences His life of struggle for the people of God

His life is like a drink offering that is poured out

His service is for the faith of the people

and in all of his suffering and hard work and sacrafice

He rejoices for their faith

that they know God

and will be forgiven

in this we all shall rejoice

As I do with you and you for me

God is at work in our lives

we are the shining lights of the world for Christ

And I rejoice in this

that you all have a life of relationship and of service to God ahead of you

Guys

God is with you

He is working in you

and giving you the strength to work out your salvation

put the effort into your relationship with God

but trust that He is the one doing the work

and I promise your light will shine so bright

that you will overflow with Joy

and you will stay rooted in the gospel

no matter what comes your way

hold fast to the gospel

preach gospel ——

you trust in Him

and we will rejoice in eachother

Because God is at work in you!!!!