Philippians 2:12-18 | Working Out What God Works In

Perfect Fathers Day Message!!

Stop Whining!!!

INTRO

Last week we heard from Mike that we are to be imitators of Christ in that we are to be humbly unified in serving one another. Christ was the ultimate representation of this kind of humble unified service in that “He being God emptied himself of this glory becoming fully man took obedience to the father all the way to the cross”. I want you to see in Phil 2.9-11 the outcome of this unified humble servanthood…

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The outcome for Jesus is His ultimate glory!!

Big view of God !! / Jesus !!

Philippians 2:12–18 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, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 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. 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.

Perfect Fathers Day Message!!

Paul tells us to work out

Quit our belly aching

Stand up straight

Have a positive attitude

MESSAGE

A Purpose to Pursue

Achieve…

Obedience

Quote: "God’s purpose for our lives is not to make us happy, but to make us holy." — A.W. Tozer

Hebrews 5:9 “9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,”

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,

Philippians 1:27–28 “27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”

Philippians 2:15 ESV

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,

Work Out

Romans 12:1 “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Purpose of Working Out…?

Shine Bright v15… How do we shine bright…? … How might we work out…?

Matthew 5:14–16 “14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Ephesians 5:8 “8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

Don’t Complain v14

Philippians 2:14 “14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing,”

UNITY - 1 Corinthians 1:10 “10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

Hold Fast v16 … Word of Life (gospel)

Philippians 2:16 “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.”

Sacrifice Joyfully / Rejoice v18

APPLICATION: Identify and pursue God’s purpose in their daily lives

A Power to Persist

Receive….

Indwelling

Quote: "We are too weak to do God’s work on our own; it is His power that enables our work." — Charles Spurgeon

Philippians 2:13 ESV

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

God Is At Work, IN us!!

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Galatians 5:16 “16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Not saved by works !! Saved to Works !!

John 15:5 “5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 14:16–17 “16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Strength in weakness…

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Ephesians 3:20 “20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”

APPLICATION: Rely on God’s power through prayer and daily surrender to the Holy Spirit.

A Promise to Perfect

Believe….

Glorification

Quote: "God never made a promise that was too good to be true." — D.L. Moody

Philippians 2:16–17 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.

Philippians 1:6 “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.”

Jesus is KING of Kings - LORD of Lords

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 1:21 “21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “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.”

God is Faithful

Eternal Life Promised

Titus 1:2 “2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”

Glorification Promised

2 Timothy 2:13 “13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

Hebrews 10:23 “23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

Philippians 1:6 “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.”

Joy in Suffering

James 1:2–4 “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Romans 8:18 “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

APPLICATION: Hold fast to God’s promises, trusting in His faithfulness and finding joy amidst trials.

CLOSE

A Purpose to Pursue

A Power to Persist

A Promise to Perfect

Group Questions

If you were going to have a single take away from this message what would that be for you?

There is a significant difference between “working for your salvation” and “working out your salvation.” Why is this an important distinction to make?

How does living with an awareness of the holy presence of God compel you to live a life of holiness?

Underneath our work is God’s work. How does this bring comfort/encouragement to your life as a Christian?

How does grumbling and complaining damage your witness?

We are all tempted to complain and grumble. How can you maintain a joyful attitude in the face of the problems of life?

What do Paul’s images of running and laboring teach you about the nature of your ministry to others?

How does the reality of “the day of Christ” affect how you live your life and make disciples?

Paul also uses the image of being a “sacrificial offering.” What does this image teach you about the nature of your service to others?

What do you find encouraging about Paul’s sacrificial mind-set? How can you cultivate this type of mind-set for the advancement of the gospel?