9. Work out Your Salvation

Announcements

Senior’s Conference List

Need 1 more person (Someone wasn’t available)

Austin? Joseph? Ryder? Logan? Johnathan? Chloe? Felicia?

Be there by 11:45, and you’ll be done by 2pm

Boys: Dress pants & button up shirt

Girls: Church clothes (Dress or skirt)

Middle School Disc Golf

This Friday, September 25th, 6-9pm

Grade 6-8

Explain disc golf, split you up into groups, and play. Get back to church for nachos and Bible study.

Combined Workday Activity

Saturday, October 3rd, 9am-1pm

Sign up sheet

EBC Youth Conference

Sign up if you want to come and need to be driven on the bus or by a leader.

Christmas Play

Fill out Tiff’s survey, that’ll help her for parts.

Random Question

If you could only drink one liquid other than water for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Memory Verse

Recite previous

Share new (Philippians 2:2)

Lesson

Recap

For the last two weeks, we’ve been discussing the example of Christ in His life and death; how he humbled Himself, came in the form of a servant and died for our sakes. We saw that humbling ourselves comes before being lifted up.

Now we get into this next section. Paul’s been talking about how we got saved, here he turns to our life now that we are Christians.

Vs. 12-13

Philippians 2:12 NKJV

12 Therefore,

What should we do when we see therefore? (See what therefore is there for)

From the start of ch.2 to now, who’s example have we been looking at? (Jesus, how He lived and died for our sakes, this is the Gospel)

How far was Jesus willing to go to redeem our souls? (The death of the cross)

So, he says “Therefore”, which we now know means, because of everything Christ did to save you…

Philippians 2:12 NKJV

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;

The Philippians obeyed the Lord when Paul was around them and when he wasn’t around… When is it easier to obey? (When Paul is around!)

Ill: Teacher walks out of class, “Everyone behave!”

Q: What happens immediately after she steps out of the door? (Friends glance at each other with mischief in their eyes)

- Eraser story…

Paul wants these believers to obey the Lord no matter who is around…

What does Paul call us to do at the end of vs. 12? (Work out our salvation with fear and trembling)

Does this mean we’re saved by works? (No it doesn’t, but…)

Looking at that statement, how do we know it’s not talking about salvation by our works? (work out your salvation)

If something is yours, do you need to work to get it? (No, you already have it!)

Jesus has done the work of salvation. Like we saw, Jesus took on the death of the cross for our sakes so that if we believe in Him in our hearts and confess Him with our mouths, we will be saved, God will consider us innocent; this is called justification.

Everyone turn to Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

How do we get saved? (By grace through faith, not by works)

Ok, great, we all know this and believe this. But we don’t look to verse 10 very often…

What does verse 10 say?

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Can anyone explain in their own words what it means that we are God’s workmanship? (Now that we are saved, God has some things for us to accomplish, He saved us so that we would bear fruit)

Salvation comes first, then comes the fruit of that. Turn back to Philippians…

So, here in vs. 12, we work out our salvation, that’s what we call sanctification.

Anyone know what that word means? (Set apart)

Def: This is the work God does in us where He makes us less and less like the world and more and more like Jesus, He is setting us apart; making us different.

He says, “Work out your sanctification”, what does workout bring to mind? (Working out, training)

Why do people buy gym memberships and train? (Because they want to get in shape. Why? Because they aren’t there yet!)

Spiritually, are we “in shape”? Are we like Christ? (No, we need spiritual training)

Is working out an easy thing? (If it is, you’re doing it wrong. It takes effort, strain, and perseverance to achieve fitness goals)

Ill: “No pain, no ______”

It’s the same thing for our walk with God!

Can we expect to grow as Christians if we’re putting nothing into it? (Absolutely not!)

So, Paul is saying here, “God expects things from you now that you are a Christian. You’re a Christian, so act like one!”

Now, what do you think it means to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”? (Reverence and seriousness)

Is your walk with Jesus a joke? (No, and this is the perspective Paul is giving us. He’s saying, “Give your all into this, put some effort into this!”:)

So far, who is responsible for our growth as Christians? (Us!)

But that’s not the full story…

Philippians 2:13 NKJV

13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Who else is responsible for our growth? (God is)

How do we know that? (for it is God who works in you)

The verse says God works in us in two ways, what are they?

To will

What’s that go tot do with? (Desires… So, God makes us desire to grow.)

To do

What’s that got to do with? (Actions… God makes us do the right things.)

Why do we do all these things? (For His good pleasure… It is for God’s delight)

Did you know that you make God smile when you do His will? He smiles when you open up your Bible. God is thrilled when you come to church. God is delighted when you tell your friends about Jesus. God is overjoyed when you say no to sin and yes to Jesus. We were made for Him, we were saved so that we would bring pleasure to Him!

Ill: Think of this for a second… Everything has a purpose to it.

Q: Chevrolet for example, what do they make? (Cars & trucks)

Q: What’s the purpose? (Get you from point A to point B)

Q: So, since Chevrolet made them with that purpose, what should I expect my Chevy to do when I get in it? Blow bubbles? Self-destruct? (No! I expect it will take me from point A to point B)

God is telling us through His Word, “I’ve made you a new person in Jesus, you are a Christian now; your purpose is to glorify and please Me.”

So, what should we expect from ourselves? (Please God with our lives)

And remember, God is absolutely THRILLED when we do exactly that!

Vs. 14

You want to know a tell-tale way to wipe the smile off God’s face? (Look at vs. 14)

Philippians 2:14 NKJV

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,

Complain and dispute (argue with people).

Everyone knows what complaining is…

- Mom tells you, “Honey! Did you clean your room yet?”

- You reluctantly obey, but in a low voice you’re saying, “Honey! Did you clean your room yet? MMRMMRMRMRMMMMMMRMRMRRRRMMMRMRMRMRR!!!!!”

Do we have a complaint allowance? How much complaining are we allowed? (None, “Do ALL things without complaining or disputing”)

All things = Each individual thing you do…

What does complaining reveal about our hearts? (Ungratefulness)

We complain because we think we’ve been wronged, and we think we deserve the thing we’re looking for; it’s called being entitled. “I have the right to be happy!” “I have the right to not clean my room!”

We’re ungrateful for what we have, we don’t see the extent that we’ve been blessed.

Do we deserve anything good? (We don’t)

Why? (We’re sinners)

What did Jesus need to do to take care of our sin? (Became obedient to the death of the cross)

Jesus DIED for us! And we didn’t even deserve it!

Anything we have in this life that is better than hell is more than we deserve.

If I’ve been forgiven for so much, is something like cleaning my room really such a big deal? (No way. I’ve been saved from eternal torment, I don’t even deserve the worst thing that can happen in this life, so yeah mom, I’ll clean my room, no problem!)

Vs. 15-16

What does vs. 15 say will happen if we keep from complaining and arguing? (we will be blameless and harmless)

People won’t be able to pinpoint an area of our lives that’s out of order.

We’re going to make a big difference if we really apply ourselves to our growth as Christians…

The rest of the verse says, Philippians 2:15

Philippians 2:15 NKJV

15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

What kind of people are presented here in the middle of vs. 15? (Children of God, and the crooked & perverse generation/the world)

What Paul is saying is: When we apply ourselves to become more and more like Jesus, everybody will know who we are and what we are about.

What will we be known by? (Children of God. “Oh, that guy? That girl? They’re Christians. They don’t live like we do.)

What effect does that make in the end of the verse? (Light shining in the darkness)

Think of the stars in the sky for a minute.

Q: Can we all agree they emit a BUNCH of light? (Yes!)

Q: But can you see them in the daytime? (No)

Q: Why? (Because a greater light is outshining them. The light has little to no effect when it’s in a bunch of light)

Q: But wait until the sun goes down, and what do you see? (A bunch of bright and radiant stars)

Q: Were the stars not there at noon?

Q: What’s the difference then? (They have their full effect when it contrasts the dark)

When you are walking with Jesus, you are like that star in the night sky, shining in the dark world, making your mark and showing them who Jesus is like.

How do we reflect our light? (Take a look at vs. 16)

Philippians 2:16 NKJV

16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

What is the word of life? What message brings you life? (The Gospel!)

So, when we stand on the Gospel, share it with others, we’re going to have the effect of shining our light in this dark world.

Looking at the rest of vs. 16, how will Paul feel if they apply what he’s saying? (He will rejoice in the day of Christ because his work was not for nothing)

Paul will be able to stand before God one day and say, “Have you seen those Philippians? Look at how great they’ve done!”

Here’s a thought for us… Our parents (Christian parents) and our pastors will give an account to God for how they trained and helped you.

Will they be proud to present you before God or will they be embarrassed?

Vs. 17-18

Because they did actually obey, Paul pretty much says in vs. 17-18, I’m willing to risk my neck for you! You guys are my sacrifice to God, and I rejoice in offering myself to Him in serving you, and you can rejoice by doing the same with others!

Let’s read it…

Philippians 2:17–18 NKJV

17 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. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Application

God has made us Christians, He expects to see fruit from us

Complaining demonstrates ungratefulness for God’s grace

When we grow in Christ, our testimony shines brighter

Investing in others is worthwhile and causes joy