Living Out Your Salvation

Introduction

Last week we left Paul telling his readers that Jesus was exalted to a name that is above every name because of his obedience.

Today we come to the second part of the book of . As we continue our study of this book we see that our passage today begins with a “therefore.” And you know, whenever you have a therefore we have to stop and see what it’s therefore. In this case it refers us back to the obedience of Jesus.

Because of Jesus’ faithfulness and obedience we are to continue in our obedience.

If you have your Bibles, turn with me to and we’ll begin reading with verse 12.

Philippians 2:12–13 NIV84

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 2:

Dear Friends

He begins this passage, by calling them “dear friends.” The older translations translated “beloved” so it is clear that Paul loved the people of Philippi. He wanted nothing more than for them to live lives that pleased the Lord.

So in verse 12 we are given two commands.

Obey

No matter who’s around we are to continue to live obedient lives!

We are to be doers of the word. In we read: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Throughout the Word of God we are told that God desires that we live our lives obedient to His Word.

Work Out Your Salvation

This passage confuses a lot of people. The idea of “work[ing] out your salvation is confusing to people.

Paul does not say work for your salvation. He says they need to work out—or we might say, “live out” your salvation with fear and trembling. As we live our lives we are to live them with fear and trembling—putting these two words together carries the idea of deep reverence and respect.

So perhaps another way of saying this verse would be, “live out your salvation with great reverence and respect for God.”

The reason we live with this reverence and respect is because it is all about God!

For It Is God . . .

The Living Bible says, “For it is God who is at work in you, first helping to want to obey Him, and then helping you to do what He says.”

Desire to Obey

The first thing that God does is give us the desire to obey.

Ability to Obey

It would be mean if God just gave you the desire to obey Him. He doesn’t do that because He also gives us the ability to do what He says.

Philippians 2:14–18 NIV84

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:14-18

Stars in the Universe

Paul wanted every follower of Jesus to be different—to stand out from the crowd. In order to do that Paul tells us there are two more things that we need to do.

Do everything without complaining.

So, let me ask you a question. When was the last time you complained about something?

Paul tells us we need to do everything—everything without complaining!

Do everything without arguing

Okay, here’s another question. When was the last time you had an argument?

If we are going to be different from the world two things should removed from our lives. There should be no complaining or arguing! None.

Blameless and Pure Children of God!

When we live lives that are different from the world—when we stop all the complaining, and when we stop all the arguing we can become blameless and pure children of God.

Children of God who are without fault in the middle of a crooked and depraved generation.

Shine Like Stars

How amazing it is to look up and see the stars shining in brightly in the sky.

We ought to shine that way in our world. How do we do that? By holding out the Word of Life and by holding onto the Word of life.

The more we hold onto the Word the more we shine in the darkness.

And the more we hold out the Word to the world around us we’ll shine even more to the world around us!

Philippians 2:19-

Philippians 2:19–24 NIV84

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Hopes to Send Timothy

He wants to send Timothy so that Paul can hear more news about the Philippians.

Philippians 2:25-

Philippians 2:25–30 NIV84

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Sending Epaphroditus Home

Epaphroditus had been sent by the church at Philippi to serve Paul. He had become very, very sick and almost died, so now that he was healthy again, Paul believes he should return home so that the Philippians could see for themselves that he is well.

So What

This morning I want to encourage you to take a minute and examine your life.

I want to challenge you to ask yourself three questions.

(1) Am I actively working to live out my salvation?

(1) Am I actively working to live out my salvation?

(2) Am I an arguer or complainer?

(3) When the people around me see me, do I look any different that the rest of the world?