Together Until It's Over

Together Until It's Over

INTRODUCTION

ILL- Doctor getting degree and never studying again.

Education has to continue. Growth has to continue

Salvation is not just a ticket to heaven and you are done.

Salvation is a continual process in our life until death.

Paul is calling on them to persevere together.

READ Philippians 2:12-18

Philippians 2:12–18 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. 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.

Pray

4 Pictures Of Obedience

Picture of Work (12-13)

Work Continually (12)

Not just when someone is watching.

“Salvation”= past/ present/ future

Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Justification/ sanctification/ glorification.

ILL- Grade School Track Meets- kids don’t run through finish line.

“Fear and Trembling”= serious caution. Stakes are high.

Does your faith have a desire to grow?

Work with Power (13)

“works in you”= God works in you

Holy Spirit- not allowed to work without his power.

It is more than enough.

“For his pleasure”= you exist for Christ.

Picture of Light (14-15)

Light as Truth

Dark world needs light= truth.

Who can we trust? News/ political leaders/ facebook?

“Blameless and Harmless”= Our reputation is our light

“Crooked and Perverse”= opposite of what we are to be.

Darkness= we should be easily seen.

Light as Direction

“shine as lights”= pointing the lost to Jesus.

ILL- north star-

ILL- lighthouse on a foggy night

The world needs us being the light.

Picture of Competition (16)

“holding fast”= tight

Never letting go of God’s truth.

Not letting the darkness take over the light.

“Run in vain”= disqualified and not receive a reward.

ILL- Jim Thorpe won two Olympic golds that were taken away because he had received money to play baseball and therefore wasn’t an amateur. (later given back)

We run in vain if we do not hold on to God’s Word.

Picture of Sacrifice (17)

“Drink offering”= poured on top of the animal sacrifice.

Heat would cause wine to evaporate- symbolizing going up to God.

ILL- David when mighty men heard his cry under his breath for water from well in Bethlehem.

He poured it out as a drink offering.

Paul’s life was a drink offering- sacrifice to God.

He was not sacrificing for self. It was for God.

Paul knew he could soon die.

Continued sacrifice was worship to God.

CONCLUSION

Is your salvation continuing until now?

Not whether it ended. But whether it is real.