Philippians 2:12-18

Philippians 2:12–16 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.

Intro:

In chapter 1:3,4 we looked at the words of Paul, and got a better idea concerning the burdens that God gives..

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In chaper 1:6-8.. we considered our tendency.. to be presumptuous concerning the work of God.

God’s going to finish the work..

But we should take caution, lest our opinion of what “the work should be” is different than God’s.

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Paul also reminded us how great.. grace is..

Paul is a partaker of God’s grace..

He’s content to serve God.. even though he’s in prison.

He takes joy in the opportunity he has to serve.. even though he’s in prison.

Even though his own personal situation… is, from a worldly standpoint..

Pretty dire, Paul recognizes, that He is a partaker of great grace.

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In chapter 1:9,10.. we talked about a love, that is defined.. bound and constrained by two things that are much greater than emotion and sentiment..

Love.. should be bound w/in the limits.. of truth and discernment..

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Not as society defines it… not as our culture defines it… not as our feelings define it… Love abides… not in the realm of sentiment or culture… but rather: LOVE ABIDES IN TRUTH AND DISCERNMENT.

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In chapter 1:12-18.. we considered Paul’s encouragement…

Those things that happen..

Though we might interpret them as being.. bad, or good..

Sincere, or selfish..

They still can be avenues through which God is glorified.. and His purpose is fulfilled.

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Paul accepted his circumstances..

His chains were in Christ… .

An encouragement to us.. that our chains.. our restrictions.. our limitations..

Can still be opportunities for God..

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Chapter 1:19-26 …compared the superiority of Christ, to the lesser significance of our own flesh..

Living with Him, in hardship, is better than living in luxury, w/o Him..

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Chaper 1:27-30.. we received the same encouragement that the church in Philippi received..

Don’t behave well, just because someone is watching..

Don’t do right, just because someone is looking over your shoulder..

Do the right thing, because of what God has done.

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Paul wanted to hear… that they, the believers in Philippi, were doing well..

So he encouraged them to have a conduct.. that people would want to speak positively about.

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Last week, we moved into chapter 2..

and were led to consider the ever popular topic of “unity”

Unity.. –Some have presumed that unity is solely an issue of doctrine and philosophy..

If we have common doctrine… common philosophy… we will have unity..

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And I agree, common doctrine helps..

But.. it’s not the key..

The key to unity.. is found in two different things:

Humility.. and love.

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Where do those two things come from?

The example of Jesus..

Who humbled Himself beyond the limitations of any human..

And who was driven.. by so great a love..

That He not only humbled Himself..

But also: died for those He loves..

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The first 41 verses of this book.. have been incredibly rich..

As we move on.. we’ll see.. –that richness continues..

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For… as we’ve been encouraged to bear the fruits of righteousness..

.. to live, according to the righteousness that we’ve been given..

And… as we’ve been encouraged to: let our conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ..

We are now being encouraged..

To “work out our salvation” ++

To take that, which a reality within..

And make it a reality.. without..

To take that, which is a spiritual reality..

And make it.. a physical reality.. in our lives.. in our actions.. in our motivations.. in our thoughts.. in our words.. and so on.. ++

Philippians 2:12–13 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.

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Previously in verse 8.. we were encouraged to walk in humility, by the example of Christ’s humility.

But in that verse, it also spoke of his “obedience”.

He was obedient.. to the point of death.. ++

So, not only was he the ultimate example of humility,

But He was also the ultimate example of obedience..

The believers in Philippi were following that example.

And Paul was encouraging them..

to take obedience to the next level.

Make it more than just a set of rules..

Make it more than a mere standard.

Make it more.. than those things you do, even when nobody is making you do them.. ++

Make it a matter of: “who and what you are” ++

In essence, Paul is saying.. “because you are obedient” YOU WILL THEN.. “work out your own salvation..” ++

Here in lies a phrase that we might find confusing..

For some might see the word “work”, and immediately think..

That salvation is something that needs to be worked for. ++

they think… “If we are going to be good Christians… then we must work.”

We must work.. to do our best.

We must work.. to live a right life.

We must work.. to follow all the rules.. ++

For granted, God has given us guidelines and instructions..

He wants us to live quality lives.. so He gives us the directions… the behaviors.. where in we will find and experience… that quality life.. ++

Doing your best.. living a right life.. following the rules..

Those things will definitely save you heartache..

But when it comes down to it.. – following the rules and being a good boy and girl.. are NOT the things which grant us salvation… they are not the things, that will maintain our salvation… they are not even, methods to insure our salvation.

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The word salvation literally means: rescue..

And we cannot rescue ourselves.

If we are being rescued, it obviously means that someone else is intervening on our behalf…. ++

It’s our God.. Yahweh.. that comes to our rescue.

It’s Yahweh.. who saves us..

We are offered it.. freely.

We receive it.. by faith alone..

And He.. is the one who puts it in us.. ++

We don’t WORK… to either gain or maintain our salvation..

But we do WORK.. to experience a life.. that is transformed by the reality.. of salvation..

In this passage.. the term “work out”.. refers to the act of bringing it about.. ++

It could also be translated:

… bring out results from your salvation..

Or: render yourself fit.. for salvation.

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So, in essence.. God has given us salvation..

Now that this has happened… we ask the big question:

What do we do with it? ++

How do we manifest the reality of salvation.. in our lives..

How do we make it a part… of who and what we are??? ++

Or we could ask:

When other’s look at our lives..

… what do they see? Do they see someone who lives a life that display’s salvation?

Do we bear the fruits of righteousness? –which is something we’ve already been challenged to do.. here in this letter..

Do we live a life that is worthy of the gospel.. – another thing we’ve already been encouraged to do.. ++

You see… Paul is working a theme here.

Be it: righteousness, the gospel or salvation..

He’s trying to drive home the point..

That these inward truths…

Need to be.. outward realities.. ++

There’s a lot of Sunday Salvation going on in the church.. there’s a lot of fire-insurance salvation going on…

Neither of which, will hardly ever make it to the surface in someone’s life.

For those who think of Christianity as if it is some religion that merely requires a weekly offering of attendance and some nice thoughts throughout the week..

You’re really missing the boat…. ++

As Christians.. this is a common practice..

We come to God on occasion, and deal with Him as if he were some baby-sitter on Sunday, but not a Father every day of the week…

And then, when we leave.. we turn our attention back to ourselves.. ++

We might be able to give an impression of our faith here and there… especially on Sunday morning..

But we have a hard time.. “working it out”

Bearing the fruit of repentance..

Living.. worthy of the gospel..

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Hebrews 12:28 ESV

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

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The Bible keeps brining us back to this principle..

Since God has done good things for us..

It’s appropriate.. that we respond to those good things..

By serving Him.. by living for Him.. by making His work for us.. real.. in us. ++

This passage in Hebrews tells us… that we should be grateful.

And that gratefulness should translate over to us… offering God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.

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This is what Paul has done here.. in Philippians..

Since Christ has given us.. His great example..

We should.. then: not only be obedient..

That is.. not only should we: follow the rules..

But we should also: work out.. or bring to completion.. in our lives..

The salvation.. that is in us. ++

One of the ways we can work it out, is by simply following Jesus’ example…

His example of ultimate love..

Therefore, we love.

His example of ultimate obedience..

Therefore, we obey

His example of ultimate humility..

Therefore, we walk in humility. ++

And it’s in this mindset.. that we are to walk..

How? In fear and trembling!

an expression… that speaks of a “humble state of mind”

It speaks of caution.

It speaks of respect..

It speaks of submission.. ++

Now.. all this would be quite despairing if it weren’t for verse 13..

God wants us to work it out.

How does that work?

Don’t worry, God has made a way..

He has worked into us both: to will and to do for His good pleasure…. ++

But, maybe, I don’t feel willing?

If it’s worked into me, then where is it at?

Oh, it’s there..

In fact, remember this passage from our previous study:

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

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

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Notice this:

Salvation is in us.. but God wants us to bring it to fruition.. to make it part of who we are..

But we don’t feel like it.

Don’t worry.. God has also put w/in us.. the willingness and the drive.. to work it out..

In fact.. not only has He put the necessary elements in us..

But He has actually, created us.. designed us.. in a unique way…

We are His workmanship.. ++

For what purpose?

To do.. good works..

What good works?

The ones.. that He has prepared.. for us to walk in. ++

Now.. if you’re like me.. this is where you hit the wall of reality.

If God has provided all this stuff.. and God has made me able.. and God has prepared specific works for me to walk in..

… then why does it continue to be such a difficult thing? ++

Why does my faith slip into oblivion when I get into my work-week?

Why do I so easily choose so many other activities… to replace the time and energy I should be investing into my spiritual walk???

Why do I fall short in my attempts to make my faith a reality?

Why can’t I find the willingness that drive w/in me.. to do, what God has intended me to do?

How can I take obedience to the next level…

If I can’t even get the obedience part right, on the level I’m currently on? ++

I don’t know if you ask these kinds of questions…

I do. ++

I routinely struggle.. with them.. on a personal level..

And.. on a “workmanship” level.

I know the hardship of wanting to become a spiritual super-hero..

But still, after all this time.. suffering the frailty of the flesh..

And the consistent likelihood of falling on my face. ++

We struggle in despair over this stuff..

even though.. we know the answer.

Even though, we know what to do… ++

We’re not really satisfied with the answers..

We’re not content with the things we need to do..

We grow weary of them and want a short-cut..

We want an easy fix.. ++

So we follow the example of the flesh that Paul himself laid out.. in his own testimony..

Where He said: in Rom 7:19

Romans 7:19 ESV

19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

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Whoa.. we can relate to this..

We acknowledge the right thing..

And then… do the wrong thing anyways.

Often times.. the right thing is simply defined as “walking in the Spirit”

But instead.. we “walk in the flesh” ++

He laid this process out for us too.. in:

Galatians 5:16–17 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

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We know what to do..

and as we read on in Philippians.. we even see it.. in Paul’s instructions.. and in Paul’s example.

Philippians 2:14–17 ESV

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.

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First thing’s first..

we need to have the right attitude.. the kind of attitude that lays a foundation..

An attitude, that does not immediately look to validate self.. ++

Why do we complain and dispute?

Because we’re always trying to validate our self.

We want to be right.

We want to have our way.

We want personal gain and satisfaction..

So when something happens.. and it doesn’t go our way..

We instinctively want to come out fighting. ++

Earlier in the study.. we mentioned the fault of focusing on self..

For when we do.. we automatically look away from the goodness of God. ++

When our focus is on self, we will not be driven to respond to God’s goodness..

We will respond.. in the flesh..

Which.. will not end up being a good thing… ++

The proper attitude recognizes.. by faith, that which we learned in Galatians..

that this flesh, is crucified with Christ.. never the less, it lives.. yet not I.. but Christ lives in me.. and the life which I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself.. for me. ++

How do we get our eyes off self and onto God?

Pray..

Instead of seeking to vindicate your flesh..

Talk to God about it..

See if there is something in you.. that needs correction or improvement.. ++

Rather than the need to complain and dispute.

Worship..

When we worship, we are engaging in an act of recognition..

That exalts God..

That recognizes.. His greatness..

That looks up.. to one who is way bigger than us..

And reflects.. our puniness.. before Him. ++

With the proper attitude.. that focuses on Him, rather than on us..

things will work out differently in our lives..

For our ways will stand out as being different..

… than the ways of this perverse and crooked generation… ++

Why is there blame.. harm.. fault and perversity in this world?

Because people are set on vindicating their own flesh..

And they’ll seek personal justification.. in every action..

No matter who takes offense.. or is harmed. ++

In vs. 16.. we are encouraged to hold fast to the word of life..

folks.. we are more than physical beings.

We are also, spiritual beings..

And our spiritual beings need nourishment. ++

Why do fall on our faces spiritually?

Because we are spiritually weak.. malnourished.. starving to death..

We’ve already mentioned.. prayer and worship..

But growing in our understanding of the word, and applying it, stands hand in hand.. as a vital part, of a balanced spiritual diet.. ++

Paul then shares his example..

First off.. he said.. he “ran”.. and he “labored”

He feared the possibility that his running and his laboring might be in vain..

… if, it were not received by those he invested in.. ++

He served.. by teaching and training the church in Philippi..

He gave of himself.. to such a degree.. that he said he was being “poured out”

And expression, that not only speaks of the energy he spent in service..

But the mentality.. of worship to God.. that he had.. in serving..

He served.. and it was a service.. of worship.. ++

Conclusion..

In closing, I’d like to look at one more passage. I’ve often paired this passage with Ephesians 2:12. I think they go hand in hand.

2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

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Folks.. God has given us everything..

It’s there..

We just need to dig down.. beyond our own selfishness..

And dig it out.. - We need to ‘work it out’ with fear and trembling.

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The promise of 2 Peter 1:3-4, is yours. You have been granted all things that pertain to life and godliness…

How?

Through the knowledge of Him… - Learn about your god and father… Learn His character and nature.. - As you grow in the Scriptures that teach us about Him… we will know and possess more an more things that pertain to life and godliness...

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We will experience the great promises… and will recognize that we are partakers of God’s divine nature.

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And ultimately, we will escape the corruption that is in the world.

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You have everything you need.

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Now.. work it out… - bring it to fruition. Let it be seen, with sincerity, by the world around you.

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