Read the Signs

Verses

Philippians 2:12–18 NRSV

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world. It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you— and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me.

Introduction

Today we are continuing our study of Philippians in the sermon series, “Good Posture for a Bad Place.”

As you remember, Paul is writing to the community of believers in Philippi. Paul has not been there for several years, but he feels very close to this community of believers. Paul visited Philippi under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. As you remember, Paul is writing from Rome. While Paul is essentially on house arrest, he is in chains, literally chained to a soldier twenty-four hours a day.

Salvation

The verses today address salvation, in many ways, more clearly then anywhere else in the New Testament. In verses 12 and 13 Paul writes:

“...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

The word used here that is translated “work out” reflects more then just effort. Instead it reflects effort that leads to completion. It indicates effort that is successful and effective. In other words, don’t stop halfway through. Don’t make a half-hearted effort. We should not be satisfied unless we are experiencing the full measure of the gospel!

The words that Paul uses for God’s “work” and for the believers “to act” is actually the same word. It is only used in describing God’s actions and nothing less then fully effective action. We are called to be relentless in our efforts in our faith walk just as the Spirit is relentless in working within us.

Our salvation is described as beginning with God’s reaching out to us, continues with God’s overcoming of sin, and in completion is characterized by our dependent partnership with God. We are dependent on God, but our action is required.

Signs

How to we identify true salvation? How to we measure our own faith? What are the standards?

Luke Wayne of the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry writes:

“What are the signs of being a true Christian? The answer, in short, is found in the content of our faith, the fruit of our faith, and the communion of our faith. What is it that we actually believe? What effect has that belief had on me? Does that faith bind me to other members of Christ's body? These are the biblical tests of a believer.”

I titled today’s sermon, “Read the Signs.” In today’s passage Paul essentially outlines five signs of salvation and true faith. I want to take a few minutes to look at these.

Effective Action

As people of the cross, we are required to be people of action. While Jesus certainly preached powerful truths, it was his action to truly be a sacrificial servant on the cross that delivered salvation. Jesus was not just a man of words. He was a man of action. So must we be.

William Barclay writes:

“… the truly Christian life must be a continual progress for it is a journey towards God.”

We are expected to be actively engaged in the process and not just focused on checking off the box labeled “Saved.”

The great American poet, Steven Tyler, wrote:

‘Life’s a journey. Not a destination.”

This is what Paul is saying about salvation and our relationship with God.

Fear and Trembling

This is not the fear and trembling that we may experience in the coming days of haunted houses and scary movies. This is not the fear and trembling that is associated with fear of punishment. Instead, this is the fear and trembling that accompanies our recognition of who God is and who we are in relation to him. It is the awe and respect that one has for the creator of the universe - the holy living God. It is the feeling that we experience when we consider our own mortality and sinful nature. Salvation is rooted in the truth of our sin and God’s holiness.

Serenity and Certainty

Paul admonishes the believers to:

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing...”

The word Paul uses here is somewhat unusual. It is not used often and was the word used to describe the complaining and discontent of the children of Isreal as they wandered in the desert. The words describe the angry, hostile mutterings of a mob. Paul is reminding the believers that we grieve God when we engage in wasteful complaining and conflict. And ultimately, doesn’t the complaining reflect selfishness? Doesn’t the conflict reflect a level of arrogance? When we agitate, argue and complain it reflects a lack of faith in God’s promises for the future. If we have true faith, then there is an air of serenity and certainty that God is truly sovereign and truly good. If we have faith we can relax because we know that God has a purpose and a plan. If we have faith, we know that our God makes all things work for good … for those who love the Lord. In other words, those who walk in faith.

Purity

We live in a fallen world. This is not something new. Once we abandoned Eden, we lost our ability to walk through life with innocence. Since then the world has been racked with evil. But Paul clearly writes that this is not true for the faithful.

Paul writes that the believer should be:

“...blameless and innocent …” and “...without blemish...”

The phrase reflects three concepts.

The first concept, “blameless,” relates to what the believer brings to the world and demonstrates to the world. A true believer lives in a way that is blameless. I want to be clear that Paul is not saying that perfection is the measure. Instead, he is saying that we should live in a way where it is extremely difficult to find fault with our lives.

The second concept, “pure,” relates to what the believer is within himself. The word used here literally means unmixed or unadulterated. It is the same word used to describe wine that has not been watered down or a metal that has no alloy in it. When applied to the believer it indicates someone who has pure motives and is sincere in thought and action.

The third concept, “…without blemish...” relates to what the believer is in the sight of God. The word used here is the same word used to describe a sacrifice that is fit to be offered on the alter to God. The believer should live his life in a way that it functions as an acceptable sacrifice to God.

This concept of purity means the believer lives in a manner to be blameless in the eyes of the world, sincere in his character, and is able to stand up to the scrutiny of God.

Missionary Endeavor

This final sign of salvation is about carrying the message to the world. Paul calls on the believers to be a light to the world. To shine in the darkness of a fallen world. To do this, believers must preach the word clearly and live a life that is straight in crooked world. Two weeks ago we talked about walking the walk and not just talking the talk. That is what Paul is talking about hear. We must speak out. We must speak the truth without fear and without embarrassment. We live in a world that claims everything to be relative, but we know that there is truth and it is absolute. We need to speak out.

But more than that, we need to live in a way that our very lives are a powerful testimony to the truth we speak. Without the tangible testimony of our lives, our words are worthless.

Paul’s Conclusion

Paul clearly loved sports and athletic competition. I’m sure he would have been a Georgia fan. Paul often used allegories and examples from sports. In his conclusion, Paul does this again.

If the believers in Philippi remain faithful, Paul writes:

“I did not run in vain or labor in vain...”

The terminology used here is that of an athlete who has trained long and hard. Paul is saying that the faithfulness of the believers will mean that all of Paul’s hard work was of value. Much like an athlete who prepares for and wins a championship.

Finally, Paul states that if his life is lost, then he is OK with that. The image here is of a “… libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith.” Paul is willing for his life to be sacrificed in order for the believers to succeed in their faith. Paul is not afraid of sacrifice if it furthers the kingdom. This is not a symbolic statement. Paul’s life is truly at risk and, in fact, will ultimately be lost. Paul will never leave Rome. And he is OK with that if it is part of advancing the kingdom.

What Are Our Signs

Paul has outlined for us some clear signs that indicate the genuineness of salvation. Like all things that are real, there are indicators or signs of genuine faith.

What do our signs look like? If someone applied Paul’s template to us as a body of believers and as individuals, would the signs point to genuine faith? Are we shinning light in the darkness?

We can be who we are called to be. We can be the light. But we cannot do that without trusting God, shaping our lives to His will, and being willing to sacrifice everything for the kingdom.