The Mind of Christ March 13, 2022
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Paul is just finished setting before us the beauty of what Christ has done and who he is. He's casting a vision for the grand picture of what we have in him. And now it's time to get to work.
Do you remember when you first had a job that you really wanted to get? I remember when I came to work here at cornerstone Bible church I was so excited! I was and still do want to be a pastor and I enjoy the work of ministry. From the moment I was hired I realized I had been given an awesome privilege and responsibility! I was a pastor in God's church explanation point people were paying me to do that which I had volunteered for all my life!
And yet in June 2012 I sat in that big office and realized it was time to get to the work of ministry. My job wasn't just an idea. It wasn't just an aspiration anymore. It was something I had been chosen for and selected two and I was here and it was something I needed to now act on. I had sermons to prep people to encourage and a role to serve in. I had to work to do. Perhaps you have felt the same thing beginning a job of your own. Or perhaps you felt that when you got married or had a child. You were and are so blessed to receive such a great privilege but now that you have it, it is time to get to work.
Paul just reminded that church that they've received something amazing and powerful! And now they must choose to get to work.
Working out your salvation.
Working out your salvation.
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.
Two things to point out here.....
For the early church and today we are called to have an attitude of obedience to God.
Paul isn't trying to ask them to earn their salvation. Really we just have to Fast forward into chapter 3 and we can read about all the things that Paul says he has done and they are still futile to earn salvation.
Salvation is God’s Work
Salvation is God’s Work
It’s something God effected, began and will complete.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Love these quotes.
Opening Up Philippians Work Out (vv. 12–13)
Paul was calling the Philippians, therefore, to work out what God had worked in.
Opening Up Philippians Work Out (vv. 12–13)
While we must not believe in salvation by works, we must most certainly believe in a salvation that works
James was making this point about the need to live out our salvation in his little letter.
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
And Paul who repeatedly stressed the reality of God saving us by grace made the point that we are saved “for good works”
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God calls us to live out our salvation. To combine the grace of what he has given us with a practical outworking in our lives. It's a high calling. Isn't it?
What’s more he calls us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We must take seriously living our what God has bought for us.
But I love the encouraging reminder in verses 13
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
God is the one working.
When you struggle to bring faith to your parenting.
When you struggle to bring your faith to your work.
When you struggle with your easily besetting sin.
Conversation about healthy food with Christina.....do you really know how to eat healthy?
Opening Up Philippians Work Out (vv. 12–13)
If we have no desire to live for the Lord, we have no right to say we know the Lord.
Shining out
Shining out
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.
18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Grumbling and complaining
Opening Up Philippians Shine Forth (vv. 14–18)
When we complain and grumble, we are telling those around us that we believe God is doing a very poor job, and, if given the opportunity, we could do much better.
10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
If we trust God and want to follow Jesus we need to get a handle on grumbling and complaining in our life.
How do we conquer grumbling and complaining in our hearts?
How do we conquer grumbling and complaining in our hearts?
Remember we live in a messed up world
Remember we live in a messed up world
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,
The gospel of Jesus has entered our lives and driven out darkness. We are the light of the world.
But how do we keep shining when the world is so overwhelmingly dark?
Hold onto the word of life—the Bible
Hold onto the word of life—the Bible
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.
When we hold onto God’s word and hold it forth in our lives we will continue to shine like stars and be different.
We must cling to God’s words drinking them in each day. Speaking of words, we must also watch our language and how we use words.
I love this quote.
Opening Up Philippians Shine Forth (vv. 14–18)
But we can’t ‘talk up’ the gospel with tongues that are usually employed in ‘talking down’.
Paul the drink offering
Paul the drink offering
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.
The drink offering was a part of a larger sacrifice. It was part of one of the offerings made at the temple. You might say the drink offering helped make the rest of the offering possible.
Paul was so committed to sharing the message of Jesus he rejoiced even at the thought that his life would be offered as if it were a sacrifice serving the greater sacrifice of Jesus.
18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Work out your salvation —trust that God is working to complete what he began
Shine like stars in this world by holiding ontto the word of life.
Conquer grumbling and complaining by trusting in God’s word.