Phil 2:12-18

Intro

Raise your hand if you have ever seen a Spider-Man movie

You know how he gets bit by a Spider, discovers he has new powers, and then starts jumping across rooftops. He’s really scared at first, because he cannot normally do something like that, but he has been gifted with abilities that he normally does not have.

God Empowers Transformed Lives

Philippians 2:12–13 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.

Work our your own salvation

Wait a minute- what does this mean?

Remember the different salvation words - Justification, Sanctification, Glorification,

Paul is talking about sanctification here, and he really means what he says. If you would like to see the fullness of salvation, then you are going to have to do some work.

Salvation is not something that is completely passive. There isn’t anybody who experiences the full salvation of God without ever putting in work.

You might start experiencing salvation before you do anything, but anybody who truly experiences justification will also put in work to see their sanctification as well.

Why the fear and trembling?

because we know we are doing something that is outside of our ability

We are completely dependent on God in our Sanctification

For it is God who works in you

If we are ever going to be sanctified, it will be because God has given us the grace we need to be transformed

How does thing affect our approach to our growth as Christians?

Stop with the self-reliance.

Don’t just charge into a day thinking you’re gonna do better. You can’t.

Start with the God-reliance.

Pray before your day starts. You’re gonna need God.

God will give you what you ask for

God will align your mind and heart

Read before your day starts. You’re gonna need his word.

God will teach you about himself and yourself

God will align your mind and heart

Why are these things so important? Because they both point you to the gospel and to the reality found in it. Because they will remind you of two things:

you are weak

God loves you, and he is strong

Only after this can you approach your day confidently ready to “work out your salvation”

Only after you realize that you desperately need God to do this. If it is up to your own strength, you’re hopeless. If it is up to God working in you, then your sanctification is inevitable.

What will that transforming life look like?

Transformed Lives Are Testimonies To the World

Philippians 2:14–16 ESV

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.

It will look like people doing good and doing it thankfully. Not only will what you are doing change, but how you are doing it will change also.

You won’t just do what you are asked, you’ll do it without complaining or sighing.

You won’t just help people around you, you won’t be annoyed by it.

You won’t just volunteer yourself, you’ll do it with joy!

This further stresses your reliance on God - you need him to change your heart.

As you do this, people will notice, and they will wonder, and they will ask questions.

Why are you like this?

How are you like this?

Why do you enjoy being like this?

Why such a big change?

Why so different?

As they do, you will be able to respond to them by glorifying God, telling them how he is saving you from sin and transforming you by his power. In a dark world, you will shine as a light.

Why does this matter?

It is a main way you fulfill your purpose as a human

It is the most natural bridge to evangelism you have

If you lack this, your evangelism will likely fail

Shining as a light in the world is a part of your sanctification, and this is how your sanctification is connected to your evangelism.

Finally, we also see in this passage that God uses one more method to sanctify his people. Not only is it through his word, and through prayer, but in keeping with the theme of this book, it is also through other people.

God Transforms People By Means Of People

Philippians 2:17–18 ESV

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.

Paul was willing to be completely spent - and be happy about being spent - if it meant these Christians would be strengthened.

The church is so important when it comes to our sanctification. Why?

God says it is

We are built for community

So you need peopel pouring into you if you want to be sanctified.

You also need to be pouring into other people so they can be sanctified.