To Will and to Do

Bruce Thompson

Philippians • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Tonight our focus will be on verses 12 - 18. But before we get there let’s briefly review what the HS has been teaching.

This book of Philippians is a book that emphasizes what? Joy, which is mentioned some 14 times.

We find that odd because Paul is writing this letter from where? Prison… for doing good and not evil!

Read 1:29 -30 What is the special promise Paul is telling the church? That they will suffer on behalf of Christ’s sake. When a true believer is crushed by suffering the fragrance of Christ is revealed. When things are tough what fragrance do you give off?

Paul has noticed something about the Philippian church that he did not like. What was it? Disunity.

What was his antidote? 2:3-4

Finally, the example of Jesus in verses 5 - 11 tells us what; as in what’s Paul’s point? If we humble ourselves, be a servant and God will exalt us later.

Let’s read 2:1 - 18

Working Out your own Salvation

Vs 12 Therefore… meaning if Jesus, being God ..humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross...

Then for us and the Philippians obedience to Paul’s exhortation was expected. Notice: ..not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,

How we behave when no one is watching is the real test of our character and maturity.

- 8

5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Paul continues his thought in and says something that is very thought provoking: work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

What does he mean here? Doesn’t say that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. How can we reconcile this? Any ideas..

First and most importantly, it does not mean “to work for your salvation”. Why? 1. Paul is writing to believers, those already saved. and 2. Salvation is not a work of man for God, but rather a work God for man.

Neither does it mean to “work out” an in-worked salvation.

The words “work out” means to carry out to it’s ultimate conclusion. As in, the student worked out his math problem .

Work out your own salvation: There is a sense in which our salvation is complete, in the sense that Jesus has done a complete work for us. Still there is also a sense in which our salvation is incomplete, in that it is not yet a complete work in us.

i. “The believer must finish, must carry to conclusion, must apply to its fullest consequences what is already given by God in principle... He must work out what God in His grace has worked in.” (Muller)

ii. “Some professors appear to have imbibed the notion that the grace of God is a kind of opium with which men may drug themselves into slumber, and their passion for strong doses of sleepy doctrine grows with that which it feeds on. ‘God works in us,’ say they, ‘therefore there is nothing for us to do.’ Bad reasoning, false conclusion. God works, says the text; therefore we must work out because God works in.” (Spurgeon)

iii. “He exhorts as if he were an Arminian in addressing men. He prays as if he were a Calvinist in addressing God and feels no inconsistency in the two attitudes. Paul makes no attempt to reconcile divine sovereignty and human free agency, but boldly proclaims both.” (Robertson)

Your own salvation: This tells us to give attention to our own salvation. Sometimes we show great concern for the work of God in others, and not enough for His work in us. We should care about the souls of others, but this care must begin with our own soul.

Note Paul says Your own salvation: This tells us to give attention to our own salvation. Sometimes we show great concern for the work of God in others, and not enough for His work in us. We should care about the souls of others, but this care must begin with our own soul.

With fear and trembling: Paul’s idea was not that we should live our Christian lives with a constant sense of fear and terror, but that we should live with a fear of failing to work out your own salvation

Wuest pg 74

Your part and God’s Part

Think of verses 12 & 13 as an equation. Verse 12 is your part. Verse 13 is God’ s part.

For it is God who works in you: Paul here gave the reason why Christians must work out their salvation with fear and trembling – because God is working in them.

God... works in you: The idea is that since God has done and is doing a work in the Christian, the Christian therefore has a greater responsibility to work diligently with fear and trembling regarding his own salvation and walk with the Lord. God’s work in us increases our responsibility; it doesn’t lessen it in any way.

Both to will and to do: God’s work in us extends to the transformation of our will, as well as changing our actions (to do). Yet in light of the original exhortation to work out your own salvation, this is not a passive transaction.

Psalm 37:4–5 NKJV

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

-5

What are your desires?

The word “works” comes from the word where we get our words “energy” and “energize”.

Read Wuest pg 74, bottom & 75 top

Verse 14 hits us right where it hurts. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,

Complaining can be translated murmuring. It is an onomatopoetic word in the Greek, meaning it sounds like what it is. It is not a loud outspoken dissatisfaction, but an undertone. A negative whisper of the discontent.

disputing is a word that carries with it the idea of discussion or debate, with the under thought of suspicion or doubt.

That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault: Through the display of a non-complaining spirit, we show ourselves to be true followers of God.

Blameless means deserving no censure, free of fault and defect.

Harmless can have the thought of “pure” or “unalloyed.”

Did you know that God is not pleased with complaining.

see Num 11:1-15

In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation: This seems to refer back to : They have corrupted themselves; they are not His children, because of their blemish: A perverse and crooked generation. Paul meant that modern Christians should not be like rebellious Israel, who were constantly complaining and disputing with God during the wilderness sojourn.

Among whom you shine as lights in the world: This is not an encouragement to do something; it is a simple statement of fact. Christians are lights in the world; the only question is, “How brightly do they shine?”

i. “Not lights merely, but luminaries, heavenly bodies. But this can hardly be satisfactorily given in an English version.” (Alford)

ii. We are to fulfill our place as lights in the world:

Lights are used to make things evident.·

Lights are used to guide.· Lights are used as a warning.· Lights are used to bring cheer.· Lights are used to make things safe.

Lights are used to guide.·

Lights are used as a warning.·

Lights are used to bring cheer.·

Lights are used to make things safe.

Paul knew that the lights were in a bad place. Instead of excusing the lights for not shining, Paul knew that their position made it all the more important that they shine. Being in a dark place is a greater incentive to shine.

Vs 16 holding fast the word of life, it would be better to say holding forth the Word of Life, as in to offer it to others.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

So that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain:

Rejoice here means to boast and the Day of Christ refers to the Rapture. Labored means to the point of exhaustion.

The New King James Version Chapter 2

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

The New King James Version Chapter 2

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Notice the “sacrifice” is their service of Faith. Paul’s drink offering was poured over the sacrifice meaning ultimately his life would be given for their benefit at his execution.

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