Purpose
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Intro
Intro
Philippians 2:12–18
Few things are harder to put up with,” wrote Mark Twain, “than the annoyance of a good example.”
Perhaps the thing most annoying about a good example is its inability to accomplish the same achievements in our own lives.
Admiration for a great person can inspire us, but it cannot enable us.
Unless the person can enter into our own lives and share his skills, we cannot attain to his heights of accomplishment.
It takes more than an example on the outside; it takes power on the inside.
Paul has just presented Jesus Christ as our great Example in the exercise of the submissive mind.
We read it, and we agree with it, but how do we go about practicing it?
How could any mortal man ever hope to achieve what Jesus Christ achieved?
It seems almost presumptuous to even try!
Here we are, trying to develop humility, and we are exercising pride by daring to imitate the Lord Jesus Christ!
The problem is really not that difficult. Paul is not asking us to “reach for the stars,” though the higher the goal the more we ought to achieve.
Rather, he is setting before us the divine pattern for the submissive mind and the divine power to accomplish what God has commanded.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
It is not by imitation, but by incarnation—“Christ liveth in me”
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The Christian life is not a series of ups and downs. It is rather a process of “ins and outs.” God works in, and we work out.
We cultivate the submissive mind by responding to the divine provisions God makes available to us.
There Is a Purpose to Achieve
There Is a Purpose to Achieve
The purpose God wants us to achieve is Christlikeness, “to be conformed to the image of His Son”
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
How? By Understanding and striving after your christ-like potential.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
“Work out your own salvation” (Phil. 2:12) does not suggest, “Work for your own salvation.”
The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion”.
In Paul’s day it was also used for “working a mine,” that is, getting out of the mine all the valuable ore possible; or “working a field” so as to get the greatest harvest possible.
The purpose God wants us to achieve is Christlikeness, “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29).
There are problems in life, but God will help us to “work them out.”
Our lives have tremendous potential, like a mine or a field, and He wants to help us fulfill that potential.
We can use stuff lying around on the surface to grow or we can dig deep and use precious things.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Many christians are only using wood, hay and stubble. And a house can be byuilt with these things.
But below the surface lie Gold, silver and precious stones and a richer life can only built with these.
Many christians do nlt take full advantage of the unlimited resourses availible to them through Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
As I look around, im sorry but i do not see christains who have EVERY spiritual blessing. I see so many christians who have some blessing, but not every.
And why is that? Because some blessings are found on the surface, easy. but EVERY blessing is found deeb down. I takes faith, dedication and commitment to the Word of God.
examples
Wisdom
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
unbraideth - unbridled - unbfridled wisdom.
When you look around at christians making stupid mistakes, entertaining foolish thoughts, foolish parenting, holding on to foolish grudges, seeking foolish revenge, foolish fear and worry - do you see christians with unbridled wisdom? i dont.
here is another:
Prayer
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
When you look at your life, is there a noted account of answered prayer, and im not talking about the “NO” is an answer line. Jesus says He will do it.
Jesus gives us this wonderful promise, and what? Nothing? Why are you prayers not bing answerd church?
1: Sin?
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me:
2: Selfish motives?
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
There has got to be a reason?
These are just 2 examples of living up to our HS power potential.
You have:
Been washed by the blood
filled with the holy spirit
endowed with power
brought into the fellowship
seated in heavely places
been made more than conqueres
And yet, you are struggleing to maintain decent church attendace? NO!
You must yield to God
You must yield to God
One of the wonderful things about being a Christian is the knowledge that God has a plan for our lives (Eph. 2:10) and will help us to work it out for His glory.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We must yield to the workmanship of God if we are going to reach our fully potential.
Take a fitness trainder - and compromise on time and dedication.
Joy is the Result
Joy is the Result
Joy is how we tell whether or not we are living to our potential.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
In Philippians 2:14–15, Paul contrasts the life of the believer with the lives of those who live in the world.
Unsaved people complain and find fault, but Christians rejoice.
Society around us is “twisted and distorted,” but the Christian stands straight because he measures his life by God’s Word, the perfect standard.
The world is dark, but Christians shine as bright lights.
The world has nothing to offer, but the Christian holds out the Word of life, the message of salvation through faith in Christ.
In other words, as we allow God to achieve this purpose in our lives, we become better witnesses in a world that desperately needs Christ.
A Table in the Presence of Enemies
A Table in the Presence of Enemies
It is important to note that this purpose is achieved “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15). Paul does not admonish us to retreat from the world and go into a spiritual isolation ward.
It is only as we are confronted with the needs and problems of real life that we can begin to become more like Christ.
There is a false belief that only in Eden like settings can we find joy and purpose. The monastic attempts are proof of this, but it is simply not true.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Apply these characteristics to Jesus and you will see that He lived a perfect life in an imperfect world.
And we can too. How? By Making use of the Fathers blessings and graces.
Bh being more than conquerers and by knowing that greater is he that is in us that he that is in the world.