Bobby Stafford

Work Out Your Own Salvation Philippians 2:10-12 Sermon Series on Philippians Lesson 6

Philippians

Work Out Your Own Salvation

Introduction:

Our Heavenly Father wants everyone to be saved.  (I Timothy 2:3-4) “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” NKJV  Yet most seem unconcerned about their eternal destiny.  In our text, Paul urges and exhorts his beloved brethren to make every effort to maintain their personal salvation – their deliverance from guilt and consequences of sin.

Text:  Philippians 2:12-18

Theme:  To urge us to attain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and maintain it until death

Body:

I.  The Need for Obedience  Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you 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;” NKJV  “Therefore” – Just as Jesus’ humility led Him to become obedient to death, our obedience to Jesus will lead to our salvation from spiritual death.  These Christians needed to be as faithful in Paul’s absence as they were while he was with them.  Maybe even more so!  He encourages them [present tense]to continue to work out their salvation – to carry out to the very end.  They could lose it if not careful.  “Once saved, always saved” is false and soul-damning teaching.  Christ offers the gift of salvation.  Man must reach out and obtain it.  He obtains it by obedience, not by “faith alone.”  The only kind of faith that saves is an obedient one.  (James 2:24) “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” NKJV  “Own salvation” – I cannot be saved for you, and you cannot be saved for me.  It is something that I must personally do.  I can’t be saved by proxy.  We can’t hire out our duty!  “Fear and trembling” – Earnest anxiety and caution  It is a type of caution that doesn’t trust oneself to carry out all of God’s requirements, but does all he possibly can to fulfill his duty.  (Take heed lest ye fall.)  Indeed, there exists a vital need for man’s obedience.

II.  The Need for God  Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” NKJV  After stressing man’s role in his salvation, he now emphasized God’s part in man’s salvation.  “Man can ‘work out’ only if God works in.”  God’s part is infinitely more important than man’s.  But man’s part is still necessary.  “Works in you” – Supplies the energizing or the power  Result?  We determine to follow God and thus obey Him.  This satisfies God’s purpose, meets His approval.  Also Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.” NKJV

III.  The Need for A Pure Life  Philippians 2:14-18 “Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.  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.” NKJV 

A.  Verse 14  “No complaining and disputing” – Wrong attitude  This was not the mind of Christ.  Complaining is a Greek work that sounds like buzzing of bees.  Constant noise – murmuring – like much whispering  The Children of Israel who complained were “destroyed by the destroyer.”  (I Corinthians 10:10) “nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;” NKJV  Disputing – Arguing and debating, probably with God  Example:  “I know your word says, but I think. . .”

B.  Verse 15  Blameless and harmless – Purpose for not complaining and murmuring may become blameless, harmless, children of God without fault.  Free from fault, deserving no rebuke; Pure, sincere; By living a life free from blame and possessing a character of holiness, we can become examples to a world which is wicked, corrupt, and depraved.  Christ Himself said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) NKJV

C.  Verse 16  Holding fast – Probably holding forth the word of life and fits with the previous verse.  Lighthouses provide illumination so those on ships can be saved from perilous waters and rocks.  Christians are to faithfully proclaim the Word of God to all who will listen.  The Word of God protects from the lake of fire and brimstone; it gives life. . .  (John 6:63)  “It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” NKJV  Obeying it is the only means of obtaining salvation.  Their faithfulness to the end would be a great cause of rejoicing for Paul.  His labors in their behalf would not have been in vain.

D.  Verses 17-18  Sacrifice and Service – The Philippians’ faith had produced lives of sacrifice and service for their Savior.  Paul sees the possibility that his blood might be poured out as an offering upon their sacrifices.  Even so, he would gladly die for his Master!  What an attitude!

Closing:

God wants you to be saved.  He offered up His Son on the cross as a sacrifice for mankind’s sins.  Obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus by having a penitent faith which leads you to confess His name and be baptized.  Then continue to work out your salvation by leading a pure life before God. 

Bobby Stafford 

March 17, 2019 

Series on Philippians:  Lesson 6