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Scripture Reading:  Philippians 2:12-18

Work Out Your Own Salvation

Intro.

1.  Phil. 2:1-4:  Spiritual blessings (2:1) are assured when we live in unity, humility & service toward each other (2:2-4).

  a.  Jesus exemplifies humility that we are to have – 2:5-11.

  b.  Therefore, “work out your own salvation…” – 2:12.

2.  How do we “work out our own salvation”?  Why should we?  Does it matter how we do so?

I.  WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION – Phil. 2:12.

  A.  This Does Not Mean:

    1.  Each person decides how to save himself.

      -Individualist mentality says, “I will do it my way…because I can…and God will accept me!”  Prov. 14:12; 19:21; Jer. 10:23 (Jgs. 21:25)

    2.  You earn your salvation – Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9.

  B.  This Does Mean:

    1.  You are expected to do something in order to be saved – Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21 (obeying doesn’t deny grace, Heb. 5:9; Lk. 17:10).

    2.  No one can work out your salvation for you.

        -Cannot obey gospel for somebody else, or take their punishment so they can be saved – Rom. 9:3; 2 Cor. 5:10.

    3.  Christians are expected to grow up spiritually, Col. 2:19; Eph. 4:15-16 (Heb. 5:12).  -“Bring your salvation to a full or complete accomplishment or conclusion.”

II.  HOW DO WE WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION?

  A.  Continue to Obey (“you have always…”) – 2:12 (1:27).

    1.  From the heart – Rom. 6:17 (Acts 2:37-38).

    2.  Welcoming truth – 1 Ths. 2:13 (Acts 17:11-12; Jas. 1:21-22).

    3.  With fervent devotion & conviction – 1 Ths. 1:9 (Acts 19:18-20).

  B.  Reverently Endure – 2:12.

    1.  Fear (phobos):  “dread, terror” – cf. Matt. 10:28.

    2.  Dread the outcome of displeasing God – Heb. 10:31.

  C.  Humbly Depend on God – 2:12.

    1.  Trembling (tromos):  Not trusting oneself; not being adequate; “one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religiously does his utmost to fulfill his duty” (OLB Lexicon).

    2.  Fear and trembling:  2 Cor. 7:15; Eph. 6:5; Phil. 2:12.

  D.  Trust in God’s Will & Work – 2:13 (Heb. 13:20-21; Eph. 3:20-21).

  E.  Do All Without Complaining & Disputing – Phil. 2:14 (2:3-5).

    1.  Complaining (goggusmos) (murmuring):  “a secret displeasure not openly avowed” (OLB Lexicon).

    2.  Disputing (dialogismos):  “a deliberating, questioning about what is true; hesitation, doubting…arguing” (OLB Lexicon). – Cf. Lk. 24:38

    3.  Remember Israel – 1 Cor. 10:10.

III.  WHY SHOULD WE WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION?

  A.  To Be Blameless & Harmless Children of God – Phil. 2:15.

    1.  Without fault – deserving no censure; no need for rebuke.

    2.  Lights in the world – Matt. 5:14-15.

  B.  To Hold Fast (forth) the Word of Life – Phil. 2:16.

    1.  Don’t relinquish truth as your guide & stay.

    2.  Mature are responsible for teaching gospel to others (2 Tim. 2:2).

    3.  Note the possibility of apostasy:  In the day of Christ, Paul wanted to rejoice in the fruit of his labor instead of having worked in vain!

  C.  To Have a Faith That Will Sacrifice & Serve – Phil. 2:17-18.

    1.  Paul had labored for their salvation & rejoiced in doing so.

    2.  Likewise, the sacrifice & service of our faith matures us (Rom. 12:1-2).

Conclusion 

1.  Growth in Christ is essential to eternal life – 2 Pet. 1:5-11; 3:18.

2.  Fail to grow…fail to work out our salvation…will be lost!  (Jas. 4:17)

3.  Heb. 10:36-39:  Faith that endures will save.