In this text in Philippians 2:12-18, Paul encourages us to "work out" our salvation with fear and trembling. It seems at odds with much of his teaching on salvation by grace alone through faith alone. However, as we dig further we see that God "works in" our salvation. Our "working out" is our expression of gratitude and joy for what God has already done. In this sermon, we are challenged to live a shining example of joy and faith. We are also challenged to avoid the greatest sin that bushels our light... a grumbling complaining spirit. Part of choosing the life of joy entails removing that bushel and allowing the light of Christ's joy to shine through us.

2. “Joy is simply the
signpost that
points us to
Jesus.”Dawn
Klinge

3. Philippians 2:12-18
Joy in Setting
a Shining Example

4. “A Christian is more
than a person who is
living up to a system
of ethics. A Christian
is more than a person
living a good moral
life. A Christian is a
person in whom Christ
dwells.”

5. First Point
A Shining Example is
the result of a “worked
out” and “worked in”
salvation.

6. Philippians 2
12 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,
κατεργάζεσθε (katergadzesthe)

7. Ephesians 2
8 For by grace you have been
saved through faith. And this
is not your own doing; it is the
gift of God, 9 not a result of
works, so that no one may
boast.

8. Philippians 2
12 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,

9. Philippians 2
13 for it is God who works in you,
both to will and to work for his
good pleasure.
ἐνεργέω (energeō)
20x in NT 18x in Paul’s writings

10. “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.”
Jac J.
Müller

11. JFB Commentary
“It is not that God does some,
and we the rest. God does all,
and we do all. God is the only
proper author, we the only
proper actors.”

12. With Fear and Trembling
“This is not the fear of a lost
sinner before the Holy One, but
the fear of a true child before the
most loving of all fathers; not a
fear of what he might do to us, but
of the hurt we might do to him.”
J.Alec Motyer

13. Second Point
A Shining Example
is not a suggestion,
but a command.

14. Philippians 2
14 Do all things without grumbling
or disputing, 15 that you may be
blameless and innocent, children
of God without blemish in the
midst of a crooked and twisted
generation, among whom you
must shine as lights in the world,

15. Philippians 2
16 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.
κοπιάω (kopiaō) – Labor; toil

16. Third Point
A Shining Example
is Something to
Rejoice In.

17. Philippians 2
17 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. 18 Likewise you also should be
glad and rejoice with me.

18. Numbers 15
4 then he who brings his
offering shall offer to
the LORD a grain offering of a
tenth of an ephah of fine
flour, mixed with a quarter of a
hin of oil;

19. Numbers 15
5 and you shall offer with the
burnt offering, or for the
sacrifice, a quarter of a hin
of wine for the drink offering for
each lamb.

20. Philippians 2
17 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. 18 Likewise you also should be
glad and rejoice with me.