God isn't finished with us when we come to him in faith. To follow him is grow in him. As we grow in him we find joy. God is at Work in us. Download powerpoint at Bibleguy.org

1. God is at Work in You!
Philippians 2:12-18

2. Where We’ve Been
• Paul is in a Roman Prison (about 62 AD)
• The Philippians have brought him a gift and
shown concern for his circumstances
• Paul addresses himself as Christ’s servant
• In spite of his circumstances, Paul encourages
them to rejoice because:
– The gospel is being shared with the praetorian guards.
– Everyone else is hearing that he is in prison because of
his witness for Christ.
– Others are given courage to preach.

3. Where we have been
• Paul shares that he is rejoicing because the prayers of
the Philippians will lead to his release, either from
prison, or from life.
– Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain.
• Paul encourages them to live their lives in a manner
becoming (worthy) of the gospel.
– Don’t be afraid of those that oppose you.
– Don’t be surprised about suffering.
– Be a humble servant, as Christ was a humble servant ,
putting your brothers and sisters in Christ above yourself.

4. Philippians 2:12–18 (ESV)
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, 13 for it is God
who works in you, both to will and to
work for his good pleasure.

5. 14 Do all things without grumbling or
questioning, 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
shine as lights in the world, 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.

6. 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.

7. No Humility w/out Obedience
12 Therefore, my beloved,
as you have always
obeyed, so now, not only
as in my presence but
much more in my
absence,
• “Therefore” takes us
back to Paul’s statement
on humility (2:1-12).
• Obedience to God.
• Do you need someone
looking over your
shoulder to obey God’s
instructions?

8. We work
work out your own
salvation with fear and
trembling,
• Threefold nature of
Salvation
1. We have been save.
2. We are being saved.
3. We will be saved.
• #1 & 3 are secured.
• #2 is a work in
progress.

9. How?
• How do we work out our salvation with fear
and trembling?
– Put on humility (trust God)
• Don’t get into rivalry
• Don’t be conceited
• Don’t just be concerned with your own needs, but care
about the needs of other brothers and sisters in Christ.
– Obey Christ’s instructions without having
someone watching over your shoulder

11. Why? God is at work
13 for it is God who works in
you, both to will and to
work for his good pleasure.
• God was at work with
Paul in prison
• God is at work in You.
• Be humble, be obedient,
stand in awe of God.
• Do what he gives you to
do with humility and
obedience.
• Submit to what he is
doing in you.

13. Stop your whining!
14 Do all things without
grumbling or questioning,
• Don’t grumble.
• Don’t argue.
• Example: Jews 40 years
in the wilderness.
• Example: Corinthians.
• Example: Us?

17. Why should we not grumble and
complain?
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 shine as lights in the
world,
• You are no different
from the world.
– Guilty of behaving as
they do.
– Blemished by the same
behavior they have.
• You can’t shine like a
star if your light is
covered with the
world’s dirt.

18. Cling to Christ’s instructions
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.
• God’s word is life.
• God’s word is light.
• Love does not scoff,
grumble, complain
about God’s servants.
• Love serves. It doesn’t
look over the shoulders
of God’s servants and
criticize how they serve.
Prison could not frustrate Paul.
Suffering Could not discourage Paul.
Threats of death did not worry Paul.
But, grumbling, complaining, critical believers made
him feel his labors were in vain.

19. Regardless, I’ll rejoice!
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.
• Paul is in chains, waiting
to stand trial before
Nero.
• Instead of whining, he is
rejoicing.
• You’d expect him to be
complaining to the
Philippians about his
circumstances, but
instead he rejoices with
them.

20. Let Us Rejoice!
18 Likewise you also should
be glad and rejoice with
me.
• Put aside your rivalries.
• Put aside your conceit
(pride).
• Put aside your
grumbling and arguing.
• Be glad and rejoice with
me.

21. Result of discontented Christians.
Whimpering, whining, grumbling Christians are
sinning, because they are being disobedient to
God’s clear command to be joyful and not to
grumble. They are unhappy, and their discontent is
contagious. They often cause division and strife.
They are “bad advertising” for the Christian faith. …
Discontent is also the first step toward rebellion
against God. … Grumpy Christians are just one small
step away from active rebellion against God.
Bob Deffinbaugh, Instructor at DTS