The main point of this sermon is to encourage believers to actively work on their personal salvation, live blameless lives, and glorify God through their actions, shining as lights in a dark world.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're diving into a passage from Philippians.
I love how Arnold J. Toynbee once said, "Man's true end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." This quote perfectly captures the heart of our message today.
Let's read the passage together:
"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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, 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, 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."
The first point we will delve into is the concept of "working out our own salvation." This phrase may seem puzzling at first, as we know that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our own efforts. However, Paul is not suggesting that we can save ourselves; rather, he is encouraging us to actively participate in the process of sanctification, which is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to make us more like Christ.
When Paul writes about working out our own salvation, he is urging us to take responsibility for our spiritual growth. This means that we should not rely solely on the efforts of others, such as pastors or spiritual mentors, to nurture our faith. Instead, we must actively engage in the process of growing in our relationship with God, seeking to know Him more intimately and to become more like Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions.
One aspect of working out our own salvation is the cultivation of spiritual disciplines. These are practices that help us to grow in our faith and draw closer to God. Examples of spiritual disciplines include prayer, Bible study, worship, fasting, and serving others. By regularly engaging in these practices, we open ourselves up to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Another aspect is the pursuit of holiness. As believers, we are called to be set apart from the world and to live lives that are pleasing to God. This means that we must be intentional about avoiding sin and seeking to live in obedience to God's commands. As we strive to live holy lives, we will inevitably face challenges and temptations. However, by relying on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome these obstacles and continue to grow in our faith.
Working out our own salvation also involves the process of self-examination. This means regularly taking the time to reflect on our lives, evaluating our thoughts, words, and actions in light of God's Word. Through this process, we can identify areas where we may be falling short and seek God's forgiveness and help in making the necessary changes. Self-examination is not meant to be a source of guilt or shame; rather, it is a tool for growth and transformation as we seek to become more like Christ.
In addition, working out our own salvation requires us to be proactive in seeking out opportunities for spiritual growth. This may involve joining a Bible study group, attending conferences or workshops, or seeking out mentorship from more mature believers. By surrounding ourselves with others who are also pursuing spiritual growth, we can find encouragement, support, and accountability in our journey of faith.
Another key aspect of working out our own salvation is the recognition that this is a lifelong process. Spiritual growth does not happen overnight, and we will never reach a point where we have "arrived" in our faith. Instead, we must continually strive to grow closer to God and to become more like Jesus, recognizing that this is a journey that will last our entire lives.
As we work out our own salvation, it is important to remember that we are not alone in this process. The Holy Spirit is actively at work within us, empowering and guiding us as we seek to grow in our faith. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:13, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." This means that even as we strive to grow in our faith, we can trust that God is working within us, shaping us into the people He has called us to be.
Furthermore, working out our own salvation is not a self-centered endeavor. As we grow in our faith and become more like Christ, we will naturally begin to impact the lives of those around us. Our transformed lives will serve as a testimony to the power of the gospel, and our love for God and others will be a light that shines in the darkness of this world.
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