There was a Christian family who had trouble getting along with their neighbours, who were also Christians. They argued back and forth and finally one of the neighbours was about to go on vacation. They hoped that this might reduce the tension between the two.
After one family left on vacation the one still at home noticed that their dog had gone from their fence into the neighbour’s fenced yard. Not only had the dog gone into the neighbour’s fence, but by the time they saw the dog it had the neighbour’s pet rabbit in its mouth and was shaking it.
When they finally got their dog back into its pen they discovered the neighbours pet rabbit was dead. So this incident would not cause more tension they decided to clean the rabbit up, give it a bath, dry it off with a hair dryer, comb it and put it back into the rabbit cage. They thought that this would cover up any more problems that could arise between the two families.
When the other family retuned from vacation they went into their back yard. There was screaming and the neighbours came running to the back yard and asked the them, “What is wrong?
The neighbours told them that before they left on vacation the rabbit died and they buried it in the garden. Now the rabbit is back in the rabbit cage again.
This should have been a wake-up call to the them on how not to act as a Christian. I think all of us in our time have needed good solid advice when it comes to “how we should live”. Paul probably has this in mind when he writes the Philippians.
This morning we are going to look at Philippians 2:12-18. Let’s read that this morning!!!!
12. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed –not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13. for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His purpose.
14. Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15. so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and deprived generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16. as you hold out the Word of life
– in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did run or labour for nothing. 17. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith. I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Paul starts chapter 2 with the Greek word [hoste] equivalent to “therefore”. A little thing that I think of when I see the word “therefore” in the scripture. I always ask myself; what’s that therefore there for? What’s that therefore, there for? To answer that, we need to look at the passage preceding the word therefore.
Paul is saying to the Philippians, Jesus Christ is God and he humbled himself as no one ever has.
He became obedient and demonstrated the greatest example of humility. That word therefore means, now live under that Lordship of Christ who was exalted. Christ gave us the example so “therefore” go do likewise.
This is a command but if we look at the choice of words that Paul used we see him demonstrating Christ’s love in his instruction to the Philippians. Paul says: “Therefore, my dear friends”. Paul starts his instruction motivating them in love, to a deeper level of obedience.
You that are parents and have raised children know that when you instructed or disciplined in love – it was far more effective than if you were angry.
This passage Paul starts out in love is broken up into three sentences or sections.
First, we see in verses 12 and 13 a call to work out their salvation. Second, in verses 14 to the first part of verse 16, Paul says that the people should void internal conflict and show integrity in their character. Third, in verses 16 to 18, Paul urges the people to rejoice with him as they serve together.
1. Working out our salvation
Verse 12 says. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed –not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Paul is not talking here about initial salvation when someone comes to Christ. He is talking about the life with Christ, the journey. He is talking about salvation in the sense of living the Christian life.
There are three aspects of salvation. First, there is initial salvation, the point when we come to Christ. Second, there is salvation present; this is our salvation journey, our life with Christ. Third is salvation future when we will be glorified in the presence of or God.
Here Paul is speaking about salvation present. We sometimes refer to this as sanctification. He says work out your salvation. We don’t become Christians through doing good works. It is by the grace of God, by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. But once we become Christians, we should feel the need to draw closer to God, to know God and to do good works.
I remember one time two young Mormon men came to my mom’s house when I was doing some work in the yard. I was busy and hoped they would move on, but when they introduced themselves and what their reason for the visit was my mom told them that they were deceived and I knew we were in it for the long haul.
In the conversation it came out that the reason they were doing this year long missionary trip was to find favour with God and they felt they needed to do this to gain entry into the 6th or 7th heaven. I told them that the Bible says that salvation is a gift from God and that you should have to work for a gift. They came back with “Faith without works is dead” and I said amen. Faith without works is dead, but I said which came first in that passage. Faith, and works were a result of the faith. If we diagram the sentence, Faith is the subject and without works is describing faith and as a result that faith is dead. When we have received the gift of salvation and begin to truly grasp the enormity of that gift the works and love will well up in us and our faith will grow.
A plant that does not receive water or sun will not produce. It is still a plant. Many Christians are satisfied with being a Christian that they never realize the blessings that are there to receive.
We are to live out our Christian life. Paul said we are to do this with fear and trembling. This is not a knee-knocking trebling before God, but rather a real fear and reverence for who God is. We must have a healthy view and respect for the holiness of God.
That is what Paul means by working out your salvation with fear and trembling. To always have a reverence and remembering that God is almighty. Living this way will take away all arrogance. It would cause us to be aware of pride (as we talked about last Sunday). It also takes away self-righteousness when we live out our salvation with fear and trembling, remembering the righteousness of God.
Well that brings us to verse 13. for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His purpose. Not only does he call on us to work out our salvation, but he reminds us that it is God who works in you for His purpose.
In other words that while we as believers are doing good works, the Holy Spirit dwells in our lives and we need to be submitting to Christ so Christ can work through us. When we love our enemies it is Christ through us loving our enemies. God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose.
When you become a Christian Christ is in you. You accept Christ and the Holy Spirit dwells in your life and God works through you to bring about these good works he has prepared for you. Paul balanced two truths. These truths represents our human freedom as individuals, yet it keeps in mind God is sovereign and all-powerful.
2. Avoid internal conflict
In verse 14 and following it says: 14. Do everything without complaining or arguing,
A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, "Bed hard." Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, "I quit." "It doesn't surprise me a bit. You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here."
The Greek word here for complaining is the same word used in 1 Corinthians 10:10 where the Corinthians are warned not to grumble like the Israelites did in the desert as they wandered.
The new Beacon Hill Commentary adds some insight to this. It states that Paul wanted to point out to the Philippians that grumbling and complaining portrays a failure to see that God is truly working among them. A complaining spirit is also self focused and has a negative effect on their community.
Arguing is also mentioned in verse 14.
Years ago, a large statue of Christ was erected high in the Andes on the border between Argentina and Chile. Called "Christ of the Andes," the statue symbolizes a pledge between the two countries that as long as the statue stands, there will be peace between Chile and Argentina. Shortly after the statue was erected, the Chileans began to protest that they had been slighted the statue had its back turned to Chile. Just when tempers were at their highest in Chile, a Chilean newspaperman saved the day. In an editorial that not only satisfied the people but made them laugh, he simply said, "The people of Argentina need more watching over than the Chileans.
Arguing can really divide and hurt unity amongst believers. When unity is broken then our witness is compromised. God’s people have an obligation to work out their salvation on a corporate level as well.
These couple verses make a connection between the church’s mission and its character as the holy people of God. There are two essential things the church needs to fulfill in its evangelistic call.
First, like I said before, is unity. Christians that live in unity, without complaining and arguing is a fellowship that will shine like a beacon in a dark world.
People seeking something different, seeking caring relationships will see the light, they will see the difference and they will see the authenticity. Jesus also saw the church’s unity as a witness to those that are hurting.
Jesus said in John 17:22, 23: I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and that I have loved them even as you have loved me.
Unfortunately, we can see the opposite happen. The churches witness can be darkened by bickering and complaining. The world is watching, let’s let our light shine!
Second, we need to be carful that our light comes from a pure source. Philippians 2:15 goes on to say:
15. so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in crooked and deprived generation,
That should be our goal as believers to live lives that are pure and blameless. A couple Sundays ago I talked about the difference of the Lord being the Lord in your life compared to being the Lord of your life.
Many go through life satisfied with having Christ in their life that they never realize the blessings they can have here on earth when they consciously make the decision to ask Christ to be the Lord of their life.
A decision that is not easy to make because it means giving the control of your life away. Life control is difficult to relinquish because let’s face we all want to control things in our lives. We want to make decisions for ourselves.
However, who better to give control of our lives than Christ? Who better to guide you than the Holy Spirit? God has your eternal destiny and purpose in mind.
It is hard for us as humans to let go, but many that have denied themselves and gave full control over to Christ speak of a peace and joy that transcends understanding.
Philippians 2:15 and 16 goes on to say: so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in crooked and deprived generation,
in which you shine like stars in the universe 16. as you hold out the Word of life
The purer the light the brighter it will be and we don’t need to look far to see darkness. When we drive around the city and watch the evening news we get a clear example of darkness and the need for pure light.
The more darkness that prevails the more opportunity we have to shine as Christians. That is what Paul tells them to do, shine as stars.
We live in a city that is filled with streetlights. If you get away from the city out into the country where there is no city illumination you look up in the sky it is so black, so dark. You notice in the dark sky it seems like the stars are shinning brighter. When you see the sky away from all the lights you say, I never realized there were so many stars and they shine so brightly. Because we live in a world filled with depravity that gives us the opportunity to shine brightly for Christ. And we need to shine brightly.
If the people of God are brightly shining a pure light and holding forth the Word of Life we cannot help, but to make a difference in this world.
3. Live an attitude of joy
Paul also speaks about Christian conduct in terms of rejoicing. In Vs 17 –18 he says: 17. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith. I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Why is Paul always rejoicing? Why does he make a big deal out of joy?
Is it because everything is going his way the way he would have planned them?
It is just the opposite. Paul is in prison. Everything has gone against him. He does not know how his trial is going to come out. As far as Paul knew he is going to be martyred. He is there in prison facing the possibility of death, yet his true joy came from the strength of the Lord.
If we want our Christian lives to shine in this dark world then we must do so with joy. Even when the circumstances aren’t going our way it is time to live our Christian lives with joy. Our goal should be to live so close to Christ that we will experience joy even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
The world offers a kind of joy that if you have all these material things and a high status you can experience joy. But Christian joy comes in the midst of suffering and troubles. That is the difference in the true Christian joy we seek. It will last because it is based on a relationship with Christ.
When others see the joy we have people will see something different. They will see contrast to the darkness around them and people will be drawn to us and we will be given opportunity to tell them about our eternal utility company.
Conclusion
As Christians we need to remember that our lights must shine before a dark world. In order to do that we need to be working out our salvation individually – and as a congregation. We need to be understanding who we are in Christ and what Christ has done for us.
We need to avoid complaining and arguing and strive to be pure and blameless before God and Man and we need to live a life that is full of joy and have a life that is bubbling over with joy.
When we know who we are in Christ, avoid complaining and arguing, seek to be pure and blameless and live a life full of joy our lights will burn so brightly that others will notice.
Lets Pray
