Work it Out! - August 8, 2021

by Pastor Jayson Martindale

Work it out!

 

Text: Philippians 2:12-16

Thesis: “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).”

 

1. Work out your Salvation.

 

1. Paul challenges the Philippians to follow the example of Christ’s

obedience. 

 

1. We have to be vigilant to be spiritually fit.

• “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever (1 Corinthians 9:25).” 

 

1. We must work without grumbling.

• “without mutterings, as men who in cowardice dare not speak plainly what they think. We must consider the warning as against God on account of what He imposed on them both to do and to suffer (Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary).” 

 

III. We must work to shine.

• “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain (Philippians 2:15-16).”

 

• “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).”

 

1. We have a high calling to be a great light. 

 

1. Far too often we are a black hole instead of a star. 

 

1. When we shine as a star we take the focus off of ourselves and turn it towards Christ. 

 

• “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23).” 

 

• “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake daily and keep following me (Luke 9:23 CJB).”

 

 

1. He who has called us to follow Him is faithful to see us through. 

 

• “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:23-25).”