TEACHING NOTES Introduction In this series we have been learning from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. Although this letter is mostly positive and joyful, Paul still wants to ensure that the Philippian church remains faithful to Christ. So, this series is titled “Working It Out” because Paul is teaching the reader how to “work out your own salvation.” Today we’re going to focus on what that phrase means. ‌ How to Live Out Your Salvation: ‌Phil. 1:1-11 — Partnership in the Gospel ‌Phil. 1:12-26 — Live Selflessly ‌Phil. 1:27-30 — Work Together as a Family ‌Phil. 2:1-11 — Live Like Jesus ‌Phil. 2:12-18 — Exercise Your Salvation ‌ Philippians 2:12–13 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. ‌ As you have always obeyed = Paul is praising the Philippians for practicing continual faithfulness. In modern Christianity, the focus is often on life after death and the location of our eternity. But the Bible is more focused on how we should live in this life. Why? Because how live in this life is preparation for eternity. ‌ Much more in my absence = Paul is referring to the fact that he is currently in prison. Paul knew that there would be a temptation in the Philippian church to sit idle while they waited to see if Paul would be released or executed. Paul wants them to continue in obedience and faithfulness while he is in prison. ‌ Work out = Grk. katergazesthe - exercise. Unfortunately, this phrase is often misinterpreted to mean we should doubt or trying to figure out if we have truly been saved. In that view, the phrase “work out” means something like “evaluate” or “figure out.” However, the Greek word for “work out” is katergazesthe, which means “to bring about or produce.” Therefore, working out one’s salvation is not about doubting your salvation or being anxious about whether or not one is really a Christian. Paul is saying that we should live out our salvation. ‌ Your own salvation = Grk. soterian - deliverance, preservation. We often wrongly think of salvation as a one-time event where we pray a certain prayer so we can go to heaven one day. But the Bible never describes salvation this way. The first description of salvation in the Bible is the Exodus story when God parted the sea to “save/deliver” Israel from the Egyptians. Before God parted the sea He told Moses, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD” (Ex. 14:13). In Exodus, God saves everyone in Egypt who believe and obey Him during the plagues. God clearly states that His reason for this salvation seven times—“so they may serve me” (Ex. 4:23; 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1, 13; 10:3). We are saved from slavery to sin, satan, and death so we can serve God. ‌ God saves us so we can serve Him. ‌ With fear and trembling = Although God saved/delivered Israel, they did not remain faithful and as a result they died in the wilderness. So, we live out our salvation with fear and trembling of what will happen if we don’t. If we only prayed a prayer to receive salvation, but have not lived in obedience, we have much to fear. So, we live out our salvation by living in obedience to all that Jesus commanded. ‌ It is God who works in you = To live in disobedience is to live in opposition to what God wants to do in your life. God is working in us to bring about “His good pleasure” in us. Therefore, Paul is saying that we must cooperate with God’s work in us by living out our faith. ‌ To will and to work = God puts His desires (His will) in us and also gives us the power and ability to carry out His desires. However, we can still suppress godly desires and choose to disobey. ‌ For his good pleasure = Notice that God did not save us and choose to work in us for our own pleasure. God’s work of salvation is for “His good pleasure.” ‌ God saves us to change us and use us for His glory. ‌ Philippians 2:14–16 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 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. ‌ Do all things = Paul, and the early Christians, believed and taught that faith in Christ must govern “all things” that we do in this life. ‌ A true Christian seeks to honor Christ in ALL things. ‌ Without grumbling or disputing = Literally, “without complaining and arguing.” Any student of the Bible would recognize this phrase and be reminded of Israel complaining in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. God had saved His family from slavery in Egypt and they thanked Him by constantly complaining, arguing, and trying to go back to Egypt. ‌ Blameless and innocent = This does not mean that we can be perfect. It means that we are called to live a repentant life. The fact that the Torah gives instructions on how to practice repentance shows that God did not expect Israel to be perfect. However, He did expect them to follow the instructions for repentance so they could remain blameless. The same is true of following Christ in His new covenant. Repentance and forgiveness allows us to live blameless lives. ‌ Children of God without blemish = Any sacrifice in the Torah was required to be without blemish. Paul taught the Romans that we are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God. If we are sacrifices, we must live in repentance so we can offer ourselves to God without blemish. ‌ In the midst of a crooked/twisted generation = Paul is drawing these phrases from Moses’ speech in Deuteronomy 32:5 “They [Israel] have dealt corruptly with him [God]; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation.” Paul is reminding the Philippians that even God’s chosen people can choose to be rebellious and ungrateful and end up in destruction. Christians should stand out as different in a crooked and twisted generation. ‌ Shine as lights in the world = Paul is drawing from Daniel 12:3 “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” and Matthew 5:14–16 “14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ‌ Hold fast = Grk. epechontes - maintain a firm grasp, fixed attention. This word is used in Luke 4:42 to describe people trying to keep Jesus from leaving their town. To hold fast is be faithful and continue following Jesus. ‌ The word of life = Paul is not referring to the Bible. The “word” here should probably be capitalized because it refers to Jesus. John describes Jesus as “the Word” from whom “all things were made” and “in him was life” (John 1:1-4). John also says, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). ‌ The day of Christ = The day of Christ is the day that Christ returns to earth to judge the world, purify the earth of evil, and inaugurate the new creation. ‌ Did not run/labor in vain = Paul had invested much into the Philippian church. So, he wants them to remain faithful as a return on his investment. In the same way, we should live in such a way not be running/laboring in vain. Everyone is living life, but many are wasting their lives by being focused on temporary worldly pursuits. ‌ Philippians 2:17–18 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. ‌ Poured out as a drink offering = Grk. spendomai - libation, drink-offering. In the Old Testament, there different kinds of sacrifices/offerings to God. All sacrifices were gifts to God, but there were different kinds of gifts offered to God for different reasons. The first drink-offering appears in Gen. 35:14 when God appears to Jacob and blesses him with the new name Israel. Paul is using this language to communicate that if he dies for the Gospel his life will be an offering to God. Paul says this again in 2 Tim. 4:6, when Paul realizes that his execution would happen soon. ‌ Sacrificial offering of your faith = Grk. thysia kai leitourgia hymon tes pisteos - Literally, “the sacrificial service of your faithfulness.” Drink offerings were often added to another sacrifice—i.e. wine or oil added to a sacrifice of crops. Paul believed that the offering of his life to God added to the Philippians offering of faithfulness. ‌ I am glad and rejoice = As we have already seen in Phil. 1:21-24 that Paul was torn between dying for Christ and living for the spread of the Gospel. Here, Paul says that even if he dies, he is glad and will rejoice. Why? Because Paul believed “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” ‌ Paul believed that his life—and the life of every Christian—is a sacrifice/offering/gift to God. ‌ Romans 12:1–2‌ 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your true and proper service. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ‌ To be a Christian is to offer your life daily as a holy and acceptable gift to God. ‌This is how we exercise our salvation. ‌‌ How to Respond ‌Prayer: Ask God to reveal what needs to change. ‌Repentance: Agree with God and repent of sin. ‌Worship: Thank God for what He is doing in you. ‌Communion: Take Christ in and renew faithfulness.