GENUINE FAITH IS NOT TALKED ABOUT–IT’S WORKED OUT

Paul’s letters do more than encourage—they also give important advice.

• • Address the situations of the receiver.
  • Provided personalized guidance and support.
  • These letters also demonstrate that the counseling they contain was grounded in a relationship of understanding and love.
  • Paul knew each person’s concerns and challenges.
  • He calls out names, challenges their spiritual growth, and addresses their questions with careful attention. Why? Because he loves them.

• Philippians 1:8 – “God knows how much I love you…”
• Philippians 1:9 – “I pray that your love will overflow more and more…”
• Philippians 1:16 – “They preach with love, for they know I have been appointed…”
• Philippians 2:1–2 – “…any comfort from his love… fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, …”
• Philippians 2:12 – So then, my beloved
• Philippians 4:1 – “Therefore, my brothers, loved and longed for, my joy and crown, in this way stand.
• Philippians 4:8 – “…whatever is lovely”

• If we are going to accomplish and model our lives in Christ, if our lives are going to represent Christlikeness, then genuine faith isn’t talked about—it’s worked out.
• How do you work it out? Obedience, intensity, and attitude.
• Philippians 2:12-13 (LSB) 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
• Because Jesus obeyed His Father, how can we, who belong to Him, live in casual disobedience?
• John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

• Obedience isn’t about impressing others or appearing spiritual in public. Instead, it’s about faithfully serving God, regardless of whether others are watching.

• “Work out your salvation” doesn’t mean work for it. Salvation is God’s free gift. To “work it out” means to let your salvation shape your thinking, choices, relationships, and habits.

“The believer must finish, must carry to conclusion, must apply to its fullest consequences what is already given by God in principle… He must work out what God in His grace has worked in.” George Müller

How do we work it out?

• This is where the intensity comes in. We “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. Not fear of losing salvation but living with awe before a holy God who sees, knows, and loves us.

“By working out our salvation, we bring the whole purpose to completion, fulfilling our reason for existence.” ChucK Swindoll

• Philippians 2:14-15 (LSB) 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
• Philippians 2:15 Be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
  – Blameless
  – Innocent
  – Without Blemish
  – Shine as lights
• Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

• Philippians 2:16 (LSB) Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.
• Christians who live joyfully at work, school, and home, avoiding complaints or arguments, can confidently share the Word (Gospel), which, when believed, brings life and light to the dark world.
• Philippians 2:17-18 (LSB) 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
• Philippians 2:19-24 19 (LSB) But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be in good spirits when I learn of your circumstances. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned about your circumstances. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I evaluate my own circumstances, 24 and I am confident in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.

Then Paul Commends Epaphroditus

• Philippians 2:25-30 (LSB) 25 But I regarded it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and minister to my need; 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned. 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to fulfil what was lacking in your service to me.
• Brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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