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PHILIPPIANS 2:12-30
LESSON #04
LIVING IN JOYFUL OBEDIENCE
- Memory verse: Philippians 2:13
- Review:
- The secrets we learned so as to live a contented life:
- #1.Nurture a thankful heart.
- #2. Develop a life purpose.
- #3. Cultivate an attitude of humility.
- In our last lesson we learned that Jesus Christ was the perfect example of humility.
- Humility and obedience for Jesus were two sides of the same coin. (Phi 2:8)
- Therefore, humility leads to obedience.
- Now Paul will tell us what we must do to be obedient.
- Read Phi 2:12-16
- For many people, obedience does not bring joy. In fact, for many people obedience brings the opposite of joy. However, in the Bible obedience and joy are often linked together.
- Why do you think the “natural man” dislikes the idea of obedience?
- The flesh nature desires the freedom to make its own decisions and to pursue its own desires.
- The natural man thinks that self-determination brings happiness..
- Why does God link obedience and joy together?
- True joy comes from the security of knowing that you are pleasing God.
- Obedience is pleasing to God, because it demonstrates your love for him. (Joh 14:15)
- Therefore, the maximum joy and freedom comes from doing just the opposite of what you would normally think.
- Maximum freedom comes from humility and obedience to God.
- Secret #4 for living a contented life: Joyfully obey to please God!
- What are some rewards of obedience?
- Luke 11:28 A blessed life.
- Psalms 40:8 God will build His law into your heart.
- Psalms 19:8,11 Joy in the heart and light in the eyes, and an eternal reward.
- John 15:10-11 To live in the love of God that brings joy.
- John 17:13,14 Hatred by the those of the world.
- Our response to Christs humility and obedience:
- We are to be like him in humility and obedience. He is our example to follow.
- We are to be mature children who automatically do what is right whether a parent is present or not.
- What specific things does Paul tell the believer to do? (12-16)
- Do everything without complaint or argument.
- Live life in the contentment of Gods sovereignty.
- Live life with faith.
- Hold forth the word of life.
- Maintain sound doctrine.
- Live life in obedience to Gods Word.
- Work out your own salvation.
- Paul gives us the command to work out our own salvation. What does that mean?
- The word “work” means = to carry out to completion; to carry to the goal..
- In other words, we are not to work for our salvation, because salvation is a free gift from God to those who receive Christ in their hearts.
- However, we are to cooperate with Him once we are saved to see that we grow and mature fulfilling Gods plan for our individual lives.
- The word “salvation” means = deliverance, safety, healing (physical, spiritual, emotional), soundness.
- The word “salvation” is used to cover:
- Justification (the past act of being declared righteous)
- Sanctification the (present process of becoming more like Christ–being saved from the habit of sin and its domain.
- Glorification (the future act of receiving a new body and being saved from the presence of sin)
- How do we cooperate with God to work out our salvation? (vs.12-14)
- The controlling motive:
- –“with fear”. This means = with alarm or dread of displeasing God.
- –“with trembling”. This means = quaking, shrinking back from whatever will displease or offend God.
- — with self distrust, saying no to sin and exhorting self to do what is right, but I can’t do it alone.
- The divine help:
- –“To will” (13) = God gives us the desire to do right
- –“To work” (13) = God empowers us when we have the mind of Christ, empty self, become a servant, and walk in the Spirit.
- Walking in the Spirit means = –don’t grieve the Spirit= to cause distress to.
- –don’t quench the Spirit= to put out the fire of by grumbling in secret debate causing division; saying in a low tone privately; or by disputing, debating with suspicion or doubt openly.
- For what purpose do we work out our own salvation? (15)
- –“that you may prove yourself blameless” = having no censure, free from fault; having a clear conscience.
- –That you may be “harmless” or innocent = unmixed, pure of any foreign substance; free from worldly compromise.
- –“that you may shine as a light in the world”
- –“that you may rejoice when Christ comes”
- Discussion:
- In your experience, what keeps you from “working out your own salvation”?
- Why do these things hinder spiritual growth?
- Read Phi 2:17-30 The apostles example
- Why do you think Paul mentions Timothy and Epaphroditus in this chapter?
- They are examples of a life of humility, obedience, and joy.
- Paul gives three living examples of this kind of a Christian life:
- Paul is the first example (17-18)
- Paul rejoices if his service to people brings them to Christ but results in the sacrifice of his own life.
- “if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith” = this is a life poured out in service to others. In other words it is a life of sacrifice.
- It is a picture of the Old Testament sacrifice where wine was poured on the altar as a drink offering after the sin offering was finished. The wine was completely poured out with nothing held back. (Num 28:6,7)
- Timothy is the next example (19-24)
- Timothy was content in second place. He was often with Paul but he did not mind being in Pauls shadow.
- He was unselfish, always considering the needs of others first.
- Epaphroditus is the last example (25-30)
- This man was from Philippi. He ministered to others despite the cost to himself.
- His unselfish sacrifice despite illness almost cost him his life.
- Application:
- Secret #4 for living a contented life is to live in joyful obedience.
- Notice that joyful obedience will cost you something. But notice that it is very much worth the cost. There is no joy more complete than to watch God move through your life to touch other people.
HOMEWORK
PHILIPPIANS 3:1-21
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.
- Application for Phi 2:12-30
- In what ways can you say that your life is being “poured out for others?
- What has been your attitude in serving him: joy or complaining?
- Partial obedience or complete obedience? Doing as little as you can or giving as much as you can?
- If you have had an attitude of complaining, partial obedience, or doing as little as you can, be sure to repent and ask God to forgive you. Ask him to help you obey joyfully completely pouring out your life for him.
- Preparation for Phi 3:1-21
- What are the characteristics of the “true circumcision”? (3)
- What are the reasons why Paul could boast in the flesh? (4-6)
- What was Pauls attitude toward these things?
- What was Pauls goal? (10-14)
- What did Paul learn that was a key to spiritual freedom? (13)
- Memory verse: Philippians 3:14
