What it means to work-out your own Salvation - Philippians 2:12

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:

Does it mean that salvation is based on faith plus good work? Look at James 2:14-17, 

Or it means we should fear and tremble whenever we fail to obey God because He will send us to hell? NO, salvation is by faith alone, by grace alone, through Jesus Christ alone!

Salvation in the Bible 3 phases or tenses 

Past, Present & Future or elements or stages.

1. Justification (Past) - God's working alone - Monergism

2. Sanctification (Present) - Man & God working together - Synergism

3. Glorification (Future) - Monergism

After conversion, we go through the stage of Sanctification - commonly refers to set the person or thing to it's proper functioning e.g. Eyeglasses are sanctified when used to improve eye sight. Therefore a human being is sanctified when he/she lives according to God's design and purpose.

In Greek translation of the word Sanctification (hagiasmos) which means holiness, To be sanctified means to be holy.

Working out our own salvation simply means to be cheerful, diligent, humble and in constant obedience to Christ. Imitating Jesus Christ obedience to the father.

With fear and trembling: 

Having a reverential fear to our Lord and Savior, both King, Savior and righteous Judge. Not the common fear to make us in flight, but all the more to draw us near to Him.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

    To him belongs eternal praise. Psalms 111:10 

If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil. 2:8

Qualities Needed to Endure Trials - James 1:19-21

James 1:19-21 (NKJV)

19 [a]So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and [b]overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

The book of James:

- The author "James" believed to be the half-brother of Jesus Christ.

- Didn't follow Jesus on His time on earth, but only later after His resurrection.

- Was mentioned on Acts 12:17, during Peter's miraculous escape.

- Paul called James one of the pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9).

- The book of James is the first new testament book.

- The pages of James are filled with direct commands to pursue a life of holiness.

- For James, a faith that does not produce real life change is a faith that is worthless (James 2:17).

- In simple terms: It encourages God’s people to act like God’s people.

19. "My dear brothers and sisters" addressed/audience to the believers, if not yet a believer then now is the time to receive the free gift of Salvation, John 3:16-18.

"take note" - to highlight, to keep that you may review it over and over again.

The context is about the pressure of trials that can make a person not to mind counsel and quick to speak angrily!

3 Practical ways to handle trials effectively:

1. "Quick to listen" - listen first!, means that we should always ready, open and quick to listen to instructions, particularly God's instruction or God's word that we may learn and grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- We should ask God for grace, that whenever the word of God is preach, we should listen, understand, and apply it, regardless of the speaker.

- The same also as taking time to read His word everyday with the goal to apply in our day to day Christian walk.

- Not for the sake of listening but without understanding.

- Proverbs 19:20 ESV "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."

2. "Slow to speak" - means that we should think before we speak.

- Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NIV) Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

- Proverbs 13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

- Proverbs 15:2 (NIV) The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3. "Slow to become angry" - means to have self-control at all times.

- Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

- Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

- Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

Verse 20, Human anger are often bias, and a result of wordly desires which is contrary to God's will or the Word of God.

However the bible speaks also about the wrath of God, God's holy anger which is base in perfect judgement.

Verse 21, Upon hearing the word of God, the gospel, without delay repent from your sins and accept the gospel whole-heartedly, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved from your sins and His perfect judgement.

A Nobleman’s Son Healed - John 4:43-50

John 4:43-50 (NKJV)

43 Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain [a]nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”

49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”

50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

Ice breaker: "I am blessed"

Intro:

A different healing miracle by Jesus, He healed the official's son at a distance through His word, unlike the other healing miracles Jesus performed like Blind Man at Siloam Pool "After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes. Then he said, 'Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool.'The man went and washed in Siloam, which means 'One Who Is Sent.' When he had washed off the mud, he could see." John 9:6-7 (CEV)

But a similar story also can be found in Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:2-10 Healing of the Centurion's Servant.

43 - 45. "Jesus pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country."  yet in verse 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. ?

They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there. 46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. "Because of the miracles of Jesus, that's why He is welcomed"

 - You can't expect your closest family, friends, or countrymen to appreciate you as a godly leader -- "a prophet has no honor in his own country"

48 "Unless you people see signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

A rebuke to Galileans, because He knew their hearts, their faith is not grounded in Christ, a low quality faith, a stagnant faith.

A faith focused only on the signs, wonders, miracles but should be focused on the miracle worker.

Miracles, signs and wonders are instrument of the Lord to point people to Him to know Him in an intimate and personal way.

In Psalm 105:4 we are told, "Seek the Lord and His strength; SEEK HIS FACE evermore!"  What does it mean to seek God’s face?  

The Hebrew word translated "Face" is the exact same word translated as "Presence" when referring to God's presence.  

To seek God's face literally means to seek His manifest presence.  It means to pray for the very purpose of coming into God’s presence

But at the same time a faith building to the Officer, not to give-up on his plea to Jesus Christ.

The official had faith because he had seen Jesus do miracles in the past and knew that he could heal his son. He travel 20 miles from Capernaum to Cana because he was seeking Jesus and heard that he was in Cana.  His faith was strong.  The official believed Jesus at his word which demonstrates his faith.

50 "Go," Jesus replied, "your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

NKJV 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way.

The official didn't asked for any sign, He believed in the word of Jesus Christ and Go!

In our society today it's easy for people to believe on something if backed with miracles, is like seeing is believing, people are interested only of miracles and what it can bring in their lives, but they are not interested of the

miracle worker, which is Jesus Christ.

We must take Jesus at his word and act before seeing the result, He is the Word in John 1:1, and if we exercise our faith in His word, then we will see the results.

God will test our faith, and nurture it to make it grow. From saving faith to a mature sanctifying faith.

Victory in Jesus Christ - 1 John 5:4

1 John 5:4 (NKJV)
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith.

The moment we repent of our sins, and ask to the Lord Jesus Christ to come in our lives as Lord and Savior, the holy spirit seals us and thus
becomes the children of God, born-again by the spirit.

Romans 10:9-10, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Acts 2:38, Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3:26, For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

And our new journey begins of becoming (Christ-like) (Sanctification).
We are still in this world, but we are not for the world

The world itself becomes our enemy, that we are to overcome:

The meaning of the world in this verse is not "kosmos" or the people, but the devils system and can be found in verse.

1 John 2:16 (NKJV)
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

Lust of the flesh:
1. Pornography is as ordinary as facebook in this generation, even children can have an easy access over cellphones!

2. Pre-marital sex among people, specially the younger generation. (The world says it's okay!)

3. Sexual Immorality, un-natural sex (LGBTQ)

Lust of the Eye:
Covetous - strong desire to have the things of others
"even with all they have, they covet the wealth of others"

Pride of Life:
God hates proud people!
James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. 

James 4:10 (NKJV)
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

And we overcome that are in the world our (flesh and the devil's scheme) through our faith in Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Ask God for strength and grace to overcome our struggles with sins.

Slave to Sin and Freedom from Righteousness - Romans 6:20-22

Romans 6:20-22 (NKJV)
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit [a]to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.
Verse 20, The state of man before God after the fall, is slave to sin and dead in righteousness.

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
Romans 3:23 NIV, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Romans 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

If you repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the holy spirit will give you a new spirit, thus putting to death the enslavement of sin in your life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.!

3 Parts of Salvation (God's grace and help)

1. Justification - declared righteous before God.
Romans 3:28, For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2. Sanctification - God's will for us, by the help of God (Holy Spirit)

3. Glorification - ultimate perfection of believers, becomes like Christ.
Romans 8:30, and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

1 Peter 5:4, And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

What is Sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer.
e.g. 1. Eyeglass is sanctified when use to improve sight. 2. Spoon is sanctified if used for eating.

Same as in the study of God's word, A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose.

The Greek word of "Holiness." means to be set apart.

God is holy, Isaiah 6:3 "And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

God's people (Christians),
Matthew 5:48 "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
1 Peter 1:15-16, 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Original Design of God for Human beings is perfect "Sanctified" according to His image and likeness, and all His creation.

Sin caused human being to be broken, fallen or dysfunctional. Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Adam and Eve's prefallen sanctification was not a result of capabilities(built-in). God's indwelling presence was responsible for the manifestation of his attributes in them.

(Gen 3:9) God called out to the fleeing man, "Where are you?" . God was not seeking information. He was clarifying to sinful humanity that his presence was now lost.

Application:
How do we live as sanctified/holy/pleasing to God/in accordance to God's will?

1. God sanctifies by grace,
Jesus Christ sanctifies us:
Hebrews 10:10, And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

2. Human beings(us, Christians) are responsible to use God's grace by faith. Faith is "the" means of sanctifying grace.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
a. God's word, John 17:17, Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
b. Prayer allows the believer to apply faith to every area of life.
c. The church is the context in which mutual ministry takes place
d. Providence (protective care of God) is God's superintendence over every detail of life so that a believer will always have a way to grow in grace.

God Allows Trial to Keep Us Humble - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NKJV)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to [a]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul was spiritually blessed by God abundantly, revelations that most us didn't know, but was given to Paul for God's purpose.

Going back to verse 2, We read God's revelation to Paul, Paul knew a man in Christ that was caught up in third heaven (paradise) and heard unspeakable words which

conceited = excessively proud of oneself. Full of Pride.

"thorn in the flesh" = a metaphor used by Paul to describe his affliction (Pain or Suffering), the bible is silent about the nature of Paul's affliction, but some believed to be a type of rare eye disease that caused his appearance to look deformed. The daily pain was so intense, it was like an ongoing crucifixion.

messenger of Satan = Just as in the Old testament God allow Satan to afflict Job, nevertheless Satan wants Paul to be discouraged in God's work and to live a life independently from God.

God is not the author of pain and sufferings, It is not part of God's nature.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

God's always able to help us in time of our need, He makes the impossible possible.

God can work/use us mightily if we acknowledge our weaknesses.

What is grace?

Undeserved/Unmerited favor, gift, not earned but freely given.

Synonyms: merciful, compassionate, kind;

God is gracious, part of His character.

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

Psalm 116:5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;our God is full of compassion.

(The greatest grace) Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Life Application:

1. He wants us to be humble always no matter how blessed we are today and in the future. He wants us to acknowledge Him

always as the source and the giver of every spiritual and material blessing.

James 4:6 ESV

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

2. God sees our hearts and our future (God is sovereign) and God wants us not to depend on our own

Abilities, Skills, talents, money and other resources but to trust/depend in him who is the source of all things.

Whatever blessings we have today is because of His grace, His loving kindness, and His tender mercies.

Illustration:

Poor Sermon

Charles Spurgeon, known as "the prince of preachers," felt he delivered his sermon so poorly one Sunday that he was ashamed of himself. As he walked away from his church, the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, he wondered how any good could come from that message. When he arrived home, he dropped to his knees and prayed, “Lord God, You can do something with nothing. Bless that poor sermon.”

In the months that followed, 41 people said that they had decided to trust Christ as Savior because of that “weak” message. The following Sunday, to make up for his previous “failure,” Spurgeon had prepared a “great” sermon—but no one responded.

Spurgeon’s experience underscores two important lessons for all who serve the Lord. First, we need the blessing of God on our efforts. Solomon said in Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” And second, our weakness is an occasion for the working of God’s power. The apostle Paul said, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).

3. Through out the bible God chooses the the weak, the helpless, the poor and nobodies to display his power and grace.

David a little boy, defeated the warrior giant Goliath.

Gideon came from a poor family and the least from the household, but God choose Gideon to defeat the Midianites.

Gideon, was considered the greatest Judge, in courage, in wisdom, and in faith in God.

Illustration:

God Chooses Nobodies - Oswald Chambers

God can achieve his purpose either through the absence of human power and resources, or the abandonment of reliance on them. All through history God has chosen and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on him made possible the unique display of his power and grace. He chose and used somebodies only when they renounced dependence on their natural abilities and resources.

Grace that Even Angels Long to Look Into - 1 Peter 1:10-12

1 Peter 1:10-12 (NKJV)

10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to [a]us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

* The prophets of the old and new testament prophesied of the this grace (Salvation in Jesus Christ)

The intently search and inquire about the coming grace but did not experience it.

    * Prophets

    1. Would foretell future events, would exhort, reprove as the ambassador of God

        2. Would spoke not his own thoughts but what he received from God

    3. Not under influenced, but conscious about everything.

* 55 Old Testament Prophecies about Jesus (old)

* 353 Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ (old and new)

Isaiah 53:5-6

5 But He was wounded[a] for our transgressions, He was [b]bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes[c] we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord [d]has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Luke 10:23-24

23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see;

24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."

1. How blessed are we that salvation by the grace of God was revealed to us through the bible.

2. The value of God's salvation to those who believes in our Lord Jesus Christ.

     1 Peter 1:18-19 

    18 knowing that you were not redeemed with [a]corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

    1 Corinthians 6:20 

    20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and in your spirit, which are God's.

     1 Peter 2:24

    24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [a]stripes you were healed.

3. The desperate need for us to be saved.

    Romans 3:23

    For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

    John 3:36 ESV

    Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

       

    Romans 1:18 ESV

    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

    Revelation 20:15 ESV

    And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

4. Learn, apply and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

    15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

    Romans 1:16 (NIV)

    16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.    

     Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

    19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”