WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.660 Now, as we jump into this passage, we look at the very first word and we see a therefore. 00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:13.280 So you've probably heard before, if you see the therefore, you need to ask, what is the therefore, therefore? 00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:16.660 Right? So there's obviously something that Paul is building on here. 00:00:16.699 --> 00:00:20.839 He's trying to connect what he said before with what is coming ahead. 00:00:20.839 --> 00:00:26.500 So you may remember, those of us who were with us last week, we looked at verses 5 through 11, 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:29.800 where we discussed the mind of Christ. 00:00:30.019 --> 00:00:35.079 We know that Paul began chapter 2 by encouraging the church to be united with one another. 00:00:36.019 --> 00:00:39.039 And that happens first and foremost through personal humility. 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:45.039 But then he turns to the work of Christ and to consider who Christ is. 00:00:45.620 --> 00:00:50.600 And we saw last week that Christ not only serves as our example, he is our Savior. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:56.240 And so we saw how Jesus condescended, he came down, lo, being born of a man. 00:00:56.240 --> 00:01:00.920 He's experiencing the miseries of this life, suffering the wrath of God on the cross. 00:01:01.120 --> 00:01:03.240 But yet he did not stay in the grave. 00:01:03.900 --> 00:01:04.980 He rose from the dead. 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:05.980 He ascended into heaven. 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:11.939 And now we await his glorious return when he will be eternally and infinitely exalted. 00:01:11.939 --> 00:01:20.579 And so we see how that proclamation of who Christ is and what he has done, that is the essence of the gospel. 00:01:20.739 --> 00:01:27.060 That God, Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, came to save sinners like you and me. 00:01:27.759 --> 00:01:29.060 And so that's our backdrop. 00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:38.180 Therefore, Paul says, he moves on with his instruction to the church to work out your salvation. 00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:42.420 And so you may have heard of oxymorons before, right? 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:43.320 What's an oxymoron? 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:48.960 It's these two statements that seem to contradict each other that form a figure of speech. 00:01:49.480 --> 00:01:53.740 Like deafening silence or an unbiased opinion. 00:01:54.540 --> 00:02:01.380 Well, we see in this text and we may think, what Paul is saying here, it kind of seems like a theological oxymoron here. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:12.500 Because what in the world would Paul be saying this after we know what Paul has just said about salvation that doesn't come by our works but comes through Christ's works. 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:14.859 And now he says to us to work out your salvation. 00:02:15.019 --> 00:02:16.759 What in the world is he talking about? 00:02:16.859 --> 00:02:19.419 You may know Philippians 2, verses 8 and 9. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:25.680 For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:32.640 So how does Paul say that to the church in Ephesians and then here in Philippians say we have to work out our salvation? 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:34.400 What in the world does that mean? 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:39.300 Well, we're going to consider that today and really be able to answer that question in two parts. 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:46.200 By first considering the work of man and secondly to consider the work of God. 00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:50.439 And so let's start with that first part, to consider our work, the work of man. 00:02:50.439 --> 00:03:00.039 Now, I think initially when those of us understand the grace of God, we may think, okay, we're not saved by works, so does that give us a free pass? 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:02.979 Does that suspend our need to do any work at all? 00:03:03.859 --> 00:03:06.460 Well, Paul addresses this elsewhere in the New Testament. 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:12.759 It was a temptation that the church was creeping into their mindset and how they practiced. 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:15.099 Look, if I have grace then I can do whatever I want. 00:03:15.099 --> 00:03:20.840 Paul responds in Romans 6, he says, are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 00:03:21.139 --> 00:03:23.439 By no means, Paul says. 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:28.299 And so we have to ask the question, do works matter? 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:30.699 Do works matter? 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:35.120 And it really depends, when we answer that question, it depends on what we mean by the question. 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:37.879 Do works matter with regards to our justification? 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:41.740 We've seen over and over again, absolutely not. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:48.100 Paul says, when he says to work out your salvation, he's not saying to work for your salvation. 00:03:49.260 --> 00:03:54.520 We know that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:57.560 So there is nothing that we can do to earn our salvation. 00:03:57.719 --> 00:04:00.420 There is nothing we can do to lose our salvation. 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:03.620 Our salvation depends solely on the work of Christ. 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:09.520 And so what do we think then about, when we ask this question, do works matter? 00:04:09.659 --> 00:04:12.659 What about from a spiritual life perspective? 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:20.379 Because the thing is that even though we are Christians saved by grace, does that mean that we are passive in our lives? 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:23.780 And we see Paul address this here. 00:04:23.779 --> 00:04:34.699 We need to recognize that, yes, even though Christ has worked in our lives, we are not relying on our own power for our salvation out of a heart of recognition and appreciation for what Christ has done for us. 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:38.619 That should be the motivating factor toward our obedience. 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:41.819 So to work out your salvation then, what is Paul saying? 00:04:43.479 --> 00:04:51.099 If you look at the Greek, that word work out, it's translated elsewhere in the New Testament as produce, to bring about, to prepare. 00:04:51.100 --> 00:05:07.900 And so when we think about working out our salvation, it's this continuous, sustained, strenuous effort that we make when we recognize what Christ has done in our lives, that our lives may be transformed by the reality of this gospel. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:11.180 And so then what does Paul mean by salvation? 00:05:11.320 --> 00:05:16.140 Oftentimes when we think of salvation, we think of something that might have occurred in the past if we are believers. 00:05:16.280 --> 00:05:17.500 Christ has saved us. 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:18.600 What is he talking about? 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:19.820 Is salvation now? 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:21.439 How do we work it out if it's complete? 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:31.099 Well, John Calvin in his commentary, he says that this, in this context, he says salvation is taken to mean the entire course of our calling. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:37.039 Meaning everything that God will use to accomplish his purpose in our lives. 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:40.139 So Paul makes this clear too. 00:05:40.139 --> 00:05:48.959 Even though we may think of salvation as something in the past, Paul oftentimes in his letters talks about salvation as something that's ongoing in nature. 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:51.079 1 Corinthians 1.18. 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:51.239 1 Corinthians 1.18. 00:05:51.599 --> 00:05:51.939 Paul says, 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:59.599 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:01.859 Romans 13.11. 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:05.699 Salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:10.039 And so we see this even in Philippians, earlier in chapter 1. 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:11.560 In verse 6, Paul said, 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:18.319 I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:25.579 So Paul acknowledges, yes, we have been saved by the blood of Jesus, but we also look forward to when Christ will return. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:30.219 When we will be able to experience the full blessing of our salvation. 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:34.459 And so we live in eager anticipation of that day. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:38.180 We live convinced of the truth that Christ will come again. 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:46.560 And so this command to work out your salvation, it's not really any different from the commands that Paul is giving and repeating in Philippians. 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:50.939 You may remember from a few weeks ago, looking at Philippians chapter 127, he says, 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:54.819 Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:57.280 We looked at that word worthy. 00:06:57.740 --> 00:06:59.180 It means to demonstrate. 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:02.899 We demonstrate our salvation by how we live. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:03.800 We display it. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:06.660 We prove it through our actions. 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:11.500 And so that's why Paul can say our actions are a clear sign of our salvation. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:13.019 And that from Christ. 00:07:13.019 --> 00:07:20.219 And so recognizing this, though, there's a component also to recognize this takes effort. 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:26.519 Yes, we recognize that we're saved by grace, but there is an element of effort in our Christian lives. 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:31.560 Because the reality is that we do not naturally drift toward godliness. 00:07:32.719 --> 00:07:35.519 Any more than we drift toward fitness. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:47.039 You know, if you thought about running the Edinburgh Marathon next year, the act of signing up for that marathon does not ensure that you will be able to cross that finish line after 26.2 miles. 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:48.199 We know this. 00:07:48.859 --> 00:07:49.819 You have to train. 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:51.479 You have to log those miles. 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:52.539 You have to do those workouts. 00:07:52.719 --> 00:07:57.500 Change that diet in order to be able to finish that race. 00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:00.399 And so the same goes for godliness here. 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:07.959 Although we are declared as holy before God, morally speaking, we still have our sin nature. 00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:11.120 And so we have to fight that sin nature. 00:08:11.239 --> 00:08:13.739 We need to continually pursue Christ. 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:15.779 This is what's known as sanctification. 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.879 It's this process that we go on as believers. 00:08:19.079 --> 00:08:23.339 A never-ending process as we live this life of progressive transformation. 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:27.819 That we strive to become more and more like Jesus. 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:34.220 And so Paul tells us, well, what's our mindset then when we work out our salvation? 00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:36.539 He says to do so with fear and trembling. 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:40.120 Well, what in the world does fear and trembling mean? 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:42.259 You know, I use the example of running a marathon. 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:44.500 I've mentioned before how I like to run. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:46.120 I've run most of my lives. 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:48.000 When I was in high school, I ran track and field. 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:56.679 And I love running track, but those track meets that could last for four and five hours long were some of the most nerve-wracking times that I can remember. 00:08:56.679 --> 00:09:01.279 Because though you may run two or three events, you have to always be ready. 00:09:01.979 --> 00:09:05.179 You're always wondering when, how much time do I have till my next race? 00:09:05.459 --> 00:09:07.459 And so you're not just sitting down and relaxing. 00:09:07.599 --> 00:09:09.759 You're thinking, okay, I'm probably an hour out from my next race. 00:09:09.819 --> 00:09:13.359 I need to drink a little bit, maybe eat a little bit, do a little stretching. 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:15.519 Okay, there's two events till my event. 00:09:15.579 --> 00:09:19.739 So I'm going to go on a little jog and make sure I'm at the field on time so I don't miss my heat. 00:09:20.479 --> 00:09:24.079 Even during the race, you think about, okay, what are my splits going to be when I'm running? 00:09:24.099 --> 00:09:26.099 I want to make sure I don't get boxed in on this corner. 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:29.960 I want to make sure that I have a little bit left in the tank to run to the finish line. 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:31.740 All this takes vigilance. 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:34.759 It takes a level of seriousness and discipline. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:37.820 And so that's what Paul is talking about here. 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:41.320 Not that we're, fear and trembling means to be terrified of God. 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:45.259 But to recognize the task that he has called us to. 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:51.340 You may think, this sounds like a little too intense if I'm supposed to live my whole life like this. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:55.300 But consider what the psalmist says in Psalm 2, 11. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:59.960 He says, serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:04.379 And so our fear and trembling does not prevent our joy. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:09.720 Though those track meets took a lot out of me, took a lot of discipline. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:11.639 I loved running track. 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:14.240 And so the same is true here. 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:17.940 As we rejoice, we can rejoice with our trembling. 00:10:18.700 --> 00:10:25.980 Knowing that our work is being carried out in the presence of the Almighty God who loves you and cares for you and is for you. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:29.899 And as we'll see in a minute, our work is not only done in the presence of God. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:32.040 It is the work of God in us. 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:41.279 And so one of the side effects, or the positive effects really, when we think about fear and trembling is that it keeps our own pride in check. 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:46.099 When there's a level of fear and trembling, we're not going to be elevating ourselves. 00:10:46.099 --> 00:10:51.860 Rather, we're going to recognize our need for humility because it's not us that works, but Christ in us. 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:54.719 St. Augustine said this about this passage. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:11:02.019 He says, we are to work with fear and trembling so that we will not be elated by the good works as if they were. 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:02.599 We're our own. 00:11:04.219 --> 00:11:08.000 And so fear and trembling helps us to remember that it is Christ in us. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.980 And so then practically, what does this look like? 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:13.000 Paul goes on in verse 14. 00:11:13.099 --> 00:11:17.500 Just like he started this chapter with practical advice, we turn again and he says in verse 14, 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:28.019 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God, without blemish, in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:39.740 Now, if you're familiar with the Bible, you know the Old Testament story of God's people, the people of Israel who lived under Egyptian rule as slaves in Egypt for 400 years. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:45.500 Until God raised up a leader, Moses, to lead them out of Egypt was to lead them into the promised land. 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:53.340 But we recognize that the people of Israel, because of their rebellion, because of their sin, ended up wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years. 00:11:54.059 --> 00:11:58.960 And it's recorded over and over again how the people of God grumbled against God. 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:01.139 God, we don't have any food. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.200 Or we don't have the kind of food we want. 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.299 Or you haven't given us water. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:06.860 Or look at our enemies, how big and strong they are. 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.299 I wish I was back in Egypt. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:10.440 I'd rather just be a slave there and die. 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:12.300 Why have you brought us out here? 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:16.320 And so this is what Paul is alluding to here. 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:21.520 Certainly, the New Testament church would recognize the heritage of the people of Israel. 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:28.280 And so he points out this grumbling and disputing that kept this first generation from the promised land. 00:12:28.780 --> 00:12:35.100 It's something that we as a church today, this complaining against God, this conflict that we see within the body of Christ, 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:38.040 it keeps us from spiritual progress as well. 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:44.539 It prevents us from appearing different from the world, this crooked and twisted generation. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:47.620 And I thought a lot about those words. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:53.620 When I read them, you think about a crooked and twisted generation, automatically my mind goes to outside the church. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:55.860 We think about our city. 00:12:55.959 --> 00:12:59.079 Think about the Fringe Festival going on right now with all the people in our city, 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:02.519 all the advertisements and the posters for shows that are being displayed, 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:07.039 some of them so vile I don't even want to walk past them with my kids, much less attend the events. 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:11.299 But yet they are praised as art, as part of culture, and they are celebrated. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:15.399 And we think, yeah, our culture is crooked and twisted. 00:13:16.219 --> 00:13:22.159 But the more I thought about this text to recognize my focus may be in the wrong place. 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:28.639 Because this phrase, crooked and twisted generation, that Paul uses, he didn't come up with these words. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:34.240 These are the words from the Old Testament, from Deuteronomy 32, the song of Moses. 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:39.480 This is the song that God gave to Moses to teach to the people of Israel. 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:43.259 That would remind them of God's faithfulness in the midst of their unfaithfulness. 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:48.639 And so this crooked and twisted generation, it's not describing the enemies of God. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.779 It's not describing the Egyptians. 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:52.620 It's not describing the Canaanites. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:55.120 It's describing the people of Israel. 00:13:56.320 --> 00:14:01.700 Because even after God has given them an inheritance and brought them out of the land of Egypt 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:05.779 and cared for them in the wilderness, they have still turned from God. 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:11.860 And it says they forsook the God who made them and scoffed at the rock of their salvation. 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:19.039 And so while it's so easy, so easy for me to judge the outside world as being crooked and twisted, 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:23.560 I hope we can recognize our own susceptibility here. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:30.300 That just like the people of Israel, our sin and our rebellion can lead us from Christ. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:36.100 And so may this move us to fear and trembling. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:41.759 May we be motivated, as Paul says here, to hold fast to the word of life. 00:14:42.300 --> 00:14:47.720 That we may hunger after God's word, not only to read it or to hear it, but also to put it in practice. 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:49.360 To follow it. 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:52.279 That we may live lives of self-sacrifice. 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:54.220 This is what Paul is talking about in this chapter. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:57.899 That we may seek not only our own interests, but the interests of others. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:00.680 That we may live lives of humility. 00:15:00.680 --> 00:15:06.440 That we can be united as the body of Christ, but also be united to Christ, our Savior. 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:11.660 And it's when that happens that we may shine like lights in the world. 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:15.220 And so this is the work that Paul is talking about. 00:15:15.280 --> 00:15:17.680 This is our responsibility as believers. 00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:19.780 And so you may say, okay, I get it. 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:22.020 We're not saved by works. 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:24.800 Our works have nothing to do with our justification. 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:29.559 But, talking about sanctification, this sounds pretty tough. 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:34.299 If this is how we're supposed to live as Christians, this sounds like it's just unattainable goal for me. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:38.199 But this leads us to the second point of this text. 00:15:38.339 --> 00:15:39.899 The work of God. 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.839 And so look back at verse 12 and 13. 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:43.799 Paul says, 00:15:43.799 --> 00:16:00.279 And so although we've talked about our own need to work out our salvation, 00:16:00.479 --> 00:16:03.439 Paul makes clear that our work is not of our own efforts. 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:06.019 Our work is God's work. 00:16:07.099 --> 00:16:09.519 And so again, it's worth clearing up any misconceptions here. 00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:12.579 Just like we talked about, what does it mean to work out your salvation? 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:14.720 It doesn't mean we work for our salvation. 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:18.540 What is the relationship between our work and God's work then? 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:24.940 I think we can be confused oftentimes to think that we work in cooperation with God. 00:16:25.780 --> 00:16:30.080 You may have heard the phrase, God helps those who help themselves, right? 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:31.259 Rubbish. 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.040 It's not in the Bible. 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:40.220 The Bible says instead that we do not work in cooperation with God. 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:42.759 We don't work in coordination with God. 00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:48.620 There's not somehow that we combine our works with Christ in order to achieve some attainable goal. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:52.279 No, it is Christ alone who works in our lives. 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:55.960 If we think back to what Duncan read for us in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:58.240 what Paul says in verse 10, 00:16:58.240 --> 00:17:15.720 And so as a believer, Paul sees the need to work really, really hard. 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:21.339 But he takes no pride in his effort because he sees it is Christ working in him. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:23.559 It is not Paul that's the initiator of his work. 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:26.900 It's not Paul that's the sustainer of his work. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.380 It is God. 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:31.819 And so when Paul says God works in us, 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:35.400 it means that God is the one who energizes us. 00:17:36.140 --> 00:17:37.700 God is the one who enables us. 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:41.079 God is the one who empowers us to follow him. 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:43.759 And we see this happen in two ways. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:44.720 What Paul points out, 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:47.259 God gives us first the will to obey, 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:51.319 and he also produces the good works of our obedience. 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:58.720 And so I mentioned earlier that the construction for our renovation of this building 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.000 is going to start at the end of September. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:04.500 And so there's going to be need for help in order to prepare that building 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:06.039 for the construction that's to happen. 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:07.799 We already have plans in place, 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:09.460 and we're thinking through that in the days ahead. 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:12.880 And we know that we have our church administrator, Sarah, 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:14.640 who's going to be coordinating a lot of this. 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:18.620 And so think about the fact that if she planned a moving day for us 00:18:18.620 --> 00:18:20.640 and needed the church to come together, 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:23.720 what would happen if that day showed up and none of us are here? 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:26.900 Sarah shows up, and she's all by herself. 00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:29.420 It would prove a couple points. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:31.799 One, that Sarah has the will to get this work done, 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:34.799 but she doesn't have the ability to complete it on her own. 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:37.279 Secondly, for us as a congregation, 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:40.019 it would show us we have the ability, but we don't have the will to help. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:43.359 And so when we think about this work, 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:48.639 we may often think of ourselves in either one camp or the other here. 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:52.779 We may think, well, you know, I have the ability to follow after God, 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:55.779 but I just need God to give me some motivation sometimes. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:58.119 Or we may think the opposite, recognize, 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:00.879 I really want to do what is right, God, 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:02.220 but I just don't have the ability. 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.319 I need your help. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:07.519 Paul is saying here we're being way too generous to ourselves 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:10.220 if we're putting ourselves in either one of these camps 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:15.860 because we possess neither the will nor the ability to follow after Christ. 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:19.700 Jesus himself says to his disciples in John 15, 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:21.620 I am the vine and you are the branches. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:23.360 If you remain in me, you will bear much fruit. 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:26.100 Apart from me, you can do nothing. 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:29.099 So you may know the hymn, 00:19:29.219 --> 00:19:30.779 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:33.779 an old hymn from the 1700s, one of my favorites. 00:19:34.719 --> 00:19:36.439 And in there is a stanza that says, 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:39.099 Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. 00:19:39.199 --> 00:19:41.219 Prone to leave the God I love. 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:44.079 Here's my heart, O take and seal it. 00:19:44.879 --> 00:19:46.559 Seal it for thy courts above. 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.539 And so the hymn writer highlights here 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:52.519 our natural tendency to wander from God. 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:55.939 It's not that we want to do good and don't have the ability. 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:59.120 It's that we do not even have the desire to do what is right 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:01.740 apart from the work of God. 00:20:02.420 --> 00:20:03.940 And so just like our own conversion, 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.820 just like our own election, 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:07.100 it's not us that chose God. 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:08.700 It is God that chose us. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:11.039 Likewise, in this life of sanctification, 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.740 it is not us that pursues Christ, 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.279 but Christ that pursues us, 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:17.259 that gives us the ability and the desire to follow after him. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:20.019 And so then we see what happens 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:22.940 when God works in our hearts and in our wills. 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:25.320 If we look back in the Old Testament again, 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:26.279 Ezekiel 36, 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:29.879 it's this prophecy of spiritual renewal for God's people. 00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:32.980 And this is what God says to his people. 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.039 He says, 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:38.500 I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you. 00:20:38.859 --> 00:20:43.139 And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:48.220 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.940 and be careful to obey my rules. 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:55.319 And so we see it is solely through the work of the Holy Spirit 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.619 that we have a heart for Christ, 00:20:56.680 --> 00:20:58.359 that we have the desire to follow, 00:20:58.599 --> 00:21:01.460 to walk in his statutes and to obey his laws. 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:06.940 And so not only does God then give us the will and the desire to follow after him, 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:11.059 he gives us the ability to work for his good pleasure, it says. 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.720 And so again, 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:14.960 one of those phrases that we hear often, 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.779 maybe within the church, 00:21:15.860 --> 00:21:16.259 we know, 00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:17.660 we should know that aren't true. 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:19.640 God doesn't give us more than we can handle. 00:21:20.120 --> 00:21:20.519 Again, 00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:21.420 rubbish. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:21.500 rubbish. 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:26.920 The phrase is assuming that we can handle some amount of work on our own 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:30.420 before we need God's help to step in to intervene. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:36.360 But we see here that we fully rely on God to bring about obedience in our lives. 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.300 It's not of ourselves. 00:21:38.560 --> 00:21:39.340 And so my family and I, 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:41.000 we've been in Scotland for two years now. 00:21:41.080 --> 00:21:45.759 One of the things I had to adjust to most was the electrical outlets and the switches on outlets. 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:46.240 In the States, 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:47.560 we don't have switches on outlets. 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:52.500 So countless times I'd plug something in thinking I'm charging something or doing something and realize there's no power. 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.919 Multiple times in the kitchen, 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.579 I'm trying, 00:21:55.679 --> 00:21:56.799 Rachel asked me to cook some rice. 00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:57.940 I put rice in the rice cooker, 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.839 click the switch, 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.399 walk away, 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.599 come back 30 minutes later, 00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:03.159 rice hasn't cooked because power's not on. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.240 And so we can see ourselves, 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:09.119 we can view ourselves as these electrical appliance. 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:13.819 We are only useful when we are connected to the power source. 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:15.879 That of course is Christ. 00:22:15.880 --> 00:22:16.560 Without Christ, 00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:19.720 we are completely useless on our own. 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:24.780 And so perhaps a better phrase than saying God doesn't give us more than we can handle, 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:29.880 is God doesn't call us to do something without supplying for us his ability to do it. 00:22:31.080 --> 00:22:32.400 Not quite as catchy of a ring, 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.980 but that's the gospel truth. 00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.260 Paul says himself, 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.240 Philippians 4.13, 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:40.720 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:47.819 And so I hope this is an encouragement to us that we cannot take credit for anything that we do. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:50.960 We serve in the strength that God alone supplies for us. 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.440 And so think about this, 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:54.700 rather than a God coming to us and saying, 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:57.539 you need to follow me in and of your own ability, 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.680 we have a God, 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:02.400 the omnipotent Lord of the universe coming and saying, 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:05.519 I will work in you and through you and for you. 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:11.560 It is God who transforms us into the likeness of his son by his sanctifying grace. 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:15.500 And so what a freeing reality this is. 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:16.620 And though we, 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.040 and though, 00:23:17.300 --> 00:23:19.800 even though we are encouraged to work and to work hard, 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:25.140 we recognize that our work is not a burden to us because we do not have to rely on our own exertion. 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:30.060 But instead we trust in the blessing of God who is solely responsible, 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:34.540 both for the origin of our work and for the outcome of our work. 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:43.540 And so when we get caught up in patterns of sin in our life and we feel like we're trapped and we can't get out on our own, 00:23:44.540 --> 00:23:46.040 we turn to Christ. 00:23:47.340 --> 00:23:50.600 When we feel like relationships with our spouse or our children, 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:53.480 our brothers and sisters within the church, 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:55.599 our falling apart, 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.819 we turn to Christ. 00:23:58.920 --> 00:24:03.019 When we are tempted to seek our own comforts rather than caring for the needs of others, 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:04.839 we turn to Christ. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.440 And if those here that aren't believers, 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:14.799 that think it's all about your hard work in order for God to give you his good pleasure, 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.299 no, 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.339 it is Christ. 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:18.460 We turn to Christ for our salvation. 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:21.120 We turn to Christ for our sanctification. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:26.739 And so we do this because we keep our eyes focused on the goal. 00:24:27.739 --> 00:24:30.579 We see how Paul concludes this passage. 00:24:31.439 --> 00:24:32.259 These verse 13, 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:32.639 he says, 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:37.099 God works in us both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:40.239 So Paul comes right back to where he started. 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:47.200 We saw last week how God receives the glory for our salvation through the work of Christ. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:52.720 And now we see again that God receives the glory for our sanctification that comes through his spirit. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:57.039 And so when we see this happen, 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:59.500 it's something really wonderful. 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:05.819 That's really a miracle of God to see God align our wills with his. 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:11.539 Because we see that we are not only invited to follow Christ's obedience, 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:16.420 but we're also allowed to delight in God's joy. 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.399 And ultimately, 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:23.079 we will share in the glory of God at the day of Christ. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:25.079 And that's good news. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.399 Let's pray. 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:34.360 God, 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:36.480 we thank you for the work of your son, 00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:36.820 Jesus, 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:39.100 not only in saving us from our sins, 00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:41.840 but empowering us towards sanctification. 00:25:43.540 --> 00:25:44.000 God, 00:25:44.060 --> 00:25:47.060 may it be our desire to grow more and more like you, 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:48.720 not relying on our own strength, 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.640 on our own ability, 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:53.060 on the power of God 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:55.399 to change our wills, 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.799 to change our hearts, 00:25:57.460 --> 00:26:00.419 and to give us the ability to follow after you. 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:03.359 Lord, 00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:06.460 we pray that this message may be something that sinks in deep into our heart 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:08.759 and that may be practical for us as a church family 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:11.899 to know how to love one another well 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:14.039 and serve one another well, 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:16.879 that we may cling to the word of life, 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:23.039 that we may be different from the crooked and twisted generation. 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:25.200 O God, 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.919 by your power and through your spirit, 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:29.000 may we shine like a light in this world, 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:29.440 we pray. 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.240 In Jesus' name, 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.159 Amen. 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:37.960 Well, 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:40.419 now we have the opportunity to celebrate the Lord's Supper together, 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:42.379 so I'm going to ask Daniel Slatt to come forward, 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.899 who's going to be leading us in the sacrament. 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:59.039 coming back in from the Sunday school, 00:26:59.159 --> 00:27:02.200 so we'll wait just a moment as they return to the church. 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.860 nothing. 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:19.580 I have the opportunity to step forward, 00:27:20.080 --> 00:27:21.259 so we'll walk to the house now. 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:51.240 Thank you. 00:27:51.259 --> 00:28:21.240 Thank you.