WEBVTT 00:00:00.660 --> 00:00:04.139 A few years ago, I had a stress test. 00:00:04.560 --> 00:00:09.000 If you haven't had a stress test, it's a test where you go to your doctor and they put electrodes 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:11.320 on you and they test your systems. 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:15.160 They put you on a treadmill to get your heart rate up and they test your blood flow and 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:22.679 allows the doctors to take various measurements to see how your heart is working, how it's 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:23.820 pumping, its effectiveness. 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:29.039 I'm sure there are doctors here who could give a much more detailed description of what 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:29.699 that's about. 00:00:30.099 --> 00:00:35.679 But it points to something that's, I think, a more universal principle, which is this. 00:00:36.100 --> 00:00:41.340 When you put significant pressure or stress on something, the strength of that substance 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:42.719 is put to the test. 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:49.359 When you work out your heart on the treadmill, it tests it to see how strong it is, to see 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:53.980 what it really is, whether it's strong or not, whether it's healthy or not. 00:00:53.979 --> 00:01:02.739 The passage that we read earlier in Exodus 16 shows us God taking the people of Israel 00:01:02.739 --> 00:01:04.420 through a stress test. 00:01:04.979 --> 00:01:07.640 Remember the context of the Old Testament story. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:17.379 God had come and worked miraculously to deliver Israel from slavery to Egypt. 00:01:18.040 --> 00:01:24.799 He worked with a mighty hand to break the power of the Egyptians and to allow the nation of 00:01:24.799 --> 00:01:27.620 Israel, the descendants of Abraham, to go free. 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:32.600 And as they were leaving, remember, he continued to provide for them in miraculous ways. 00:01:32.600 --> 00:01:40.040 He parted the Red Sea in order for them to pass through and then bring it back together in 00:01:40.040 --> 00:01:46.080 a way that destroyed the army that was chasing them and set them into a wilderness journey. 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:53.039 But during that wilderness journey, as they were in the desert, what did they do? 00:01:53.259 --> 00:01:54.759 Rejoice that they were free? 00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:55.700 No. 00:01:56.900 --> 00:01:59.099 They grumbled and complained. 00:01:59.739 --> 00:02:02.299 They lost sight of what they knew of God. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:07.599 They lost…they forgot what they had seen and heard from God. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:13.199 And the pressures of the moment clouded their understanding and their knowledge of God, 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:16.280 and they turned on Him and on one another. 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:23.500 And thus began 40 years of wandering in the wilderness as God led them again and again 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:27.239 through this stress test to see what was in their heart. 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:32.959 It strikes me that today we are no different. 00:02:33.839 --> 00:02:37.099 God is giving us a stress test of various kinds. 00:02:37.679 --> 00:02:39.479 I don't know what it looks like in your life. 00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:41.839 My life this year, my computer died. 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:43.840 My chimney needs repairs. 00:02:45.300 --> 00:02:48.539 And I could go on, as I'm sure you could. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:50.480 You've been injured. 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:51.879 You've gotten sick. 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:55.759 You're facing a serious medical issue or chronic condition. 00:02:56.659 --> 00:02:58.379 Maybe you've suffered job loss. 00:02:58.860 --> 00:03:03.960 Maybe your schooling is not going the way you want it to, or your career feels like it's sputtering. 00:03:03.960 --> 00:03:11.340 And in my experience, these kinds of stresses are nothing compared to the relational stresses in our lives. 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:15.879 When those that we love or depend upon have disappointed or hurt us. 00:03:16.100 --> 00:03:20.800 When wrongs have been committed but not owned up to and repented of. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:24.180 When we have disagreements and miscommunications, etc. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:31.200 Those kinds of stresses even more so test my heart. 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:37.139 How easy it is in those moments to grumble and complain. 00:03:37.619 --> 00:03:42.759 How easy it is for our eyes to be fixed on the immediate circumstances around us. 00:03:42.839 --> 00:03:44.099 What we see and feel. 00:03:44.179 --> 00:03:48.079 And we become consumed by managing and navigating those things. 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:54.460 And our hearts always turn, not to God, to remember Him. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:57.160 But to grumbling and complaining. 00:03:57.960 --> 00:04:00.400 It's so easy to justify it, isn't it? 00:04:00.740 --> 00:04:02.380 You don't know how hard it is. 00:04:02.920 --> 00:04:05.780 I deserve to grumble and complain about this. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:09.860 We all know that this is true in our hearts. 00:04:10.920 --> 00:04:15.340 And Paul is writing his letter to the Philippians because they too are facing pressures. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:17.500 They're facing some external opposition. 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:23.980 Suffering for being citizens of the gospel in a city that's enamored with being citizens of Rome. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:29.180 And the pressure that's coming in there is the particular stress test that they are facing. 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:37.120 And they too seem to be in danger of or have fallen into the pattern of grumbling and complaining. 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:41.519 And this is the backdrop for our passage this morning. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:44.480 So we're going to continue in our series in the book of Philippians. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:45.100 Philippians 2. 00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:49.220 And if you want to turn there, we're in Philippians 2. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:53.140 We're going to be looking at verses 12 through 18. 00:04:53.700 --> 00:04:57.140 Philippians 2, chapters 12 through 18. 00:04:57.139 --> 00:05:03.879 And remember, as you're turning there, if you want to look it up in the pew Bible in front of you, just remember the context. 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:10.019 We have just talked about in verses 6 through 11 the amazing truth of Christ. 00:05:10.019 --> 00:05:17.339 That the humble Christ submitted himself to God. 00:05:18.099 --> 00:05:23.819 Suffered indignity, loss, humanity, and even death for us. 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:28.980 And then God took this humble servant and exalted him as the Lord over all. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:32.139 And it is out of this that this passage flows. 00:05:32.819 --> 00:05:34.360 So let's look at it together. 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:37.819 Let's read it and then we'll pray and then we'll dive in. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:46.399 Philippians 2, verse 12. 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:59.500 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:06.039 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:28.759 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 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, 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. 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:38.519 And 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. 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:43.319 Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:45.259 Let's pray together. 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:47.599 Lord, we thank you for this word. 00:06:48.019 --> 00:06:50.120 We thank you for the encouragement that it is. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:53.939 We thank you for the instruction that it gives. 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:55.860 Lord, I pray this morning. 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:05.379 I pray for your help as I proclaim your word, that you would give me clarity of words and of thought, that I would communicate well the truth of your word. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:11.779 I pray for us as a congregation that we would sit together under your word, receiving it. 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:19.100 And Lord, may we in the midst of this, Lord, see you in all of your splendor and glory. 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:21.519 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:22.680 Amen. 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:22.779 Amen. 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:24.339 Amen. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:32.759 The main idea of this passage is actually fairly simple in some ways. 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:39.420 In light of all that Christ has done and in light of all that Christ is for us, Paul's message for us is this, 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:44.319 that God is calling us to work out what he has worked in us. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:46.839 That's a broad outline. 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:48.779 What we're going to do is look at it in two steps. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:52.259 The first step is verses 12 and 13, where we're going to look at this idea, 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:55.379 this main idea of working out what God has worked in. 00:07:56.219 --> 00:07:59.719 And then verses 14 through 18, we're going to get specific. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:02.500 Paul says, this is how we're meant to work it out. 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:08.639 This is a particular way or expression of what he wants us to do, what God is calling us to do. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:12.680 So, first, let's look at this main idea in verses 12 and 13. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:17.579 Look at it with me again. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:18.199 There we go. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:41.879 As we look at this passage, we want to say first that the audience is very clear. 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:43.500 Paul is talking to the church. 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:45.259 He is talking to believers. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:51.439 And he is saying, because you are in Christ, because I have already seen this pattern of life, 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:57.399 that you have followed Christ and obeyed him, I want to encourage you to keep going. 00:08:57.740 --> 00:09:03.379 Keep going and living out of this salvation that God has given you with fear and troubling. 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:05.759 Work it out, is what he says. 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:09.419 And it might be that our first reaction to this is, wait a minute. 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:11.539 This is not the gospel that Paul had preached. 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:13.299 This is not the gospel of grace. 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:19.439 Charles Spurgeon, 19th century preacher, has a great breakdown to help us think about 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:24.439 there are two different aspects of our salvation that we need to distinguish at times in the Scripture. 00:09:24.579 --> 00:09:25.779 And this is one of those times. 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:31.379 The first aspect of our salvation is that God has done a work for us. 00:09:32.199 --> 00:09:36.659 God has done something for us in Christ, in his life and death and resurrection. 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:39.980 He has broken the power of sin and death. 00:09:40.419 --> 00:09:45.339 And by grace, he has applied it to our lives that has nothing to do with our works at all. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:50.579 And that's the glory of the gospel of grace that we believe in. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:54.919 That God has rescued us from our sin apart from anything that we could do. 00:09:56.679 --> 00:09:59.639 And so we remember things like Ephesians 2, 8, and 9. 00:09:59.719 --> 00:10:02.480 For by grace you have been saved through faith. 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:04.360 And this is not your own doing. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:08.860 It is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast. 00:10:09.800 --> 00:10:11.159 And that's the gospel of grace. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:12.480 But that's not particularly… 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:16.379 Paul's saying that's the salvation that you already have. 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:19.879 And then, as Spurgeon says, there's a second aspect of it, 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:24.720 which is then God is taking what he has done for us and he is working it into us. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:30.139 God is doing a work in us, the ongoing work of what we call sanctification. 00:10:30.560 --> 00:10:35.060 Becoming more and more aligned with what God has already done. 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:38.180 Expressing the salvation that we already have. 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:42.920 Not earning it, but inhabiting it more and more and more. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:49.620 These are new patterns of living that flow from knowing the love of Christ 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:54.799 and the certainty of salvation and the freedom of forgiveness and the hope of eternity. 00:10:57.720 --> 00:11:01.919 Paul has given us already some exhortations about what this might look like. 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:08.060 To be humble, to serve one another, to be self-denying, not self-exalting. 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:12.740 And Paul says that we're called to do this with fear and trembling. 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:18.519 And again, fear and trembling to us might mean cowering and being afraid of punishment. 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:23.120 But again, because of what Christ has done, we're not afraid of punishment per se. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:29.740 But instead, we are captivated by the awe of a Savior who humbled himself to die for us 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:31.740 and is now exalted above all. 00:11:33.319 --> 00:11:36.120 And yes, there will be a judgment for believers, 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:38.500 but it will not be a judgment of ultimate punishment. 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:44.360 And we are to respond to him in awe, not in terror. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:46.960 In devotion, not in duty. 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:49.419 As he calls us to live this out. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:52.899 Paul goes on though, he not only says, this is what you're supposed to do. 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:54.419 Work out your salvation. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:57.680 But he says, in verse 13, here's the good news. 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:59.480 God is at work in you. 00:12:00.300 --> 00:12:04.440 And the wonderful thing about it, the way he phrases this in Greek is really cool. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:06.879 Because he's not just saying, God is at work in you. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:12.919 He's saying, in verse 13, for it is God, he is the working one. 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:14.100 He is the one. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:17.860 It is about God, not the work that he's doing, but it's actually about himself. 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:20.679 God is working in you. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:27.500 The working one is at work in us to do this very thing that he's called us to do. 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:29.919 What good news it is. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:37.579 We may man the oars and raise the sails, but God is filling our lives with the wind of his Holy Spirit. 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.679 With the power of his presence. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:44.899 So that we might actually carry out all the things that he calls us to. 00:12:45.719 --> 00:12:52.659 His desire is for us to be a people who know the fullness and goodness of life with him. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:56.579 So Paul says, work this out. 00:12:57.219 --> 00:12:59.159 The salvation of what he's done for you. 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:02.079 Work it out in your lives, for he is at work in you. 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:07.959 Now we're going to spend a few minutes thinking about what does that look like in just a second. 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:08.839 But I want to pause. 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:17.719 Because this is a passage where we see the two nodes of God's sovereignty and human responsibility in play. 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:26.039 And I think it's often that we in our human minds think that God's sovereign work and our agency of will are somehow in conflict. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:29.000 That it's either one or the other. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:31.419 But we can't have both working clearly. 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:36.679 But I just want you to look at this passage and say, Paul sees no conflict. 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:42.059 He calls us to engage every faculty we have to work out our salvation. 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:45.779 And then he says, for it is God at work in you. 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.039 Enabling you. 00:13:47.479 --> 00:13:48.159 Empowering you. 00:13:48.319 --> 00:13:52.139 And allowing you to do the very thing that he is calling you to. 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:55.379 And yes, there is a mystery here. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:14:01.459 And yes, there are good philosophical questions for us to plumb the depths of to try to figure this out. 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:06.100 But rather than getting hung up on the, well, is this me or him working? 00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:10.860 Let us instead rejoice that we have a God who is at work in us. 00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:15.440 That the very thing he calls us to, he's also working in us to enable us to do. 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:20.020 I think that's how Paul would want us to respond to these questions. 00:14:21.020 --> 00:14:26.060 So having taken that little exorcist, then what is it that God wants us to do? 00:14:26.140 --> 00:14:27.240 What does this look like? 00:14:27.280 --> 00:14:30.060 How does Paul apply it to the Philippians and us? 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:32.940 There are three things I see in verses 14 through 18. 00:14:33.540 --> 00:14:34.780 We're going to look at these in order. 00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:42.299 First, verse 14, do not grumble or dispute so that you will shine like stars in a dark world. 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:53.600 The language he uses here, do not grumble or dispute, is exactly the same words that are used in the Greek translation of Exodus 16 that we read earlier. 00:14:54.100 --> 00:15:00.419 Paul brings the whole story of the nation of Israel forward into this passage in lots of ways. 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:08.379 I'm not even going to point out all of them, but it's a really cool passage where all of this vocabulary, which is unusual in the New Testament, 00:15:08.599 --> 00:15:12.860 but is resonant from the Old Testament story of how Israel lived. 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.740 And remember what we said about them. 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:23.000 They lost sight of God and his powerful work of salvation and his ongoing presence with them. 00:15:23.099 --> 00:15:26.279 And in the midst of that, they grumbled and complained. 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:34.399 And this grumbling and complaining isn't just our griping, isn't just our moaning or gossiping, but it's a faithlessness. 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:39.139 It's an untrusting with a critical and accusatory attitude. 00:15:39.579 --> 00:15:43.620 This grumbling and complaining isn't just saying, man, this is hard. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:51.159 But it's when bitterness begins to set in our hearts and where we begin to blame, when we begin to accuse, 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:59.339 when we begin to forget God is sovereignly working in our lives and instead turn on him and others. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:04.620 And this kind of grumbling and complaining is a cancer to our hearts. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:08.159 It turns us away from God rather than towards him. 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:13.199 It turns us away from his grace and towards our own circumstances. 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:17.360 It also becomes a poison in our community. 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:22.019 When we grumble and complain in our own hearts, it's bad enough. 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:27.539 When we grumble and complain with one another, it spreads like a poison. 00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:31.680 And we turn others away from God as well. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:38.759 So I want to ask you the question, when the pressure is on, what happens in our heart? 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:46.100 Is it joyful submission, faith-filled perseverance, loving service to others? 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:51.980 Do we accept suffering, embrace hardship as a part of following Christ? 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:58.440 Because Paul says that there's a purpose for not grumbling and complaining. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:02.700 When we're able to take hold of this call to not be this way, 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:06.200 then we are being who we ought to be. 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:12.319 Blameless, people of good repute, innocent as Adam was, not knowing good and evil. 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:20.399 And Paul says, therefore, we are shining like lights in a world of darkness as God's children. 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:27.240 The Bible commentator, Alain Mottier, there we go. 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:29.419 He's Irish, not French. 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:36.439 Mottier says this, light is a beautiful illustration of something that does what it has to do 00:17:36.439 --> 00:17:38.819 by being what it ought to be. 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:45.259 Paul calls us to do what we have to do, that is to be this shining light in the world 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:50.579 by being blameless and pure, by avoiding or forsaking grumbling and complaining, 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:54.000 because that flows from who we are. 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:58.159 And when we are who we are, the children of God in this world, 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:01.339 then we shine like lights. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.819 We are separate. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:08.419 We are separate from the world around us, and we are able to bring the hope of the gospel 00:18:08.419 --> 00:18:10.279 and the light of the glory of Christ. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:18.019 What a contrast that we might be faithful, contented, joyful people in the midst of all 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:20.079 the pressures that we face. 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:24.099 Now, before I go on, I want to say a few caveats. 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:29.179 It does not mean that we do not address in constructive ways things that aren't going well. 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:33.160 It does not mean that we ignore or deny evil or wrongdoing, 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:36.640 or pretend that there is not suffering and hardship in the world. 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:40.539 Paul acknowledges those things strongly. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:44.460 In fact, he says we live in a crooked and twisted generation. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:48.799 We live in a place, in a world that is out of sync with God's goodness 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:50.440 and His good plan for the world. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:53.140 So, of course, these things are going to happen. 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:57.200 And interestingly, those words are another place in Deuteronomy 32, 00:18:57.460 --> 00:19:02.360 where God has accused Israel of being a twisted and crooked generation. 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:04.380 And Paul's taking that language and saying, 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:07.560 that's what the Old Testament people of God were, and they failed. 00:19:07.780 --> 00:19:11.380 But you now, with the Holy Spirit, have the ability to be the lights 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:14.220 that God always intended His people to be. 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:22.279 Paul says, Christ has shown us a way to live. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:28.420 When we put our sufferings and our trials, the pressures that we face, 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:31.860 in the context of God's work of salvation, 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:37.920 we are able to walk dark roads and difficult paths with steadfastness, 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:41.460 not allowing our lips to loose in complaining, 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.960 or our hearts to harbor resentment. 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:48.000 You all may know the story of Helen Rosevear, 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:50.460 the missionary to the Congo in the mid-20th century. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.940 If you don't, you should. 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:53.220 Look her up on Wikipedia. 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:55.120 Find some of her biographies. 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:55.880 Read her books. 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.960 She's a wonderful person. 00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:58.900 John Dunlop actually knows her. 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.700 So you can—he worked with her briefly. 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:04.019 So you can get some firsthand stories if you want. 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:07.559 But Helen Rosevear talks about the hardships that she faced 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:10.680 and the sufferings that she endured during her missionary work. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:14.160 But she would use a word for it as she walked through her ministry. 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:16.660 That was striking to me as a new believer. 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.259 She said this. 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:21.120 One word became unbelievably clear. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:23.920 And that word was privilege. 00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:29.440 He didn't take away pain or cruelty or humiliation. 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:32.079 No, it was all there. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:35.259 But now it was altogether different. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:41.099 It was for him, with him, and in him. 00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:46.240 He was actually offering me the inestimable privilege 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:52.159 of sharing in some little way the edge of the fellowship of his suffering. 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:57.160 Which is a phrase that we'll see again in Philippians chapter 3 verse 10. 00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.420 Do you hear what she said? 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:04.380 When she looked at her circumstances, which were really terrible, 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:07.519 through the lens of the gospel, 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:11.680 she could say this is privilege, 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:14.720 not grumble and complain. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:18.700 May that be true of us as well. 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:21.339 So Paul says first, 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.900 to work out our salvation 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:25.059 is to, with eyes of faith, 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:26.740 see the gospel so clearly 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:29.920 and see who we're called to be in Christ so well 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:31.900 that we don't grumble and complain, 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:33.299 but that we shine like stars. 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:36.319 The second thing is what we see in verse 16, 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:38.640 that we are to hold fast and hold forth 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:40.360 the word of truth. 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:42.240 What does he mean here? 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:44.240 He means we want to make the gospel, 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:46.900 or the truth of Christ, 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:49.839 our lenses for how we see the world. 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:53.099 We want to put on gospel glasses to see everything. 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.839 And this is what we've already seen 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:58.039 in verses 6 through 11 00:21:58.039 --> 00:22:00.099 about what Christ has done for us. 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:03.359 The cross reminds us 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:05.440 that God's love for his people 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:09.319 is unquestionably steadfast and sacrificial. 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:11.279 The cross reminds us 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:13.240 that God's power to save 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.720 is sure and sufficient. 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:17.039 The cross reminds us 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.480 that God's sovereign care 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:21.599 will lead us through suffering to glory. 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.700 The cross reminds us 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:26.259 that God's holiness and his grace 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:30.579 show us how we are to live as his people. 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:34.980 So Paul says to work at our salvation 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:38.140 is to hold to this gospel lens 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.860 over and over again. 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:41.680 To look to Christ 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:43.380 in the midst of our circumstances. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:45.019 There are lots of things 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.160 that we're going to face in life 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.880 that we're not going to be able to solve, 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.880 that we can't be in control of, 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.960 that we can't fix and change. 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:53.660 And the only way 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.960 that we're going to make it through 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.319 and shine like stars 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:58.900 is by holding fast 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:00.980 to this gospel lens. 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.880 There is a God in heaven 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:04.720 and he has sent his son Jesus 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:07.320 and that is the most important thing. 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.360 And we find everything else 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:12.920 finding its place around that. 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:16.740 We might be tossed by every wind 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:18.360 and wave of present times. 00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:21.280 We might be discouraged and downcast 00:23:21.280 --> 00:23:22.900 as we see the church stumble. 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:25.360 We might be personally overwhelmed 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:28.540 with grief, hurt, loss, or anger. 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:31.379 But when we look at Christ, 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:34.579 these truths will keep us. 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:37.039 They will keep us in Christ 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:39.200 and they will keep us 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:41.119 and allow us to live out 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:43.920 the salvation that we have in him. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:47.119 And this word holding fast 00:23:47.119 --> 00:23:48.099 or holding forth, 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.879 it could mean either way. 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.899 And so it's both us clinging to it, 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:54.799 but it's also us holding it out for others. 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:57.799 Because when we know this, 00:23:58.319 --> 00:24:01.379 we are able to shine like stars for others. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:03.299 Our character and our behavior 00:24:03.299 --> 00:24:04.859 under the pressures of life, 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:07.319 this is the voice that we have 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:10.500 in the midst of darkness and suffering 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:12.480 to hold out to others and say, 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:14.980 yes, this is a terrible, hard world 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.779 that we live in, 00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:17.980 but there is a God in heaven 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:20.200 and a salvation in Christ 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:22.299 that allows us to walk 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.819 through all of these things. 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:27.079 When the gospel is the thing 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:28.000 that we cling to, 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:30.200 then we are a light in the world 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.619 and we're able to hold it out 00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:33.139 for others as well. 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.919 So working out our salvation 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:37.159 is these things, 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:39.099 not grumbling as if God were not there 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:40.819 and holding fast to the word of life. 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:42.059 But there's one more theme. 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.779 This is a theme we've actually seen 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.879 a lot in Philippians 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:46.099 and we're going to come back to it 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:48.000 in future times as well. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.659 But where Paul pulls 00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:51.339 from his personal relationship 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.359 to the Philippians, 00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:54.119 a church that he loves, 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:55.239 say this is the, 00:24:55.439 --> 00:24:57.119 and to point to a third way 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:58.079 where he's going to work, 00:24:58.639 --> 00:25:00.019 encourage them to work out 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.939 their salvation 00:25:00.939 --> 00:25:02.579 and for us to have the same, 00:25:03.239 --> 00:25:04.739 hear the same call. 00:25:05.739 --> 00:25:07.979 The third thing is verses 17 and 18, 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:10.779 that we would work out our salvation 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:13.479 by rejoicing in the mutual glory 00:25:13.479 --> 00:25:14.939 of the gospel life, 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:16.859 including its suffering. 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:20.379 Paul says in this section, 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.099 suffering for the gospel 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.879 is not just my path, 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:26.039 like I'm a unique individual, 00:25:26.199 --> 00:25:28.879 an apostle that only I will suffer in. 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.839 He says, 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:31.879 you too have suffered with me 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:33.479 and are suffering now 00:25:33.479 --> 00:25:34.779 because of the gospel. 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.759 Paul says in verse 17, 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.019 even if I am poured out 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.919 like a drink offering, 00:25:39.979 --> 00:25:41.859 this is a sacrificial image 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.579 from the Old Testament 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.519 where the drink offering 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.839 will be poured out 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:47.240 on the altar. 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:50.079 And in that sense of pouring out 00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:51.359 is a sense of emptying 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:53.279 and it is a sense of giving up 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.199 one's life. 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:57.839 Paul uses it to embrace 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.699 the suffering 00:25:58.699 --> 00:26:00.519 of a gospel-shaped life, 00:26:00.659 --> 00:26:02.579 that he pours out his life 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:03.759 for others 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:07.059 to the point where heat 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:08.299 may be emptied 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:09.980 so that they may be full 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.720 of the gospel. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.039 Paul says, 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.720 if I am going to suffer for you, 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.860 even if I am going to suffer for you, 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.079 I am not going to grumble 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.680 and complain, 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.339 but instead, 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.740 I will rejoice. 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.860 I will do it all for you, 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.960 for your good. 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.579 And I invite you 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.920 to do the same 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:29.059 as you endure suffering, 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.920 as you endure 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.339 the pressures of life, 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:33.279 as you feel the squeeze, 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.220 and as you are tempted 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:36.319 to grumble and complain. 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.980 Instead, 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.539 rejoice 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:41.099 because of this suffering 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:42.039 for the gospel 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:45.240 is something that we share 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.980 in together 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.700 and allows us 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.559 to see Christ 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.639 more clearly. 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.599 And it's not just 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.139 each of us 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:54.619 individually doing this, 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.440 but it's us 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.519 corporately together. 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.240 Paul is saying, 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.759 I rejoice with you 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.599 and you rejoice, 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.639 I call you, 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.000 rejoice with me 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.720 in what God is doing. 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:06.819 that even in the midst 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.860 of this stress test, 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.339 what might be proven 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:11.000 is not even the greatness 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.319 of our faithfulness, 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:14.539 but the joy of our salvation, 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:16.120 the finished work 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:17.660 that Christ has done for us, 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.200 working itself out 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:20.140 in our lives 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.539 so that it might be shown 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:23.140 not only to one another, 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.180 but to the world. 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:26.279 What an amazing salvation 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:28.620 that we have in Christ. 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:31.000 for, of course, 00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:31.399 friends, 00:27:31.479 --> 00:27:32.319 the only way 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.799 we can walk this route 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:36.639 is by looking to Christ. 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.359 Remember Christ 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:40.159 who in Hebrews 12 says, 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:41.439 for the joy 00:27:41.439 --> 00:27:42.899 that was set before him 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:44.659 endured the cross, 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.579 despising the shame, 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.019 and is seated 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.899 at the right hand 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:50.019 of the throne of God. 00:27:51.199 --> 00:27:52.259 Remember Christ 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.359 who did not count 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:54.639 equality with God, 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.439 something to be grasped, 00:27:56.479 --> 00:27:57.759 but made himself nothing. 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.119 He humbled himself, 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.920 took on human form, 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.759 was obedient to death, 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.680 even to death 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:06.819 on a cross for us. 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.539 And therefore, 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:09.559 God has highly exalted him. 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.619 He has vindicated Christ 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.420 in his life 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:14.500 and set him above all things 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.599 so that the name of Jesus, 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.879 every knee will bow 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:18.859 and every tongue will confess. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.720 And friends, 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:22.319 we will never live a life 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:24.619 that does not grumble 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.200 and complain 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:26.180 unless we see 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.500 the glory of Christ 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.859 in his humiliation 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:30.099 and his exaltation 00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:31.299 until our hearts 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.759 are caught up in it. 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:35.500 When we fix our eyes on that, 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:36.740 when we gaze at that 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:39.220 daily in personal meditations, 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.859 weekly as we gather 00:28:40.859 --> 00:28:41.720 as a church, 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.500 this is what gives us 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.259 the ability 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.160 and the empowerment 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:48.519 to live the life 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.880 that God calls us to 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:53.620 so that he might be pleased. 00:28:53.620 --> 00:28:56.280 So that the world might know 00:28:56.280 --> 00:28:57.620 what a great salvation 00:28:57.620 --> 00:28:58.720 we have. 00:29:00.280 --> 00:29:02.000 This is the way of Christ 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.520 for us. 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.720 So let us consider 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:08.620 the pressures that we're under 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:10.520 and look to Christ. 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:13.260 May we work out our salvation 00:29:13.260 --> 00:29:14.980 so that our lives 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:16.460 might shine like stars 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:18.000 with the glory 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.720 of the gospel 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:20.100 and the hope 00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:21.299 that is ours in Christ 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.779 and the love 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.660 of God the Father. 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.860 Let's pray together. 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:36.279 Lord, we start this morning 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:40.000 by confessing 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.620 that we are 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:43.180 people who are prone 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.660 to grumble 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:44.460 and complain. 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.840 Lord, how easily, 00:29:47.560 --> 00:29:48.120 Lord, we 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:51.580 lose sight of you 00:29:51.580 --> 00:29:54.120 and in doing so, 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.180 Lord, turn away 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:56.680 from the truth 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.120 and the hope 00:29:57.120 --> 00:29:57.680 of the gospel. 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.660 Oh, Lord, 00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:00.019 have mercy on us 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:01.220 this morning. 00:30:02.580 --> 00:30:03.759 Lord, show us 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.700 where there may be 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.799 a wicked way in us 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:07.660 as Dave prayed earlier. 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.460 Help us to see 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.660 where we have lost sight, 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:13.380 where we have lost 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.480 our gospel lenses, 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.440 where we have 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.920 loosened our grasp 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:19.660 on the word of truth. 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.519 And Lord, 00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:23.720 we pray this morning 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:25.540 that as we repent 00:30:25.540 --> 00:30:26.480 of those things 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.420 that we would turn 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:28.019 to you 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:30.620 and know the joy 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:32.060 of our salvation, 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.120 to know the joy 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:34.140 of following 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:34.900 in your footsteps, 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.880 to know the joy 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:37.160 of fellowship with you, 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.080 yes, 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:38.759 in suffering, 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:41.119 but also in death, 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.039 and yes, 00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:42.819 even in death, 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.720 but also then 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.660 in resurrection 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.599 and glory. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.799 Lord, be with us, 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.259 we pray, 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.400 in Jesus' name. 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.519 Amen.