Obedience
This is Living: Philippians
Pastor Todd Blansit
New Life Church
August 4, 2024

Recap
In Phil 2:1-4, Paul emphasized unity in the church. This unity is achieved through practicing humility and serving others.

In Phil 2:5-8, Paul told the Philippians to have the attitude of Christ, who made himself nothing, took the form of a servant in order to serve the very people he created, and died on the cross for their sins.

In Phil 2:9-11, we saw that one day we will bow the knee and exalt Jesus. The Father has made Him Lord of all.

Paul is not telling the Philippian believers to work for their salvation but that they are to work out their salvation.

Remember the context. Paul has been addressing disunity within the church. IIn this context, Paul wants the Philippian church to work out their salvation by humbling themselves, serving one another, and pursuing unity.

The reality is that one day we will all stand before a holy God in judgment. God is holy, and the Bible says that we’ve all sinned and fallen short of His perfect standard. Therefore, we are guilty and stand condemned. But the good news is that God in His love, sent His one and only Son. God’s Son took on human flesh, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, substituting himself for us. He paid the penalty for our sin, and we can be reconciled with God because of the work of Jesus Christ. Our response to Jesus is to repent of our sins, trust in Christ, and follow Him as Lord.

"Cultivating a grateful heart is not just an add-on nicety, a civil tip of the hat to God as we steamroll through our day. A posture of purposeful, perpetual thanks to God is absolutely central to Christian character. It gives glory to Him. It is the key defense against Satan's temptations to despair, distrust, dysfunction. It protects us from sin and self. It is the hallmark of heaven. It does not exist in hell."
--Ellen Vaughn