STUDYING THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS #7

Phil. 2:12-18

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. In Phil. 2:12-18, the Holy Spirit gives instructions on living
      soberly, righteously, and godly in the present evil world.
      1. Not only are we given instructions on what to do, but we are
         given strong exhortation so that we might do it.

I. 2:12-13 - First of all, Paul exhorts the Phlippians, and us as    
   well, to give grave, fearful attention to our eternal salvation.
   A. "Therefore" - We are motivated by the example and authority of
      Christ (as learned from the previous verses).
   B. "My beloved" - Paul considered them his beloved brethren.
      From this epistle we see that Paul loved the Philippian        
      brethren dearly.
   C. "As you have always obeyed" - They were consistent in their
      obedience.
   D. "Not in my presence only."
      1. Some obey only when the preacher or their parents are near.
      2. Also, some need the presence of others in order to sustain
         zeal.
      3. Let us zealously obey the Lord no matter who is present.
   E. "Work out your own salvation."
      1. He is not advising us, within ourselves, to devise a plan to
         save our souls.
      2. He is encouraging them, as well as all Christians, to prove
         their own works in order to bring their salvation to
         completion. Gal. 6:5; 1 Pet. 1:9; Rom. 6:22
      3. We are to work out our own salvation.
         a. Though we should promote the common salvation of all,
            we must look to ourselves first.
   F. "With fear and trembling."
      1. Obtaining our own eternal salvation should be uppermost in
         our minds. We need to set our minds on it, giving much care
         and diligence to it.
      2. We should not give it attention only once in a while.
      3. How shall we escape if we neglect the great salvation?
   G. "For it is God who works in you" - It is God's energy at work
      in us.
   H. "Both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
      1. We desire to do God's good pleasure, and we ask, "Who put
         that desire in us?" and "Through what means does He work
         in us?
         a. He did not do it by a direct operation of the Holy       
            Spirit, or by giving us a mysterious electrical charge.
         b. He works through His Word. 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12
         c. He works in granting our prayers. Eph. 3:20
         d. He works through His chastening. Heb. 12:11
            (1) There was a Christian family who had a little boy
                who was about to enter the first grade. He was a
                very kind, meek, quiet, frail, little boy. The other
                family members agreed to toughen up this little boy
                because of what he was about to enter. They
                agreed secretly to be rough on him to prepare him
                for the hardships ahead.
            (2) Likewise, God does the same with us in allowing us
                to face various trials and hardships. In the long    
                run, it makes us better. James 1:2-4

II. 2:14-16 - Paul exhorts us to be as children of God ought to be.  
   He gives some "do's" an "don't's."
   A. "Do all things without murmuring" - without unjust
      complaining.
      1. "Murmuring" ("grumblings" NASV)
         a. This especially pertains to complaining or grumbling
            about that which is required of us.
         b. The Israelites teach a good negative example regarding
            this. Num. 21:5-6; 1 Cor. 10:10
         c. God hates this, as evidenced by what He did to the
            Israelites.
         d. There is a road sign near a large tree farm which says,
            "Our Trees Are Outstanding In Their Field." Some are
            "outstanding in the field" of murmuring.
      2. Let us learn to not murmur and complain.
   B. "Do all things without...disputing" - without wrangling and
      quarreling.
      1. We are not to be wrangling and quarreling with one another.
      2. If we bite and devour one another, we will be consumed one
         of another.
      3. The light of truth and the purpose of religion is often lost
         in the mists of disputing.
   C. "That you may be blameless" - Not subject to blame, not
      deserving of censure.
      1. The example of Elisabeth and Zacharias tells much about
         what this means. Luke 1:6
   D. "That you may be harmless" - Not injurious to any in word or
      deed. Matt. 10:16
      1. A person who is "harmless" is one who would not
         intentionally harm another, physically or mentally.
   E. "Children of God without fault" - "Without rebuke" (KJV)
      "Without blemish" (ASV)
      1. We are to be living soberly, righteously, and godly in this
         present world.
   F. "In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation."
      1. Peter exhorted the devout Jews on the day of Pentecost to
         save themselves from that perverse generation.
         a. Our generation is likewise an evil one.
      2. Christians are ten thousand times wiser that the people of  
         the world because they have chosen to learn and obey the    
         will of God. Eccl. 12:13-14
         a. Christians have been delivered from this present evil
            world and no longer share in its condemnation.
   G. "Among whom you shine as lights in the world."
      1. We shine as lights in a dark place. Matt. 5:14-16
      2. The old coal-oil lanterns would not give out much light on a
         moonlit night. They would barely lighten one's path.
         However, on a dark, rainy night, those old lanterns would
         shine brightly. Likewise, the more evil and corrupt the     
         world becomes, the brighter Christians shine.
      3. We are light in the Lord. Let us walk as children of light.
         Eph.5:8
   H. "Holding fast the word of life." - Our message causes people to
      be made alive, to come to life.
      1. We shine as lights in the world by teaching and holding fast
         the word of life.
      2. Jesus said that His words are spirit and life. John 6:63
         a. The words that He spoke are living, life-giving, and
            dynamic. His words are spiritual, fitted to quicken and
            nourish the soul.
         b. F.F. Bruce noted the following regarding John 6:63:
            "The word of human beings, however wise in substance
            or eloquent in expression, cannot produce spiritual life;
            this is the prerogative of the Word of God."
         c. Let us continually hold fast the words which can impart
            and sustain spiritual life. 
   I. "So that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not
      run in vain or labored in vain."
      1. The converts which Paul had made were his treasures laid up
         in heaven. 1 Thess. 2:18-19
         a. Paul wanted the Philippians to remain faithful so that he
            would be blessed for his labor.
      2. It is hard enough to make converts, and we definitely don't
         want to lose the few we do win.
         a. Everyone will be rewarded according to his works, and
            the greatest work is the saving of souls.

III. 2:17-18 - Paul now mentions his prospect of martyrdom as a very
     present reality.
   A. "Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the
      sacrifice and service of your faith."
      1. This expression "poured out as a drink offering" is found
         only here and in 2 Tim. 4:6.
      2. According to the O.T. Law, a drink offering of about a quart
         of wine was poured out upon the carcass of each burnt
         offering. Num. 15:4-5
      3. Paul compares his own life as a drink offering which is     
         being poured out on the Philippians burnt offering.
         a. His dying as a martyr was a final enrichment on the
            sacrifice and service of their faith.
         b. They had done much in supporting and encouraging
            him, and their service and work of faith comes to a
            grand conclusion as this great soldier of the cross dies 
            in the Lord. 2 Tim. 4:6-8
   B. "If I am being poured out...I am glad and rejoice with you
      all."
      1.  His joy is based on the confidence that death is a gain.   
          Phil. 1:23
   C. "For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me."
      1. This is a call for them to receive the news he has given    
         them with gladness, and to share his joy.
      2. Christians do not experience the harshness and bitterness
         regarding death as do the people who have no hope. 1 Thess.
         4:13; Psalm 116:15; Rev. 14:13

Concl.
   A. Let us strive to apply these divine principles in our everyday 
      lives.
      1. Let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
      2. Let us not be murmuring or fighting among ourselves, but let
         us shine as lights in this present evil generation, holding 
         forth the word of life.
      3. Let us rejoice that we have hope of life beyond the grave.