SUMMARY: Work out
OVERVIEW: Paul exhorts us to work out our salvation. However, it’s intended to be a community exercise, not limited to individual effort.
BIG IDEA: Get some spiritual work out partners.
KEY VERSE: Philippians 2:12-13 (Paul’s summary statement)
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
The moment you recognized you could not save yourself—you could not earn your salvation—and you called on Jesus, you were saved by grace through faith. I welcomed you as my child, but that was the beginning of your journey. I want you to continue to grow and understand what it means to know me and follow me. But do this in community. Your faith development is not a solo event. You need a team of people who will support you and push you and encourage you. And you need to play that role in the lives of others, too.
Your model for all of this is Christ. With your teammates, humble yourselves, seeking the same mindset as Christ. He did not act selfishly or bang his chest, demanding that everyone admire his accomplishments. Instead, he humbled himself and served others. Allow others to help you. That may be more difficult than serving others, but it is a vital demonstration of your willingness to grow and learn.
NEXT STEP
Get involved in a small group. But don’t just attend. Make an effort to invest in others and allow others to invest in you.
VIDEO CLIP
BONUS Lyric Video