BIG IDEA: The main point of our passage is a command to us as Christians to live in such a way that we shine as bright lights in a dark world - in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. I want you to see four things in: 1) a serious command, 2) the desired result or outcome of obedience to the command, 3) a strong motivation to obey, and 4) a call to come alongside one another in this pursuit.

Therefore

First, we have to get into the flow of this passage. It does not begin with a command. Verse 12 begins with the all-important word “therefore”. And whenever you see a “therefore”, you should ask the question: what is it “there for”? It is always pointing you back to what was just said in order to give strength and energy to what is about to be said. When Jesus gave the great commission, he did not begin with “Go make disciples”. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth is mine. Therefore, go make disciples”. Therefore makes all the difference. 

This “therefore” points us back most immediately to verses 5-11, which is one of the great passages in the NT on the person and work of Jesus Christ. For centuries this has been referred to as the “hymn of Christ” because scholars have long believed that it was an actual hymn that was sung by the early church. It points to Jesus’ extreme-humiliation and super-exaltation. In terms of his humility, he went further and further down. He:

• Emptied himself by taking on flesh… coming as a servant (not to be served)
• Humbled himself by being obedient to the point of death on a cross…

That is the ultimate descent of humility. God became man and died for sinners. But it didn’t end with his humiliation, rather with his super exaltation… “therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every other name. So that at the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father.” What is the name that is given to Jesus that is above every other name? LORD. He is LORD. The most fundamental Christian confession is: “Jesus is Lord”. You don’t make him Lord. You confess or agree that he is. So there is a lot in this “therefore”. Christ’s humility, and exaltation to universal LORDSHIP. If he is the universal Lord, he has the right to command obedience and we have the duty to obey. [Let’s look at the command]

Work Out Your Salvation (Verse 12-13)

If I want to grow in Christ, do I engage in hard work or do I have faith that God is working to change you? The answer is YES! You do both. In fact, verses 12-13 are so crucial for showing us how change happens in our lives. It is by faith, but it is working hard by faith. Let’s see how this works. There is a command for you to work hard, then there is the promise of God’s work. 

First the command; weighty command; not a suggestion. O, how often the bible is read and commands are taken as mere suggestions. This is not a suggestion. You are commanded to do something. Verse 12 says,

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, [command] work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This sounds serious. And it is. Salvation is a gift that is given to us. But the grace that we are given in salvation is to be increased and developed. That’s why Peter said, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”. We are not to remain infants in salvation, but grow. And this is an endeavor we are to undertake “with fear and trembling”. Fear is the attitude of reverence toward Christ our Lord, the Giver of the gift of salvation and the One we owe complete allegiance. Trembling, means to engage to our utmost to fulfill all our duty to God. 

Paul, the great apostle of grace is not averse to speaking of hard work for the glory of God. Of course, we do not work FOR our salvation - that was given by sheer grace. But we are to work OUT the salvation we have received by grace, and do so with fear and trembling. Do not settle for remaining immature or lukewarm. Do not settle for a nibble of the heavenly life. Do not for jealousy, unforgiveness, pride, selfishness, adulteries, anger, malice, gossip, and things like these taking up residence in your heart. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 

If I were to stop here, it might sound like it is all up to you. But it is not, praise God. Your work is important, even necessary. God commands it. But your work depends on God’s work. We are given divine enablement. We see this in verse 13:

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

The first word “for” is really important. The reason we can and must work out salvation with fear and trembling is because God is at work in us. The Christian life is an inside/out transformation. We could never work out if God was not first working in. But he is. The mighty Holy Spirit is both nuclear power within us. It is the Holy Spirit who quickened you to life when you were dead in your sins… he brought you to life. It is the Holy Spirit who poured the love of God into our hearts. It is the Holy Spirit who gave the gift of repentance and faith. 

And verse 13 goes on to say specifically he is at work in you to will and to work for his good pleasure. He makes us willing. And he gives us the power to live in a way that pleases him. But verse 12 and 13 must be brought together. Some gravitate to “I must work”. Others gravitate toward “God is doing the work”. The inspired apostle brings them together. You act out by faith what you know the Holy Spirit is working in you. And you can be certain, if you are a Christian, the Spirit is working in you: humility, love, purity, upbuilding speech, courage, patience, faithfulness, discipline, joy… the list could go on. 

[In verse 14, Paul cuts to the chase in telling us how to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It sounds so ordinary, maybe even boring, but it is crucial, and all-encompassing]

Do All Things (verse 14)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Notice Paul does not say “Don’t grumble or dispute”. He says, in all that you do, do it without grumbling and disputing. This gets into every nook and cranny of life. Every crack, every closet, every cellar. Let all your activity - all of it (with your brains, eyes, ears, hands, and feet) - be free of grumbling and disputing. 

Do all things without grumbling. Grumbling means to murmur, complain, to do things grudgingly. If God journaled for you over the course of a week how often you grumble about your boss, neighbor, children, our spouse, work, the weather, what’s for dinner, how I feel, etc., do you think there would be a lot of material for you to review? You see how important this is? Disputing means to be in conflict with others. How often are you disputing with a sister or brother or husband or wife or co-worker or boss or neighbor or imaginary disputes with someone in your mind? 

Then I had a thought come to mind. This command is negative - do all things “without grumbling or complaining.” What if we turned it around: “Do all things with gratitude, joy, agreement”? That may be a way to sum up the Christian life. And in fact, it sounds very similar to other commands Paul gives: 

*Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

*And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

What happens when Christians do all things without grumbling and disputing or do all things with gratitude and joy? What is the outcome?

Result: Shine In A Dark World (Verse 15-16a)

15 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, 16 holding fast to the word of life

When we walk (do all things) as children of God or children of light (Ephesians 5:8), we shine in the world. I think the words “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation among whom you shine” is so important. It is good and necessary that we gather together as saints on the Lord’s Day. If this is not the most important day of your week, you need to straighten out your priorities. However, when we leave here we live “in the midst of” and “among” a generation that is twisted and crooked. We live in a world of darkness. And Christians should not just fit in. Our lives should shine. Not literally. It is not like Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with his face glowing. But the way in which we do all things shines a light on the glory of God. 

Remember when Jesus said to his disciples, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14)? Jesus, THE Light of the World, says to his followers, “You are the light of the world”. But then he goes on to say you shouldn’t put a lamp under a basket, but rather on a table. In the same way, let your light shine so that others see the way you do all things and glorify God.  

And when we shine in the world, it adorns the message we speak - “the word of life we hold forth”. There is such beautiful testimony when our activity in all of life and our speaking are in sync because they both bear witness to the power of Jesus Christ. 

[It seems like Paul always had his eyes on a future event that motivated him… gave him urgency and zeal]

The Day of Christ (Verse 16b)

so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Paul seemed to live all this life in view of the day of Christ, the great Day when the exalted LORD will come and settle account, when all will stand before him in his glory. And Paul says, “On that day I want to be proud… I want it to be proven that I did not run or labor in vain.” What does that mean? Paul’s labor would have been in vain in Philippi if they merely professed faith in Christ, but bore no fruit through a transformed life. In other words, if the people of Philippi said, “We are Christians. We have received the gift of salvation,” but they did not “work out their own salvation with fear and trembling”, Paul’s labor there would have been empty. 

The Day of Christ will expose everything. And Paul said “I want to be proud of you and my labor among you, that it bore true fruit for eternity.” Can I make a confession? I have this same desire among you. The professions of faith and baptisms are wonderful and worth celebrating. Lasting fruit in changed lives and families is where it’s really at. Beloved, the day of Christ is coming. It’s a day you will not miss. So get on the road of steady growth, working out your salvation with fear in trembling. This proves the work of God in you.

Poured Out

[The way Paul ends this passage is something we come to expect from Paul. He loved this church. He uses the imagery of a drink offering, poured out for the good of these Christians. In preaching, writing from prison, in suffering, in prayer… his life was poured out for their benefit. And he rejoiced in that. Verses 17-18] 

17 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. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

What if we saw our lives in the same light - poured out for the transformation and eternal good of others. There is great joy in that. Sometimes our misery and depression stems not being able/willing to look beyond our own immediate concerns. There is great joy in giving ourselves for the purpose of Christ and being spent for the eternal good of other people (you don’t need to look too far - children, spouse, brothers and sisters in the church family). 

Is it your confession that Jesus is Lord? Is this your public, confession? Then get to work… work out your salvation with fear and trembling | Do all things with gratitude and joy | shine as lights in the world; hold forth the word of life | in light of the day of Christ | come alongside others | This is what God is at work in you for. Let’s pray.