Introduction. (Phillipians 2:12-13) This morning we will look at this passage and consider some important points which it teaches us about our service to God.

I. “You have always obeyed” (2:12b). A few weeks ago we looked at a passage where Jesus said “I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). This is pretty high praise for the Philippians. What type of character contributed to this kind of faithfulness? Let's go back and look at their beginnings.

1. Those in Philippi had an interest in serving God before they obeyed the gospel. (Acts 16:6-10).
2. Those in Philippi were diligent in worship. (Acts 16:12,13).
3. Those in Philippi had tender hearts to accept the word of God. (Acts 16:14).
4. Those in Philippi were quick to obey the truth. (Acts 16:15).

II. “Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence” (2:12c). Greek words for “presence” and “absence” are two words from the same root - the participle meaning “being.” “being”+para “beside” =“presence” | “being”+apo “away from”=“absence.”
     The presence of authority usually makes us act as we think that that authority wants us to. It is different when we are by ourselves. Paul praises them for their consistency. What about us? How do we act when

• Teachers leave the room?
• Parents are away?
• No policeman is around?
• The boss isn't watching?
• We aren't around fellow Christians?

1. We must not act as “men-pleasers.” (Col. 3:22-24)
2. We must not do good “to be seen by men.” (Matthew 6:1-6). Matthew 23:5 hypocritical Jewish teachers “all their works they do to be seen by men.”;

III. “Work out your own salvation” (2:12d). There are some statements that are so clear that they cannot even be uttered without shattering falsehood. E.g. How can any false teacher stand in a pulpit and utter the words “we are saved by faith alone” and “works have nothing to do with our salvation”; and then read Philippians 2:12?
     Word translated “work out” - 23 times in NT. Clear sense doing something that produces a result. E.g. Rom. 1:27 men “committing” what is shameful; Rom. 2:9 the soul of man who “does” evil; Rom. 4:15 the law “brings about” wrath; Rom. 5:3 tribulation “produces” patience; Rom. 7:8 sin “produced” evil desire; Rom. 7:13 sin “producing” death; II Cor. 4:17 light affliction “working” an exceeding and eternal weight of glory; II Cor. 7:10 godly sorrow “produces” repentance [leading] to salvation; etc.
     Is this teaching meritorious salvation? I.e. do we earn our own salvation? - The text doesn’t say that! It says work. Remember -- sorrow > repentance; tribulation > patience. The secret to understanding the Bible rests on two things: context & harmony. Let’s examine some points made within the context, then look at some texts that must harmonize with these points near the end.

1. “With fear and trembling” (2:12e). Note: We work with fear. Why? Because we are accountable to God. You do not fear what holds no danger.
        What has Paul just said? -- They have always been obedient > but they must continue. “Working out their salvation” is the same as continuing in obedience. They do so with fear & trembling “for”;
2. “For it is God who works in you”(2:13a). When we are obedient to God's word it is God working in us.
3. “Both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (2:13b). The Greek puts the word “the” before the word translated “to will” and the word translated “to do” ASV & NASB rightly render this “to work.” Vincent points out that this gives it the meaning “both willing and working” on behalf of His good pleasure. In other words, when we obey; when we work out our salvation; God is working in us, God is accomplishing His will.
        Some misunderstand this. Augustine had it a bit wrong. He said “We will, but God works the will in us. We work, therefore, but God works the working in us.” This suggests that our will is really God’s will, or our work is God’s work. That means we have no will and we do no work. The text says (instead) when we obey, when we work -- God is working in us - God's will is being accomplished.
        If we have no will why fear? Why tremble? If we do no work how do we work out our own salvation?

Conclusion. Let’s end with some harmony. In music harmony is what creates the beauty of sound. A single note is mixed with others. The blend creates what cannot be heard by one note alone. No one passage of Scripture stands alone. Each has its own context and relationship to the text and to other Scriptures. E.g. Let’s harmonize Paul's words.

• “work out your own salvation” - This does not mean that we earn our salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-10). Where is the harmony? Note: Grace through faith is the focus here. We have nothing to boast of. Does this take away the will - the work? Here, even faith is something we must do. But note, God made us for something - “good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” We walk in good works. That is “working out our own salvation.”
• “ with fear and trembling” - Paul spoke elsewhere about fear. (II Corinthians 5:9-11). Why does he fear? Judgment? What does it motivate him to do? Teach others. John spoke about fear also -- but he had a different focus. (I John 4:17-19). Where is fear here? It is weighed in comparison to love. Does John tell us Paul is wrong? No, Paul reminds us we must fear the judgment -- John reminds us that we have been loved! This love grants us confidence. Confidence is not arrogance.
       Where is the harmony? We obey - we work out our own salvation. We do so with fear. We fear because we will be judged. This fear is not our only concern on the day of judgement. We can have confidence because God has loved us in Christ.
• “for it is God who works in you” - How does God work in us? Look at one text which answers this question. (I Thessalonians 2:13) What works in us? The word of God! Compare this to another text. (Hebrews 13:20,21). Note: “May” God do something. There is choice here - option.
• “Make you complete” Apart from our will? Note: This is an option -- a prayer that what is accomplished may be well pleasing to God. If we don't work why would there be any question whether they are “;well pleasing”? Does God do what displeases Him?
• “both to will and to do for His good pleasure” - No, when we obey God we do His will. (I John 2:15-17).