Sunday, December 16, 2018 pm
STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS
(12)
God Working in You
Philippians 2:13
Tonight, we continue our study of Philippians.
In our last lesson we studied the need to work out our own
salvation. This is a part of
Paul’s challenge for these brethren to achieve unity.
First there is the need for humility, second there is the need to
think about others. We have
Jesus as the perfect example.
BUT doing this requires work – we each have a part to do.
In tonight’s lesson we will see the importance of this, as we
address God working in us.
a.
God has a part in our
salvation
– without this verse, man might think that the work of salvation is
solely on him and thus impossible.
This verse adds comfort by noting that God is there and with us,
willing to help us in His ways.
BUT, also consider that if we didn’t have vs. 12, it might seem
that God does it all.
NEITHER statement is true.
In reality God’s part and our part are complimentary.
b.
He is with us as we
strive to work out our salvation
–
John 14:23, Jesus noted that
keeping His word would result in Him and the Father “making our home”
with one.
Romans 8:9,11 speaks of the spirit of God dwelling in us.
These texts note that the one whom He is with (all of the
Godhead), is based upon our obedience to Him.
c.
It involves our will – the word here means to desire something strongly.
As used here it has reference to our determination to act.
As we have noted so often, the mind (and will) is where
genuine obedience begins.
The heart of the matter must be behind our actions.
See also John 7:17, If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know
concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My
own authority.
True obedience will always come from the heart.
cf. Romans 6:17 – an obedience that comes from the heart.
Romans 10:10 – it is with the heart that one believes unto
righteousness (action).
Anything less than a hearty response is inferior (we may obey, but not
enthusiastically).
d.
It involves our actions
– John 14:15 – Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My
commandments”
Why call Me Lord and do not the things that I say? – John 6:46
1 John 5:3 – this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.
1 Peter 1:13-16 – we are called upon to gird up the loins of our mind…as
obedient children, leading to holiness in our lives.
Acts 2:37-41
– an illustration of will and actions working together.
They were cut to the heart and asked what they needed to do
(their will or desires to act).
They were told to act, and some 3000 souls that day became
Christians.
e.
He is pleased to do His
part for us
– this involves two things:
i.
We do what we do to be pleasing to Him – 2 Corinthians 5:9 -we make it our aim to be well
pleasing to Him, Galatians 1;10 – do I seek to please men or God.
Colossians 1:10 – walk worthy of
the Lord, fully pleasing Him…
1 Thessalonians 4:1 – you received…how you ought to walk and to please
God
ii.
He is pleased when we do what we should and to do His works in us
-
Matthew 25:23 – Well done good and faithful servant
Hebrews 11:16 - Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God
Spoken of Jesus – Matthew 3:17, 17:5.
1 John 3:22 - He answers our prayers because we obey and do those things
pleasing in His sight
iii.
As we have noted on
numerous occasions, our salvation involves God’s grace extended to us
through our faith. He WANTS
to save us and work in us.
He is pleased to do this IF we let Him!
a.
It is not an enveloping
force that overtakes us.
It is not in a way that removes our freewill or accountability.
As one source noted, God works in us only as we let Him work.
b.
How does God dwell in
us?
While exactly how God dwells in us, and to what degree He works, is
unknown, this we do know:
It is a matter of
influence
- The word for works in our text is a Greek word (ἐνεργέω, energeō) from
which we get our English word
energize.
That what prompts us to obedience – 2 Corinthians 5:14 – the love of
Christ compels us
1 John 4:19 – we love Him because He first loved us
Romans 8:14 – as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of
God.
c.
He works in us:
i.
Through His word – 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – they received the word of God which was
effectively working in them
Colossians 3:16 – let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Romans 1:16- His word is the power unto salvation.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 notes that we have been sanctified by the
Spirit AND belief in the truth (cf. John 17:17)
Hebrews 4:12 – the word of God is living and powerful,…
Consider how the word of God can
change us -
ii.
Through Jesus – Hebrews 13:20-21, Ephesians 3:17 speaks of Christ dwelling in our
hearts through faith.
When we follow the example of Jesus, God is working in us – cf.
Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 2:21-23
iii.
Through others – continually in scripture, we find how others influence us because of
the workings of God. We can
be encouraged, or even converted, because of faithful Christians.
Acts 15:12 – Paul and Barnabas recount how many miracles and wonders God
had worked through them among the Gentiles.
Matthew 5:16 – by our light shining, God is glorified by others.
1 Thessalonians 1:8, Paul commends the Thessalonian brethren because
they faith toward God had gone out in every place.
Truly God is working in us.
Therein, we find our real hope.
But, as we have seen, this is not some uncontrollable activity of
God, but rather our reception of Him and His will in our lives.
Are we allowing Him to work in us?
Final thought: Becoming a
Christian involves the working of God.
Consider Colossians 2:12,
buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him
through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.