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The Christian's Obedience, Part 3 (Sermon Recap)

Gospel Partnership Series

THE CHRISTIAN'S OBEDIENCE, PART 3 (SERMON RECAP)

On July 1, 2018 we continued our unpacking of Philippians 2:12-13. In Part 3 of "The Christian's Serious, Satisfying, and Supernatural Obedience," we built on the teaching that was set forth in Part 2.

In Part 2 (preached on June 24) we learned that "work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12 ESV) means to bring about the future aspect of your salvation by keeping your feet on the path that leads to it. The path of obedience and love is the path that leads to final salvation and glory. Our obedience is not the basis of our right relationship with God, but our obedience confirms that we do have a right relationship with God and, in keeping with God's design, our obedience prepares and ripens us for the glory to come. As such, obedience is the necessary, God-appointed pathway to final glory.

In Part 3 (preached on July 1) we learned that this instruction to "work out your own salvation" means not only that you must walk the path that leads to final glory, but also that you must help others walk the path that leads to final glory. Our heavenly Father calls us to be lovingly attentive "to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4 ESV). Although this call to love rightly results in ten thousand different ways of helping people, the highest expression of love for our fellow churchgoers is to help them stay on track until they finish the race and enter final glory. This highest expression of love, implied in Philippians 1-2, is set forth clearly throughout the New Testament. Consider:

  • "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
  • "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak...." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
  • "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." (Jude 22-23).
  • "If your brother sins, rebuke him...." (Luke 17:3)
  • "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)
  • "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness." (Galatians 6:1)
  • "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end." (Hebrews 3:13-14)

The Lord calls you to love your fellow Christians by encouraging and helping them, admonishing and rebuking them, seeking and "snatching them" from spiritual danger, rescuing and restoring them. The purpose of all this is to help our brothers and sisters remain on the path, or return to the path, that leads to final glory; as well as to help bring lost churchgoers into the miracle of conversion.

Will you help others make a safe passage to everlasting glory?

You can read or listen to the whole sermon here.