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"While our culture values success over almost anything else, the Lord isn't too concerned with success.  You see, God doesn't care about our worldly attainments.  He is much more interested in the concept of significance. If success is just a feeling you get when you reach your goals, significance is making a difference in the lives of people over time.  Successful men and women have come and gone, but it is the significant people who have changed the course of history.  They are the ones remembered, because they have left a legacy of lives behind.  It is time we left behind the old way of thinking.  It's time we abandoned our worldly pursuit of success and began engaging in the godly pursuit of significance".  ~ Phil Downer, Making an Eternal Impact

How to make your New Year count Effective Christian Living Grace Community Church Philippians 2:12

Your true beliefs are revealed in your actions The Problem If there is such a difference in Christianity – how come there is so much sameness in the world and in the church? *Poor theology* Your true beliefs are revealed in your actions

Clarification To put it another way: Is the Christian life essentially a matter of passive trust or active work? *It’s BOTH* Practical Considerations: We agree to disagree Deliberate Mistakes “What is improbable is extremely probable.” ~ Aristotle

Do you want a truly successful New Year Do you want a truly successful New Year? Then implement foundational principles for effective Christian Living.

Support is crucial to a good foundation. Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Support is crucial to a good foundation.

Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Therefore (gk. particle hoste) The grammatical rule of this particle is to draw a conclusion from a preceding statement What has been modeled for you – now do! #1. We must possess humility (as modeled by Christ)

Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” More than simply endearing statement - Paul has deep camaraderie with them - because of God’s love in Christ Jesus. Meant to communicate the seamlessness of purpose they share in a changed life #2. We must possess biblical love (modeled by Christ)

Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” If we want to experience effective Christian living we must live obediently. The greater issue in obedience is not whether you have a list of what is good or bad but are you obeying Christ in the moment!

Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” If we want to experience successful Christian living we must take responsibility for our life and behavior – otherwise we will never amount to what we could be. Paul commended them for their obedience while there – and to continue to walk out their faith in his absence. God asks no less of us!

Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” If we want to experience successful Christian living we must walk carefully in God’s ways. It is moment by moment we are either affirming or denying the fact that we have indeed come to him.

The how of the Christian life is the power of the crucified and risen Lord, through the agency of the indwelling Holy Spirit, by faith moment by moment.” ~Francis Shaeffer  

You in fact CAN have a truly successful New Year if you are willing to implement Foundational Principles for effective Christian living… In Humility / Love Live obediently Take responsibility Walk carefully