1. Philippians 2:12-14 V. 12. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. V. 13. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. V. 14. “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.

2. Philippians 2:15-16 V. 15. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; V. 16. “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

3. Philippians 2:17-18 V. 17. “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. V. 18. “For the same cause also do ye joy; and rejoice with me.”

4. A Closer Look at Philippians 2:12: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren.. – Takes us back to the supreme example of obedience just cited – that of Jesus Christ, v. 8. “As ye have always obeyed.. – From the beginning, once they learned the truth, they were obedient, Acts 16; cf. Phil. 1:3-6. Two kinds of obedience in this verse: – They had obeyed in Paul’s “presence.” – Now they were to obey in his “absence.”

5. A Closer Look at 2:12 (continued) “Work out your own Salvation.. – Man has a role in his own salvation, Acts 2:40; 2 Peter 1:10,11. Man’s obedience does not negate the grace of God; the grace of God does not eliminate the obedience of man! Romans 3:23,24; Acts 20:24; 2 Thess. 1:7-9. – God is also working in our salvation, 2:13. “With fear and trembling.” – It is “a nervousness and trembling anxiety to do right,” Lightfoot. Cf. Isaiah 66:2; Hebrews 10:31.

6. Some Things Involved in Working “Out Your Own Salvation:” Must have Willing Hearts, Philippians 2:13. Must Exercise Tongue Control! Phil. 2:14. – “Do all things without murmurings.. – “And disputings. Cf. 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9. Must Shine as “Lights in the World,” 2:15. - To do this we must be “blameless,” v. 15, denoting wholehearted devotion - And “harmless,” v. 15.

7. Some Things Involved in Working out Your Own Salvation (Con’t). “Holding Forth the word of life,” Phil. 2:16. This verse has been translated two ways: – “Holding forth the word of life,” KJV. Denotes not just believing the word, but sharing the word, 2 Timothy 2:2; Mark 16:16. – “Holding fast the word of life,” NKJV. Holding fast the word by diligent study, and refusing to go beyond what the “word of life” authorizes, Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9-11.

8. Some things Involved in Working out Your Own Salvation (con’t). A Willingness to Surrender one’s life for the Lord, Philippians 2:17,18. – Paul was in prison; he knew he could be executed; he was willing to be “offered!” – 2:17 could be literally translated as “But if I am poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and share the joy of you all.” “Service” (leitourgia) used in Gk. O.T. to refer to priestly service and was coupled with “sacrifice.”

9. The Joyful Benefits of Working Out Your Own Salvation: The one (or ones) who converted you did not labor in vain. Note v. 16; cf. 2 Cor. 6:1. The Ones Who converted you are able to “rejoice in the day of Christ,” Phil. 2:16. – Paul’s great joy was in the people he had won to the Lord, I Thessalonians 2:19,20. – Can you think of a greater joy than going to heaven and there meeting someone you converted?? The Ones Converted are able to rejoice, Philippians 2:17,18.

10. Conclusion: Paul was in prison when he wrote this book; yet he was filled with joy, and he urged his converts to be filled with joy. Why was that? He knew the blessings of being a Christian; he rejoiced in the hope of heaven. Yes, heaven is worth it all! But all who go to heaven must make preparation! Are you prepared??