God Finishes What He Starts (Philippians 1:1-20)

Philippians 1:1-20; Key Verse: Phil 1:6

"...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

How reassuring it is to know and to hear that it is God (not me) who began His work of salvation in me, and that it is also God (NOT ME) who will complete His work of salvation in me!

We (correctly) teach the Bible saying that it is God who saved us by His grace. But after that we inadvertently (incorrectly) teach that it is up to us to make sure we don't lose our salvation and blow it! With such thoughts and teachings, we are guilt ridden when we sin, and we guilt trip other Christians and "squeeze" them when we communicate that they are not living "up to par" or living as they should. In Php 1:6, Paul is crystal clear that the work of salvation begins with God, and that is is completed by God (not by me, or by Paul). The NT emphasizes this over and over again, repeatedly (Php 1:29, 2:13; Eph 2:1,5; Col 2:13; Jn 1:12; Acts 11:18; 2 Th 2:13-14; Heb 11:29, 40).

Sanctification Part III: Joy, Peace and Contentment (Philippians 4:2-23)

Philippians 4:2-23; Key Verse: 4:7a,9b

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding ... And the God of peace will be with you."

Don't we all want to know a peace that is beyond knowing? Comprehend a peace that is beyond comprehension?  Experience a peace that passes all understanding?

What compelled me to Christ before I became a Christian was that I had no peace, serenity, or tranquility. This really bothered me. I could study well, become a doctor, have loving parents who never hurt me, have an inner spirit of resolve to never be defeated by life or by anyone, and yet I had no peace!

Sanctification, Part III: Not There Yet (Philippians 3:12-4:1)

Philippians 3:12 - 4:1; Key Verse: Phil 3:13

"I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do..."

Paul is a man of "one thing" (Php 3:13), "one goal" (Php 3:12), "one prize" (Php 3:14), and "one desire" (Php 3:10), for which he gives all of himself. He does not do so out of any righteousness, nobility or goodness in himself, but attributes all of his zeal and passion to the grace of Jesus (Php 3:9; Gal 2:20b). In this way, Paul shows us the one single driving force behind his sanctification and his Christian life.

We have been praying that 2012 may be the year of Sanctification. What is sanctification? Louis Berkhof (1873 – 1957), a renowned 20th century theologian, explains Sanctification: "Sanctification is a work of the triune God, but is ascribed more particularly to the Holy Spirit in Scripture, Rom 8:11; 15:16; 1 Pet 1:2. It is particularly important in our day, with its emphasis on the necessity of approaching the study of theology anthropologically and its one-sided call to service in the kingdom of God, to stress the fact that God, and not man, is the author of sanctification. Especially in view of the Activism that is such a characteristic feature of American religious life, and which glorifies the work of man rather than the grace of God, it is necessary to stress the fact over and over again that sanctification is the fruit of justification, that the former is simply impossible without the latter, and that both are the fruits of the grace of God in the redemption of sinners. Though man is privileged to cooperate with the Spirit of God, he can do this only in virtue of the strength which the Spirit imparts to him from day to day. The spiritual development of man is not a human achievement, but a work of divine grace. Man deserves no credit whatsoever for that which he contributes to it instrumentally."

2012: The Year of Sanctification

2012 Key Verse: Philippians 2:12b-13
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to his good purpose/pleasure.”


West Loop UBF does not need me. I said: “West Loop UBF does not need me, but I need West Loop UBF.” Why? We have 9 families who are faithful stewards, friends and elders for our local church community. For all practical purposes, these 9 families run West Loop UBF with little to no input or contribution from me. I only thank God for the initiative and love of Jesus of my friends. I also said, “Please make mistakes boldly. If you want to do anything, you do not have to ask for my permission or blessing. I trust you. If it works, praise God! If it flops, learn from your mistake.” From the outset of West Loop in Jan 2008, my principle is for West Loop to run without me. By God’s grace, I believe it has.

Sanctification, Part II: One Thing I Do (Philippians 3:12-4:1)

Philippians 3:12-4:1; Key Verse: Phil 3:13 "But one thing I do..."

1. What is Paul's confession of his own progress in Christ (Php 3:12a, 13a; 1 Ti 1:15)? What does "perfect" (Php 3:12) and "mature" (Php 3:15) mean? (They are translated from the same Greek word "teleios.")
2. What is "one thing" (Php 3:13), "the prize" (Php 3:14) and the "goal" (Php 3:12,15)? Why did Christ take hold of him (Php 3:12c; Rom 8:29)? What does "press on" (Php 3:12b, 14a), "forgetting" and "straining" (Php 3:13b) teach about sanctification (1 Cor 9:24-27; 1 Ti 6:12; Heb 12:1)? How should mature Christians hold true to what they have attained (Php 3:16; 2:12-13)?
   
3. What is a healthy principle for a Christian (Php 3:17; 4:9; 1 Cor 4:16; 11:1; 1 Th 1:6; 2 Th 3:7-9; 1 Ti 4:12,15-16; 2 Ti 3:10-11; 1 Pe 5:3)? Why (Heb 3:13)?
   
4. What is Paul's tearful warning (Php 3:18)? Who are these "enemies of the cross" (Php 3:2)? Are they non-Christians and pagans? What is their destiny, their god, their glory, and their mind set on (19)? What is the problem with worldliness (1 Jn 2:15-17)?
   
5. What is the goal of sanctification (Php 3:20)? How is this accomplished (Php 3:21)? Are you homesick? Do you have a resolve (Php 4:1)?
   

Sanctification Part I: Change Is Possible (Philippians 2:12-18)

Philippians 2:12-18; Key Verse: 2:12b-13

"...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

The 1 point of my 2012 New Year sermon is: "Because God works in you (accepts you/saves you), you can change and you will change." Are you changing? Stated differently, the 1 point is: "Because God accepts you, change is now possible." Thus, there will always be change in a Christian's life, and it will always work itself out in our lives daily. This is salvation. Salvation never means, "I save myself by my repentance, my faith, my decision and my will." Rather, salvation always means, "God saved me, even though I am (completely) helpless to save myself."

HOW SALVATION WORKS (Philippians 2:12-18)

Philippians 2:12-18; Key Verse: 2:12b-13

"...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

The One Thing Necessary: Sermon by Thomas Watson on Phil 1:12: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."