May 14, 2006
"Can't We All Just Get Along?"
God's Not Finished With You Yet—Part 4
Philippians 2:12-18
1. A purpose to achieve.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling...Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life...
—Philippians 2:12, 14-16a
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son...
—Romans 8:29
We all must be like Christ, but we also must be ourselves!
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
—Ephesians 2:10
As we allow God to achieve His purpose in our lives,
we become better witnesses to the world.
2. A power to receive.
...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
—Philippians 2:13
God must work in us before He can work through us.
God is more interested in the worker than He is the work!
Three ways God releases His power in our lives:
A. The Word of God
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
—1 Thessalonians 2:13
For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.
—Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
B. Prayer
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...
—Ephesians 3:20
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
—2 Corinthians 10:4
Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm...Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
—Ephesians 6:13 (NLT)
C. Suffering
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
—Romans 5:3-5
3. A promise to believe.
...in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
—Philippians 2:16b-18
Joy comes through submission.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
—Luke 14:11
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
—Hebrews 12:2
Lifework
The way you live within the family of God makes a mighty difference in the effectiveness of the church to accomplish God's purpose. When we get along, when we submit to one another, when we allow God to change us to become more and more like His Son Jesus Christ, people are drawn to Christ. Isn't it time for you to SHINE?
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
—Matthew 5:16 (NLT)
"God's Not Finished With You Yet"
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- What is your favorite time of the day? Who are you more like in the morning: Big Bird or Oscar the Grouch?
- What wears you out more quickly, physical labor or tension in relationships? Who did you argue with the most as a child: mom, dad, or a sibling? Why?
Digging Deeper: Read Philippians 2:12-18
- Paul encourages the Christians at Philippi to continue to obey God in his absence. Do you think it was easier for them to obey God while he was with them? If so, why?
- What does it mean to work out your (plural) salvation? What is God's part? What is the church's part? What is your part? Is the Christian life more imitation or incarnation? How so?
- Is God's power the only energy available to men? (See Romans 7:5, Ephesians 2:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:7)
- How is it that God's people "shine like stars"? What is the "word of life"? How does a church "hold out the word of life"?
- What effect does suffering or any type of affliction usually have on the natural man? What type of effect should it have on the child of God?
Applying It To My Life
- In what sense does God "need" you to fully accomplish his work?
- How are you doing in the grumbling, complaining and arguing areas of your life? Often we grumble and complain because something is important to us. What should you do rather than grumble, complain or argue?
- How have you shone like a star this past week? How can you help your church shine brighter?