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Work Out Your Salvation With Fear And Trembling Introduction There are thins no one can do for you and no one can make you do. People may encourage you to exercise, eat the right foods, study, etc, but ultimately you decide if you want to do those things or not. This also goes for your salvation. People may be praying for you, encourage you, but no one can serve God for you. Let us looks at Philippians 2.12-13. I) Work Out Your Own Salvation A) Salvation requires "work" 1. God has done His part in sending Jesus to die on the cross for us, Ephesians 2.10. a. Most denominations teach total depravity, unconditional election, and say man is unable to do anything in obedience to God. b. Therefore, man is totally passive in his salvation. If such is true then why did God send out the Gospel? Why did Jesus tell the apostles to go into all the world and teach the Gospel? Why did Paul tell these people to work out their salvation? 2. An important question was raised in John 6.28, "The works of God" 3. On the Day of Pentecost the audience was told to do something, Acts 2.40-41 4. Jesus is the author of salvation but to whom? Hebrews 5.9 "To those who obey Him" 5. We must do the works of God; believe (John 6.29), repent (Luke 13.3), confess Jesus as the Son of God (Romans 10.10), be baptized into Christ (Mark 16.16). "Will be saved" a. We are not saved by self righteous works, Romans 10.3 b. Not saved b the works of the Law of Moses c. Not saved by works of the devil d. The works of others cannot save us 6. No one can stop you from doing the work of God, and no one can do this for you. B) There is only one way to be saved, v. 12 1. We are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross; HIs blood washes away our sins; He offered Himself on the cross for us. 2. We come into contact with the blood of Christ when we are baptized into Christ, Galatians 3.27 C) Part of the work is living faithfully 1. While Paul was there they were faithful 2. They continued in obedience even after Paul left, Revelation 2.5 3. To work out means to bring to completion a. To work out a math problem means to complete it b. We are to grow, to become Christ like, to have the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, Galatians 5.22; 2 Peter 1.10 4. This shows the doctrine of once saved always saved to be false. D) We are to work out our salvation "with fear (awe) and trembling (respect) 1. Have you ever started to do something and suddenly realize "this is scary" or, somebody could get hurt? a. We often get used to things but in the back of our mind we really know it is serious. b. Example: driving, piloting an airplane, performing surgery. 2. The condition of our sol is serious and scary. 3. Various reasons we should approach our soul and death very seriously a. We will face God in judgment, Hebrews 10.31. I cannot think of a single time in the Bible when man did not tremble before God. b. Passages speaking of man fearing the presence of God, Exodus 19.16 c. What can happen to our soul, Matthew 10.28 d. On the Day of Pentecost the people feared, Acts 2.43 4. There are some things we would do better if we understood with "fear and trembling" a. Increase in knowledge, Proverbs 1.7. If people took their soul more seriously they would study the Bible more and watch TV less. b. Hate evil, Proverbs 8.13. If people feared God and the judgment more they would hate what sin does to them. c. Depart from evil, Proverbs 16.6. If people understood the punishment of hell they would stay as far away from sin as they could. d. Do good to all men, Galatians 6.10 III) The Work of God A) God sent His Son to declare His word 1. God works in us through His word, 1 Thess. 2.13 2. The word of God is: powerful (Romans 1.16), alive (Hebrews 4.12), able to judge and able to build up (Acts 20.31) 3. We must allow it in our lives and obey God B) Notice Paul did not say: choose the method of salvation that appeals to you and then work it out 1. We cannot work out our salvation by going to Mohammad, Joseph Smith, idol worship, etc. 2. We cannot choose the pattern we want to be saved by, or the mode of our salvation. That is determined by God. 3. They had obeyed; a) The Gospel, b) the words of the Apostle, c) God, as Christ had obeyed. Conclusion: Are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling? Do you understand what God requires of you? Do you want to have the hope of heaven? Obey Christ today. |