October 18, 2009, Philippians 2:12-18

Icebreaker: What's the sorest you have even been from a physical workout?

Scripture:

Philippians 2: 12-18  12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling: 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to ill and to work for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things with out grumbling or disputing: 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Questions:

1.  In verse 12, Paul writes: "work out your salvation"  and then in verse 13, he writes: " it is God who works."  Which is it? Who is doing what work?  Who gets the pleasure? (see Hebrews 5:9; Romans 12:3; 1Corinthians 15:10; Hebrews 13:21)  Compare this work out with a physical work out.

2.  Write Philippians 2:14 on a 3x5 card and put it on your mirror or the dashboard of your car.  Then ask someone in your small group to keep you accountable to this.

3.  There is no way we can "prove ourselves blameless and innocent...."  Why does he ask us to do this?

4.  Verses 17&18 speak of  "the sacrifice and service of your faith" and  "in the same way"  What is Paul asking the Philippians to do?  In what "way" is he speaking of?  Make a list of all the reasons the Philippians should share Paul's joy.  What joy is there in sacrifice?

Pray about it:

How can you be a light in this generation to the people in your sphere of influence this week?