Joy in Obedience

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Prayer:  We worship and we bow down before You our Lord.  We kneel before You Lord, our Maker.  For You are our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.  Strengthen us to do your work until You come again. (Adapted from Psalm 95:6-7).  Amen!

Main Scripture: Read Philippians 2:12-13.

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, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13).

Associated Scriptures:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthian 10:5).

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22).

If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 15:14).

Correlative Quotes:

Number one, satisfaction in God is not less than obedience to God, because it is obedience to God. Number two, obedience to God namely happiness in God is vastly more important than happiness in anything else. And so, pastors are right if that is what they are saying. And, number three, the obedience of satisfaction in God produces all kinds of other acts of obedience [1] – John Piper,

The secret to continual, abundant, and overflowing joy is obedience. It’s doing what God tells you to do. Every time you do what God tells you to do, your life’s going to be filled with joy.[2] – Rick Warren,

The first part of our salvation consists of a work for us, the second, of a work in us. The work for us is perfect—none can add to it.  The second part of salvation consists of a work in us—this is the operation of God the Holy Ghost.  God, having first worked it in, it becomes the business of the Christian life to work out the secret inner principle till it permeates the entire system, till it overcomes the old nature, till it, in fact, utterly destroys inbred corruption, and reigns supreme in the man’s every part, as it shall do when the Lord takes us to dwell with Himself forever.[3] – Charles Spurgeon

Study:

INTRODUCTION

To experience joy, we must be living in obedience to God.  Joy and obedience are unconditionally linked to each other.  Joy is a result of obedience.  Psalm 119:110-112 teaches: “The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.”

Focusing on Obedience

  1. Obedience through Sacrifice: vs. 12 “Therefore”.

The word “therefore” introduces this next section and connects it with the previous example that Christ set. Just as Jesus obeyed the Father, we should also obey.  Christ obeyed the Father and carried out His plan, even to death on the cross (v. 8).

The Philippian Christians needed to obey by following Paul's instructions, which were drawn from Christ's example.  Romans 5:19 explains: “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. “

  1. Obedience through Identification: vs. 12 – “my beloved

Paul’s words are directed and pointed but tempered with love, for he called the believers “my beloved”.  Ephesians 1:3-4 teaches, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”  If we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are identified with him.

  1. Obedience through Works: vs. 12 – “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

This somewhat controversial statement addresses the personal salvation of the saints at Philippi.  They were not told to work for their salvation, but to work out the salvation God had already given them.  They were asked to put into practice what God had begun in them by His Spirit.

The issue of a lack of unity within the community has always been based on pride and selfishness.  Paul writes in1 Timothy 5:24-25: “Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.”  We can hide our sin, especially sinful thoughts.  However, we can’t hide good works since they impact the lives of others. 

Working out our salvation is tied directly to good works.  Redemption is the beginning of our salvation experience, but the evidence of its continuing worth is found in acts of love and compassion.  We were born again to do good works. 

Love is the key issue in our receiving salvation.  When imitating God, we must express His love toward others.  This command to love, once we are redeemed, is expressed in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

  1. Obedience through Reverent Humility: vs. 12 – “with fear and trembling”.

The working out of our salvation is to be practiced: "with fear and trembling."  Vs. 12 suggests that we continue our work for Jesus with complete trust in God and not in ourselves.  Proverbs 9:10-11 teaches: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.”

Summary Statement:

Joy is a gift from God generated by obedience.  The Joy of the Lord and worldly happiness are different things.  Happiness comes from satisfying worldly lusts.  It ebbs and flows like waves on a beach.  Happiness leaves an emptiness in its wake. 

Joy is not an emotion; it is feeling of comfort and delight inspired by a sense of assurance.  Joy is the understanding that God is in control and that He commands our obedience.  Working out our salvation involves growing spiritually.  Growing spiritually is being obedient to God. 

Lessons within the Lesson:

What is the secret to the Philippians’ joy found in vs. 12?

What is the link between obedience and joy?

How do we “work out our salvation?

What is our goal according to vs. 13?

[1] John Piper, Which Comes First, Obedience or Joy, By John Piper. Fair Use Authorization, Section 107, of the Copyright Law, © Desiring God Foundation. Source: desiringGod.org.

[2] Rick Warren, Obedience Is The Secret To Joy, Fair Use Authorization, Section 107, of the Copyright Law, Daily Hope with Rick Warren, May 21, 2014, rickwarren.org/devotional/english/obedience-is-the-secret-to-joy.

[3] Charles Spurgeon, Working Out What is Worked In, Public Domain spurgeongems.org/sermon/chs820.pdf, P. 1-2.