Active Discipleship: Living Out Our Salvation
Summary
In Philippians 2, we are called to "work out our own salvation," which means to actively engage in the process of living out the deliverance that God has already accomplished in us. This is not about earning salvation but about manifesting the transformation that has been initiated by the Word and Spirit of God. The essence of this transformation is to live a life that is blameless and innocent, shining as lights in a world that is often crooked and perverse. This is a call to holiness and righteousness, where our lives become a testament to the power of God at work within us.
Jesus' words in John 14 remind us that love for Him naturally leads to obedience. This is not about manipulation but about a genuine transformation where His commandments become a natural outflow of our lives. The example of individuals like Paul Brand, who lived a life of humility and service, shows us that the Christian life is not just theoretical but can be lived out in practice. This life of holiness and faithfulness is accessible to everyone, regardless of their past or present circumstances.
We must take responsibility for our spiritual growth, moving beyond a passive consumer mindset to actively pursuing holiness. This involves putting off the old self and putting on the new, as Paul instructs in Colossians. It is about becoming a certain kind of person, not just following rules. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about receiving grace and allowing it to flow into our lives.
To truly live as disciples of Jesus, we must explicitly take our place as His students and apprentices. This involves a conscious decision to follow Him and to integrate every aspect of our lives into this discipleship. Many Christians have not made this explicit commitment, but it is essential for moving from being mere consumers of Christianity to active participants in the Kingdom of God.
Key Takeaways:
1. Work Out Your Salvation: Salvation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of living out the deliverance God has accomplished in us. This involves actively engaging in our spiritual growth and manifesting the transformation initiated by God. [11:21]
2. Love Leads to Obedience: Genuine love for Jesus naturally results in obedience to His commandments. This is not about proving our love but about a transformation that makes His ways a natural part of our lives. [16:45]
3. Holiness is Accessible: The life of holiness and faithfulness is accessible to everyone, regardless of their past. It requires a conscious decision to pursue this life and to allow God's grace to transform us. [19:34]
4. Active Participation in Faith: We must move beyond a passive consumer mindset and take responsibility for our spiritual growth. This involves putting off the old self and actively pursuing the new life in Christ. [20:18]
5. Explicit Discipleship Commitment: Becoming a disciple of Jesus requires an explicit commitment to follow Him and integrate every aspect of our lives into this discipleship. This is essential for moving from being mere consumers to active participants in the Kingdom. [28:19]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[11:21] - Working Out Salvation
[12:38] - Deliverance and Transformation
[13:28] - Living as Lights
[14:44] - Above Reproach
[15:34] - Love and Obedience
[17:36] - Paul Brand's Example
[19:47] - Accessible Holiness
[20:18] - Responsibility for Growth
[21:48] - Putting on the New Self
[23:18] - Flesh and Blood Examples
[24:19] - Unique Callings
[25:26] - Scriptural Directives
[27:05] - Active Receiving of Grace
[28:19] - Explicit Discipleship Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Philippians 2:12-15
- John 14:15
- Colossians 3:12
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Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "work out your own salvation" according to Philippians 2:12-15? How does this relate to living a blameless and innocent life? [11:21]
2. In John 14:15, Jesus connects love and obedience. How is this relationship described in the sermon? [15:34]
3. How does the example of Paul Brand illustrate the practical application of living a life of humility and service? [17:36]
4. What does Colossians 3:12 instruct believers to "put on," and how is this related to the concept of transformation discussed in the sermon? [21:48]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "working out your salvation" challenge the idea of a passive faith? What implications does this have for personal spiritual growth? [20:18]
2. In what ways does genuine love for Jesus naturally lead to obedience, and how does this differ from obedience out of obligation? [16:27]
3. The sermon suggests that holiness is accessible to everyone. What barriers might people face in believing this, and how can they overcome them? [19:34]
4. How does the sermon define the role of a disciple of Jesus, and why is an explicit commitment to discipleship essential for spiritual growth? [28:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. How are you actively "working out" your salvation in your daily life? What steps can you take to engage more deeply in this process? [11:21]
2. Consider your relationship with Jesus. How does your love for Him manifest in your actions and decisions? Are there areas where obedience feels more like an obligation than a natural response? [16:27]
3. Think about a time when you felt that holiness was out of reach. What specific actions or changes in mindset could help you embrace the accessibility of a holy life? [19:34]
4. Identify one aspect of your "old self" that you need to put off. What practical steps can you take this week to embrace the "new self" as described in Colossians 3:12? [21:48]
5. Have you made an explicit commitment to be a disciple of Jesus? If not, what might be holding you back? If you have, how can you deepen this commitment in your everyday life? [28:19]
6. Reflect on the example of Paul Brand. How can you incorporate humility and service into your life in a way that brings joy and contentment? [17:36]
7. Consider the unique role you have in your community. How can you be a light in the midst of a "crooked and perverse generation"? What specific actions can you take to shine brightly where you are? [13:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Engaging in Active Spiritual Growth
The call to "work out your own salvation" in Philippians 2 is an invitation to actively participate in the spiritual journey that God has initiated within us. This is not about earning salvation, which is a gift from God, but about living out the transformation that has already begun. It involves a conscious effort to grow spiritually, to manifest the changes that the Word and Spirit of God have started in our lives. This process requires us to live blamelessly and innocently, shining as lights in a world that often strays from righteousness. By doing so, our lives become a testament to the power of God at work within us, demonstrating the reality of His deliverance. [11:21]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to actively engage in your spiritual growth and manifest the transformation God has begun in you?
Day 2: Love as the Foundation of Obedience
In John 14, Jesus emphasizes that love for Him naturally leads to obedience. This is not about proving our love through actions but about a genuine transformation where His commandments become a natural part of our lives. When we truly love Jesus, our actions align with His teachings, not out of obligation but as a natural expression of our relationship with Him. This transformation is a testament to the power of love, which changes our hearts and minds, making obedience a joyful response rather than a burdensome duty. [16:45]
John 14:23-24 (ESV): "Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper love for Jesus today that naturally leads to joyful obedience in your daily life?
Day 3: The Accessibility of Holiness
Holiness and faithfulness are not reserved for a select few but are accessible to everyone, regardless of their past or present circumstances. This life of holiness requires a conscious decision to pursue it and to allow God's grace to transform us. It is about putting off the old self and embracing the new life in Christ, as Paul instructs in Colossians. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about receiving grace and allowing it to flow into our lives, enabling us to live in a way that reflects God's holiness. [19:34]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can consciously choose to embrace holiness today, allowing God's grace to transform you?
Day 4: Taking Responsibility for Spiritual Growth
Moving beyond a passive consumer mindset in our faith journey involves taking responsibility for our spiritual growth. This means actively pursuing holiness and putting off the old self to embrace the new life in Christ. It is about becoming a certain kind of person, not just following rules. This transformation requires intentionality and a willingness to engage in practices that foster spiritual growth, such as prayer, study, and community. By doing so, we become active participants in the Kingdom of God, living out our faith in tangible ways. [20:18]
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: What specific practice can you incorporate into your daily routine to take responsibility for your spiritual growth and actively pursue holiness?
Day 5: Committing to Explicit Discipleship
Becoming a disciple of Jesus requires an explicit commitment to follow Him and integrate every aspect of our lives into this discipleship. This involves a conscious decision to move from being mere consumers of Christianity to active participants in the Kingdom of God. Many Christians have not made this explicit commitment, but it is essential for truly living as disciples of Jesus. By taking our place as His students and apprentices, we allow His teachings to shape our lives, guiding us in every decision and action. [28:19]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you can make an explicit commitment to follow Jesus more closely, integrating His teachings into your daily actions?
Quotes
"do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of god above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among you whom you appear as lights in the world. now just think about that for a moment, look at that verse, see this is holiness righteousness." [00:13:09]
"if you love me if you love me you'll keep my commandments. now see it's easy to misunderstand that because human here's what human beings do this in a way to try to manipulate you and jesus isn't doing that he's not trying to manipulate you you know how someone says now do you love me, well i'm afraid you may know what's coming next." [00:15:42]
"what he's saying is that loving him leads to obedience to understand his value and to commit yourself to the course of doing those things that are good for him that leads you to a transformation so that you do his commandments they just fall off of you naturally they come out of you naturally see." [00:16:30]
"from paul brand i have learned i've gained assurance that the christian life i had heard in theory can actually work out in practice. he proved it is possible to achieve success without forfeiting humility to serve others sacrificially and yet emerge with joy and contentment i thought that was really very good." [00:19:02]
"i think the single most important thing i have to try to impress upon you is that this is accessible to you no matter who you are no matter what's happened to you it's accessible to you it's accessible to all of us and um so now in this final session living wholeness of life in the kingdom and power of god." [00:19:34]
"well first of all just notice that it is our responsibility to do it this is a theme that i have hit on several times i want to repeat it because we have a theology that makes us passive we have a theology that makes us consumers and makes us think that something is going to happen to us." [00:20:18]
"so it's our responsibility to put off the old person and put on the new now this is just language that we can go over quickly put on new bowels new innards right change me on the inside right that's about innards and then we are told by paul in colossians 3 12 as the elect of god holy and beloved put on." [00:21:48]
"the reality and power of this type of life in individuals is what initially moved the people of christ and christ across the earth and um that's what you see when you look at the scriptures and you look at life since then and the important thing for us to understand is that these people that you see in the scripture." [00:22:52]
"and individuals through history and after today have continued to have this line paul brand i wanted to read him because he's contemporary and that's our choice see there's there isn't anything that is shut off from you or me there will be uniqueness in every case i mean your life is your life and it will have a unique because you're unique." [00:24:19]
"the institutions of and traditions of christianity have always testified to that so we have even no matter at what time you live in the history of christ people you'll find individuals who are teaching this and doing it and that's true today so then it's up to you and me to fit into that." [00:24:59]
"the effect of that will be a life that is expressed in different ways and the way it's expressed in the sermon on the mount and the way it's expressed on in first corinthians 13 and other passage is different isn't it see so you don't want to for example say well i'm a first corinthians 13 guy another person well i'm i'm a sermon on the mount guy." [00:26:19]
"the first step is to explicitly take your place as a disciple of jesus now most christians have never done that and i don't know about you but if there's even any question see i encourage you to very explicitly take your place as a disciple the disciple of jesus is a student of jesus it's a learner an apprentice." [00:28:19]
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