Living With An Attitude of
Gratitude
Thankful for Salvation
Antioch Church, December
27, 2015
Text
Philippians 2:12–16 (NIV) — 12 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,
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill
his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15
so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a
warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in
the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be
able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
2 Peter 1:1–11 (NIV) — 1 Simon Peter, a servant
and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our
God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge
of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly
life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having
escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this
very reason, make every effort
to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to
knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to
perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to
mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in
increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive
in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have
them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from
their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your
calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never
stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
REVIEW
Thankful for God’s people. Thankful for
God’s promises in suffering. Thankful for the Gospel. Thankful for life after death.
Thankful for the Incarnation, that God became flesh in
Jesus so we could draw near to Him, better understand Him, and become more like
Him, clothed in both power and humility.
·
The Incarnation means that God is more approachable.
(vs. 6-7; Heb. 4:14-16)
·
It means that God is more understandable.
(vs. 7; Col. 1:15-20, 2:9)
·
It means that I am more capable. (vs. 7; Acts
10:37-38; John 14:12-14; Eph.4:29-32)
·
It means that I must be more humble. (vs.
8; Col. 3:12-13)
How do we “put on the mind of Christ and walk in humility?”
·
Walk in unity: “…being like-minded, having the
same love, being one in spirit and of one mind…(vs. 2)” (vs. 2; 1 Cor. 1:10;
Eph. 4:3; Ps. 133:1-3)
·
Avoid self-centeredness: “Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit…(vs. 3)” (1 Pet. 3:8; Col. 3:14))
·
Always cherish
others: “In humility, value others above yourselves…(vs. 3)”
(Rom. 12:10,16; Prov. 13:10)
·
Prioritize the welfare of others: “…not looking
to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (vs. 4)”
(1 Cor. 10:24)
What is the Result of Humility?
·
God promoted Him - “Therefore God exalted
him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name…” (vs.
9) James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5-7)
·
God empowered Him - “…that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth..” (vs.
10) (Luke 7:6-8)
·
God vindicated Him - “…and every tongue
acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (vs.
11) (Is. 54:17)
The BIG Idea
As we walk out the heartfelt salvation Jesus graciously gives to us, God’s
work in us draws those around us into a relationship with Him.
Three Things You Need to Know About Salvation
1.
Salvation is God’s work, but it also requires
our work: “…work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” (vs. 12)
Work “out” vs. work “for” or work “up”…
1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV) — 10 But by the grace
of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked
harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Ephesians 2:4–10 (NIV) — 4 But because of his great love for us,
God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were
dead in transgressions—it is by grace
you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and
seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order
that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,
expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it
is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10
For we are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Notice the “two-sides” to salvation…
1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NIV) — 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify
you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one
who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Vs.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) — 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are
in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is
in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Parallels the “two-sides” to calling and ministry…
Colossians 4:17 (NIV) — 17 Tell Archippus: “See
to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
I thank God that He has counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry…
2.
Salvation is God’s will for everyone: “…for it is God who works in you to will and
to act… in order to fulfill His good purpose…” (vs. 13)
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) — 9 The Lord is not slow in
keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
3.
Salvation is a matter of the heart, not just the
mind: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing…” (vs. 14)
Romans 10:10 (NIV) — 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are
justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
4.
Salvation is a testimony that guides others to
God: “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…” (vs. 16)
Proverbs 11:30 (NIV) — 30 The fruit of the
righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
Daniel 12:3 (NIV) — 3 Those who are wise will
shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to
righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Benediction
Hebrews 13:20–21 (NIV) — 20 Now may the God of
peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead
our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with
everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to
him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
