Heaven's Agenda: Work In Progress

7/28/20/Nevei Kodesh Broadcast

Story: The grass turned brown after working really hard to grow grass. And the boys pulling weeds in our front yard.

I’ve always enjoyed taking care of our yard.

Intro: Most if not all things totally left alone in our lives will not produce quality growth. If you aren’t intentional with relationships then you’re probably not going to experience genuine community. If you aren’t working hard toward your goals, then you probably aren’t going to see much success in your careers. If you aren’t eating healthy, then you probably aren’t going to feel at peak health.

We’re going to take the next few minutes and talk about our work in the growth process and God’s work. How do we navigate our responsibility and God’s sovereignty? How can we cultivate growth, yet fully depend on the Holy Spirit to will and work in our lives?

Passage: Philippians 2:12-16 CSB

Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.

Pray:

Background:

Title: Work In Progress

Big Idea: AIM or CIT

It’s not what we can do for Christ, but what Christ is doing in and through us.

Main Points: Questions to consider?

1. Is God working in my life?
   1. work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.

   2. (EX): What Paul is saying is that you are to work out what God has worked in.

      1. We work from God’s work, not for it. It’s not salvation by works, but by grace through faith. This is both taught and demonstrated in the entirety of the New Testament and Paul’s life.
      2. This passage speaks to our humanity and God’s sovereignty. Both mysteries are truth and clearly stated in this text.
      3. We have work to do as we work out more deeply and broadly our salvation, as it is the Holy Spirit willing and working through us. We cannot become more holy, more like Jesus, more righteous, apart from the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. We are in total dependence on His transformational work and power in our lives
      4. The work of the Holy Spirit in your life is both a moment and a movement! He has already worked out your salvation when you believed and He is working out His salvation as you grow and mature into Christ’s likeness.
         3. Question: What is God’s sovereignty?

      5. God’s Sovereignty Definition = There is nothing in the universe outside of His influence, power, and authority.

         1. “For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.” - Colossians 1:16
         2. “Oh, Lord God! You yourself made the heavens and earth by your great power and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!” - Jeremiah 32:17

         3. “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” - Psalm 103:19 2. Paul is echoing what was also taught by James, that we are not to make plans and move in a direction without acknowledging that it is God’s sovereignty alone that is decisive.

         4. “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” - James 4:13-16 CSB

         5. “A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” - Proverbs 16:9
         6. There is great wisdom and discernment in submitting to God’s will and work in our lives and the world. This foundational truth should bring both comfort and hope for our future!
            4. Question: What is our responsibility?

      6. Application: We need a Spiritual Work Out

      7. Story: A gym recently opened up in Boulder and I’ve been going this past week to get in a workout. There was one evening I didn’t want to work out, but I knew it was going to be best for my personal health, growth, and development. Staying consistent in your discipline of Spiritual growth has the same effect on your life.
      8. You’re already a member of the gym, now you just have to work out!

      9. Here are 3 disciplines to strengthen your walk (3 basic areas of strength training)

         1. Press = Pray
         2. Pull = Read/Memorize the Word

         3. Legs = Obey

            1. “Don’t be the person that skips leg day”
            2. Leg workout accelerates 10X the results 4. They all work together
               5. What Paul is speaking about is a theological term known as sanctification. Sanctification means to be set apart. It is a lifelong pursuit of holiness and obedience to God that produces spiritual growth. Or you might say… a work in progress!

      10. Sanctification is not moral modification, but heart transformation.

      11. I’m not who I ought to be, but praise God I’m not who I used to be! I’m a work in progress! God’s working in my life to both will and work for His good pleasure!

      12. Is Jesus shining through my life?

          1. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life.
          2. Let’s talk about complaining and arguing for a minute?

      13. Question: Has anyone been on social media lately? If the world looked at your social media page, would they want to know more about Jesus? Would you say that you are shining the light of Jesus' work in your life based on your last several posts?

      14. In this season, it is a CHALLENGE to not complain or argue. It almost feels like it’s turned into the common language of the culture. I’m finding this to be especially true even in my own life.

          3. The absence of complaining and arguing is a testimony to the hope and trust you have in Jesus.
          4. Jesus is the light!

      15. The light has come = “The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” - Matthew 4:16

      16. Jesus is the Light = “Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12
      17. You are the light = “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16
      18. Question: When you grumble, when you complain, when you argue and cause division, are you letting your light shine or are you covering it up?
      19. “Paul wants the church to be a proclaiming church, not a complaining church.” - Pastor Tony Merida
      20. When God is working in you there should be a light shining through you!
          1. If there’s any good you see in my life, then it is Christ you see willing and working for His good pleasure!
      21. Is Jesus, Lord of my life?
          1. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9 CSB

Closing: Work In Progress

(Optional) Walking Points: