Bible Readings:
Colossians 1:1-2:10
Sermon Outline:
Philippians 2:12–13 (NKJV)
12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Five points of sanctification
I Work out not work at
II God works in us, so that we can work out our own sanctification
III The attitude is that of fear and trembling
IV The aim is to be well pleasing to God
V To will before to do
I Aim
Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
2 Corinthians 5:9 (NKJV)
9Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
Colossians 1:10 (NKJV)
10that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 3:20 (NKJV)
20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NKJV)
1Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
II Basis of our acceptance with God
III Some of the things that God delights in
John 14:15 (NKJV)
15“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:21 (NKJV)
21He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
Song of Solomon 2:15 (NKJV)
15Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.
Song of Solomon 2:14 (NKJV)
14“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely.”
The fear of God
“The fear of God is the soul of godliness.”
Two Elements –
An all-pervasive sense of the presence of God
An all-pervasive sense of our dependence upon him and responsibility to him
John Murray
The essential ingredients of the fear of God are correct concepts of the character of God, a pervasive sense of the presence of God and a constant awareness of our obligation to God.
Al Martin