Christian Life Church
May 24, 2023 - 7pm
PHILIPPIANS 2 EXALTED ON THREE LEVELS (VERSE 10) PHILIPPIANS 2 WORKING OUT SALVATION (VERSE 12-13)
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
PHILIPPIANS 2 MAY 24, 2023
EXALTED ON THREE LEVELS (VERSE 10)
SCRIPTURE
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11, ESV
1/ Some believe these are metaphors.
Some think “in heaven” refers to the spiritual part of a person.
Some think “on earth” refers to the physical part of a person.
Some think “under the earth” refers to the soulish part of a person.
2/ Some believe these are literal places.
The Philippians would’ve understood this portion in three different levels:
In Heaven
Every Christian’s body will be joined with their spirit at the rapture.
All saints, holy angels, and created beings will worship Christ in heaven.
On Earth
All the Christians, non-believers, and perhaps creation will worship Christ on earth.
The Old Testament, Jesus, and Paul somewhat personify creation at different times.
Let the sea roar, and all it contains. Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord for He is coming to judge the earth. 1 Chronicles 16:32-33
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. Praise Him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at His command they were created, and He established them for ever and ever—He issued a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds. Psalm 148:3-10
…the whole creation has been groaning. Romans 8:22
He answered, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out!” Luke 19:40
“Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Doxology
Under the Earth
All the unsaved dead, fallen angels, bound angels, and even Satan will worship Christ under the earth.
PHILIPPIANS 2 MAY 24, 2023
WORKING OUT SALVATION (VERSE 12-13)
SCRIPTURE
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. Philippians 2:12-13, ESV
SALVATION
Paul isn’t saying “work for your salvation,” but more so “live out your salvation.”
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
SANCTIFICATION
Paul is talking about sanctification, where God plays a part and we have a role.
Sanctification is the process of becoming less like the world and more like Jesus Christ.
SANCTIFICATION ROLES
God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:2, NLT
1/ God plays a significant role in sanctification.
May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV
Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. John 15:4, NIV
2/ Individuals play a less significant role in sanctification.
…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17, NIV
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1, NIV
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:5-10; 12-14, NIV
Christians are to obey the Holy Scripture.
This often involves avoiding some things while embracing others.
“Sometimes you cannot fully understand the Bible until you obey it.” Eugene Peterson
Christians are to obey the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God will never lead you to do something contrary to Scripture.
“You can tell your faith is real if when the Holy Spirit pricks your conscience you bleed repentance.” Bunk Parsons
FEAR and TREMBLING
Paul uses this terminology because he wants readers to remember the gravity.
“God is not a kindly spiritual grandfather, sitting in the sky. God is not a teddy bear. God is not a kitten. God is a lion who loves us, but His loves does not mean we are (free) to domesticate Him.” Steven Lawson
He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever—holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:9-1
EXALTED ON THREE LEVELS (VERSE 10)
SCRIPTURE
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11, ESV
1/ Some believe these are metaphors.
Some think “in heaven” refers to the spiritual part of a person.
Some think “on earth” refers to the physical part of a person.
Some think “under the earth” refers to the soulish part of a person.
2/ Some believe these are literal places.
The Philippians would’ve understood this portion in three different levels:
In Heaven
Every Christian’s body will be joined with their spirit at the rapture.
All saints, holy angels, and created beings will worship Christ in heaven.
On Earth
All the Christians, non-believers, and perhaps creation will worship Christ on earth.
The Old Testament, Jesus, and Paul somewhat personify creation at different times.
Let the sea roar, and all it contains. Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord for He is coming to judge the earth. 1 Chronicles 16:32-33
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. Praise Him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at His command they were created, and He established them for ever and ever—He issued a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds. Psalm 148:3-10
…the whole creation has been groaning. Romans 8:22
He answered, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the very stones will cry out!” Luke 19:40
“Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Doxology
Under the Earth
All the unsaved dead, fallen angels, bound angels, and even Satan will worship Christ under the earth.
PHILIPPIANS 2 MAY 24, 2023
WORKING OUT SALVATION (VERSE 12-13)
SCRIPTURE
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. Philippians 2:12-13, ESV
SALVATION
Paul isn’t saying “work for your salvation,” but more so “live out your salvation.”
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
SANCTIFICATION
Paul is talking about sanctification, where God plays a part and we have a role.
Sanctification is the process of becoming less like the world and more like Jesus Christ.
SANCTIFICATION ROLES
God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:2, NLT
1/ God plays a significant role in sanctification.
May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV
Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. John 15:4, NIV
2/ Individuals play a less significant role in sanctification.
…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17, NIV
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1, NIV
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:5-10; 12-14, NIV
Christians are to obey the Holy Scripture.
This often involves avoiding some things while embracing others.
“Sometimes you cannot fully understand the Bible until you obey it.” Eugene Peterson
Christians are to obey the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of God will never lead you to do something contrary to Scripture.
“You can tell your faith is real if when the Holy Spirit pricks your conscience you bleed repentance.” Bunk Parsons
FEAR and TREMBLING
Paul uses this terminology because he wants readers to remember the gravity.
“God is not a kindly spiritual grandfather, sitting in the sky. God is not a teddy bear. God is not a kitten. God is a lion who loves us, but His loves does not mean we are (free) to domesticate Him.” Steven Lawson
He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever—holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:9-1