River of Life Church
Pastor Greg Temke
Sunday, August 2, 2026
www.rolfamily.com
The Book of Philippians
“IN – N – OUT”
Text: Philippians 2:12-18
Questions
- How can we truly live IN Christianity?
- How can we truly live OUT our Christianity?
The Christian life is not ups and downs, but rather INS and OUTS. Christ works IN us, then we LIVE out.
1. LIVE IN PURPOSE. Vs. 12
Paul is not suggesting that one must work for salvation. Salvation is not something to achieve, but something to receive. It is LIVED IN – LIVED OUT.
(AMP) “So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].”
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
I Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings”, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
II Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
2. LIVE OUT GOD’S PURPOSE. Vs.13-15
Before God can work through us, He must work in us.
Matthew 5:14-16: “ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Philippians 2:15 “That you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”
Our desire to obey should be to please God, not men. That desire comes from the power of the Holy Spirit. Phil. 2:13 [“worketh”] = [His energy working through us]
I Thessalonians 2:13 –“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
Appreciate the word.
Appropriate the word.
Apply the word.
Ephesians 3:20-“Now unto Him, that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
I Peter 4:16-17, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this [h]matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
3. LIVE IN FAITH, LIVE OUT IN FAITH.Vs. 16-18
S.I. McMillian, (None of These Diseases) “The moment I start hating a man I become his slave. I can’t enjoy my work anymore because he even controls my thoughts. My resentment produces too many stress hormones in my body, and I become fatigued after only a few hours of work….The man I hate hounds me wherever I go. I can’t escape his tyrannical grasp on my mind.”
It takes faith to exercise a submissive heart. God works in us through the word, prayer, and suffering, and we work out in daily living and service. God fulfills His purposes in us, as we receive and believe His word. God works in, and we work out.
Life is not ups and downs, but rather INS and OUTS. God works IN, and then HE WORKS OUT.
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