5. LOVING PRACTICING THE LOWLY LIFE (Philippians 2:12-30)

Paul has every confidence that they will respond to this impelling demonstration of the lowly life, by practicing the lowly life.

5.1. BY OBEDIENT YIELDING (Philippians 2:12)

Philippians 2:12 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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. "

Their response to the truth in his presence is to be continued in his absence. "Now much more". The obedience of many Christians revolves round the presence of a spiritual overseer. If beyond scrutiny, or away, they are different people. They hide the light and relax vigilance. What we are when no one is watching us is the true indicator of our spiritual condition. True obedience springs from the desire to please God. They are to "work out" their salvation, i.e. not 'for', not 'in', but 'OUT'. The inwrought work of regeneration is now to be outworked in the life. The fruits of a new nature.

They are to do it in the spirit of "fear and trembling with reverence and awe, keep on working clear down to the finishing point of your salvation." (Philippians 2:12 ) Williams Translation.

"Trembling" more than a reverential trust. Moses - Sinai. Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling" (Hebrews 12:21 NKJV). The Holy Spirit uses this to urge us to serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. (Hebrews 12:28 ). "For our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29 KJV). Such fear will make us do anything to please Him, and abstain from anything that grieves Him.

Isaiah 6:5 "Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, ... for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. "

Psalm 34:9 "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: ..."

Paul is away but God is not an absentee.

Philippians 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. "

He wants to work out His good will and pleasure. (Philippians 2:13 ). God desires to set up His operational headquarters in our hearts. Are you yielding to Him? Are you letting up - or letting God?

5.2. BY CHEERFULNESS AND CO-OPERATION (Philippians 2:14,15)

No murmuring allowed! That is the cooing of doves. The monotony or undertone of grumbling. Such will break out into disputes and divisions. Many are the ranks of the murmurers, over not enough prominence, or too heavy a work load. A fertile field for the frustrations of God's work. There is nothing so unlike Christ. God is not having His way in the chronic complainer - He loves cheerful workers.

What we are called to do, should be done cheerfully and co-operatively, as to the Lord. The end to which God is working (Philippians 2:15 ). Every phase of their lives is to commend the grace of God. Blameless - No blame is to be attached to their Christian lives. Harmless - No injury is to proceed to someone else from their actions. Without rebuke - No rebuke from God through sinful departure. They are to be shining Christians, not whining Christians. There is more power needed for giving light than for sounding a bell. More power needed to shine than whine.

5.3. BY EXHAUSTING LABOURS (Philippians 2:16)

"Holding forth" means labouring to a point of exhaustion, toil till you drop. Every resource is to be expended in proclaiming the gospel. What a rebuke to half-hearted Christianity! Paul's eye on eternity.

Philippians 2:16 "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, ... "

Everything that does not contribute to the glory of that day is regarded as empty. Let us not misspend our time.

5.4. BY EMULATING THEIR EXAMPLE (Philippians 2:17-30)

Only asking of them what he and his co-workers are doing. The following are three examples - each presents a different aspect.

Always before Paul, was the nearness of his departure. Regards himself as a drink-offering (Philippians 2:17 )

Numbers 28:7-8 "'And its drink offering shall be one-fourth of a hin for each lamb; in a holy place you shall pour out the drink to the LORD as an offering. 'The other lamb you shall offer in the evening; as the morning grain offering and its drink offering, you shall offer it as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD."

He lived in constant readiness to pay the supreme price for his testimony. At close of his day he testified:

2 Timothy 4:6 "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand."

At the very source of sacrifice exclaims "I am glad and rejoice." (Philippians 2:17 NKJV). Jesus, who for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2 ). Paul calls for mutual rejoicing in mutual sacrifice (Philippians 2:17,18 ). A glorious partnership in pouring out our lives for Christ. True joy found in sacrificial service to the Lord.

Paul's loving concern for their state. Finds no one more fitting to send than Timothy. Condemnation of selfish service (Philippians 2:21 ). So few stood with Paul in selfless service. How true today! The commendation of Timothy. He had the mind of Christ in his regard for others. The result of his yieldedness to Christ.

Philippians 2:20,21 "For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's."

"Naturally" (KJV), "Sincerely" (Philippians 2:20 NKJV) - same as "true" in Philippians 4:3. "Own" (Philippians 2:21 ) - "My own son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2 KJV).

"But you know his proven character" (Philippians 2:22 NKJV). Timothy had amazed them with his unselfish devotion to the cause of Christ. "As a son with his father" (Philippians 2:22 NKJV). Timothy followed Paul as he followed the Lord. Let the mind of Christ be in us, caring for others.

Identification of Paul with Epaphroditus.

	"My brother" (Philippians 2:25 KJV), through Calvary.
	"Fellow worker" (Philippians 2:25 NKJV) - Companion in the same labours.
	"Fellow soldier" (Philippians 2:25 KJV) - In the same fight.

Philippians 2:30 "Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, ..."

Let this mind be in us. Sacrifice for the Lord. Service for others - soldiers in the fight.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would you hold that godly fear is essential to the outworking of your salvation? (Philippians 2:12; Hebrews 12:28-29 ).

2. Where do you find God's centre of operations for the working of His good pleasure?

3. Do you have a right to grumble? Can you have your whine and still shine? (Philippians 2:14- 15 ).

4. What was Paul's motivation for labouring to the point of exhaustion in shining? (Philippians 2:16 ).

5. Has the idea of being a "drink offering" become a thing of the past? (Philippians 2:17-18 ).

6. In which way is the example of Timothy a condemnation of selfish service? (Philippians 2:20- 21 ).

7. What was Epaphroditus in his relationship to Paul, and how would you describe your relationship in the fellowship?