I. The Word: Philippians 2:3-13

3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

 6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, andbeing made in the likeness of men. 8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

      12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

II. Reflection Questions:

1. Focus on verses 3-5, what are we being commanded to do, be, or think?

2. How perfect are you at being this kind of person in the arena of: Work? Free time? Family? Friends? Money?

3. Why are you not perfectly this kind of person all of the time? Diagnose yourself honestly and brutally, get to the root (don’t just say, “Well, I am lazy.”).

4. What is the role you play in your church community to help create a people who are working out their salvation with fear and trembling?

Here is the link to my reflections. Click on it to watch/listen to my explanation of the reflection questions and what is written below.

What to do: Have this perfect attitude that Jesus had towards each other.

Jesus pointers: Samwise Gamgee, Ana in Frozen at the end when she shielded her sister, All military (hack saw ridge), fire logs, all food and drink!

Why we can’t do this: Fear of losing, and failure to believe the Gospel

How Jesus did it perfectly: Read Phil 2:5-8!!

How, because of Him, we now can: As we delight in Him, as we are overwhelmed mentally and emotionally by Him, as we taste and feed on the Gospel it sets us free from our fear of losing bc we have actually gained so much already! Now, and only  now, can we lose everything for others sake. “Perfect love casts out all fear.”