05-29-2022 Hope & Newness (Philippians 2:1-13)

"The church is always at its most daring and risking and dangerous and free when it sings a new song. Because then it sings that the power of the gospel will not let the world finally stay as it is." –Walter Brueggemann Psalm 40:1-8 Philippians 1:27-30 "Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News (gospel, εύαγγέλιον) about Christ." Philippians 2:1-11 Philippians 2:6 NRSV 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, What would exploiting equality with God look like? Philippians 2:7 NRSV Philippians 2:8 NRSV What is Christ willing to do to convey the love of God to humanity? Philippians 2:9-11 Philippians 2:9-11 NRSV Philippians 2:12-13 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 NRSV 12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. This is our call to action. "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..." Know for whom you stand. Take this seriously. Here are all the facts, now you have to do the next part. Verse 5- You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Paul gives us the Christ hymn, and then says, "Go work it out." Salvation- God is the force that makes for salvation. Salvation- How do you ensure that your soul is going to end up in heaven? This can send us down a dangerous path in this passage. We are in Christ. What does it mean to be fully in Christ? I think Paul here is equating being fully in Christ as being salvation. If you are fully in Christ in this world or in the age to come- that is salvation. What does it mean to be fully in Christ? This passage is also communal. What does it mean for you, the church in Gardendale, to be fully in Christ? How do I live fully in Christ and fully in a Christian community? Paul just gave us the answer. You don't have to do this by yourself, the Spirit is with you, but you have to do the work.