Pastor Bob Fox
Philippians 2:12-18

God saved you to save you from who you will become as a fallen person in a fallen world. Your decisions are critical to your progress in this process He has initiated.

1. What it means―to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
• a. Foster this process that God has begun in you so that your faith impacts what others see and experience in you.
• b. Foster this process with the greatest urgency.
1. It’s not just another voice, it’s God you’re hearing.
2. It is God’s plan you have opportunity to be part of.
3. It is God you have opportunity to bless.
2. What it involves―God won’t necessarily lead you to make radical changes in what you do. He will lead you to change the spirit you project as you do it. Separate yourself from the “foot-dragging” and the “dead weight” that is part of any movement.
3. The potential Impact, both in the present and future―astounding opportunity to experience and bring about change.

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Pastor Bob Fox
Philippians 2:9-11

Review―God wants to develop in you a servant’s heart―a drive to serve His interests instead of just your own.

Question: What will motivate me to cooperateóto become such a selfless servant?

Answer: Who God is and the fact that He is eager to share it all! What has happened to Jesus proves it.

1. Just like Jesus, we will be completely rescued from evil’s abuse, repaid for any and all pain, filled and satisfied (Is. 25:7-9; Rev. 21:3-4).
2. Like Jesus, we will be rewarded for our faithfulness (Matt 19:27-30; Rev. 2:26-30: 3:21).
3. Like Jesus, we will be given a special name that captures who we are (Rev. 2:17).
4. Like Jesus, we will be rewarded with a reality that exponentially multiplies our investment and exceeds what our faith hoped for (Re. 21:22-27).

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Pastor Bob Fox
Philippians 2:5-8

An important clarification (or, you may be kidding yourself): It is God we serve, not necessarily every person.

The important prerequisite: we must come to trust in who God says we are, believing that this is everything and that no one can possibly deprive us of it. A servant’s heart is a trusting heart.

Subsequent Growth―With His help, God wants us to develop such deep trust in Him that:

1. Our own rights/dreams are subjected to the interests of God.
2. We actually let go of our rights/dreams.
3. We accept any role God has for us, without regard for dignity, etc.
4. We sacrifice in ways that alter our very existence.
5. We continually step down to even lower levels.
6. We serve to and through death.
7. We accept shame at the hands of others to complete our mission.

A Concluding Thought: Be inspired in vulnerable moments by the fact that no one has stooped lower than Christ, yet no one is safer.

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Pastor Bob Fox
Philippians 2:3-4

God’s Thought On Motives

1. Motives matter―good things done for the wrong reasons produce fruit with a worm in it. So, until God impacts your motives, He has not impacted your life as He wishes to.
2. Two motives to weed out
• a. The drive to settle a score or squelch a threat.
• b. The quest to gain power or recognition other than what has been bestowed by God as a matter of calling.
3. Three motive tests
• a. Pure motives grow out of humility―viewing myself as God assesses me.
• b. Pure motives produce thoughts about the welfare of others.
• c. Pure motives lead to action that advances the interests of others.

Motive Landmines

1. Beware of judging the motives of others. You cannot see their heart.
2. Examine your own motives, but beware of pronouncing them pure.
3. Be aware that motives are generally always mixed.

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