by Omotayo Fakinlede, Oda, July 14, 2024
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:12-18
Salvation: With Trembling and with Fear
In preparing for today’s sermon, I began to imagine things in life: Some things are handled carelessly with little thought. There are other things that must be handled with trembling. There are things that must be handled with fear. Others may be handled with trembling and fear! Can you give examples of these things? You can, for example, trow your slippers carelessly anywhere near the door. No trembling, no fear! You do not really care if someone were to walk on it! Supposwe I give you a day old child to carry? The little thing is so fragile. Can you treat the baby the way you treat your slippers? Can you even carry it anyhow? There are parts of the body that must not be stressed. The skull, for example, is not fully hardened, etc. How do you feel if you are told to carry one? You do it gently, particularly, paying attention to details because any little mikstake can be fatal! Trembling, and fear! What does the Bible say about Salvation? The Contemporary English Version translates vs 12b as : “Work with fear and trembling to discover what it really means to be saved”. Apostle Peter wrote his epistle to a people that “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”. 1 Peter 1:3-5
What does “being guarded” in this passage mean? Imagine, again a toddler, learning to walk. The father is staying close to him, just to ensure he does not fall to the hard floor. – yet not touching him. But the little boy has to do the walking! He is learning to move on his own! Eventually he will be walking all by himself. But right now, he is being gaurded! The Psalmist (63:8) said

My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me

Working out Your Salvation
As my main passage for the day is the Epistle to the Phiilipians, I want to make matters easy for us all to understand. The monolithic “salvation” as a fomular is lower than the bar God sets for us. Instead, there is new birth that will be given to all who repent and confess their sins and can therefore enter into the free grace that Jesus offers in the new birth. These people, let us say, loud and clear, are not yet in heaven! They are in this world, and they are in a battle. If the gospel began and ended in salvation, there would have been no need for the exhortations in the apostolic work of the entire acts and Epistles that represent the teaching of the “Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church” we talk about in the creeds! That Church is the Church of God and therefore “Holy”. The Church is not founded by any “President, Founder, Superintendent nor GO” but it is “you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-21. That is what we mean by the fact that the Church is Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. Catholic means it is one church all over the world, and Apostolic means it is built on the teachings of the Apostles. The Epistles, where the Apostles explained what the Gospel was all about, was the initial summary of Apostolic teaching!
The Four Rs
In this teaching, there are four Rs! They, in order of precedence are Repentance, Reconciliation, Regeneration and Redemption. We repent, God forgives. He sent his Only begotten Son to reconcile the world to himself. Everyone that wills and submits becomes regenerated and embarks on this journey and proceeds as Peter the Apostle said “to the inheritance laid down for us all. These people will be engaged in a titanic battle in this world. But they will not be left alone. As Hymn 307 tells us,

Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle; The next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh – A crown of life shall be
He with the King of glory, Shall reign eternally!

In conclusion, let us be further instructed by the words of the Apostle Paul in Phillipians. There are things we cannot fully comprehend in this epistle unless we get the context clearly. It is one of the most popular passages in Nigerian Christianity! Unfortunately, it is popular because we do not often get the context! O that we would understand, the great truths of the gospel would be ours in its power and majesty and we will grow up from the “loaves and fishes” Christianity that we practice so well!
The Context of the Message
Imprisonment and confirmation of the message:
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:7-8
Expansion of the work to fellow prisoners, jailers, political leaders:
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:12-14
Conviction & Charge
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:18-30
Trust in God and the 419 passage
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:10-20