From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Jun 6, 2023 at 6:05 AM

Subject: 6-6-23 THOUGHTS

6-6-23   THOUGHTS

We are working on the book of Philippians in our Sunday PM services.  We consider a powerful area from that book this morning.  Paul loves the Church at Philippi.  There is a statement here about a “working out”, and a “working in”.  We do our part in faith, that God might  “work in you [US] , both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  We must know God’s presence as we serve Him!  They were told to prove themselves in the direction of God’s Holiness.  They will be light to a world that desperately needs the light of Jesus!   “Holding fast the word of life”, is a must!  Our marching orders are to be upbeat, joyful and no grumbling!         At this time, Paul is in prison in Rome, having appealed to Caesar.  In chapter 1, Paul asked for their prayers that  “with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  The drink offering words are in this context. Our reading closes with a “fellowship jewel”!  Paul says that if his service to Christ results in his death, he would rejoice in that!  In fact, he says he will share that joy with them! Then he hints at a personal need on his part.  He wants them to “rejoice in the same way, and then share their joy” with him!  This is mutual encouragement, where consequence could mean death.  We must search for the quality of loving fellowship in this book.


Php 2:12-18   So 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; 13  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 14  Do all things without grumbling or disputing;  15  so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and exciting generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16  holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 17  But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18  You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

My Prayer:
Father, work in us, both to will and to work for Your own good pleasure.  Help us to do our part as we workout our own salvation.  May it always be a diligent, sincere, powerful effort on our part.  Help us to shun low quality efforts to serve You, and excite in us a good and ever-present memory of the cost of our salvation.  Help us to share with each other the joy of being Yours.
In the name of Jesus who saves us,      Amen.