PURPOSE — PART 2
Purpose Worked Out
Philippians 2:12–18
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
RECAP
Where We Began
Our purpose
To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Found in God alone
Created to praise, honour, and worship Him: a privilege, not a yoke.
Enjoyed daily
By loving Him, loving His people in community, and being nourished by His Word.
The purpose of life is not a means to an end.
It is found in Christ.
INTRODUCTION
A Phone With a Purpose
1876
Bell patents the telephone
The human voice carried over a distance
1973
The first handheld cellular call
Martin Cooper, Motorola: calls no longer tied to a place
2007
The first iPhone
A mobile device with countless purposes
A cellphone is no longer just a phone.
INTRODUCTION
So, What Is Your Purpose?
Unique callings
To create, to think, to design, to teach. These callings matter.
Prescriptive purposes
Purposes God commands in the instructions and precepts of His Word.
Within our unique callings, God gives every believer purposes He has commanded.
Philippians 2:12–13
NLT
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 2:14–18
NLT
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
THE SETTING
Paul Writes to the Philippians
Written from prison
Most likely in Rome, around AD 60–62.
A special church
The first church Paul planted in Europe (Acts 16). Lydia was the first person we read about coming to faith there.
Delivered in Philippi
Paul and Silas were jailed; God delivered them, and the jailer came to know Christ.
It matters even more now
Paul is away, so their obedience and faithfulness are more important than ever �(v. 12).
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POINT 1 · VV. 12–13
Work Hard to Show the Results of Your Salvation
Not earned
We are saved by what Jesus did, and His work is enough (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Not instant
We grow into our salvation over a lifetime, alongside the Holy Spirit.
Not passive
We contribute, take part, and step forward, showing that God’s gift is alive in us.
2 Peter 1:5–8
NLT
5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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POINT 1 · VV. 12–13
What Does “Work Out” Mean?
κατεργάζομαι
katergazomai
Carry it through to its conclusion
To bring something to fruition.
Live out the reality of salvation
A daily choice. A daily purpose.
Lynn Cohick, Houston Christian University (via Kirk E. Miller, Logos Word by Word, 2025). Many translations say “work out your salvation.”
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POINT 1 · VV. 12–13
Obeying God With Deep Reverence and Fear
Reverence
Acknowledging God’s holiness
Obedience
Pleasing Him in return
Dependence
Doing it in partnership with Him
Three ways this takes place.
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POINT 1 · WAY 1 OF 3
Reverence
Reverence acknowledges God’s holiness. It is all a gift, never to be trampled on.
Salvation
A gift
Justification
Being declared righteous before God
Sanctification
Being made like Christ
Future glory
What we will experience in His presence
We must never abuse His grace. We treat our salvation with the utmost respect because of what it cost Him and what it means to us.
Hebrews 12:28
NLT
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
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POINT 1 · WAY 2 OF 3
Reverence Leads to Obedience
There is no one like Him
No one else has done for us what He has done.
We want to please Him in return
That takes place through obedience.
1 John 2:5–6
NLT
5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
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POINT 1 · WAY 3 OF 3
Obedience Requires Dependence
Not in our own strength
Pleasing Him does not happen on our own.
In partnership with Him
As we commit to Him and to the process, God works in and through us.
Lives that honour Him
Fruit that comes from remaining in Him.
John 15:5
NLT
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
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POINT 1 · NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL
A Command for the Whole Church
The verb is plural
Paul addresses the whole church at Philippi, not only each believer on their own.
Not “me, myself, and Jesus”
The Christian life was never meant to be a solo effort.
Unity and the humility of Christ
Working out our salvation includes embodying Christ’s self-giving love with one another (Philippians 2:1–11).
Kirk E. Miller and Lynn Cohick, Logos Word by Word, 2025
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POINT 1 · NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL
Life Lived Together
If you want to grow in the gift of salvation, you need other people.
Prayer
Discipleship
Encouragement
Obedience
In a local body that helps us and holds us accountable to the truth of Scripture and to submission to Him.
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POINT 1 · V. 13
But We Do Not Work Alone
God is at work within us
He gives us both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
The Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Helper
He sculpts us so that our lives please Him.
While the command stands, we are not alone
Let’s trust Him to bring about what is for our good and His glory.
John 5:17
NLT
But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
Philippians 1:6
NLT
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
A BRIDGE · V. 14
Do Everything Without Complaining
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.” Philippians 2:14 (NLT)
Philippi
The gospel brought persecution and upheaval (Acts 16).
Paul
Writing in chains for the gospel �(Philippians 1:12–14).
The result
The work of salvation in you and through you is a matter of joy.
Philippians 4:4
NLT
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Philippians 4:12–13
NLT
12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
A BRIDGE · V. 14
The purposes of God for His bride are not a burden.
They are joy!
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POINT 2 · V. 15
Shine Like Bright Lights in the Darkness
“Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:15 (NLT)
From the inside out
When salvation is real in us, the world takes notice.
We point to the One
Who made us something from nothing.
A light that lasts
The darkness can never extinguish it (John 1:5).
Matthew 5:14–16
NLT
14 You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Ephesians 5:8
NLT
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
1 John 1:7
NLT
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
See also 1 Thessalonians 5:5 and Romans 13:12
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POINT 2 · V. 15
You Are a Light Right Where You Are
We are defined by what shines inside us, not by what surrounds us.
Workplace
Family
Community
Neighbourhood
How are we shining? Do the people around you know the light is in you?
3
POINT 3 · V. 16
Hold On Until the End
“Hold firmly to the word of life.” Philippians 2:16 (NLT)
Keep holding on to what has been planted in us
We cannot give up on what we have been given.
To be lights and keep being refined
Perseverance is a vital purpose in itself.
Romans 5:3–5
NLT
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
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POINT 3 · V. 16
A Marathon Mindset
Keep going when you feel like giving up, when you find yourself asking what the purpose of it all is.
The return of Christ
Or our final breath
The finish line
James 1:12
NLT
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
3
POINT 3 · V. 16
We Are Not Just Setting Up House
Our goal is not that this church would become more famous. It is to grow into the fullness of God and use every gift to bring people who are far from Him into His family.
Discipled
Mature
Go out
Repeat
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POINT 4 · V. 17
Our Lives an Offering to God
Paul pours out his life
He will rejoice even if he loses his life, offering it to God.
The Philippians’ faithful service is an offering too
Everything we do is meant to be service to God, an offering worthy of the Lord.
One sacrifices, another sees
As one gives for the Lord, another sees it and offers their own life in turn.
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POINT 4 · V. 17
Jesus Gave First
He gave His life for us
An offering to deal with our sin and our debt, so that we could have life.
We offer our lives back
Forgiven and undeserving, the people of God give themselves to the Redeemer.
1 John 3:16
NLT
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
4
POINT 4 · V. 17
The Saints Who Went Before Us
Built on faithfulness over the centuries
Many of them are unknown today, not just the famous and well-known.
They looked to Paul, who followed Christ
As he laid down his life for his brothers and sisters, they saw the joy of serving others (1 Corinthians 11:1).
The true purpose
We get to share in the joy of serving God and His people.
Hebrews 13:15–16
NLT
15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
4
POINT 4 · V. 17
A Purpose Beyond Us
Not just making it to the end
The Christian life is more than securing our own salvation.
Many built up to find true life and joy in Him
Continually expanding beyond us as His Kingdom advances on earth.
We share in the joy
And we pray that others will too.
CONCLUSION
Charting the Path With Jesus
Daily
Reverence, obedience, and dependence, in our Bible reading and in living out His commands.
Together
If we do not sacrifice for one another, working out our salvation is still selfish.
Selflessly
Yes, it is introspective, but it is meant to be selfless. We put honouring one another ahead of ourselves.
CONCLUSION
Life will always be hard.
Jesus never promised that we would go through this life without hardship. He told us:
John 16:33
NLT
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
APPLICATION
Living It Out This Week
Work it out, together
What next step is God calling you to take in His Word and in obedience? Write down one commitment and share it with someone in this church.
Shine where you are
Where has God placed you that most needs His light? What is one way you will shine there this week? Turn one complaint into thanks.
Hold on
How will you keep yourself firm until the end? Who in this church needs your encouragement this week not to give up?
Offer your life
What are you willing to sacrifice (time, comfort, resources) as an offering to God? How will you serve someone in this church?