Philippians 2:12-13
Key Idea: We should see hard work as an act of faith to live in the reality of God’s grace.
Three ways to work hard as an act of faith in God’s grace:
1. Work in light of Christ’s greatness
a. Challenge: Live Coram Deo
b. Comfort: Our exalted Savior promises to exalt us
2. Work in light of Christ’s grace
Grace is God’s undeserved favor that is seen in his power at work in and through us.
1 Corinthians 15:10 — But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
John Piper – “Work really hard. Don’t trust in the work. Trust in God.”
How we work hard, but with faith in God’s grace:
- We don’t work with the delusion of strength
- We don’t work with the delusion of control
- We don’t work with the delusion of self-glory
3. Work in light of Christ’s goodness
- We can experience God’s generosity
- We can please God
- We can find joy in the struggle
