Key Scripture
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your provision. Thank you for allowing us to join in your mission, to be a part of your community. Thank you Holy Spirit for moving into the Park this season. Thank you Jesus for being Lord. Please bless our return to The Dock.
Amen
Sermon Notes
Sometimes, as a Christian, our faith can feel seasonal. It’s easy for us to feel stuck, to become complacent in our faith or to be so overwhelmed by moving forward that we just want to sit still.
Christian Spiritual Formation: The process of being transformed by our hearts, mind and actions into the image of Jesus Christ for the glory of God and for the sake of others.
CSF focuses on the Holy Spirit, who guides us on our ongoing journey towards union with God.
We’re being formed constantly by the things we consume (social media, news, relations, politics, etc.) in both good and bad ways.
We all agree that we need to be spiritually formed, but how do we go about actually doing it?
Trying v. training
Many Christians want to push their faith deeper. They try hard at first with little result and the trying doesn’t feel like enough.
Trying isn’t enough because hard things actually require training. They require planning and practice. They take time, and we will make mistakes along the way.
Where do you fall?
1 - People who believe in God and think they are good
2 - People who do not have the time or the desire to be formed by Jesus
3 - People who do have the knowledge to be formed and are just stuck
4 - People with new faith and are growing but are unsure where to go next
Unlike many of his letters, in Philippians Paul is telling his friends that they should simply keep on doing what they’ve been doing from the beginning, responding with obedience.
Paul is giving a directive to let the new birth in Christ translate into action.
1 - God is at work in each of us
2 - God gives us the desire and power to do what pleases Him
Work is a common theme in Philippians. And remember, work is physical and practical, not just theological. It’s closely associated with the idea of obedience.
Paul is making a shift from our relationship with God being solely personal to also being communal.
Here is the thing, you’re going to fail. You’re going to make mistakes. And that’s ok!
Questions and challenges:
Q: How am I putting what I learned into practice?
Q: How am I allowing it to transform my thoughts, behaviors and actions?
Q: In what areas am I trying to resist being formed?
Q: What things in my life stand in the way of what God wants for me?
C: What am I going to do this week to accomplish what we talked about today?
C: Take responsibility for who you are and the story you are writing:
ie: If you want your home to be covered in prayer, pray over your home. If you want to raise Christian children, be a Christian your children want to follow. If you want a healthy loving marriage, be the first one to love more selflessly.
Worship this week