What does it mean to live for Jesus?

Philippians 2:12-30

Our faith is not just a philosophy but relationship at its heart. 
Even when no one is looking at us, we must live true to who we really are in Christ. 
Authority is responsibility to care well for those under us, which requires obedience. 
We can never be good enough to earn our salvation, but we are called to "work out our salvation" by aligning our way of life with our new identity in Christ. 

Why should we work out our salvation "with fear and trembling"?
1. It is God who is at work in you. His presence in you is the Holy Spirit that helps you to obey and cooperate with God's work in your life.
2. The end result is ultimately beyond your ability to perform; you are dependent on God to work in you to will and to work for what pleases God.

Practical spirituality: “How can you better notice and humbly submit to what God is already doing in your life?”
 Our tendency is to ignore the guidance of the Holy Spirit (God's work in us) but go our own way. So we need such a fear, sense of seriousness about our ultimate obedience and submission to God's will and work. 
 
Philippians 2:14-18
Do everything without grumbling and disputing (2:14).  
 
Q.  What is it about murmuring (grumbling) and disputing that is so antithetical to humble obedience and servanthood? 
1. It comes from our flesh (negativity) and lack of faith (to find faults only but God at work).
'2. It focusses on ourselves, instead of on the interests of Christ and others.
3. It undermines our ability to shine as lights/stars in the universe for Christ. 

Three Examples (Role Models) to Consider (2:16-30)
           These are more than Paul's travel report about them but his presentation of the models that embody what he is teaching the church at Philippi. 
Example 1: Paul (2:16-18)
Example 2: Timothy (2:19-24)
Example 3: Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

Conclusion
What does it mean to live for Jesus? Just listen to Paul and look at the role models he gives us. Jesus was killed on a cross because of his commitment to do the will of God and show God to the world. Paul is in prison on account of the Gospel. He shared the Gospel with many hostile, unbelieving forces, and suffered because of it, but maintains a positive attitude nonetheless. Timothy organized his whole life around service of Jesus by supporting Paul and his own church. Epaphroditus was separated from his beloved community and almost died, sacrificing himself to support Paul and the Gospel ministry. 
 
So, what are you being called to “step into” more fully, more courageously, more humbly, more sacrificially to serve Christ and the Gospel here in Myanmar?

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