“A New Year & A Better You”
Philippians 2:12-18
January 1, 2012
* The only way you can be a better you is by making changes.
* REALITY: God doesn’t want the same old you from last year, he wants you to be different.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
* Three things we see from Philippians 4:13 about change happening
** Change Happens 1.) If I want too 2.) If God is in it 3.) If I rely on Jesus
AS A GENUINE FOLLOWER OF JESUS RESOLVE THIS YEAR TO . . .
1. WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION.
* To be resolved means to be determined, you’ve made your mind up and are ready to stand on it.
1.) To be more like Him
2.) To lead others to Him
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NKJV)
* NOTE: It says work out not work for.
3 THINGS WE SEE IN PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 ABOUT CHANGE
– It’s pro-active. “. . . work out . . . it is God who works in . . .”
* Some things in your life can only be changed by God, but we have to cooperate. God won’t change us without our help.
* QUESTION – What area is God wanting to work on in your life that you may be resistant to?
– It’s personal. “. . . your own . . .”
* You have an individual assignment to meet with God.
* There is no mold to produce a cookie cutter Christian.
* QUESTION: Who has God designed you to be?
– It’s painstaking. “. . . with fear and trembling . . .”
* Not to be scared but to take it very seriously
* God gives us the Desire to Change but He also gives us the Power to Change
2. WORK ON YOUR SPEECH.
* We make a difference with what we say and how we say it.
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV)
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James 1:26 (NIV)
“For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.” 1 Peter 3:10 (NKVJ)
* REALITY: Our Tongue reveals our heart!
THE BIG TWO
– Don’t complain.
* One of the ways you kill joy is by complaining
* Complaining makes you unhappy and everyone else miserable
* QUESTION: How different would your life be if you didn’t complain?
*Four Types of complainers
** ‘whiner’ complainer. These people wake up negative. They smile first thing in the morning just to get it over with. Their song is, “Rise and whine and give God no glory, glory.” They complain life’s not fair.
** ‘martyr’ complainer. Their favorite saying is, “No one appreciates me. After all I’ve done, after all I’ve given, after all I’ve gone through, still no one seems to care.” They are pro’s at throwing pity parties.
** ‘cynic’ complainer. They love to say, ‘Nothing will ever change. It’s bad. It’s always been bad; it’s always going to be bad. I guess we should just get used to it.” They smell the flowers and then look around for the coffin.
** ‘perfectionist’ complainer. Nothing is ever right or good enough for this person. Their favorite saying is, “Is that the best you can do?”
* Complaining is a serious Sin. It kept the Israelites out of the Promise Land.
* You want to help our church grow … Resolve to not be a complainer.
* If you will stop complaining, you will look like Gods child and shine like stars. You will stand out and look different.
– Don’t argue.
* Complaining is when you say, “I didn’t get my way.” Arguing is when you say, “I will get my way no matter what and I’ll fight my way to it!”
3. WORK AT YOUR SPENDING.
“…holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”
Philippians 2:16-17 (NKJV)
* The words “poured out” is one word in the Greek. It’s the word spendos. We get our English word “spend” from it.
* QUESTION: How will you spend the time, talent, and treasure God has given you?
* QUESTION: What did you spend your life on last year? Was it worth it?
GROWTH WORK
Write down an area or situation where you need to . . .
➢ Obey God: __________________________________________
➢ Stop Complaining: ___________________________________
➢ Stop Arguing: ________________________________________
➢ Work Harder: ________________________________________
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What New Year Resolutions have you made in the past? Which ones made a difference in your life?
2. What do you think God wants you to change or work on in your life this year, but it seems so difficult? Read Philippians 4:13. How does this verse speak to your situation?
3. Read Philippians 2:12-18. What does it mean to ‘work out your own salvation’? What does this look like in your life this year?
4. Read James 1:26 and 1 Peter 3:10. Did you have difficulty controlling your tongue? If yes, in what way?
5. What do you complain about most? Why do you think God wants us to do “all things” without complaining? How would you attempt to go about this?
6. Of the 4 types of complainers mentioned, which ones best describes your complaining style?
7. Where do you find yourself in the most arguments and disputes? What is the source of the problem? How can you do better this year in this area?
8. What is the result of not complaining and arguing? (Verse 14-15) Does this motivate you? Why or why not?
9. What did Paul mean that he was glad to be ‘poured out like a drink offering’?
10. How might you pour yourself out as a drink offering in 2012.
11. As you look back at 2011, what did you ‘spend’ most of your life on? What is worth it? What would you like to invest your life in more in 2012? How will you do it?
MUSICAL WORSHIP SET
How Great Thou Art
Everlasting God
You Alone can Rescue
Before the Throne
We hope that you found Sundays Message and following Small Group Questions helpful. If you missed this weeks message, I encourage you to get it here. While you are there, browse around our website … we think you will like it and find it to be a great tool in inviting friends to FBC Harvester.
As always, I hope you make plans to join us at FBC Harvester next weekend! If distance is a problem, you are always welcome to listen to any of the teachings from our worship service on our website. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us here. We would love the privilege of helping where we can and seeing God do amazing things in our lives together.
Dan Gould 