God Who Works In You | Philippians 2:12-18

There are times in our lives when we find ourselves ensnared in sin, keep falling into the same sin, feel powerless against it. We identify with the Apostle Paul’s own struggle in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”  This can be incredibly debilitating and you can feel like a constant failure as a Christian. Perhaps you have the assumption that although Christ has saved us by grace, it’s up to us to live out our lives for Christ in our own strength, having a “in by God’s grace, stay in by own works” mentality.

Paul is writing to Philippian church which is facing pressure and persecution from the culture around them. Paul encourages them here to persevere in their faith in the face of these trials – to resist temptation to sin, to go along with pagan culture. He tells them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. But he doesn’t leave it there – he reminds them that they’re not alone in this, they're not abandoned to get on with the Christian life in their own strength – not in by God’s grace, stay in by own works. Instead he reminds them of gospel truth – God is still working in them by the power of his Spirit – he is the One who is sanctifying them, he is empowering them to resist temptation and live for his glory. We will see that because it is God who works in you by his Spirit, you are able to live a life that glorifies him.

Preacher: Rev. Antonio Coppola.

For more information about Covenant Waterfall Presbyterian Church, please check out our website: http://covenantwaterfall.co.za or email us: info@covenantwaterfall.co.za. We'd love to hear from you!