Philippians 2:12-16

Introduction: Did you hear about the two boys that were walking through a field one day and discovered a big, black bull snorting and pawing the ground….getting ready to charge? Instantly, the boys starting running as fast as they could to the nearest fence. Meanwhile, the pursuing bull was overtaking them….. afraid and terrified, one boy screamed to the other, “Pray, Pray, Say a Prayer!” The other boy responded, “I’ve never prayed in public.” To which the other said, “Just say a Prayer…the bull is right on us!” “All right,” I’ll say the prayer my dad says at the supper table: “Dear Lord, thank you for what we are about to RECEIVE!!”

Paul gives us three (3) reasons for giving OUT instead of giving UP!

1. Keep GIVING OUT – Holding the Line – because of what Jesus has done! (Phil 2:8-12-14)

“8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” 

“12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”

      • Jesus’ sacrifice for us (Phil 2:8-10)   

“15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

     • As sons of God “Shining” – lighting up!

     • As sons of God “Sharing” the good news – holding up!

3. Keep GIVING OUT because of where we are going! (Phil 2:16, 17)

“16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”

     • Right now we are in a “RACE”

     • It won’t be long we’ll see Jesus “Face to Face”

Conclusion: Don’t quit! Hold the Line! If we are to continue GIVING OUT, then we must TAKE IN! So since Jesus did not quit, but finished His RACE after dying on the cross, rising from the grave, ascending into heaven, pouring out His Spirit, and promising to come again, we can HOLD the LINE!