June 12, 2011 ~ Pastor Crockett

1. Philippians 2:12 ~ 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.


First off, you must understand that you don't work to get saved; you work BECAUSE YOU ARE SAVED! We must constantly work toward being fruitful for the kingdom of God. Being by the pastor's side, planning church functions, being in the church everytime the doors open is NOT working out your soul's salvation! Not saying that stuff isn't good in its place, but anything can happen that can prohibit you from being able to continue doing them. Then what? What will your "work" be then? Not to mention, how does any of that profit God? Do any of those things seal your fate? Do any of those things ENSURE your salvation? These are all things that can & will, at some point, cease to exist.


2. John 6:27-29 ~ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”  Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

As mentioned in #1, those things are "foods that spoil". Spoil means to "perish" or to be lost, ruined, destroyed".  Why would we ever want to work for things which can be lost or destroyed? Salvation, which only comes from Jesus, cannot be destroyed! The work is believing in Jesus & what He did for us!

3. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 ~ So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.