The Script

¹² Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. _{Philippians 2:12-13}

The Plot

Former Congressman J. C. Watts once said, “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught.” He knew that to be a good example to others, we need to live our life as if everyone is watching. Doing the right thing shouldn’t be a slogan that just hangs on the wall.

Paul also reminds us that once we accept Jesus as our savior, God begins working in us giving us a desire and the power to do what pleases him. How we live our life – even without others to remind us – is the best way to show others the result of accepting the love and salvation Jesus gives to us.

The Walk Through

1. What does it mean to ‘Work hard to show the result of your salvation’?
2. What two things does God give us to show the result of our salvation?
3. How can you show the result of your salvation today?

Ad Lib

Often work can be extremely frustrating. You might even change jobs because it gets so frustrating. I heard of a preacher who quit the ministry after 20 years and became a funeral director. When he was asked why he changed jobs, he said, “I spent 3 years trying to straighten out John and John is still an alcoholic. Then I spent 6 months trying to straighten out Susan’s marriage and she filed for divorce. Then I spent 2 years trying to straighten out Bob’s drug problem and he still an addict. Now at the funeral home when I straighten them out… they stay straight!”