Working It Out

Isaiah Church

Working It Out

August 20, 2023 • Stephen Putbrese • Philippians 2:12–18

If salvation is entirely a free gift of grace from God, do we need to do anything after receiving it? Is grace opposed to effort? In this enigmatic passage we see how Paul views the interplay between our work and God's work - "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

But how does this working take shape? Through embracing the path of self-denial to obey Jesus and love others without grumbling or disputing. Because it is so natural for humans to grumble about any and everything, those who do not have the opportunity to shine as lights in the world, demonstrating that they operate according to a different and more joyful perspective.

Paradox of Joy

July 16, 2023 • Stephen Putbrese • Philippians 1:1–5

The Self-Help industry has exploded in America. The ideas of self-esteem, self-care, self-love, self-importance, and self-actualization have become pervasive in culture - but has self-help actually helped us? As the focus on the self has increased, so too has self-harm - we are more mentally unstable, miserable, and medicated than we are have been. There is a better orientation to the self, namely, self-denial. This counterintuitive and paradoxical approach is at the heart of Paul's letter to the Philippian church. Despite what it cost Paul to plant the church at Philippi and his present circumstances when writing the letter, he had nothing but joy in his heart.

Completion Formula

July 23, 2023 • Stephen Putbrese • Philippians 1:3–11

If asked what kinds of things bring lasting joy, what would you say? While many things can bring short term feelings of happiness, a great purpose and strong relationships have repeatedly been shown to be essential for long-term joy and thriving. However, humans are notoriously bad at pursuing the things that bring long-term joy. How can we walk the right path? In Philippians 1, the Apostle Paul demonstrates what finding joy in shared purpose and people looks like and how it relates to God making us complete.

Building Your Brand

July 30, 2023 • Stephen Putbrese • Philippians 1:12–18

We now live in a world where everyone is expected to build a personal brand. A recent article in the Harvard Business Review states, "For better or worse, in today’s world everyone is a brand. Whether you’re applying for a job, asking for a promotion, or writing a dating profile, your success will depend on getting others to recognize your value. So you need to get comfortable marketing yourself.” What would the Apostle Paul think about this kind of approach? Despite being the primary architect of the Christian church and shaping Western culture more than almost anyone else, Paul thought very little of his personal brand but a lot about the gospel of Jesus. Only this mentality will heal the self and set us free from our envy, rivalry, and selfish ambition.