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Lesson three the Philippians Series

Intro:
- Paul writing the Philippians from a Roman jail around 62 AD
-  As he writes he remembers:

The founding of the church in Philippi - The first converts

Last week we talked about the great love that existed in the Philippian church for Paul and Paul for them.

This morning we see that love expressed in Paul's prayer for the Christians at Phillipi

Php 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,  11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-- to the glory and praise of God.

 

I. Paul Often Writes Weaving Concepts Together

- Like pearls strung together to create a beautiful necklace.

A. Jon Graf makes this observation in his book, Praying Like Paul:

"Paul also did something that I find very intriguing.  He practiced what I call "Praying the process". That is, he seemed to pray more for the process of growth in people's lives than the end result.  In most of Paul's prayers recorded in the epistles, we see two little words near the middle: "so that"  Paul prayed something so that something else would happen."

Paul strings together:
Love, knowledge, depth of insight, discernment, being pure and blameless when Christ returns, and the fruit of righteousness that will bring glory and praise to God

All as a process in the lives of the Philippians
A. Sometimes in Paul's writings he strings so many concepts together that he can be difficult to understand.

- Even the Apostle Peter thought so: 2 Peter 3

B.  Paul didn't stop and explain every detail

BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD GIVE THE DETAILS

1Co 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

2Ti 2:7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

C. God wants us to dwell and meditate upon His word.

1. Paul starts with love

that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

Love is linked to knowledge, depth of insight, and discernment

LOVE GIVES YOU UNOBSTRUCTED VISION

Knowledge is true and accurate
Insight is not tainted by an evil heart
Discernment is clear and unblurred

2. Unobstructed vision leads to good choices

    Discern what is best  NIV
    Approve the things that excellent KJV

 

3. Good Choices will lead to purity and sincerity on the Day of Christ

- Confidence at His coming
1Jo 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

- Confidence Now
1Jo 3:21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

Faith is effected by what we choose to approve in this life

 

4. Love produces clear sight, results in right choices, and will make the way for the flowing of the fruit of righteousness out of our life.

 Understanding that Paul is talking to people who are already Christians - so faith in Christ is assumed:

Love, clear sight, good choices, will connect us securely with Christ WHICH WILL PRODUCE FRUIT

Joh 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Summary of prayer:
Paul prays this process for the Philippians:

1. Let love give you clear vision
2. With that clear vision choose well
3. If you do, you will have confidence when you stand before Christ
4. Through this you will be securely connected to Christ and Fruit will be abundant
5. And it will all bring glory and praise to  God

 II. The Spirit of All of Paul's Prayers is More

Another one of Paul's prayers

Eph 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

A. MORE WHAT?

Three suggestions:

#1.) More Love
       - From God
       - Back towards God
       - Towards other people

Love - Clear vision - right choices - confidence before Christ - fruit of righteousness - glory and praise to God for  life lived well

 

#2.  More Wisdom
       - People ask for happiness, money,  Promotion, peace

       -  All these are found in the wisdom of God

Wealth, promotion ….. without wisdom will destroy. 

With Godly wisdom it can bring peace and blessing to many

Pr 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.  18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.  20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,  21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

 

#3. More Life of God

Healing of physical

Healing of mental

Healing of Spiritual

Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. KJV

Joh 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. NIV

Closing:
We have a conserving mentality today because we have limits

 

GOD HAS NO LIMITS

COME TO JESUS - LET LOVE RULE

ASK FOR MORE RIGHT NOW