INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. That they abound more in love
2. That they approve things excellent
3. That they abide without offense
E. Remarks.
1. The apostle Paul held a great regard for the Philippians church. While in prison he prayed for them. His prayer was one of concern and the love of a father for his children. Like the Corinthians these where "his children in the gospel," 1 Corinthians 4:15. Paul was praying for them that they might abound in Christ and in their love for each other, and all mankind. Prayer changes things. Any church leadership or minister who can pray for the church; will not likely stray from its best interest at any time. This church supported Paul throughout his ministry; from his first visit into Philippi until Timothy’s last visit with him during his second imprisonment in Rome, weeks before his death. The church at Philippi loved Paul not just in words, but in deeds and in truth. This is our prayer for this church!
2. First, he prays, "That their love may abound yet more and more." Love ought to abound; or overflow like a flooding river whose banks are overflowing into the surrounding fields and forests. He wanted them to abound, "more and more" ever increasing; ever growing to influence the lives of those far and near, friends or foes. He wanted their love to abound toward God, in their Lord, in him and each other.
3. Second, he prays, "That their knowledge and judgment might be more fruitful." In knowledge, that they may learn the difference between right and wrong; good and evil. In judgment, that they might be able to make the right decisions in matters of faith and doctrine. That they may approve of things that are excellent. Every Christian should aspire for these same qualities. That the church might be able to discern between “good and evil” through the preaching and teaching of “sound doctrine.”
4. Finally, he prays, "That they might be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ," or the coming of the Lord from heaven. Christians ought to be sincere, they ought to be genuine. They ought to live, that their lives are good examples to those inside the church and in the world. They ought to walk without fault or offense every moment of their lives. The preacher, "that the ministry be not blamed," 2 Corinthians 6:3. The members, "that their manner of life, may be as that which becometh the gospel of Christ," Philippians 1:27. The leadership, that they “hold fast the faithful word as they have been taught,” Titus 1:11. If this prayer is ours, both privately and public; we can be worthy subject in the kingdom of God, the church of Christ. With this, let’s consider our first point: “that they may abound in love more and more.”
BODY OF LESSON
I THAT THEY ABOUND MORE IN LOVE
A. Paul prayer for Philippi was one of great concern and sincerity. He wanted the Philippians not only to love, but to abound in love, more and more.
1. Illustrate: A swelling river as a result of rain. The mighty Mississippi!
2. Overflowing, running everywhere to enrich the land and fields surrounding it.
3. He wanted them to be “rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:17-19.
B. He desired the same thing for the Thessalonians. Notice: "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, even as we do towards you; to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints,” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13.
C. Love ought to abound and grow. Paul desired the Philippians to grow up into Christ as mature Christian. Jesus describes the order and direction of love, Matthew 22:37-40. Notice our Lord:
1. Upward, to God. John: “And we love Him because He first loved us,” 1 John 4:19.
2. Outward, to others (family, brethren, friends, and even our enemies). Notice John as he instructs us to love the brethren:
a. Love is sacrificial. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
b. Love is sharing. “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” Love is what love gives! If we are unable to give ourselves unto the Lord; we will never give of our substance in a sacrificial manner, 2 Corinthians 8:5; 2 Corinthians 8:9.
c. Love is sincere. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but indeed and in truth,” 1 John 3:16-18. Don’t just tell me that you love; show me! Some use great swelling words, but there is nothing in their behavior.
1). Love should be without Partiality, Romans 12:9.
2). It will never desire or work ill to his neighbor, Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:4.
3). Illustrate: My friend, special church members. Your inner circle!
d. Love covers a multitude of sins, 1 Peter 4:8; James 5:20.
e. David said: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin,” Romans 4:7-8.
3. Inward, to ourselves. We must learn to love ourselves also. Love ourselves during failures, as well as successes. Learn to accept God’s forgiveness. Learn to forgive ourselves! Illustrate: Beauty parlor; see the beauty in you that God sees.
D. Grow in knowledge, "But grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever," 2 Peter 3:18. Notice:
1. We must desire the word to grow,” 1 Peter 2:1-3.
2. We must study to grow, 2 Timothy 2:15.
3. The more increased our knowledge becomes; the more mature our judgment will be manifested to each other and the world.
a. Our goal is to become a perfect man, full grown, Ephesians 4:11-15.
b. Discerning between good and evil, Hebrews 5:14. Too many bottle babies!
4. Mature Christians can make the right decisions always, whether it is popular or not. Their concerns are about what's right, and not whose right!!
E. Grown in judgment or discernment. Knowing both good and evil, being able to discern with maturity, Hebrews 5:12-14; Hebrews 6:1-3.
1. We must show discernment when it comes to the Lord's body and blood, 1 Corinthians 11:23-30.
2. Illustrate: Communion (is with the Lord, in his kingdom).
3. Having the right attitude of heart.
4. That we be not guilty of his body and blood, by taking it in an unworthy manner, 1 Corinthians 11:27-30. “Examine yourself,” 2 Corinthians 13:5. With this, let’s discuss our next point, “that they approve of things that are excellent.”
II THAT THEY APPROVE THINGS EXCELLENT
A. It’s through abounding in love, in knowledge, and judgment we are able to approve of those things that are excellent, without love, knowledge, and judgment we are destine to failure in this endeavor.
B. Approve means: “To allow, permit or accept.” Paul says: "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in the things which he alloweth," Romans 14:21-23.
1. Illustrate: Pure, all things pure, Titus 1:15.
2. Note: "For meat destroy not the work of God, All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense," doubting or without faith, Romans 14:20.
3. Brethren, hear John on our hearts. Note: “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God,” 1 John 3:19-21.
4. Notice Paul on our conscience. Note: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel,” Romans 2:14-16.
5. God is asking us to live our lives in concert to His will and commandments. If we do this we can be assured that our hearts, conscience and thoughts are acceptable in His sight. Be not deceived, “if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts.” We cannot do evil; or things our own hearts condemneth us, or do not alloweth because they are not of faith, and expect to be pleasing before God.
C. Not all things are excellent, but all things must be proven, or tested, 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Because “many false teachers are gone out into the world,” 1 John 4:1. False teachers reason and use rational arguments to thwart the word of God.
1. False teacher persuade all is well as long as the majority is in agreement. They testify that safety and security abideth in any decision the leading brothers make on their behalf. However, they make no mention that it is the will of God and His word that must be the standard for all of our actions or decisions.
2. Remember God’s instruction to Cain: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door,” Genesis 4:7.
a. The saint must “prove all things and hold fast to that which is good” to be assured that they are "acceptable unto the Lord," Ephesians 5:10.
b. Illustrate: Will it help me? Will it hinder me? Will it help others? Will it hinder others? Our sins can cause collateral damage! It does not just affect us; but others, (e.g., family, friends, neighbors and other members).
c. If it could cause hurt or harm to others, I should not do it, or participate in it. The consequences of our sins could hinder others from their obedience to the gospel; and entrance into the kingdom of God. Some are destine to carry this burden into eternity.
d. The saint must: "Abstain from the very appearance of evil," 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
3. These are seducers and deceivers who use “great swelling words” that have no authority or sanction in the word of God. The church must be on guard against seducers. Jude describes them as, “These are those who separate,” Jude 1:19. They themselves are separated; but desire also to separate us. They are:
a. Sensualists of the worst kind. They have separated themselves from God, and Christ, the word, and the church; to be servants of the evil one – the devil, to the world, and of the flesh, by their ungodly courses and malicious practices. Their aim is to separate and divide the church, with damnable heresies, through covetousness and feigned words that make merchandise of us; and cause schism in the body of Christ, 2 Peter 2:1-3.
b. Sensual men which have not the Spirit of Christ, that is, of God and the Spirit of holiness, which “whoever have not, is none of Christ’s, nor does he belong to Him,” Romans 8:9. They are filled with the workings of the evil one!
c. Spots in your feast of charity. “When they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever,” Jude 1:12-13. They are themselves deceived and shall be destroyed by their own cunning and wicked devices.
d. The worse sort of teachers and preachers. Therefore, the more reason the saints of Christ should strive to be approved of God. The more busy Satan and his instruments (preachers and teachers of ungodliness) are in their work of perverting and deceiving others, in judgment or practices; the more vigilant the saints must be in their teaching and preaching of sound doctrine and being godly examples in all conversations (manner of lives) while, “holding fast the faithful word, as they have been taught, and holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience,” Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:9. This we must preach and teach without wavering!
D. The saints desire the excellent things of life, Philippians 4:8. Illustrate: Pure thing brings about pure expressions. Why are so many Christians suspicious, envious, and jealous? So distrustful! Some are selfish and unwilling to give of themselves or of their substance; that which God has richly blessed and given unto them. Listen:
1. "Love thinketh no evil," 1 Corinthians 13:5.
2. "Love does not behave itself unseemly," does it brethren?
3. Love is the "more excellent way" of life, 1 Corinthians 12:31.
E. Why then? "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," Proverbs 23:7. What we think of others, depend largely of what we think about ourselves; or what we are ourselves.
1. Do unto others first. Notice Jesus: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets,” Matthew 7:12. Illustrate: Golden Rule. Notice:
a. If you want the love of the brethren, love the brethren.
b. If you want the visits of others, fellowship with others.
c. If you want the forgiveness of others, forgive others.
d. If you want the kindness of other, be kind to others.
e. This should be our prayer, and attitude of heart. May God help us to acquire it!
2. If ye would have friends. If you want friendship, be first a friend. Notice Solomon: "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that stickiest closer than a brother," Proverbs 18:24.
3. Let brotherly love continue, Hebrews 13:1. Finally, let’s notice our last point, “That they abide without offense until the day of Christ.”
III THAT THEY ABIDE WITHOUT OFFENSE
A. Here is the end result of love, knowledge and sound judgment without offense; that we might be diligent, sincere and walk without stumbling in our service and devotion to God.
1. Illustrate: Playing church, keep’ n church, rather than being the church. Let's be genuine, let’s be for real in our lives before the world, the church and God.
2. Let's love and "serve God in sincerity and truth." Joshua said: “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD,” Joshua 24:14-15.
3. Paul's life among the Corinthians. Notice: "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation (manner of life) in the world, and more abundantly to you ward (toward you)," 2 Corinthians 1:12.
4. God’s grace abides with those that love the Lord Jesus in SINCERITY, Ephesians 6:24.
B. Without offense, (without an occasion for stumbling). Not being a stumbling block or an offense to others. Notice:
1. First, the membership. Brethren: "Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way,” Romans 14:13. We are “living epistles, know and read by all men,” 2 Corinthians 3:2. What are people reading about our lives? Does it bring glory to God and the Lord Jesus Christ?
a. Does our liberality pose a stumbling block to other? Illustrate: Corinthians, eating meats offered to idols, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33. Notice: “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ,” 1 Corinthians 8:13. (I'll not eat meat, nor do anything whereby my brother stumble or offended as long as the world stands).
b. But let us rather be lights, "Shining and guiding those in this crooked and perverse nation," Philippians 2:15-16. Illustrate: Red, yellow, and green light. We cannot regulate the signal light, but we can respond appropriately to them at all times.
c. Paul’s prayer for the saints: " Only let your conversation (manner of life) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,” Philippians 1:27. Live a life pleasing God!
2. Further, the preacher.
a. Charge to Timothy: “Let no man despise thy youth (thy demeanor); but be thou an example of (to) the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity…Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee,” 1 Timothy 4:12-16.
b. Paul’s reminder to Corinth that he walked: “Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,” 2 Corinthians 6:3-4. Ministers, who are you looking too, for approval?
1) Yourselves? Notice: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise,” 2 Corinthians 10:12.
a) First, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself,” Galatians 6:3.
b) Further, “And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know,” 2 Corinthians 8:2.
c) Finally, “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips,” Proverbs 27:2.
2) The Lord? Notice:
a) Paul’s admonition: “For NOT he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth,” 2 Corinthians 10:18.
b) Paul’s ensample: “Brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another,” 1 Corinthians 4:6.
c) Illustrate: Apollos Preaching and Ministry in Corinth, Acts 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 1 Corinthians 3:5-6.
d) Paul recognized how devices and destructive lifting up men (preachers) could be to the church of Christ. He did not want them to focus on the man or how well he might preach; but upon Him that “giveth the increase.”
c. Exhortation to ministers: “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God,” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2.
3. Finally, the leadership. Elders you are charged to:
a. Hold fast: “The faithful word as he (they) hath been taught, that he (they) may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision (so call churches of Christ): Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake (fraudulent gain),” Titus 1:9-11.
b. Take heed: “Therefore unto yourselves, and to the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood, For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them,” Acts 20:28-30.
c. Watch and remember: “That by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears, and now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified,” Acts 20:31-32.
4. Paul desired the church to be blameless in this sinful and adulterous generation. It can only be so by all saints remaining faithful to “sound doctrine and faithful words,” Titus 2:1. Illustrate: Church behavior, Titus 2:1-8.
C. Paul prayed that they remain blameless until the day of Christ, or his second coming. Notice:
1. Paul to the Thessalonians: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
2. John to all the saints: "That we be faithful unto death," Revelation 2:10. The end of their lives on earth!
3. Paul to the Corinthians: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:58.
D. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, “which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God,” Philippians 1:11. This is the same thing Peter describes as the seven Christian graces. Notice:
1. First, these graces by the way contain; knowledge and love. These ought to be added to our faith, 2 Peter 1:5-11.
2. Further, Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law," Galatians 5:22-23.
3. Finally, if our lives are not manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, we must seek them and earnestly make them a part of our Christian walk. Without these, we find ourselves lacking in maturity now, and possibly salvation at the coming of our Lord.
E. Then he closes we might say his prayer, pointing to whom all this is due, "Unto the glory and praise of God." God cannot be glorified, or receive praise from our lives; if we are not acquiring these Christian graces. Notice:
1. First, we must give him praise in our daily life, Matthew 5:16.
2. Further, we must praise God in the church: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen," Ephesians 3:20-21. Illustrate: Signs of a healthy church, Acts 2:47.
a. It gives God all the praise.
b. It grants favor to all people.
c. It grows as the Lord prospers.
3. Finally, if we glorify Him now, He will glorify us then, at the coming of our Lord Jesus. Notice Paul: "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory," Colossians 3:4. "Won't it be wonderful there?"
4. Conclusion: There is prepared for us in heaven: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4. Hold on; don’t give out; keep fighting the good fight of faith, “until we have lay hold on eternal life, whereunto we are also called,” 1 Timothy 6:12. I’ve enjoyed this time with you. I hope I said something to encourage your faith? Before I conclude, let me quickly review where we have journeyed.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. That they abound more in love
2. That they approve things excellent
3. That they abide without offense
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, he prayed, "That their love may abound yet more and more." Love ought to abound; or overflow like a flooding river whose banks are overflowing to water the surrounding fields and forests. He wanted them to abound, "more and more" ever increasing; ever growing to influence the lives of those far and near, friends or foes.
2. Second, he prayed, "That their knowledge and judgment might be more fruitful." In knowledge, that they may learn the difference between right and wrong; good and evil. In judgment, that they might be able to make the right decisions in matters of faith and doctrine. That they may approve of things that are excellent. Christians should aspire for these same qualities.
3. Finally, he prayed, "That they might be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ," or the second coming of the Lord from heaven. Christians ought to be sincere, they ought to be genuine. We ought to live, that our lives are examples to those inside the church and in the world. We ought to live to be without fault or offense every day of our walk with Christ. The preacher, "That their ministry be not blamed," 2 Corinthians 6:3. The members, "That their manner of life, may be as that which becometh the gospel of Christ," Philippians 1:27. That the leadership, “Hold fast the faithful word as they have been taught,” Titus 1:11. If this prayer is ours, both privately and public; we can be worthy subjects in the kingdom of God, the church of Christ.
C. Invitation. Extend heaven invitation, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
