FULL SERVICE: See SERMON ONLY below
SERMON ONLY:
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Here is Paul’s prayer for the Philippian Church.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-111.
Before getting to “how does this apply to our lives?” we need to ask, “what does this passage actually say about prayer?” for instance….
– What does this prayer assume about the Philippian believers?
– When Paul prays for their “love to grow in all knowledge and discernment,” how does that modify the kind of love he calls them to grow in?
– In the beginning of v10, he states the immediate reason for this kind of love – “so that you may approve the things that are excellent.” In what way does love require discernment?
– If he is calling for a mature practical love, does that necessarily mean that it is less emotional?
– Paul has already pointed out that this church was in deep partnership with the apostle in the defense and proclamation of the gospel, v6, 11. He calls it the fruit of righteousness. It is not the righteousness itself, but the fruit of righteousness. What do you think he means by righteousness?
– So, righteousness can be both objective and subjective. A righteous new standing which comes as a gift, but also, the righteous life that comes from being declared righteous. Reflect on that for a minute, and ask yourself this question, “can they be separated?” why would Paul expect the Christian to live righteously at all, according to this verse? Also, is it possible to be declared righteous (where Christ accredits His perfect righteousness to our account) and yet not live out of a life changed by that declaration? How is this grace?
2. In my introduction, I played around with the idea of a ‘Shortcut Christianity,’ and ‘a self-defined Discipleship,’ that kinda makes following Christ like one option among many, as well as a religious humanism. What do you think I was getting at? How can it become like that in the first place?
3. I say that his prayer is like a roadmap and an agenda for spiritual growth. What are the elements in the prayer that make me say that?
4. Christ is returning. That is an undisputed fact in Paul’s writings. How should that inform our prayers?
5. This is Paul’s example of what we should pray for one another, because he is going to address these things in the letter itself. What did I say was the ‘one word’ summary of this prayer?
6. It is also the way the Father wants us to pray for each other. Why would that be? Well, if the Father wants you to pray like this for me, would that not also indicate how He wants to answer it?
7. Look at 1 Peter 1:22-23. Peter seems to be saying that love requires an obedience and a purifying, so that we can love better. What are the two things he says needs both obedience to, and a purifying of? Why?
8. How does he say that happens? And what does it say for those who love, but are not born again of imperishable seed?
9. What does he say that seed is?
10. I said that these believers in Philippi, were not just recipients of love, but also dispensers of love. I also said that it was a genuine love, but not a perfect love. How do you put these two sentences together? In practical terms, what would that mean for you?
11. “If all the fruit of the Spirit were provinces, Love is the country in which they are apart.” Unpack that idea.
12. Lastly, I said that Paul’s prayer is to be prayed forward, but understood backward. Have a look at v9-11, but read it from the bottom-up. What would be the first thing?
13. What is the chief end of your life according to this passage? What should be the criteria of everything we say, feel, believe, and do?
14. Think on this – Why would God want this to be primary in our lives? So, what is the relationship between our prayer and His glory?
