Paul's Advance Of The Gospel

What was Paul’s secret? Sure, God was using him powerfully, giving him the strength and ability to change so many peoples lives…but something needs to be understood about Paul as we continue in this series.

And that is this…

Great theologian…yes

Deeply connected with Jesus and his heart and passion…yes

Knowledgeable…yes

But the difference in his life wasn’t his knowledge, all the big words he knew and concepts about God that he understood ( though those words doctrines have their place and play their role) …the difference was what Paul understood about LOVE!!!!

1 Corinthians 8:1 – knowledge puffs up, love builds up!!

The biggest lesson to be learned on the topic of the gospel, is LOVE!

V 9….Paul’s prayer was that the church in Philippi would learn to let their love abound! Their love of each other as believers, their love for the knowledge of the scriptures, the love for living it all out practically, Paul’s desire was for their love of the unsaved to abound as well!

Not a love that is sentimental – but one that has a genuine spiritual knowledge of God and depth of insight into His ways – Paul knew this would enable the Philippians to Love Jesus more, serve others more, and aid them in effectively telling the world about Christ.

I have seen many Christians that have parts of this passage nailed down in their lives, but not all of it.

I have met people who can run circles around me theologically, they understand things so much easier than I can…I’m envious…yet at the same time…they can’t get anyone to listen to them because they don’t understand the ‘LOVE’ part!

Hear what Paul is saying here…you need the full package! That was his prayer for these beloved friends in Philippi.

Just having love isn’t enough either! Paul is saying you need to study Gods word, understand His love for you and this world, to what extent He is willing to go for the sake of the gospel and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone!!

I have met many Christians who have incredible passion, but passion without knowledge and settled Christ-centered judgment is a dangerous thing!!!! You can be passionately WRONG!!!!

You combine LOVE, KNOWLEDGE OF GODS WORD, AND DEPTH OF INSIGHT INTO HIS HEART, HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS WILL, HIS PASSION FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY…combine that with the action of taking Christ to the world…

And you become a dangerous weapon that Satan will do anything to stop!!!!

And that’s EXACTLY where Paul was. That’s EXACTLY where God desires us to be, that’s why He sent His one and ONLY Son!!!

The gospel took priority over life itself for Paul. He sacrificed EVERYTHING for the sake of the gospel! What are you sacrificing?

Our mission statement…to love Jesus, serve others and tell the world about Christ!

Are you living this out? It drives us as a church! We keep this mission statement at the center of every decision in this church.

If we all were truly living this out..we would give some things up! We would take some things up! We would learn to never rely on yourself and rely solely on God! We would support the mission with our finances! Lee talked a few weeks ago about giving 1% more, supporting the ministry with your resources and your time!