INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. They abound in sincere love
2. They approve things excellent
3. They abide without offense
Introductory Remarks.
1. The apostle Paul held sincere regards for the church at Philippi. While in prison, he prayed for them, in the concern and love of a father for his children. Like Corinth, these were "his children in the gospel," 1 Corinthians 4:15. Paul prayed that they might abound in the faith of Christ and their love for each other and towards all men. The church loved Paul not just in words or tongue: "but in deeds and truth," 1 John 3:18. This is also our prayer for the church at Pickensville!
2. First, "That your love may abound yet more and more." Increasingly!
3. Second, "That your knowledge and judgment might be more fruitful."
4. Finally, "That you might be sincere and abide without offense until the day of Christ." We will now consider point one — "they abound in sincere love."
BODY OF LESSON
I THEY ABOUND IN SINCERE LOVE
A. Paul's prayer for Philippi was one of concern and sincerity. He wanted the Philippians not only to love: but to abound in love, yet more and more. They being filled to overflowing, like a river whose banks rise to flood the surrounding fields and forests. Increasing! He wanted their love to abound toward God, the Lord, to him, and towards all the saints. What a wonderful prayer for any church.
B. His prayer for Thessalonica. He penned: "And the Lord make you increase and abound in love one towards another, and all men, even as we to you; to the end, the Lord 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; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. My prayer is: That the Lord establish our hearts in love towards family, friends, and all the saints in Christ!
C. Love might abound. He desired the Philippians to grow up into Christ in all things. Especially in love. He wanted these saints to abound in sincere love! Jesus gave love its direction and order, Matthew 22:37-40. He said:
1. First, upward, to God. "And we love Him because He first loved us," 1 John 4:19.
2. Then, outward, to others (family, brethren, friends, and even our enemies), Matthew 5:43-48.
3. Lastly, inward, to ones' self. Learn to love yourselves, even during life's failures, as well as its successes. There will be both. So, learn to accept God's forgiveness while forgiving yourself and others!
NOTE: Illustrate, "brother Ron, my wife has become a historian."
D. Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. Pentecostal’s saints: "Continued in the apostles' doctrine," Acts 2:42. Why? They desired to grow. Peter encouraged it, 2 Peter 3:18. They continued in -- Visits, teachings, communion, and prayers for one another. Each saint must desire to grow in Christ, in all wisdom, grace, and knowledge, 1 Peter 2:1-3. This is how--
1. Study to "show thyself approved unto God," 2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 15:28.
2. Grow up in Christ, "in all things, speaking the truth in love," Ephesians 4:15.
3. Being no more children, "tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine," Ephesians 4:13-14.
E. Grow in sound judgment. To "discern both good and evil," Hebrews 5:12-14. To Ephesus he prayed: "That they might know the love of Christ which passes all knowledge, being filled with all the fullness of God," Ephesians 3:19.
NOTE: Illustrate making wise decisions regarding our faith, health, and daily lives. We must consider the CDC, HD, and the medical community's advice regarding COVID-19 health and safety protective measures.
1. Too much false, mis- and disinformation is being spread through multimedia News outlets, i.e., TV, Radio, Internet, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.
2. Nearly all of which are false! Many governors and political leaders are misrepresenting the dangers of this virus. Pay attention to the CDC, the health department, and the medical community. Follow the directions of your spiritual leaders, i.e., elders, evangelists, ministers, and deacons. They will inform you correctly of the "delta variant's" virulence to cause infection, sickness, and death.
3. Any information from leaders not consistent with the health and safety advice: issued by health and medical professionals, should not be followed. It is not accurate medical and health guidance. The simple truth is you must do these few things. They are:
a. Get vaccinated immediately (both shots). This is the most important thing you can do to "save yourself" and those you love. The death of children is rising across the nation (infants, children, and teens). Copy and paste the link below in your browser: The CDC's, COVID Data Tracker, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesper100klast7days
b. Use social distancing always. Wear face protection in closed areas (restaurants, stores, business offices, and church gatherings, etc.). Keep your mouth and nose always covered when speaking to others (this protects them from you and you from them).
c. Wash your hands and face with warm/hot soapy water, and rinse them thoroughly: when you return home after being outside or contacting public surfaces. Wash down-home surfaces with alcohol wipes or disinfection solutions. Allow them to air dry. With the delta variant--
d. Wear your mask anytime you are holding and cuddling babies. Infants and children under 11 years of age have not been approved for the vaccine. Don't speak directly into the face of any infants. You could be infecting them unknowingly. You can consult the CDC for more information on how the protect yourself and your family.
NOTE: Illustrate, the voice of lamentation and weeping in Rama. Matthew wrote: “In Rama was there was a voice heard, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not,” Matthew 2:18; Jeremiah 31:15. There shall be in many cities of America, the voice of crying and weeping for our little ones; because, parents have not done what is wise and prudent for their children. Let’s consider point two —"they approve things excellent."
II THEY APPROVE THINGS EXCELLENT
A. It's through abounding in love, in knowledge, and judgment we can approve of those things that are excellent; without love, knowledge, and judgment, we are destined to fail in this endeavor— failing to learn the difference between right and wrong; good and evil. And that we might be able to make informed decisions in matters of life, faith, and doctrine: approving of excellent things.
B. Approve means: "To allow, permit or accept." Paul wrote: "Happy is he that condemneth, not himself in the things which he (his conscience) alloweth," Romans 14:21-23. For--
1. Unto the pure…all things are pure, Titus 1:15a. But, to the defiled, nothing is pure! Titus 1:15b-16.
2. Paul wrote Rome: "All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for that man who partakes with offense (weak conscience)," Romans 14:20-23.
3. James wrote: But, "every good and perfect gift comes from above," James 1:17. This is certainly true with the COVID-19 vaccine. It is a gift of goodness and grace from heaven.
a. If the vaccine is God’s good gift to all; that it might increase ones’ protection from this virus.
b. Then it would be a good thing for all to get vaccinated for their own well-being.
c. James again wrote: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin,” James 4:17. To receive the vaccine is a good thing, to refuse vaccination is a sin before the Lord.
d. Let us be “ready for every good work,” Titus 3:1; Hebrews 13:20-21. For the apostle--
4. John wrote: "And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our hearts (conscience) condemn us, God is greater than our hearts," 1 John 3:19-21.
C. Not all things are excellent, but all things must be proven or tested. Because "many false witnesses are gone out into the world," 1 John 4:1; 1 John 4:8. Observe--
1. They profess to know God, "but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work," Titus 1:16. They have "a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away," 2 Timothy 3:5-7. These are: "the defiled, unbelieving, and nothing to them is pure," Titus 1:15. But Jesus said: "Blessed are the pure in heart…God," Matthew 5:8.
2. Their messages are sown with intent to confuse and deceive the disbelievers and disobedient. False (religious) teachers and preachers; local and national news, and political leaders are purposely rejecting facts; denying and preventing the release of: "sound teaching, truth, and valuable life-saving information," thereby deceiving the "very elect of God," Matthew 24:24. Jesus admonishes that we: "Be wise as serpents and gentle as doves," Matthew 10:16.
NOTE: Illustrate leading in our sphere of influence (i.e., parents, friends, work environment, etc.).
3. As saints, "prove all things and hold fast to that which is good," 1 Thessalonians 5:21. To be assured that we walk "acceptable unto the Lord," Ephesians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
4. As informed believers, being godly examples in all manner of life: while "holding fast the faithful word, as we have been taught, and holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience," Titus 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:9. This we all must do without wavering! Standing fast in the word of truth.
D. Saints should desire the excellent things of life, Philippians 4:8.
NOTE: Illustrate pure thing comes from pure hearts. Many Christians are suspicious, envious, and jealous? So distrustful of their leaders! Some are selfish and unwilling to yield even unto the Lord, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Paul wrote charity, "agape": --
1. "Love thinketh no evil," 1 Corinthians 13:5.
2. "Love does not behave itself unseemingly." It's not rude to others.
3. "Love bears…, believes…, hopes…, and, endures all things," 1 Corinthians 13:7.
4. “Love never faileth…now abideth faith, hope, and charity," 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.
5. “Love is that more excellent way," 1 Corinthians 12:31.
E. Why then? Solomon wrote: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," Proverbs 23:7. It's not what we eat that describes us, but what we think! What we think about others depends mainly on what we think about ourselves, while among other people.
1. Do unto others first. Jesus said: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would have others to do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets," Matthew 7:12.
NOTE: Illustrate, Golden Rule. If you want --The love of brethren, love the brethren; the visits of others, visit others; the forgiveness of others, forgive others; the kindness of others, be kind to others; or, the gifts from others, give unto others, liberally, Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 12:6-8. Let this be our prayer and attitude of the heart. May God help us all aspire unto it!
2. If ye would have friends. Be first a friend. Solomon penned: "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother," Proverbs 18:24.
3. Let brotherly love continue, Hebrews 13:1. If brotherly love does not exist in your congregations, take steps to start it, so it can continue to increase the love of the saints one to another. Elders, leaders, ministers this is our task from the Lord.
4. Jesus said unto Peter: “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren,” Luke 22:31-34.
a. Peter’s denial of Christ, for fear of persecution or death: caused him to turn from the Lord. He behaved cowardly in his hour of trial for the Lord, Luke 22:33-34.
b. Many leaderships and ministers, are behaving cowardly during this pandemic, John 14:1. They are failing in their responsibilities to properly instruct their memberships regarding the dangers of the COVID-19 virus. Jesus is saying to us: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be cowardly,” John 14:27; (The NRSV; and The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament), page 382. Peter, behaved “cowardly that night,” but he returned to the Lord, John 21:15-17.
c. I pray for you as Jesus did Peter: “When you are truly converted (having turn yourselves again to the Lord): that you lovingly inform and strengthen the church you shepherd: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently,” 1 Peter 1:22.
5. Conclusion: Standing for good, honesty, and righteousness; is not always popular, but it is always right. There is no middle ground in serving the Lord. Jesus said: “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad,” Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23. Nor can we serve two masters, Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13. That’s the problem with many spiritual leaders today: they are serving their Party, but not the Lord. Chose you this day whom you will serve! Let's notice our last point: "That they abide without offense until the day of Christ."
III THEY ABIDE WITHOUT OFFENSE
A. Here is the results of love, knowledge, and sound judgment: to abide without offense till the Day of Christ (His return). The ministers: "that the ministry is not blamed," 2 Corinthians 6:3. The membership: "that their manner of life, maybe 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. And, “that they both exhort and convict those who gainsay (contradict),” Titus 1:9.
1. Joshua loved and "served God in sincerity and truth." He wrote: "Now, therefore, fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and truth…choose you this day whom you will serve," Joshua 24:14-15.
2. Paul's life in Corinth: "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 had our conversation (manner of life) before the world, and more abundantly to you-ward," 2 Corinthians 1:12. To the Pickensville Church of Christ,
3. May God's "grace abide with all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth," Ephesians 6:24.
4. Let this be our private and public prayers that we remain faithful and worthy subjects in the kingdom of God, the church of Christ, until the coming of the Lord. That we might live--
B. Without offense (without an occasion for stumbling). Nor being a stumbling block or a rock of offense to others in our daily lives. Observe--
1. 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, known 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?
2. Paul's prayer for Philippi: "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!
3. Paul desired the saints to be blameless in a sinful and adulterous generation, Philippians 2:14-16. It can only be so if the church remains faithful to "sound doctrine or healthy teaching," Titus 2:1. Illustrate, Church behavior, Titus 2:1-8.
C. Paul prayed that Philippi remains blameless until the day of Christ or His return. Paul wrote to--
1. 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. The Corinthians: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord," 1 Corinthians 15:58. The apostle John--
3. To all the saints: "Be faithful unto death," Revelation 2:10. In all trials and even in the face of death! Recall, this was Peter’s weakness; he later overcame, to strengthen the brethren in the faith.
D. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, "which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God," Philippians 1:11. Or, “having produced the harvest of righteousness,” NRSV; and The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament), page 686. Peter calls these the seven Christian graces. Before adding these graces to our faith, we must remove these things from our hearts. Observe--
1. First, we must do these things. Peter wrote: “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and, hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious,” 1 Peter 2:1-3. Peter outlines these three things:
a. Lay aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking.
1) Malice, in Gr., is kakia or kak-ee'-ah, which means having malignity, ill-will, a desire to injure or hurt, naughtiness, depraved indifference, or wickedness. Having wicked intents, not fearing the law of God or human society, Ephesians 4:31-32; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Colossians 3:8.
2) Guile, in Gr., is dolos or dol'-os, which means to behave with a trickery (baiting), i.e., being wile: —crafty, deceitful, and subtle with evil intentions, Matthew 26:4; Romans 1:28-32; 1 Peter 3:10.
3) Hypocrisies, in Gr., is hypokrisis or hoop-ok'-ree-sis, which means acting in a part, or pretending, i.e., in deceit ("hypocrisy"): —condemnation, dissimulation, or hypocrisy. The acting of a stage player, Matthew 23:28; Matthew 6:1-7; Matthew 7:3-4.
4) Envies, in Gr., is phthonos or fthon'-os, which means ill-will (as detraction), i.e., jealousy: —envy, or spitefulness, 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:3.
5) Evil speaking, in Gr., is katalalia or kat-al-al-ee'-ah, which means defamation: —backbiting, evil speaking, unkind and vicious words spoken to defame ones’ character, 2 Corinthians 12:20.
b. Desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. Hunger and thirst after righteousness, Matthew 5:6; James 1:21.
c. If we tasted that the Lord is gracious. If you have experienced the grace of God! With these and other sins removed, now we can add to our faith the Christian's graces, Titus 3:4-7. Observe--
2. Further, add to your faith: “But also, for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness (charity) or love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent in making your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” 2 Peter 1:5-11.
a. There are things that must be “laid aside” before we can add these graces to our faith. See 1 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 12:20-21.
b. With these we will then have produced the harvest of righteousness, which are by Christ Jesus, unto the glory and praise of God.
c. It will be then we will shine as lights in the world; and become the salt of the earth, Matthew 5:13-16. Glorifying our Father which is in heaven!
3. Next, “being filled with the fruits of righteousness," which Paul refers to in verse 11. He wrote the Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…there is no law," Galatians 5:22-23.
4. Additional, “we being now made free from sin,” has been: “Washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; and, by the Spirit of our God,” 1 Corinthians 6:11. We now: “Have our fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life," Romans 6:22-23; Romans 6:17-18.
5. Finally, if our lives are not adorned with the fruit of the Spirit, they must be earnestly desired to build up our walk of faith in Christ. Without these, we lack maturity now and possibly our salvation at His coming.
E. Then Paul closes his prayer, pointing to whom all these things are due: "Unto the glory and praise of God." God is glorified and receives praise through our works of love, Galatians 5:6. Observe--
1. First, we must give him praise in our daily life, Matthew 5:16.
2. Further, we must praise God in worship: "Now unto him, that can do exceedingly 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.
3. Next, these are the signs of a healthy church, Acts 2:47. If our brotherhood did these things--
a. Gives God all the praise.
b. Grants favor to all people.
c. Grows as the Lord prospers. Amen, somebody!
4. Finally, if we glorify Him now: He will glorify us then, at His coming. Paul wrote: "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory," Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. "Won't it be wonderful there?"
5. Conclusion. Hold on; don't give out; keep fighting the good fight of faith, "until we have laid hold on eternal life, whereunto we are also called," 1 Timothy 6:12. Paul's final words to Timothy: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith," 2 Timothy 4:6-8. I hope I said something to encourage you in your walk of faith? Before I conclude, let me quickly review,
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. They abound in sincere love
2. They approve things excellent
3. They abide without offense
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, he prays: "That their love may abound yet more and more." Increasingly!
2. Second, he prays: "That their knowledge and judgment might be more fruitful."
3. Finally, he prays: "That Philippi might be sincere and abide without offense.
C. Invitation. Extend heaven's invitation, H.B.R.C.B. Let me quickly review the Corinthians’ Conversion, in Acts 18:7-11.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
We give special honor and praise to this courageous congregation for their faith and dedication to the truth of the gospel. We thank the ministers and leaders of the Pickensville church of Christ for this opportunity to share this message with them. May God continue to bless them and keep everyone safe during these "perilous times."
