Title: “Paul’s Prayer for the Philippian Believers” Script: Phil. 1:9-12
Type: Expository Series Where: GNBC 5-14-23
Intro: One of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith is that God wants us to talk to Him about everything that is going on in our lives, even though He already knows everything. So why pray'
If you’ve ever wrestled with that question, perhaps the thoughts of the 19th-century preacher R. A. Torrey can help. Among the reasons he gave for prayer are these: Because there is a devil, and prayer is a God-appointed way to resist Him (Eph. 6:12-13, 18). Because prayer is God’s way for us to obtain what we need from Him (Lk. 11:3-13; Jas. 4:2). Because prayer is the means God has appointed for us to find “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Because prayer with thanksgiving is God’s way for us to obtain freedom from anxiety and to receive “the peace of God” (Phil. 4:6-7).Besides these reasons, it’s enough to read the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing,” and realize that God wants us to talk with Him. He is all-knowing, but He also desires our fellowship. When we seek God’s face in prayer, we strengthen our relationship with Him. When we pray for others, we supernaturally strengthen our relationship with those form whom we pray.
Prop: Let’s examine the 3 Prayer Requests Paul has for the Philippian believers.
BG: 1. As I said last week, not one specific identifiable theme in Philippian letter. Maybe as such it is to be seen as the “Epistle on Christian Living”, since it covers such a wide spectrum of affairs.
2. Again, written while under arrest, about 10 years after brief time with the believers on 2nd Miss. Journey.
Prop: Let’s examine the 3 Prayer requests Paul has for the Philippian believers in vv.9-12.
I. 1st Prayer Request: Prays That Their Love May Abound. V. 9
A. Paul wants the Philippian’s Love to Grow in “Real Knowledge”.
1. The Apostle Prays for the Philippians to have “abounding love”.
a. Look at the text. Paul does not pray for the believers to love him. He doesn’t pray that they would love each other. He doesn’t even pray that they would love Jesus Christ more and more. Rather, he prays for an “abounding love”. In doing such, he wasn’t praying for the objects of their affections, rather, he was praying for their character. What’s he saying? “He is saying, “I am praying that you might be more loving…” Yet, right on the heels of this he makes sure to note that this is not an indiscriminate love. It is a love that seeks knowledge and discernment.
b. Illust – Christians are often given to extremes. Find it difficult to stay in the center of Biblical tension. Some Christians are all about “love, love, love”. Don’t care about doctrine or theology. Other Christians are all about “knowledge, knowledge, knowledge”. They want to make sure every “t” is crossed and “I” is dotted. Often there can be conflict between those two groups of believers. Paul is saying here that it is not an “either or proposition”, but rather a “both and” experience in the Christian life. Grow in love while growing in knowledge.
2. What does it mean for the Christian’s Love to Grow in Knowledge?
a. We think of love as being undiscriminating. Discrimination and love seem like opposites. But Paul prays that the Philippians would grow in discerning love. Love is not blind. It does not close its eyes to reality. It is not a feeling devoid of content. Biblical love is related to true knowledge and it operates with careful discernment. “real knowledge” is a single Greek word (epignosis) that refers to intensive spiritual knowledge. The Greek scholar, J. B. Lightfoot, says that this word “is used especially of the knowledge of God and of Christ, as being the perfection of knowledge”
b. Besides the limits of General Revelation, we needed God to reveal Himself to us in the Bible. Special Revelation is revealed in His Word. Since God Himself is love, to grow in the true knowledge of God is to grow to understand what true love is. This true knowledge of God as revealed in the Bible is essential if you want to grow in your knowledge of love. We can’t know love by looking at our culture but rather we can know it by looking at God’s character.
B. Paul wants the Philippian’s Love to Grow in “All Discernment”.
1. The love Christians should have is a discerning love.
a. “We hear a lot of nonsense today that “love is love” or Christians are haters. No, quite the opposite is true. However, we are to be governed by the knowledge of what Christ says His love should look like in the one that is supposed to be manifesting the love of Christ! Does that make sense? The type of love Paul prays for us to demonstrate is defined by the Word of God, bounded by the WOG, conforms to the love of God as reveal in the WOG. It is an intelligent love. When one gives self to the WOG he/she comes to a knowledge of what God expects of one who loves Him, and brings both his or her life and LOVE into conformity with the Word of God. And by the way, loving what God loves means hating what God hates.” (Pentecost, p. 24, The Joy of Living). And if you and I affirm, support, or love, what God clearly detests in His Word, then we either don’t have knowledge or discernment, or else we have morally compromised so as to placate and be accepted by society even though we know we have violated God’s standards.
b. The word here for “discernment” is only used this one time in the NT. However, it is related to Heb. 5:14 ““But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Paul tells us here that discernment is a moral judgment.
2. Discerning Love is by nature Discriminating Love.
a. We think of love as being undiscriminating. Discrimination and love seem like opposites. But Paul prays that the Philippians would grow in discerning love. Love is not blind. It does not close its eyes to reality. It is not a feeling devoid of content. Biblical love is related to true knowledge and it operates with careful discernment.
b. Illust – For several years REW and I took all the benevolence/charity calls at the church. Have an annual and monthly budget. Everyone is needy. Now you need to know something inherent in about every pastor, they want to think the best of people, most are kindhearted. (Not saying us…) A lot have very little worldly experience. Can be an easy mark for scammers. I am sure that I gave $$ away to people who ripped us off. However, when Barry retired from CPD, I asked him if would help us in this area. Now, it’s not that he isn’t loving, in some ways more than all 3 of us. However, as a 40+ year cop, he has a lot of discernment (knowledge and experience) when it comes to people’s stories. Paul is saying we are to have love with discernment.
C. Applic: Biblical love is something we need to constantly practice. Husbands, are you working at loving your wife? Wives, are you working at loving your husband? Parents, are you working at loving your kids? Kids, are you working at loving your parents? Everyone…your church family? It’s a lifelong process.
II. 2nd Prayer Request: Prays that They May Approve Excellent Things. V.10
A. Paul States that This Directly Relates to Being Sincere.
1. What does the Apostle mean to Approve Excellent Things?
a. As Christians, we all have the opportunity to approve “what is excellent”. I think this has to do with understanding and applying the will of God in our lives. You and I come to a place where we are trying to determine the will of God. Maybe it comes down to two apparently good choices. This is where the old preacher, J. Vernon McGee, used to say,(Accent) “Christians are to practice CONCENTRATED and CONSECRATED gumption.” We are to be consecrated to the will of God for our lives, and we are to concentrate on what He has for us.
b. Illust: I know of a Christian businessman who had two very promising paths to chose from. This man loved the Lord, bathed the decision in prayer, asked for counsel of elders and other mature believers. Asked his wife’s opinion. Still, no clear distinction between the two. When with the first option. Failed quickly. Well, he quickly realized which decision WASN’T the will of God. Refocused and tried the other and loved it and prospered. That man had to approve what was excellent for him. God has a specific will for you and me.
2. What does he mean to be “sincere”?
a. v. 10 – the word “sincere” has a very interesting background. Literally, it meant “without wax”. (Really!) When the Romans conquered the Greeks were brutal. Destroyed much of the art work. Over time, began to appreciate the finer things of life. As prosperity increased wealthy Romans began to buy art pieces for their villas. Well, were a lot of unscrupulous art dealers. Would find broken pieces of antiquity and put a little wax in the broken sculpture pieces, etc., Old Brutus or Marcus would buy the piece, go off to his villas in N. Italy, set the artwork out in the yard and in hot summer sun….wax melt and pieces break off! In time, reputable dealers would put signs of authenticity on their pieces that read: “No wax.”
b. So what is Paul saying here? He’s saying don’t be a phony Christian! He’s saying, “Be real!” Paul is saying here that he wants the Philippian’s lives to be clear when examined by the light of God’s Word, but also to be free of offense before man.
B. Paul States that This Directly Relates to Being Blameless.
1. Paul tells us that We are to Be Blameless in our Sincerity
a. Doesn’t mean perfection, which no one, including Paul, attains in this life (Phil. 3:13). Rather, the words mean to live with integrity. To be sincere means to be pure, unmixed, without hypocrisy. To be blameless means to walk without stumbling. Paul used the word “blameless” to describe his own conscience before God and men (Acts 24:16). Since God looks on the heart, to be sincere and blameless means to live openly before God, judging sin on the thought level. It means that you don’t live a double life, putting on a good front around the church folks, but living another way when you’re alone or with your family.
b. Illust – Can I say something? Pray for Gospel-preaching pastors. A pastor said this 50 yrs ago, (McGee) and is more true today. “You cannot preach the Gospel of Christ without offending people.” The Gospel, by nature is offensive. It is a mirror that shows our imperfections, faults, and failures. It condemns our pride and nullifies our human efforts of attempted righteousness. It flagrantly flies against the vaulted value of tolerance. It condemns the overriding insanity of the age which ignorantly implores “all (spiritual) paths lead to the same place. No, the Gospel puts Christ front and center as the ONLY hope you have for eternity. Many are offended by that message. It is ok if the message offends, but never if the messenger offends. (I have been guilty of over the years.)
2. Paul states that there is an “End Goal” for this type of Behavior.
a. Illust: “Pistol” Pete Maravich was the Michael Jordan/ Lebron James of College Basketball. Maravich’s family were Serbian immigrants where his father had played pro bb. Began to teach the fundamentals of the game at 7 yrs. As a boy obsessively practiced for hours a day. Wanted to be the best BB player in the nation. Over fifty years since he played for LSU, Maravich still holds nearly every major NCAA D1 scoring record, including most career points (3,667), highest career scoring average (44.2 ppg), most field goals made (1,387) and attempted (3,166), and most career 50-point games (28)! What was his goal? Best. How did he practice? Obsessively and endlessly.
b. The “end goal” for the Christian, the apostle tells us is “the second coming of Jesus Christ”. “until the day of Christ”. If the 2nd Coming is our end goal, then Paul is telling us to obsessively and tirelessly attempt to be sincere and blameless. Living in community with other believers gives us plenty of opportunity to perfect this because not a single one of us is perfect. There are times were are not blameless or we are not sincere. Need to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
C. Applic: Told you a few moment about Maravich. Story doesn’t end there. Would go on and have a storied career at LSU, and then signed in 1970 biggest contract in sports history to that point in time ($1Mill). Had all the rings, all the trophies, all the money. In 1982 sat alone in his home, two years after retirement due to injuries. Realized the control alcohol had over his life. Realized none the trophies or rings made him feel satisfied or happy. Remembered going to a CRU meeting as a Soph. at LSU, and asked Christ to come into his life. Before dying of a rare heart defect at the age of 40 yrs, Maravich would tell 1000’s about his conversion and that he wanted to be remembered more for being a Christian than a basketball player. 4-28-87 less than a year before he died, spoke at Billy Graham Crusade in Columbia, SC. Man by the name of Chuck Arch rededicated his life to Jesus Christ that night.
III. 3rd Prayer Request: Being Filled with the Fruit of Righteousness. V.11
A. What is the Fruit of Righteousness?
1. Paul desires to see Abundant Fruit of Righteousness in the lives of the Philippians.
a. Paul is telling the Philippians that as believers they need to demonstrate visible evidence of being a Christian. Same is true today. In our society we hear “Don’t judge, don’t judge!” However, when it comes to Christians, we are to be fruit inspectors!
b. Illust- My peach tree. Two years ago tree was loaded with delicious fruit. Picked early so wouldn’t break the tree. That winter was very hard. Several very cold snaps. Last year no fruit at all. Same tree, same location. What was different? Weather conditions. Had several very hot days in the early Spring which negatively affected the development of the fruit. Interesting. Harsher weather more beneficial than what we would perceive as more “easy” weather. None of us like to go thru what we perceive as “harsh” times spiritually. Trials, setbacks, health crisis, etc. However, these can be, if we respond correctly, times of great pruning, where when we accept God’s grace, we come out more fruitful than ever before. On contrary, when simply lazily going thru life with no problems, can easily become lukewarm spiritually.
2. So what is this “Fruit of Righteousness” of which Paul speaks?
a. Now, “the fruits of righteousness” is actually an OT expression that meant to adhere to the moral law of God. Righteousness was to be the outcome of the law because it revealed the holiness of God. What was the problem with that? No one can keep the law! Illust – Is Jeff S. here today? Is an example of civil law, not moral law of God, but helps to illus the point. – McCollister Blvd extension. My neighborhood, go left and cross on Lehman 45 mph. Go right and cross field on McC and 25 mph. Naturally want to go 45 mph. 25 mph s crawling. I look to see if anyone in distance, go at least 35 mph. No houses, nothing. Even when have “Second Conscience” in car with me, and she reminds me, I go 26 mph and complain about it. I react negatively to the law. I do not well up with a joyful attitude.
b. Gal. 5:22-23 (Read). Wow! Who naturally has that? No one! How do we get that?
B. Where Does it Come From?
1. This can only come thru Jesus Christ.Christ alone met all the moral requirements of the law of God. Rom. 8:4 – “in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” As Christians we don’t live according to the law for our righteousness. Rather, we trust Christ’s perfect, finished righteousness and the Holy Spirit accomplishes that work of transformation inwardly as we walk in obedience to Him.
2. What happens when the world witnesses this type of living?
a. V. 11b – God is glorified and praised. As we abound in discerning love, which leads to godly character and good deeds, God will be exalted in and through us, so that both we and others will praise Him for His grace and power. The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
b. Illus: In the time following the 2nd World War, was a eye doctor serving remote interior of China. A farmer from the interior of China had come to a mission compound where a doctor had removed the cataracts from his eyes. A few days after the farmer left, the doctor looked out his window and noticed the same man holding the end of a long rope. In single file behind him, holding to the rope, were several dozen blind Chinese whom the farmer had rounded up and led for miles to the doctor who had worked “miracles” on his eyes. Because his sight had been restored, he wanted others to experience the same thing!
C. Applic: Let’s be so surrendered to and filled with the Spirit that our joy overflows to all around us. Let’s be abounding in love. Let’s be discerning and approving of excellent things.
