The Furtherance Of The Gospel

The Furtherance of the Gospel

Philippians 1:9-14

Good morning.

Forrest McCann wrote about the origins of the old Hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul", which was written by Horatio Spafford.

Horatio Spafford went through several trials and losses during a very specific period of his life.

First, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 ruined him financially because as a successful lawyer, he had invested in a lot of property in Chicago that was damaged by the great fire.

Then he lost more money during the economic downturn of 1873. He then planned to travel to England with his family to help with D.L. Moody’s evangelistic campaigns.

But Horatio Spafford sent the family ahead, while he stayed behind, to take care of some business.

While crossing the ocean, the ship the family was on sank, after a collision with a sea vessel, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. Spafford's wife Anna, sent him a telegram, "Saved alone".

He traveled to meet his grieving wife, and there he wrote that Hymn as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. In this midst of tragedy, a Hymn that encouraged many was born.

Please open your Bibles to Philippians 1, as we continue in our verse-by-verse study of Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Philippi.

Last time, we studied where Paul expressed his thankfulness for the Philippian saints’ fellowship with him and their fellowship with the work of the Gospel.

While Paul was under house arrest waiting to be executed, he was focused on others and not himself.

As Paul remembered all that the Philippian Christians had done for him, he was very thankful to the Lord who had worked through them. “I thank God upon every remembrance of you.”

Paul referenced his feelings of joy, even though he was awaiting his execution.

The Philippians “partnered” with Paul to spread the Gospel through prayer, their friendship, and their financial support.

Then we learned how Jesus finishes what He starts. Paul was confident that the grace of God could finish the good work Jesus began through these believers.

It amazes me how the Lord has called His followers into a partnership with Him.

We also learned Paul was Chained for the sake of the Gospel.

We ended by saying, “From grateful hearts, the redeemed ones of the Lord should serve the Lord with our time, talents, and treasures as we partner in the ministry of the Gospel.”

Today, as Paul continues in his prayer for the Philippians, he will communicate that the Gospel being shared is more important than the trials of this life.

I. Knowledge and discernment.

Read Philippians 1:9

The Beatles have a famous song, “All You Need Is Love.”

Part of the lyrics read, “Nothing you can know that isn't known (love). Nothing you can see that isn't shown (love).

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be, it's easy, all you need is love.

Today, some people use their own explanation for the word love, even with their parenting styles. Unfortunately, the word love has been watered down by some, with its current meaning.

The Apostle Paul was not telling the Philippians to have a blind love but rather a love based upon the standards of God.

The word Paul used here in Philippians 1:9 for love is the word agape, which is charity, an unconditional, or a perfect love that expects nothing in return.

Paul prayed that the Philippians would mature, and their maturity would be evident, demonstrated through their love, growing more and more through knowledge and discernment.

Let’s find out what Paul was referring to here in this verse.

The word knowledge means precise and correct knowledge and it is used in the New Testament for the knowledge of things ethical and divine. (Strong's G1922 – epignosis)

According to Christianity.com, “In the Bible, “knowledge” refers to examples, truths, and commands that God wants us to know, believe, and heed.”

The Lord gives His followers knowledge as a gift, and He expects us to live according to the knowledge He has given us.

The Lord’s knowledge comes with godly wisdom as well.

James said in James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. NKJV

It has been said that knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

Paul instructed his protégé Timothy about godly knowledge.

1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge —

1 Timothy 6:21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. NKJV

How does a Christian determine what godly knowledge is?