Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship
Praying for Love, Discernment, and Righteousness - Philippians 1:9-11
Locations & Times
Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship
1475 Quintana Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM
Big Idea: Paul’s prayer reminds us of the importance of knowing God more and growing in love, discernment, and righteousness.
I. Love and Discernment (vv. 9-10)
A. Paul prays for the Philippian church with much joy and
thanksgiving (vv. 3-4). What is Paul praying for? In this passage
we see he is praying for their spiritual growth and development.
Paul intercedes on behalf of the church that they would increase
and mature in love, discernment, and righteousness.
thanksgiving (vv. 3-4). What is Paul praying for? In this passage
we see he is praying for their spiritual growth and development.
Paul intercedes on behalf of the church that they would increase
and mature in love, discernment, and righteousness.
B. How Paul prays for the Philippian believers:
1. For a love (Agape) that steadily grows (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4-7; Jn.
13:35) – A love expressed in practical ways.
13:35) – A love expressed in practical ways.
2. For a love that grows in knowledge (cf. Hos. 4:6a) – A
grasp of God & His Word worked out in obedience.
grasp of God & His Word worked out in obedience.
3. For a love that grows in discernment – A moral perception
allowing us to know the right action in any given situation.
allowing us to know the right action in any given situation.
C. Love without truth can become sentimental mush. But truth
without love can be harsh and uncompassionate. Biblical love,
however, is an action rooted in the knowledge of God and His
character and best seen in Messiah Jesus.
without love can be harsh and uncompassionate. Biblical love,
however, is an action rooted in the knowledge of God and His
character and best seen in Messiah Jesus.
II. Love and Righteousness (vv. 10-11)
A. Growing in love and developing the ability to focus on those
things that really matter are vital to our spiritual growth.
Moreover, these qualities help us to develop godly character and
bear spiritual fruit.
things that really matter are vital to our spiritual growth.
Moreover, these qualities help us to develop godly character and
bear spiritual fruit.
B. As our love grows in knowledge and discernment, we should
see in our lives:
see in our lives:
1. An increasing purity – The process of sanctification in
which we grow in integrity and Christlikeness.
which we grow in integrity and Christlikeness.
2. An increasing fruitfulness – (cf. Gal. 5:22-23; Js. 3:17-18).
3. God glorified – Ultimately, the increase of purity and
fruitfulness in our lives serves to glorify God.
fruitfulness in our lives serves to glorify God.
C. We live in a time when love and wise discernment are needed
more than ever. May we stay rooted in the Word and Spirit so
that we can grow in God’s grace for His glory!
more than ever. May we stay rooted in the Word and Spirit so
that we can grow in God’s grace for His glory!
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