Bearing Righteous Fruit
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing Paul's prayer for the sanctification of the church at Philippi and by extension all Christians.
Text: Phil. 1:9-11
Date: 12/03/2023, the Evening service.
Series: "Evenfall; Sunday Evening Worship" Part 6
Description:
After listing some of the ways the church at Philippi has brought him joy, Paul launches into a prayer for their spiritual growth. We will carefully consider the words of this prayer and realize they form a sequential pattern, mapping out the process of sanctification. With the aid of a simple analogy, we will point out the source, the delivery, the impact and the final objective of a life that emulates our Lord. Ultimately we will realize that Paul is echoing Christ in his desire for the Philippians to continue to reflect His love and bear righteous fruit that edifies the church and brings glory to our Great God!
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I. Introduction, Eph. 2:10.
II. Exposition of the text, Phil. 1:9-11.
A. Context
B. Mapping the road to sanctification.
1. The nature of Paul's prayer, vs. 9a.
a. A "table of contents", Phil 1:3,4, Acts 1:8.
b. Prayer as a prerequisite to instruction.
2. The source of righteous fruit, vs. 9b.
a. Prayer for an abundance of love, 1Cor. 13:1.
i. Expanding the analogy, John 13:34-35.
ii. A prayer for more.
b. Love with wisdom and discernment.
i. Love with knowledge.
ii. Love with discernment.
3. The impact of Spiritual growth, vs. 10.
a. Love that is discriminating, vs. 10a, Phil 4:8-9, Rom. 12:2.
b. A life set apart, vs. 10b.
4. The objectives of sanctification, vs. 11.
a. The nature of righteous fruit, John 15:4,5,16.
b. The ultimate objective.
III. Conclusion
