Philippians: Prayer for the Harvest
A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
Phil 1: 8-9a For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the compassion of Jesus Christ. And this I pray. .
I. HARVEST OF ABOUNDING LOVE
A. ACTIVE LOVE
Phil 1:9b “that your love may super-abound”
1. ABOUNDING LOVE
2. GOD’S LOVE (not man’s)
3. CHARACTERISTIC (True Child of God)
John 13:35; Romans 5:5; Eph. 5:2; 1 John 4:3; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 1:15; 4:2)
B. ASSUMED UNDERSTANDING
Phil 1:9c “based in knowledge”
(also Col. 1:9)
C. AMPLE DISCERNMENT
Phil 1:9d “and in total perception”
1. PERCEPTION (of Right and Wrong)
(also I Corinthians 5:1-5)
2. VALUES
LESSONS of Harvest #1 – This is a request for maturity, which entails abounding love, knowledge, and discernment. Notice these three are essential and work together:
To have love alone leads to emotionalism
To have knowledge without love leads to pride
To have discernment without love and knowledge is empty and uncontrolled
All three elements must be present in a Christian, if he is to have a balanced maturity. A balanced maturity will help us avoid two temptations that confront every believer:
Danger of emotionalism, living merely on experience and feelings
Danger of intellectualism, becoming academic in our study of the Word
II. HARVEST OF ABIDING LABOR
A. APPROVED VALUE
Phil 1:10a in order that you may test the intrinsic value of everything,
1. PURPOSE
2. TESTING
3. FOCUS
4. LIMITS on Life
(also Hebrews 5:14)
B. ACQUIRED SINCERITY
Phil 1:10b that by this you may be sincere
1. By THIS
2. PURE
C. ABSENT OFFENSE
Phil 1:10c and without offense until the day of Christ
1. BLAMELESS
2. PATTERN of Jesus
(also Isaiah 55:7; I Peter 2:8; Acts 24:16)
LESSONS of Harvest #2 – What is Real/Vital/Living in your Life? How is your personal walk with God? Personal witness for God? Personal family raising a new generation for God?
OVERALL character to wisely judge and live in this challenging world?
INNER righteousness of a sincere spirit-controlled life?
OUTER blameless life that proves to the world by what CAN be seen?
III. HARVEST OF ABUNDANT LIFE
A. AMPLE FRUIT
Phil 1:11a “bringing forth the fruits of righteousness”
1. METAPHOR
(also I John 3:7; Gal 5:19-23)
2. PURPOSE
(also John 15:5, 8 )
B. AUTHOR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Phil 1:11ba “that come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
1. FROM JESUS (and Spirit He promised us)
(also Proverbs 11:30; Romans 6:22; Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 13:15)
2. GLORIFY GOD
LESSONS of Harvest #3 – We MUST bring forth fruit. Character. Righteousness. Demonstrating to the world the reality of our profession. The result of which is to bring glory and praise to God and NOT to myself. This is a fitting conclusion to Paul’s prayer, as it is our life. We are to do all to the glory of God.