STUDYING THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS #2

Phil. 1:6-11

David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. After commending the church at Philippi for its faithfulness,  
      Paul does not want them to rest on past accomplishments, but to
      continue to go forward in the service of the Lord.
   B. The blessings of the Christian life are enjoyed only as we     
      advance and mature in the faith.
      1. We are commanded to grow in grace and knowledge. 2 Pet.
         3:18
      2. Paul rebuked the Corinthian brethren for their failure to   
         grow and progress in spiritual things. 1 Cor. 3:1-3
      3. Growth is absolutely necessary for spiritual advancement.
         Without it, one slowly drifts backwards, and the backward
         drift brings tragic results.
      4. In this lesson, we will study Phil. 1:6-11.

I. Verse 6 - Thanksgiving given with confidence.
   A. God begins His work in people through the power of the gospel.
      1. He continues His work through His word, providence, and
         discipline. Phil. 2:12-13
   B. God will continue His work within the Christian until the end  
      of his life.
      1. God prunes us, as a vine dresser prunes grape vines, that we
         may bear more fruit. John 15:2
   C. There are many beautiful passages in which God promises help to
      those who love Him. 1 Pet. 5:10; Jude 1:24
      1. We, being rooted and grounded in Christ, can be certain that
         our salvation is secure in Him.

II. Verse 7 - This is an explanation as to why he felt confident that
   God would continue to work in them until the end.
   A. First, "Because I have you in my heart."
      1. Some versions show that this can be translated, "Because
         you have me in your heart" which seems to be the better
         translation.
         a. They continued to love, appreciate, and support Paul,
            and this love the Lord's servant attributed to God
            faithfully working in them.
      2. To have a close bond because of the spiritual relationship  
         is something truly special.
         a. We need to appreciate those who help us live the
            Christian life.
   B. Secondly, they were partakers (having fellowship) with Paul.
      1. They were partakers "in his chains" by sympathy, concern,
         and readiness to assist him.
      2. They were partakers in the defense and confirmation of the
         gospel.
         a. Sometimes people say, "The gospel does not need
            defending; it only needs preaching."
         b. Paul and the Philippians defended the gospel.
         c. We need both a presentation and a defense of the
            gospel.
      3. Paul always considered his ministry as "grace" from God.
         Eph. 3:8; Rom. 15:15-16
         a. They were partakers with him in his grace by helping
            him in his work.
 
III. Verse 8 - His longing for them.
   A. Paul says he longed for them with the very kind of longing that
      is in the heart of Christ Himself; e.g., the tender concern    
      Christ showed toward precious souls. Matt. 9:36
   B. This longing and love for them is so great that it can hardly  
      be believed; therefore, he calls upon God as a witness to the  
      truth of what is said.

IV. Verses 9-11 - Paul's deep spiritual prayer in their behalf.
   A. The prayer has four parts as seen by the word "that." Verse 11
      contains the 4th, although it doesn't have the word "that."
   B. First, Paul prayed that their love would not only to be        
      abundant, but it would be an educated love. It was to abound in
      knowledge and discernment.
      1. The word "love" here is the Greek word "agape" which
         means "active good will."
         a. Vine says, regarding this word, "It can be known only
            from the actions it prompts."
      2. Thus, the agape love is not dependent upon one's emotions;
         rather, it constitutes an exercise of the will (a deliberate
         decision to do the very best that one can do for another),
         whether it is for God, one's companion, brother in Christ,  
         or whomever.
      3. Titus 2:3-4 - Thus, love is something one can be admonished
         to do, and something one can learn.
         a. The idea employed today regarding love on TV, in the
            movies, and in modern literature is not something you
            learn or teach, but something you feel.
      4. 1 John 5:3 - We love God when we keep His
         commandments.
         a. People of today will say the way to have love toward
            God is to go out and watch a beautiful sunset, and
            before you know it, you will be conscious of the
            presence of God and have all kinds of good feelings
            toward Him.
         b. The weak and immature will love God on a day when
            everything is going well for them; however, on the next
            day when the car has broken down and it costs $700 to
            fix it, they don't love God anymore. They reason: "If
            God loved me, He wouldn't allow this to happen to me;
            thus, I can't love God today."
      5. We love, because we understand its meaning and
         importance.
         a. We need to pray, as did Paul, that all of us might
            abound more and more in love. Eph. 3:17
   C. Secondly, Paul prays "that you may approve the things that are
      excellent."
      1. The NASV footnote says, "that you may distinguish between
         the things that differ."
         a. Distinguishing between what's important, and what's
            not, marks the difference between carnality and
            spirituality.
         b. We need to set the best possible goal, pursue the best
            possible course.
         c. We should never get side-tracked into things of lesser
            importance.
      2. Jesus often emphasized this principle.
         a. "Let the dead bury the dead." Luke 9:56-60
         b. "Mary has chosen that good part..." Luke 10:42
         c. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures..." Matt. 6:19-20
      3. We need to make personal application.
         a. What do I seek first in the way of entertainment? Will I
            study the Bible, or will I watch a TV program that
            provides nothing worthwhile? When I choose some type
            of recreation, will I choose something that's uplifting,
            something that has redeeming value, or will I choose
            some worthless worldly activity?
      4. The ability to distinguish between things that differ is    
         what makes strong Christians as opposed to weak ones.
   D. Thirdly, Paul prayed that they would be sincere and without
      offense till the day of Christ.
      1. The word "sincere" comes to us from the Latin, and means
         literally, "without wax."
         a. Dishonest merchants in ancient times were known for
            patching a crack in pottery or porcelain with wax.
         b. Honest merchants would advertise their wares as
            "sincere"; that is, "without wax."
         c. When applied spiritually, it means, "purity of heart, a
            genuine person, not a hypocritical one."
      2. The word "offense" means "an obstacle against which one
         may dash his foot...to stumble or to cause to stumble."
         (Vine).
         a. Hence, Paul is praying that the saints would not stumble
            or fall spiritually.
      3. He prayed that they would remain faithful to the end - "till
         the day of Christ."
         a. Let us with pure hearts remain faithful, watching and
            waiting for the Lord's return.
         b. The reason there is so much worldliness and ungodliness
            in our society today is because people are not
            anticipating the Lord's coming. Matt. 24:37-39 
            (1) The Pearl Harbor attack demonstrated that not only
                were an Admiral and General unprepared, but the
                whole nation as well. Nearly everyone, in their
                satisfaction with the trivia of everyday living,
                ignored all the evidence that an attack was coming.
                In spite of all the evidence, people were astonished
                when the attack came. 
            (2) The Bible repeatedly informs us regarding the
                Second Coming of Christ. In spite of all the
                warnings, men continue to be preoccupied with
                their everyday trivia. When the Lord comes, they
                will be awakened with a blow far more destructive
                than Pearl Harbor. 
            (3) Let us not let that day take us unawares.
   E. And lastly, "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness."
      1. The real test of the Christian life is seen in its product -
         bearing the fruits of righteousness.
         a. A fruitful branch or tree which produces righteousness
            must be:
            (1) Planted - Psalm 1:1-3
                (a) He is not like a tree that just sprang up, but
                    was deliberately planted by the rivers of water.
            (2) Pruned - John 15:1-3
                (a) Hindrances such as indifference, worldliness,
                    and materialism must be removed from our
                    lives.
            (3) Prolific - John 15:8
                (a) Jesus cursed the barren fig tree. Matt. 21:19
      2. The fruits of righteousness come through Jesus Christ. Verse
         11b
      3. Also, all things for which Paul prayed resulted in the glory
         and praise to God.

Concl.
   A. This is a deep, full, rich prayer, coming from a mature        
      Christian's mind with the aid of the Holy Spirit.
      1. Paul's prayers were so much richer than the shadow prayers
         of many; e.g., "May the rulers make wise decisions, and may
         the preacher have a happy recollection of what he has
         studied."
      2. Let us strive to pray like Paul.
   B. We need the things for which Paul prayed, and we need to be
      praying for those things for others.
      1. We need to pray that we may know what love is - that we
         will make a deliberate decision to love.
      2. We need to pray that we may distinguish what's important
         and what's not.
      3. We need to pray that we may be pure, genuine, sincere.
      4. We need to pray that we will not fall, but be faithful to   
         the end.
      5. We need to pray that we will be filled with fruits of
         righteousness which come through Jesus Christ.
      6. And, as always, may God have the praise and glory forever.

Chart:
A fruitful branch or tree which produces righteousness must be:

I. Planted - Psalm 1:1-3
   A. He is not like a tree that just sprang up, but was deliberately
      planted by the rivers of water.

II. Pruned - John 15:1-3
    A. Hindrances such as indifference, worldliness, and materialism
       must be removed from our lives.

III. Prolific - John 15:8
    A. Jesus cursed the barren fig tree. Matt. 21:19