Praying for Love, Discernment, and Righteousness

Philippians 1:9-11
Darrin Marriot, Lead Pastor

Big Idea: Paul’s prayer reminds us of the importance of knowing God more and growing in love, discernment, and righteousness.
Philippians 1:9-11
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

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.

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.
1Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
John 13:35
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

2. For a love that grows in knowledge (cf. Hos. 4:6a) – A
grasp of God andHis Word worked out in obedience.
Hosea 4:6a
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

3. For a love that grows in discernment – A moral perception
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.

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.

B. As our love grows in knowledge and discernment, we should
see in our lives:

1. An increasing purity – The process of sanctification in
which we grow in integrity and Christlikeness.

2. An increasing fruitfulness – (cf. Gal. 5:22-23; Js. 3:17-18).
Galatians 5:22-23
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
James 3:17-18
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

3. God glorified – Ultimately, the increase of purity and
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!