Growing in Love, Discernment, and Righteousness

Lead Pastor, Darrin Mariott

Big Idea: God’s Word shows us the way to greater love, discernment, and spiritual growth.

I. Love and Discernment (vv. 9-10)

Philippians 1:9-10
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

A. Paul prays for the Philippian church with much joy and gratitude. (see vv. 3-4). What is Paul praying for? Here, he is praying for their spiritual growth and development. Paul intercedes for the church, praying they would increase and mature in love, discernment, and righteousness.

B. Paul prays the Philippian believers:

1. Would grow in love (v. 9; cf. Jn. 13-34-35; Rom. 12:9-10) – A love for each other expressed in practical, heartfelt ways

John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 12:9-10
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

2. Would grow in knowledge (v. 9; cf. Hos. 4:6) – A deeper understanding of God & His Word worked out in obedience

Hosea 4:6
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. Would grow in discernment (vv. 9-10) – A moral perception that allows us to know that right action in any given situation

B. It has been said that love without truth is sentiment and truth without love is harshness (Tim Keller). Biblical love is not some vague idea confined to our emotions but is rooted in knowledge and action.

II. Love and Righteousness (vv. 10-11)
Philippians 1:10-11
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

A. Growing in love and developing our discernment are vital to our spiritual growth. Moreover, these qualities help us develop godly character that we may bear spiritual fruit.

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

1. An increasing purity (v. 10)

2. An increasing fruitfulness (v. 11; cf. Gal. 5:22-23; Js. 3:17-18)
Galatains 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 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 (v. 11)

C. We live in a time when love and 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!