Scripture: Philippians 1:8-11

The Love of Christ

“I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more. . . “ (v8-9)

We love because of Christ
We love like Christ

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him; whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:19-21)

The Discernment of Christ

“. . . with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent” (v9-10)

We grow in biblical knowledge
We grow in godly wisdom

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14)

The Purity of Christ

“. . . and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” (v10-11)

We have a holy lifestyle
We have a spotless reputation

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. Thy still bear fruit in old age.” (Psalm 92:12-14)