PHILIPPIANS 1:7-11

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Wednesday Evening:  January 9, 2008

Text:  Philippians 1:6-11  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:  7  Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.  8  For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.  9  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;  10  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;  11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

PAUL’S AFFECTION FOR THEM

Philippians 1:7  Even as it is meet [dikaiov, just] for me to think [present active, savour, affection (passion)] this (verse 6) of you all, because I have [present active infinitive, to have] you in my heart [better translated: “because ye have had me in your heart”]; inasmuch as both [even] in my bonds [chains (in Rome)], and in the defense [apology, plea, answer] and confirmation [establishment, (settle as secure)] of the gospel (Paul’s gospel, 2 Thes. 2:14, calling those with ears to hear), ye all are partakers of my grace [better translated: “all of you being fellow-partakers with me of grace”].

GOD IS MY WITNESS

Philippians 1:8  For God is my record [witness], how greatly I long after [epi + poqew, to yearn (epi intensifies the yearning)] you all in the bowels [inward affection (same as that of Jesus Christ)] of Jesus Christ.

PAUL COMMANDED THIS OF THE ELECT

Colossians 3:12  Put on [aorist middle imperative] therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels [inward affections, inward emotion] of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

MAY YOUR LOVE ABOUND

Philippians 1:9  And this I pray, that your love may abound [present active subjunctive, may super abound] yet more and more in knowledge [epignowsiv, exact knowledge] and in all judgment [perception, discernment];

IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING

1 Corinthians 13:1-3  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

LOVE  COVER’S SINS

1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins.

PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider [present active] one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

FAITH WORKS BY LOVE

Galatians 5:6  … faith which worketh [present middle participle] by love.

FAITH AND LOVE GROW TOGETHER

2 Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly [present active indicative], and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth [present active ind.];

APPROVE THING EXCELLENT

Philippians 1:10  That ye may approve [present active, discern, try, examine, prove] things that are excellent [present active, more value]; that ye may be sincere [tested pure] and without offence [beat upon others] till the day of Christ;

PROVE WHAT IS GOOD

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

PROVE ALL THINGS

1 Thessalonians 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Philippians 1:11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness [integrity, virtue, purity of life, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting (Thayer)], which are by [dia, through] Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING

John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

FRUIT BENEFIT OTHERS

Judges 9:13  And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine (fruit of the vine), which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

GOOD WORKS

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness [integrity, virtue, purity of life, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting (Thayer)]:  17  That the man of God may be perfect [adequate, competent], throughly furnished [equipped] unto all good works.

NOT BEFORE MEN

Matthew 6:1-4  Take heed that ye do not your alms [dikaiosunh, righteousness] before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms [compassion, mercy, ministry to others in need], do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  3  But when thou doest alms [compassion, mercy, ministry to others in need], let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  4  That thine alms [compassion, mercy, ministry to others in need] may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

THE JUST PRACTICE RIGHTEOUSNESS

1 John 3:7  Little children [teknion], let no man deceive [present active] you: he that doeth [present active, practices] righteousness [dikaiosunh] is righteous [dikaiov, just], even as he is righteous [dikaiov, just].

TESTIMONY IN GOOD WORKS

Matthew 5:16  Let your light [fire, (not deeds)] so shine [beam] before men, that they may see your good [kalov, honest, worthy, (not agaqov, benefit, good)] works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

2 Timothy 4:7-8  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.