Sabbath 2/10/18 Seventh Day Baptist Edgewater, FL- Pastor John sermon “Praying for Progress” Phil 1:1-11
Going fast in the wrong direction is not considered progress. In our text, Paul is writing to all the people/believers in the church in Philippi. In verse 9-11, Paul said that they would have growing love, knowledge and discernment. That they should approve all things that were excellent. And that they should be filled with the fruits of righteousness. A growing love creates an environment that all these things can happen in. A judgmental church atmosphere can hinder the growth of the qualities of God that we should have.
In Corinthians 13, the greatest gift is Love. Love gives acceptance and encouragement to others. All churches big or small should be like this Love. They should not let knowledge be turned into arrogance. Paul wants us to have love before knowledge and discernment. Don’t settle for the good but keep pushing on to the best! Push on to a greater understanding of the Word of God and of Jesus.
The Church should be setting a standard for the world. The Church should not be getting swayed by the secular world. Christianity is going against worldly culture and being counter-cultural. Don’t have watered down Christianity. Paul’s prayer is for us to show our fruits of righteousness. Our actions show what we believe and accept. We need to be a light shining for Jesus. The character of the church is built on the actions of the church members. We should focus on demonstrating the qualities of God and His Son Jesus Christ.
AMEN
Going fast in the wrong direction is not considered progress. In our text, Paul is writing to all the people/believers in the church in Philippi. In verse 9-11, Paul said that they would have growing love, knowledge and discernment. That they should approve all things that were excellent. And that they should be filled with the fruits of righteousness. A growing love creates an environment that all these things can happen in. A judgmental church atmosphere can hinder the growth of the qualities of God that we should have.
In Corinthians 13, the greatest gift is Love. Love gives acceptance and encouragement to others. All churches big or small should be like this Love. They should not let knowledge be turned into arrogance. Paul wants us to have love before knowledge and discernment. Don’t settle for the good but keep pushing on to the best! Push on to a greater understanding of the Word of God and of Jesus.
The Church should be setting a standard for the world. The Church should not be getting swayed by the secular world. Christianity is going against worldly culture and being counter-cultural. Don’t have watered down Christianity. Paul’s prayer is for us to show our fruits of righteousness. Our actions show what we believe and accept. We need to be a light shining for Jesus. The character of the church is built on the actions of the church members. We should focus on demonstrating the qualities of God and His Son Jesus Christ.
AMEN