Abounding and Filled
Phil. 1:9-11
Pastor Jerry Koller

Paul prayed specifically for the saints at Philippi.

· Love always has an object.
· Love for God and love for one another
· Abound meansto be abundant; to exist in large quantities.
· The word knowledge applies to spiritual knowledge or to the knowledge of God.

God reveals Himself in a number of ways.

God still reveals Himself through these three avenues. All three will help our knowledge of Him may abound.

The second way Paul prays that their love may abound is in depth of insight (discernment).
· The idea is one of perception, not only by the senses but also by the intellect.
· Learning is not just head knowledge. It is life knowledge.

The reason Paul is praying for these specifics: so that you may be able to discern what is best. (vs. 10a); Another word for discern is approve.
· Approve is a technical word that encompasses the idea of testing to see whether or not something or someone is the real deal.
· It is a testing that determines whether or not something or someone is counterfeit.

The intended outcome should lead to being pure and blameless until the day of Christ. (Phil. 1:10b)

The NASB uses the word “sincere” instead of pure. The Latin words for sincere is sine' cera, which literally means “without wax.”
· The Greek word has a similar meaning: “tested by the light of the sun.”

Blameless comes from a word that means “without blame; free from spot.”
· It also has to do with not slipping and falling.

In verse 11, he points out they the saints have been filled with the fruit of righteousness...(vs. 11a)

The fruit of righteousness can be illustrated in this way.

Paul’s prayer is that his Philippian brethren be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ... (Phil. 1:11b)

A better translation of the word filled is “having been filled.”
· The idea behind this word has to do with “making full”, or to “fill up.”

God gets the credit, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:11c)

Returning back to verse 10, Paul’s prayer is that this entire process continues ...until the day of Christ. (Phil. 1:10)

Paul mentions that he was confident that ...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6)

We should strive to know all that is knowable about God.

· We must pursue it.
· We must look for it.
· We have to be aware of it.

God doesn’t need to do a better job of revealing Himself to us. He doesn’t have to make Himself known more effectively. We need to do a better job of accumulating knowledge.

We should pray in accordance with what God has promised according to His sovereign plan.
· Prayer expresses and acknowledges our dependence on God resulting in the glory and praise of God.
· We pray as an expression of faith in our faithful God who will do what He has promised resulting in the glory and praise of God.
· We also pray because prayer helps us practice the presence of God so that He does not slip from our minds. His abiding presence empowers us to live for the glory and praise of God.

· Dave & Connie Hollis and their family upon the loss of Dave’s sister, Paula Hollis, on 4/11, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
· Shirley Means (Miriam Bryant's sister) is receiving therapy and hopes to go home soon. She is in Henderson, Nevada.
· Caroline Bocock has been terribly ill as she is dealing with a Lyme Disease outbreak. Some of her symptoms included being in excruciating pain, having blackouts, issues with sleeping, darkening vision, random skin issues, a constant headache since 11/5, and so much more. She is taking a regiment of medications to get it under control.
· Nolan Marshall (son of Dan & Tracy) is receiving outpatient therapy but hasn’t found an even keel yet. He has been allowed to return to the school environment with many boundaries in place. The Marshall family is still very much in crisis mode and continued prayers are appreciated as they try to adjust medications and work with Nolan to manage his diagnoses.
· Marge Benham continues to receive physical therapy as she recovers from two broken ankles.
· Joyce Bocock has completed chemo and radiation; praise God that both tumors have shrunk significantly more than expected; evaluating additional treatment options.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com