Session Nine

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “a good work”
The gospel is making progress through them because is has made
progress in them.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They
tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true
God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the
dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “a good work”
Colossians 3:1-6
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we
pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and of the love you have for all the saints—the faith and love that
spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that
you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that
has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and
growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you
heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “day of Christ Jesus”
1. Eschatological phrase
2. In Philippians:
A. Moral living (1:11),
B. Destruction and salvation (1:28 cf 1 Thess 1:10)
C. Paul’s work being tested (2:16)
D. Eagerly await for Christ (3:20-21).
3. “Day of Christ” = has it’s origins in the OT (Day of the Lord) which
refered to a future time of salvation for Israel and judgement for
her enemies (Joel 2; Amos 5). In the NT it is the Day of Christ and
involves the judgment (Rom 2:16; Acts 10:40).

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 Philippians 1:7-8
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in
my heart;

for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the

gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ
Jesus.
 

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “share in God’s Grace”
The abundant provision from God through the work of Christ which
enables each Christian to maintain humble obedience to God’s will
and calling.

1.Gifts
Romans 12:6
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift
is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

2.Paul’s calling
Ephesians 3:7
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me
through the working of his power.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more

in knowledge and depth of insight, so that

you may be able to discern what is best and

may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of righteousness

that comes through Jesus Christ

to the glory and praise of God

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “in knowledge”
“This is a practical knowledge that informs Christian love as to
the right circumstances, aims, ways and means in which to be
applied in the concrete situations of life”

Word Biblical Commentary

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “depth of insight”
“The ability to make proper and moral decisions in the midst of a
vast array of differing and difficult choices that are constantly
presenting themselves to the Christian”

Word Biblical Commentary

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “pure”
warmth of the sunlight + to judge

The image is of someone bringing something into the light of the

sun in order to clearly see if it is unsoiled, free from stains.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “blameless”

A person who avoids putting

anything in another person’s
way that would cause them
to trip and fall.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 ‘filled with fruit”

This phrase communicates an

orchard setting in which trees
are loaded down with good
fruit.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 “glory and praise of God”
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 Prayer Summary
“It should be clear to all that their love which abounds in
knowledge and moral perception, their ability to choose the
things which really matter, and their good qualities which result in
abundance of good deeds all point beyond themselves to God -
the source and origin of these things.”

Word Biblical Commentary

While the prayer is for the Philippians it is ultimately for the

purposes of God being accomplished on the earth . . . it is for the
progress of the gospel!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

 Sow What?
Paul wanted the Philippian church to discern what was
best and to be pure and blameless. These traits would
make it evident that Jesus was at work in them. He did
not pray for these things, however. Instead, he prayed for
the source of these things . . . increasing love
accompanied by knowledge and moral insight.

1. When we see the need for discernment and purity in

the lives of Christians, let’s pray that the working of
God’s love will increase.
2. When we desire to see the gospel make an impact in
the lives of those we know let’s ask God to increase his
love in us so we can be discerning and blameless,
causing people to think of God favorably.

Thursday, December 17, 2009