A Discerning Heart May Be More Important Than You Think
Summary of the Message
The reality of the judgment is something every Christian should be mindful of, and all of
Christian ministry is intended to prepare us for that day. In our passage, Paul prays for his Philippian readers to be ready for that by developing discernment or the ability to practically approve spiritual excellence.
The reality of the judgment is something every Christian should be mindful of, and all of
Christian ministry is intended to prepare us for that day. In our passage, Paul prays for his Philippian readers to be ready for that by developing discernment or the ability to practically approve spiritual excellence.
Key Sermon Points
1. Paul prays for abundant love
We should recall that God is love (1 John 4:8) and therefore he has poured his love into our hearts by his Spirit. So, Paul is describing a total culture of love in the church, where each person overflows increasingly with love toward all the others. This is seen through prioritizing the needs of others and not being focused on self-issues.
2. Paul prays for abundant love to be harnessed by knowledge and sight
The abundant love Paul is praying for is also meant to be channeled or harnessed by their knowledge of God and his moral character. Though this includes knowing what God says about himself in his word, it is mainly the experience that God’s people have with his faithfulness and reliability.
3. The aim of Paul's prayer: hearts that approve of spiritual excellence
This gets to the very definition of discernment, which is approving of what is spiritually excellent. The key to a fruitful Christian life is a heart that values all that God values in this world.
4. The profile of a good Christian judgment: personal and relational integrity
Paul’s ultimate aim is that we be found “pure and blameless†on the day of the Lord. He is not talking about justification here, but personal and relational integrity, which is one of the fundamental ways we will be judged, i.e., how have we treated others?
1. Paul prays for abundant love
We should recall that God is love (1 John 4:8) and therefore he has poured his love into our hearts by his Spirit. So, Paul is describing a total culture of love in the church, where each person overflows increasingly with love toward all the others. This is seen through prioritizing the needs of others and not being focused on self-issues.
2. Paul prays for abundant love to be harnessed by knowledge and sight
The abundant love Paul is praying for is also meant to be channeled or harnessed by their knowledge of God and his moral character. Though this includes knowing what God says about himself in his word, it is mainly the experience that God’s people have with his faithfulness and reliability.
3. The aim of Paul's prayer: hearts that approve of spiritual excellence
This gets to the very definition of discernment, which is approving of what is spiritually excellent. The key to a fruitful Christian life is a heart that values all that God values in this world.
4. The profile of a good Christian judgment: personal and relational integrity
Paul’s ultimate aim is that we be found “pure and blameless†on the day of the Lord. He is not talking about justification here, but personal and relational integrity, which is one of the fundamental ways we will be judged, i.e., how have we treated others?
Discussion Questions
- How have you found it hard to love those who are difficult to love in the church of Christ?
- Can you think of ways love that is not harnessed by knowledge and insight can fall short of its intended purposes or even enable people in unintended ways?
- What is spiritual excellence in your mind & how can we develop the ability to approve it?
- How do you feel about the certain prospect of judgment? Do you think Christians need more focus & teaching on the judgment, or not because we are already justified?
Posted in Grow & Discern
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