Introduction: In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we read, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” How can we glorify God? Our text tells us how.
Transition: Read Philippians 1:9-11. As Paul prayed, he showed the Philippians and us what is needed so we can glorify God.
1. Our love must abound yet more and more
A. Context reveals the subject of this love (v.9)
(1) Our love is to abound “in knowledge and all judgment”.
(2) Thus, this love must a love for God and His Word. Loving God’s word that gives knowledge and judgment. God wants us to love His Word enough to dig into it to discover His mind on the issues of life.
B. Our love for God’s Word must abound
(1) The word “abound” means to overflow. It is like a dam overflowing with water or a tea cup overflowing.
(2) Our love must abound yet more and more. God wants us to love Him and His word with an overflowing love that keeps running over more and more every day.
(3) An abounding love for the Bible is at the root of a God-glorifying life. Every Christian that has been greatly used of God has had an abounding love for the Bible. (1 Peter 2:2) “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:“
When our love for God’s word abounds we will learn
2. Knowledge and all judgment (v.9)
A. Our love must abound in knowledge
(1) This “knowledge” is a full knowledge gained by experience.
(2) It is knowledge about God, about His character, about God’s will, and about commands and principles God gave us in the Bible, etc.
(3) The only way to gain this knowledge is personally digging out God’s treasures by careful Bible study.
(4) The Bible is God’s mind concerning everything that we need to know to glorify God.
(5) You may say, “But I am a busy mum or a working dad, I don’t have time for careful Bible study.” All of us will make time for the things we love. That is why love for God and the Bible is a priority.
B. Our love must also abound in all judgment
(1) This word “judgment” refers to perception or discernment.
(2) The word “all” applies it to all kinds of perception or discernment for every situation.
(3) This judgment will enable us to make right decisions in life based on God’s word.
(4) The psalmist prayed in (Psalms 119:66) “Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.“
(a) The O.T. word here translated judgment describes ones taste. Our tastebuds identify sweet, sour, salty, and bitter so that you can discern if a food is good or bad. Spiritually, this judgment can enable us to discern what God says is good or bad.
(b) Knowledge and judgment work together to help us make decisions in life that please the Lord.
(c) We learn judgment and knowledge from the Bible, that is why the Psalmist asked God to teach him.
With God’s knowledge and judgment
3. We may approve things that are excellent (v.10)
A. Note the word “that” used twice in verse 10.
(1) The first “that” comes from εἰς meaning so that. It points us in a direction.
(2) The second “that” comes from ἵνα meaning in order that. It describes the result that may follow.
B. Bible knowledge enables us to test or approve.
(1) This is the same word as found in (Ephesians 5:10) “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” Also in (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.“
(2) To approve or prove something is to test or examine its value and exclude all that fails.
(3) We are to approve things that are excellent in life and reject all that is not. This includes our music, clothing, entertainment, attitudes, words, hobbies, reading, etc.
(a) This duty depends totally on our knowledge and judgment gained from God’s word.
(b) We must never approve things based on our feelings, opinions, philosophies or current trends.
(c) Anything that fails the Bible knowledge and judgment test is not excellentand must be rejected.
When we approve things that are excellent
4. It will produce two results in our lives (v.10)
A. We will be sincere
(1) The word “sincere” means pure, uncontaminated, genuine, or not hypocritical. The root word means, judged by the sun.
(2) Dr. Harry Ironside tells us that in ancient days fine pottery was difficult to kiln dry without it cracking. Dishonest dealers would fill the cracks with wax and paint over them. When held up to the sun, the sun’s light would reveal the wax.
(3) It is our human nature to try to “wax” the cracks in our character, but God can still see our sinful cracks.
(4) If we approve things that are excellent based on God’s word and reject all that God rejects, we will be sincere, pure and uncontaminated.
B. We will also be without offence.
(1) To be without offence means having nothing in our lives to trip others or cause them to stumble.
(2) Sinful habits can trip others. Skipping church services can trip others. Getting angry in your home, may cause your children to stumble. Dressing immodestly can cause another’s thoughts to stumble. Etc.
(3) If we will truly approve things that are excellent, we will avoid things that may cause others to stumble.
(4) We are to be sincere and without offence until the day of Christ – the rapture!
When we are sincere and without offence then
5. God fills us with the fruits of righteousness (v.11)
A. What are the fruits of righteousness?
(1) They are obviously positive qualities (He 12:11).
(2) They may include the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).
B. These fruits are the work of God in one’s life
(1) They are given by Jesus Christ. He gave us His righteousness.
(2) Only God can fill us with fruits of righteousness.
(3) God can only do it when we are sincere and without offence because we have approved things that are excellent through knowledge and judgment gained by careful Bible study motivated by love.
When we are filled with fruits of righteousness
6. Our lives will glorify and praise God (v.11)
That is to be our constant goal!
Conclusion: The only way to reach that goal is to follow the process outlined in these verses. You cannot leave out any step and still reach the goal. 1) Love the Bible. 2) Gain God’s knowledge and judgment from the Bible. 3) Approve things that are excellent, rejecting all that God rejects. 4) That will result in being sincere and without offence. 5) Then God will fill you with fruits of righteousness, and 6) Your life will glorify and praise God.
If you are not yet a Christian, you cannot glorify God. You must first trust Christ as your Saviour. If you are a true Christian but have not been letting the Bible guide you so that you can glorify God, today is the day to begin.
