Never Settle for Less - Excellence (Philippians 1:1-11)
Gearl Spicer, July 26, 2020
Part of the Axis of A Living Faith series, preached at a Sunday Online service
Philippians 1:1–11 (Listen)
1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(ESV)
Sermon Notes
AXIS OF A LIVING FAITH
Never Settle for Less - Excellence
Philippians 1:1-11
7/26/20
*What comes to mind when you hear the word excellence?
*Excellence lights the fire of a living faith!
*….so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into HIs marvelous light. I Peter 2:9
*But just as you abound in everything, in all faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. II Corinthians 8:7
*so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ. Phil. 1:10
Four decisions that can direct our lives:
I. Never settle for less - v.3-6
A. Stay committed
B. Stay confident
II. Never give up - v.7-9
A. Saturate your life with grace
B. Live your life in His love
III. Never underestimate Jesus - v.10a
A. Approve what really matters
B. Accept nothing less than excellence
1. Most important
2. Most vital
3. Most critical
IV. Never lose sight - v.10b-11
A. Fully committed - sincere
B. Fully engaged - blameless
C. Fully impactful - fruitful
Is it time to fine tune your heart? Will you choose excellence?