HOW TO EXCELL AS A CHRISTIAN

HOW TO EXCEL AS A CHRISTIAN
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ March 7, 2010

Text: Phil 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."

Eph 1:17-19, Col 1:9-10, 2 Cor 8:6-7, 1 Thess 3:12-13

I. GOD WANTS YOU TO EXCEL IN LOVE
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more…” (9)
I Corinthians 13:1-7


II. GOD WANTS YOU TO EXCEL IN KINGDOM KNOWLEDGE - "abound more and more in knowledge" (9)

I Corinthians 3: 2-3, 2 Peter 1:3-9, Eph 1:17-19


III. GOD WANTS YOU TO EXCEL IN SPIRITUAL INSIGHT- "… depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best" (9-10)

A. Spiritual insight comes from a combination of the Word of God and a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Col.1:9-11


1. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment between good and evil. 1 Thess. 5:21-22, 1 John 4:1

2. The Holy Spirit moves people to act on truth. John 16:13

3. The Holy Spirit counsels us about making the right choices.

4. The Holy Spirit imparts wisdom about people and situations.

5. The Holy Spirit illumines us with His abiding presence, power and perspectives just when we need them.

6. The Holy Spirit keeps us headed in the right direction. Galatians 5:16, Heb 12:14


Conclusion: Like Paul, my prayer for each of you is to excel in God's love, knowledge and spiritual insight. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you today?