19/05/24 // A Clean Heart // Peter Williams

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Postcard (JPEG)

‭Phil. Ps 51. Clean heart.
We need to allow God to give us a new heart, and change us.
An encounter with Jesus is the only thing that will change things.
He used Phil 1:6 
But how does that work?
What steps are needed to help that to happen?
What is our part in that as fellow Christians?
Discipling of one another.

Early part of the letters, the introductions, helps us understand why it's written, the context, as well as often having some of the key nuggets of the letter.

Phillipians starts in Acts 16:11-40
A long weekend in Phillippi
Then the introduction to the book Phil 1:1-14 makes sense. 
Roman guards, at a Roman outpost.

‭Philippians 1:9-11
Paul wants them to understand, so he then goes on to teach them about the things that are issues, that he has spotted or heard about.

V3 they pray for them every time they think of them
V7-8 they are tender hearted, passionate, for their fellow believer.
V9-11, this is what they pray. It is a purposeful prayer. Not a ‘god bless them’ prayer. Not that that's wrong. But a very specific prayer that they would change, grow, mature, and become more like Jesus.

[9] I pray that your love will overflow more and more, 
What does it mean to overflow in love.
‭Romans 5:5
1 Thes 3:12-13
One anothering
‭Mark 10:45‬

and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 
Ps 119. Longest chapter. What is it all about? Getting into the word. Soak in it
Wisdom literature, always reflects back to getting in the word.
Soak in it, let God speak to you through it.
Jesus was the living word, the living embodiment, and through him all things were made that have been made - Jn 1
‭Galatians 5:7 
What is hindering your growth?
Knowledge and truth

[10] For I want you to understand what really matters, 
1Cor 3:1-3
Meat not milk. Getting deep into the things of God.

so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
‭This is what Phil has preached about over 3 weeks. Ps 51. Gal 5
Galatians 5:16 
We are pure and blameless in Christ, and we need to remember that when the enemy taunts us. 
But we are being made holy as we live for God, sanctified as we walk by the Spirit.
‭1 Thessalonians 5:23 
Return of Christ - He’s coming back!

[11] May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—
Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5

Gabi. What in your past sows seeds of doubt?
Remember his victory

the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—
‭John 15:2 
Sometimes being fruitful can be painful. When we are pruned, it might feel like your right arm is cut off!

for this will bring much glory and praise to God. 
When we shine for Jesus, because we are more like him, that brings glory to God.
When we overflow with the Spirit
Doxology from Rom 11

This stuff does not happen in a vacuum.
We can't pray without action. That would just be being super-spiritual. 
We should be working to see this happen. 
So how do we help one another achieve this. 
We are church family and it is YOUR job. It's not just to be left for someone else.
Not Elders.
Paul did not go back and help them do this in Phillipi.
We are in church community for a reason.
Action Col 3:16.
We are called to disciple one another.

So what do we do?
Find a friend
Discuss what would help your growth
Write it on the card
Pray for one another
Take away the card so that you remember to keep praying for them
Check in with them about their p