Friday First - Growing in Love

During July we are focusing on love in the body. It is the natural progression after spending June examining Ephesians 4 and unity. Last week we learned about the source of our love: The Spirit, Romans 5.5b. We also learned that God teaches us how to love, 1 Thessalonians 4.9. The sacrificial, agape love that we read so much about is not produced by humans. It is rather, the fruit of the Spirit’s work of transformation inside us. Scripture directs us to pursue it, 1 Corinthians 14.1 and to put it on, Colossians 3.14.

This week we will continue our focus on love by looking at a familiar passage in Philippians 1.9. As Paul opens this epistle he prays for the spiritual welfare of the congregation. In verses 9-11 Paul spells out five building blocks of spiritual growth and progress. They are love, excellence, integrity, good works, and glory. These five things are essential. And they are sequential, i.e., each one builds on the foundation of the previous one. When we grow in love, it leads to the pursuit of excellence. Which leads to integrity, which produces genuine good works. All of that culminates in God being glorified.

On Sunday we will focus on verse 9, which is a prayer for our heart. Here, Paul prays for an active, growing, and dynamic love to be present inside the Christian. Love is the unique bond that ties us together. Inherent in it are faith and hope. It is the surpassing virtue. It is the most essential factor in your life. It is the greatest spiritual commodity you possess.

Our lesson Sunday will focus on:

• Divine love
• Decisive love
• Discerning love

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

• What/Who is the source of divine love? 
• Why is it important that we pray for growth in it?
• What happens if we do not practice love?
• In what way is love the distinguishing mark of the Christian?
• What is meant when Paul said, “love is the fulfillment of the law.”?

OPENING / WELCOME
Kody Pritt

SONG LEADER
Jim Grushon

PRAYER OF PRAISE
John Key

LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Roger Robins

SERVE LORD’S SUPPER
Bob Hoopes
Jeremy Price
Justin Spargo
Drew Triplett
Dan Spargo
Dru McLaughlin
 
SCRIPTURE READING
Wes Grushon
Philippians 1.3-11

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING PRAYER
Rich Jacobs

CLOSING COMMENTS
Russ Robins

WELCOME CENTER
Emily McDonald / Judy Hickey

USHERS
Bob Hoopes / Mark Ringle

CLOSING THE BUILDING
Mike Rosato