I) The Heart of Paul’s Prayer: Joy, Thankfulness and Affection (Philippians 1:3-8)
Also see: Acts 16:9-40.

“As in numerous other texts (Rom, 5:3-4; 2 Peter 1:5-7), the things Paul mentions in Philippians 1:9-11 are sequential, each building on the foundation of the previous one. Abounding love produces spiritual excellence, which produces personal integrity, which produces genuine good works. Together they attain the supreme objective of God’s praise and glory.” John MacArthur

II) That your love would abound more and more.
Verse 9: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment”
Also See: John 3:16; John 14:21; 1 John 4.

“Love is an absolute and pervasive attribute of God’s essential nature and a critical reality in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
John MacArthur

Romans 10:2 “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”

"Love must be instructed if it is to be placed on legitimate objects and restrained from non-permissible ones, if it is to be rightly exercised on all occasions. And the needed instruction can be obtained only from God’s Word." A.W. Pink

Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

III) That you would approve that which is excellent
Verse 10a: so that you may approve what is excellent

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

“The excellent things are all the truths, attitudes, thoughts, words, and deeds that are expressions of God’s will for the believer.” John MacArthur

IV) That you would be pure and blameless
Verse 10b: and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

2 Corinthians 2:17 “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”

V) That you would be filled with the fruit of righteousness
Verse 11: filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Next Sunday’s Sermon Text: Philippians 1:12-14