The Philadelphia Meter

I want to share with you some of my notes from this morning's sermon at Westport Church.

The Series is called STUCK. Everyone can get stuck in life. God's prescription for our stuck-ness is found in the verse 2 Peter 1:3-8

³His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ⁴by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶and knowledge with self-control, and self-control ⁷ with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection and godliness with love. ⁸For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This week's focus was on "Brotherly Kindness"

Maybe you already know that the city of Philadelphia is known as the "City of Brotherly Love"

I don't know much about Greek, but have learned that "Phileo" is a type of love that has to do with attitude (versus and "Agape" love which has to do with action). So literally, philadelphia has to do with showing love to my brother. As a Christian, because of the sacrifice of Christ being done for all, I have gained all of humanity as my brother in the eyes of God.

God has called us to show kindness. It is one of the things that will "..keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful..."

1. The Godly life is relational.
2. The Godly life is NOT preferential (discriminatory)
3. The Godly life shows hospitality

Romans 10:10-12 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹ Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. ¹² Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ¹³ When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

We want our Philadelphia Meter to read full. In this season, our thoughts are drawn towards giving and caring of others. Yet we will never find success in these three areas on our own. It only comes through putting Christ in our hearts, it is his work that causes the kindness to flow through us.