Pray in expectation of Christ return
Scripture: Phil 1:9-11
Vs. 3 Paul was in prison in Rome and he was at a great distance from the Philippians believers.
He did not have their presence; all he had was a memory of their time together. And sitting
there in prison, remembering their love and care and support, his heart swelled with
thanksgiving for them, and he thanked God for them. Are we thanking God enough for each
other?
Vs. 4 Paul says, that he always prayed for the church. Day and night he prayed for them. They
were constantly on his mind and his prayers. Our prayer life must be consistent like that of Paul.
God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God,
whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son. Romans 1:9(NLT)
WHAT DID PAUL PRAY FOR THE CHURCH?
1. GOD’S PEOPLE WOULD BE LOVING. Vs 9a
“that your love may abound more and more”
Philippians Church was a very generous Church. They had sent Paul a gift right after he
had founded the Church and moved on (Phil 1:5; 4:15; 2 Cor 8:1-ff). They had also sent
gifts to him at Thessalonica (Phil 4:16) and at Corinth (2 Cor 11:9). And now they sent
him not only a gift, but even more, a dear believer Epaphroditus, to minister to his
needs while he was in prison. (Phil 2:25-30; 4:18)
Though Paul was an affectionate dad he was not blind to the weaknesses of his children.
There were two women co-workers of Paul who quarreled and were causing a
disturbance (Phil 4:2, 3). Though the church loved Paul, but they still lacked team spirit
and there were arguments and quarrelling (Phil 1:27; 2:2-4, 14)
So Paul wished to call the Church to unity and harmony. Their friction and noise
revealed their lack of love. This made Paul write Phil 2:5-10.
2. OUR LOVE WOULD BE GROUNDED IN KNOWLEDGE AND DISCERNMENT. Vs.9b
“in knowledge and depth of insight”
- Knowledge: If we truly love someone we want to know all we can about the person
- Discernment: we want to gather all the intelligence and facts possible discerning them so that we can please the other person.
- If no discernment we will not know when love turns into lust. True love is always within boundaries.
Don't allow love to turn into lust, setting off a downhill slide into sexual promiscuity, filthy practices, or bullying greed. Eph 5:3 (Message)
- No grounding will cause damage to the devices.
3. GOD’S PEOPLE WOULD BE WISE. Vs. 10
“That you approve what is excellent or best”
It is not enough just to know what is right and wrong. It is not enough just to do what is right.
You may say, "I am allowed to do anything." But I reply, "Not everything is good for you." And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything. 1 Cor 6:12 (NLT)
"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. 1 Cor 10:23 (NIV)
Sometimes the choice is between the good and excellent, the acceptable and best, the beneficial and the constructive. The more we love the LORD the more we will choose the excellent and best for Jesus and others. When we are wise then we can choose between the good, pleasing and the perfect will of God.
4. GOD’S PEOPLE WOULD BE PURE AND BLAMELESS. Phil 1:10
“may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ”
We all are fallen and live in a fallen world. There are lots of things to defile us and to distract us. We all long to be pure and uncontaminated on our wedding day with Christ.
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.2 Cor 11:2-3 (NIV)
We are to stay pure until the return of Christ. Only a growing and mature love will keep our eyes focused on Christ. The more we love him we will long to see him and be with him. Then we wont offer our fresh and best for him.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Eph 1:4 (NIV)
5. GOD’S PEOPLE WOULD BE FRUITFUL. Vs.11
“filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ”
We should faithful cum fruitful.
- World will recognize us by our fruit. Matt 7:16-20
- John 15; no fruit, more fruit, much fruit, lasting fruit.
- Key to fruitfulness is abiding in faithfulness in Christ. John 15:5,7
- Position ally, progressively and eternally we have to become his children. John 15:16, 17
- More love, more fertile and more fruitful.
- John 17; love each other
- Matt 24:12, 13; Many people’s love will grow cold.
6. GOD WOULD BE GLORIFIED BY HIS PEOPLE. Vs. 11
“ to the glory and praise of God”
Eph 1:9; for his glory and good pleasure.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17 (NIV)
For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. Phil 3:18-19 (NIV)
