GOD’S WILL FOR OUR LIVES
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How Can We Pray for Us?
Praying for God’s Will
Pleasing God and Bearing Fruit
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
If I could summarize this incredible prayer, it would be like this…
I pray that you will Know God deeply and fully.
I pray that you would also walk in a way that demonstrates you know, love, and obey Christ.
1.KNOW HIM
1.KNOW HIM
not just know him…but know His Will.
Paul’s word is EPIGNOSIS it’s in direct defiance to the gnostics of the day.
They were saying, Christ is a good starting place…
but you CANNOT really know the LORD until you know secret things
passwords, rites, rituals, secrets
Paul’s use of this particular Greek work instead of the one that the gnostics were attempting to normalize is quite stark.
Everyone reading his letter, authored by the Holy Spirit, through Paul’s pen - EVERYONE would have had an “aha” moment as they read the use of the word aloud. THEY WOULD HAVE KNOWN EXACTLY WHAT HE MEANT.
There is such a premium on knowledge today…we’ve got the world at our fingertips.
We love knowledge.
Some of us know exactly what our battery capacity is on our phones throughout the day - we’ve got that down to a bit of a science
Some of us know - REALLY, DEEPLY KNOW - sports stats & schedules
Some of us know our calorie counts / and burn rates throughout our day
We love knowledge…BUT THIS IS A KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL AND ALL SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING!
THIS KNOWLEDGE COMES FROM SCRIPTURE - LIT BY THE SPIRIT.
The Scriptures become the primary source of “knowledge” for the believer as they are studied in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This produces a Christian mind, which in fact is what Paul is praying for—a mind, as Harry Blamires says,
which is trained to handle life
within a framework constructed of Christian presuppositions.
16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
WHAT ABOUT GOD’S WILL MENTIONED HERE? Paul tends to speak in General terms when it comes to the will of God.
There are five times that the NT points us to something clearly as God’s Will.
It is God’s will FOR US TO BE SAVED!
1 Tim 2.3-4
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It is God’s will FOR US TO BE SANCTIFIED!
1 Thes 4.3
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
3. It is God’s will FOR US TO BE SPIRIT-FILLED
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
4. It is God’s will FOR US TO STAND FIRM in our faith and devotion to Him
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
5. It is God’s will FOR US TO SUFFER WELL
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
The type of suffering mentioned here is the result of God’s people being God’s people!
knowing, loving, and obeying Jesus together - puts us at odds with a world that has lost its collective mind
TRANSITION
TRANSITION
AS WE DAY BY DAY SURRENDER TO GOD’S WILL, and pray LORD, NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS BE DONE…it will show up in the way we walk in this world!
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GOD AND HIS WILL FOR US BY THE SPIRIT - IN CHRIST JESUS…should affect our walk!
2. WALK WITH HIM
2. WALK WITH HIM
ILLUSTRATION:
Have you ever noticed how your walk changes based on your mood? When you're excited, you might skip a little, and when you're down, you may shuffle your feet. It’s interesting to think about! Just picture someone walking into a room with a hurried pace, arms pumping. You'd probably assume they’re late for something important! Our walk not only reveals our feelings but can also be a conversation starter. It’s a reminder that even how we carry ourselves can share a message to those around us.
— BJs walk past the AT&T rep wanting me to buy cell phones
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Walk Worthy (v10)
Walk Worthy (v10)
results in bearing much fruit
results in pleasing the LORD
This means that we LONG to please Christ. We LIVE to please Christ.
This is more than a feeling; more than devotional moment.
It is an act of surrender EVERY DAY (sometimes multiple times a day).
Walking worthy means we will live in a consistent state of SURRENDER & SUBMISSION to pursue God’s will for our lives.
SURRENDER & SUBMISSION rather than COMFORT & CONVENIENCE!
(ONE WRITER PUTS IT THIS WAY)
We can’t live the selfish way we want to and then try to hide behind sanctified excuses like, “Well, God knows my heart.”
IF WE WANT TO KNOW GOD’S WILL IN A SOLID WAY THAT AFFECTS OUR LIVES…THEN WE WE DO ALL WE CAN TO ORIENT OUR LIVES TO pleasing Christ!
WHAT WE BELIEVE AFFECTS HOW WE BEHAVE!
Walking GOD’S way pleases Him!
Walking our way does NOT!
Walking GOD’s way bears fruit!
Walking our way does NOT!
Look at verse 10 again
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Walk Teachably (v10)
Walk Teachably (v10)
increasing in the knowledge (epignosis) of God
The more we know, the more it should show up in our lives…the more fruit will bear…the more God is pleased as Christ is displayed in us.
Jesus himself made it clear that doing the Father’s will IS THE KEY TO GROWING IN knowledge of the Son (cf. John 7:17).
17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
This mutual cause-and-effect relationship between knowing and doing is one of the fundamental ( THE MOST BASIC) laws of spiritual growth.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
[transition]
We walk worthy as we live it out!
We stay teachable as want to bear MUCH FRUIT THAT REMAINS.
PAUL IS PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH THAT THEY WOULD ALSO…
Walk (Powerfully) in Christ’s Power (v11)
Walk (Powerfully) in Christ’s Power (v11)
11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
- Strengthened with all power
- Strengthened with all power
The word picture here is a constant stream of power…a constant supply.
ILLUSTRATION: Few things can bring a sense of uneasiness more than a dying battery on a phone at the wrong time…with no hope for a charge in site.
Without a constant power source, it becomes useless.
We often find ourselves drained, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.
The promise here is a constant power supply from the LORD JESUS CHRIST Himself.
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Then the prayer takes a very specific tone as to where that power is needed most:
ENDURANCE & PATIENCE
(Should I give the invitation now?)
- Endurance (or Long-Suffering) with JOY
- Endurance (or Long-Suffering) with JOY
“Endurance” is in reference to ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES.
The picture here is that one would hold one’s position in battle.
Paul was praying that the Colossians would have a long-suffering, patient spirit as they related to one another and to those outside the Church. Possessing
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- Patience with JOY
- Patience with JOY
This is reference to DIFFICULT PEOPLE.
First context: inside the church / then outside the church.
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
This is the way we must pray for our brothers and sisters. “Lord, give them perseverance in difficulties and patience with people.
Do it by constantly strengthening them with your power, SO THAT THEY ARE JOYFUL AS THEY FOCUS ON YOU!
TRANSITION:
To Know Him is to know His will for our lives in Christ Jesus.
To Know, love and obey Him together affects our walk.
We will walk in a manner worthy of saying to someone else, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
We will walk teachably - growing in our knowledge of Jesus
3. PRAISE HIM
3. PRAISE HIM
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Continually Giving Thanks…
…to the Father
who loved us, qualified us, and delights for us to share in the inheritance of His beloved Son.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
This inheritance is something we HAVE BOTH NOW AND FOR ETERNITY!
a living relationship with the KING OF GLORY!
HOW DID HE QUALIFY US? HOW IS IT THAT WE GET TO SHARE IN THIS?
Good people?
Religious people?
Spiritual people?
NO…NO…NO!
THIS IS FOR HIS PEOPLE!
“Transacted” by the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
THE BAD NEWS - NONE OF US DESERVE IT
Our sin has separated us from God!
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
23 For the wages of sin is death,
THE WORSE NEWS - WE CAN’T FIX IT ON OUR OWN
We can do nothing to remove our sin!
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
THE GOOD NEWS - GOD MADE A WAY FOR US
At the cross, Jesus did for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. After living the only perfect, sinless life lived on this earth by anyone ever, He died on the cross and shed His precious blood to pay for our sins.
and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
THE BEST NEWS - WE CAN BE FORGIVEN!
The life God longs for us to have, that we DON’T have, we CAN have today…if we will TRUST JESUS by repenting & believing the Gospel!
the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
AND AS PAUL IS PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH…
HE IS PRAYING THAT THEY WILL WALK EVERY DAY AS A THANKFUL PEOPLE
A FORGIVEN PEOPLE
A NEW FAMILY!
JESUS’ PEOPLE!
YOU CAN’T WALK IN A WORTHY MANNER…WITHOUT CONSISTENTLY GIVING JOYOUS PRAISE TO GOD…THANKSGIVING (that’s how the Greek language here connects all these words).
I’ve got a reason to be thankful NO MATTER HOW MY DAY IS GOING BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN…
- Delivered FROM the Domain of Darkness
- Delivered FROM the Domain of Darkness
The word here DOMAIN indicates total control!
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Whether we were aware or not, we were a part of the darkness of this world.
BUT THANKS BE UNTO GOD…HE HAS MOVED US INTO THE LIGHT!
I’ve got a reason to be thankful NO MATTER HOW MY DAY IS GOING BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN…
- Delivered TO the Kingdom of God’s Dear Son
- Delivered TO the Kingdom of God’s Dear Son
11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The word for “transferred” is used in other places to describe a mighty king picking up a whole population and deporting it to another realm.
Think about that.
WE HAVE BEEN sublimely deported INTO “the kingdom of the Son” which, at the Consummation, will be the eternal Kingdom of God (l Corinthians 15:24).
We are in the “kingdom of the Son he loves,” a Kingdom enveloped in love.
For this reason we give joyous thanksgiving.
LOOK AT OUR LAST VERSE:
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
I’ve got a reason to be thankful NO MATTER HOW MY DAY IS GOING BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN…
- Purchased from the Slave Market (REDEMPTION)
- Purchased from the Slave Market (REDEMPTION)
Redeemed—how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
I’ve got a reason to be thankful NO MATTER HOW MY DAY IS GOING BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN…
- Sins have been forgiven
- Sins have been forgiven
Every wicked, unholy, rebellious thing that I have ever thought, said, or done IS UNDER THE BLOOD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
Thank God I am free, free, free from this world of sin
Washed in the blood of Jesus, I’ve been born again
Hallelujah, I’m saved, saved, saved by wonderful grace
I’m so glad that I found out He would bring me out
and show me the way
Our freedom from sin is also a freedom to serve.
As God’s people, we have a new position,
a new purpose,
and a new perspective.
Our eyes have been opened and we can recognize the hopeless state from which we were rescued.
We are free from our slavery to sin and free to serve Christ and fulfill his will.
—-BY THE WAY, AS WE REMEMBER WHERE WE’VE COME FROM, IT SHOULD MAKE TENDER FOR THOSE AROUND US WHO ARE STILL
DYING IN THEIR SINS
LIVING UNDER THE DOMAIN OF DARKNESS
What a Savior!
What a Text!!
What a prayer!
HEY, WOULD YOU PRAY THIS FOR ME?
WOULD YOU PRAY THIS FOR MISSION BIBLE CHURCH?
KING’S CHURCH?
THE CHURCHES BEING PLANTED BY OUR PARTNERS IN NORTH AMERICA!
——-
CONCLUSION:
WHAT IF WE PRAYED FOR ONE ANOTHER IN THAT WAY:
THAT WE KNOW HIM AND KNOW HIS WILL FOR OUR LIVES
THAT WE WOULD WALK WITH: WORTHY, TEACHABLY, POWERFULLY!
THAT WE PRAISE HIM: THANKFUL FOR OUR SALVATION AND NEW LIFE IN HIM!
Let us commit ourselves to sensitive, fervent intercession for our brothers and sisters.
