Paul’s Prayer for the Church

Introduction: Paul is imprisoned and sends this letter to the church in Philippi. The first few verses of this chapter demonstrate Paul’s humility and thoughtfulness towards this Philippian congregation. This text today further displays Paul’s intentional regard for the Church in Philippi through prayer. This portion of scripture is considered a prayer. It offers us the details of how Paul petitioned God to bless the Church in Philippi.

Transition: We must follow the example of Paul and pray for the Church as Paul did but we need to also live and practice what Paul depicts in this prayer.

Paul Prays for the Attitude of the Church

Philippians 1:9 ESV

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

Explain spiritual growth, Paul prays that the people of this church would express themselves spiritually. That their lives would continue to reflect the attitude of Christ towards one another.

He prays that the church grows in love

abound- means to overflow. Continue to love and express that love regardless of their own situation and circumstances.

more & more

that the Church is characterized by Love like God .

1 John 4:8 ESV

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

He prays that the church grows in knowledge

know Christ

He prays that the church grows in discernment

discernment- It refers to the ability to make proper moral decisions in the midst of a vast array of differing and difficult choices

It refers to the ability to make proper moral decisions in the midst of a vast array of differing and difficult choices

It means to see below the surface.

Illustration: Story is told of a young man who was serving at a church but wanted to be somewhere else. He was uncomfortable with the people and felt like none of them liked him. He was looking for a way out. One an elderly lady who had been observing him pulled him to the side and told him, “Young man until you are happy where you are you’ll never be happy anywhere else. No matter where you go you will always be miserable, you need to change your attitude”

Transition: So it is in with us. We must change our attitude towards our situations and pray for the right type of attitude within the Church

Application: Begin to view every action and each interaction with others as an opportunity to express the love of Christ. Become excited and fall in love with the Word of God. Seek to know Christ more and more. Do you pray for the Church

Transition:

Paul Prays for the Sanctification of the Church

Philippians 1:10 ESV

so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

The Church is called to be different and distinctive. Paul prays that the Church would live up to this Godly standard of holiness. When we speak of holy we speak of God’s method of Holiness. It means to be set apart for the Lord.

Prays that the Church exemplify what is the Will of God

approve - test or live as proof

That the Church will be pure

uncontaminated by the world

the church must influence not be

That the Church will be blameless

the church is obligated to operate with Godliness

The day of Christ - live with the expectation of the return of Jesus.

Illustration:

Application:

Transition:

Paul Prays for the Glorification of the Church

Philippians 1:11 ESV

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The ultimate purpose of every Believer is to bring God glory. Paul prays that the life of each of the believers in Philippi would bring God glory. How is this done?

1. By being filled with the fruit of righteousness

2.

Illustration: The story has been told of a do-it-yourselfer who went into a hardware store early one morning and asked for a saw. The salesman took a chain saw from the shelf and commented that it was their “newest model, with the latest in technology, guaranteed to cut ten cords of firewood a day.” The customer thought that sounded pretty good, so he bought it on the spot.

The story has been told of a do-it-yourselfer who went into a hardware store early one morning and asked for a saw. The salesman took a chain saw from the shelf and commented that it was their “newest model, with the latest in technology, guaranteed to cut ten cords of firewood a day.” The customer thought that sounded pretty good, so he bought it on the spot.

The next day the customer returned, looking somewhat exhausted. “Something must be wrong with this saw,” he moaned. “I worked as hard as I could and only managed to cut three cords of wood. I used to do four with my old-fashioned saw.” Looking confused, the salesman said, “Here, let me try it out back on some wood we keep there.” They went to the woodpile, the salesman pulled the cord, and as the motor went Vvvrooommm, the customer leaped back and exclaimed, “What’s that noise?”

The customer trying to saw wood without the power of the saw to help him is very much like the believer who attempts to live the Christian life without the daily empowerment of the Spirit.

Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 320.

Application:

Conclusion: