Sermon Tone Analysis

Prayer that Promotes Joy

Philippians 1:3-11

Introduction:

It is possible to live above life’s circumstances.

It is possible to experience joy irregardless of your circumstances.

One of the resources available to the believer to aid in this is prayer.

Paul was able to engage in prayer for the Philippian believers “with joy.” (μετὰ χαρᾶς) (vs.

4).

The attitude of Paul was affected by his prayer life and his prayers were focused on aiding the Philippians in living above their circumstances and experiencing Christ’s abiding joy.

T. S.: Paul’s prayer for the Philippians contained 4 elements that promoted joy.

I- THANKFUL REFLECTION FOR FELLOW BELIEVERS (Philippians 1:3 – 5).

A- Thankful for the memories (Philippians 1:3 – 4).

1- Giving thanks changes the perspective of the one praying.

2- Giving thanks enables the pray-er to focus on the types of requests that can make a difference for the object of the prayers.

B- Thankful for continuing meaningful fellowship (Philippians 1:5).

1- Thankful for the quality of partnership.

κοινωνία= “a having in common (koinos), partnership, fellowship”

Partnership with a common mission and goal: “spreading the Good News about Christ.”

Christian fellowship is a marvel.

People who by nature have nothing in common find a common life in Christ.

Think again of Paul’s ministry in Philippi.

Lydia, the slave girl and the jailer had nothing in common until they came to Christ (Acts 16).

But the gospel of Christ made them partakers of the same life and partners in the same cause.

2- Thankful for the quantity of partnership.

a.

It was a lasting partnership.

“ from the time you first heard it until now.”

Because of this partnership, the Philippians and supported Paul both in his ministry and imprisonment.

They had sent him gifts while he was in Thessalonica (4:14 – 16) and in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:9).

They had done the latter by sending one of their own people effort Titus to minister to Paul (2:25; 4:18).

II- THOUGHTFUL REQUESTS FOR CONTINUED SPIRITUAL GROWTH (Philippians 1:6 – 8).

A- Request made with confidence in God’s continued activity (Philippians 1:6).

1- What God begins, he will finish.

a.

He has the power to do so.

(Romans 1:16)

(1 Peter 1:5)

B-Negative circumstances do not alter God’s power (Philippians 1:7).

1- Because of the grace received.

2- Negative circumstances do not alter God’s grace.

a.

Note the biblical examples:

Paul in prison

Peter in jail

Stephen during stoning

John on Patmos

III- THOROUGH INTERCESSION FOR A DEEPENING LIFE (Philippians 1:8 – 9).

A- Deepening in love (Philippians 1:8 – 9).

1- The type of love:

a. self – sacrificing love.

(John 15:13)

Love for other believers

(John 15:12)

Love for God

(Mark 12:30)

2- the way of love

(Romans 5:5)

a. abounding love

B- Deepening in knowledge (Philippians 1: 9 b).

1- Knowledge of who Jesus is (2 Peter 3:18).

C- Deepening in understanding (Philippians 1: 9 c).

1- knowledge of the key to Christian living.

(Colossians 1:27)

(Galatians 2:20)

IV- EARNEST REQUEST FOR THE RIGHT FOCUS IN LIFE (Philippians 1:10 – 11).

A- A focus on living out God’s best.

(Philippians 1:10 a).

1- There is a difference between what is good and what is best.

(1 Corinthians 3:10 – 15)

(John 10:10)

B- A focus on maintaining a pure heart before God.

(Philippians 1:10 b).

1- Standing firm for Christ.

(2 Peter 3:14)

(1 Peter 5:8-9)

C- A focus on being fruitful for Christ.

(Philippians 1:11).

1- Evangelistic fruit (souls won to Christ).

2- Fruit of the spirit – controlled life.

(Galatians 5:22 – 23)

Conclusion:

3 Εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ μου ἐπὶ πάσῃ τῇ μνείᾳ ὑμῶν, 4 πάντοτε ἐν πάσῃ δεήσει μου ὑπὲρ πάντων ὑμῶν μετὰ χαρᾶς τὴν δέησιν ποιούμενος 5 ἐπὶ τῇ κοινωνίᾳ ὑμῶν εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ἀπὸ τῆς πρώτης ἡμέρας ἄχρι τοῦ νῦν, 6 πεποιθὼς αὐτὸ τοῦτο, ὅτι ὁ ἐναρξάμενος ἐν ὑμῖν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐπιτελέσει ἄχρις ἡμέρας Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, 7 καθώς ἐστιν δίκαιον ἐμοὶ τοῦτο φρονεῖν ὑπὲρ πάντων ὑμῶν, διὰ τὸ ἔχειν με ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμᾶς, ἔν τε τοῖς δεσμοῖς μου καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀπολογίᾳ καὶ βεβαιώσει τοῦ εὐαγγελίου συγκοινωνούς μου τῆς χάριτος πάντας ὑμᾶς ὄντας.

8 μάρτυς γάρ μου ὁ θεός, ὡς ἐπιποθῶ πάντας ὑμᾶς ἐν σπλάγχνοις Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ.

9 καὶ τοῦτο προσεύχομαι, ἵνα ἡ ἀγάπη ὑμῶν ἔτι μᾶλλον καὶ μᾶλλον περισσεύῃ ἐν ἐπιγνώσει καὶ πάσῃ αἰσθήσει, 10 εἰς τὸ δοκιμάζειν ὑμᾶς τὰ διαφέροντα, ἵνα ἦτε εἰλικρινεῖς καὶ ἀπρόσκοποι εἰς ἡμέραν Χριστοῦ, 11 πεπληρωμένοι καρπὸν δικαιοσύνης τὸν διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, εἰς δόξαν καὶ ἔπαινον θεοῦ.