Praying for Effective Faith

Atlanta TSA

Paul’s prayer for Philemon — that he would have an effective faith.

Second week in our He Hears series looking at the prayers of Paul in his letters.

Turn to Philemon

Opening Illustration - “Effectiveness.”

Atlanta TSA

Paul’s prayer for Philemon — that he would have an effective faith.

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Paul’s prayer life:

Prayed consistently - I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers

Prayed specifically - Mentions Philemon by name

Prayed purposefully - I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective

One of the greatest obstacles to a consistent prayer life is - “Not knowing what to say.”

Following the example of Paul — He prayed with purpose.

Believers should pray with purpose because we have a mission!

God has spoken and we know what He calls his children to do with our lives (Make disciples of all the nations) — we should pray with that purpose in mind.

In his prayer for Philemon, Paul is praying that Philemon would have an active and effective faith — one that brought glory to Jesus.

Question: Do you want your faith to be effective?

Within this prayer, Paul give insight into what it looks like to have an effective faith.

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Three Keys to Effective Faith

1. Effective faith is forged in community (6a)

“I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective...”

The phrase “participation in the faith” could also be translated “fellowship of faith,” “sharing of the faith,” “faith we hold in common” (MSG).

The word that Paul uses is one that we often use to describe a faith community.

Paul addresses this letter to Philemon and other church leaders, as well as the church that meets in his home.

Philemon lived among community.

To Philemon — This community is both spiritual and physical.

His community wasn’t simply once a week, it was a way of life.

He lived in fellowship with other believers.

Paul prays that this community would lead to Philemon’s effectiveness.

The word Paul uses for effectiveness was used to describe something being active and strong — used to describe medicines as they were effective treatments.

Pauls makes a clear connection between community and effective faith.

Paul’s prayer for effective faith begins with the community surrounding Philemon.

Your effectiveness for Jesus will be impacted by your willingness to be in community.

If you are trying to be a lone ranger Christian — not involved in the lives of other Christians outside of church, then you will not have a very effective faith.

On the other hand, if you participate in godly community, you will experience growth in a way that you have never experienced before.

According to Lifeway Research, People in small groups:

41% more likely to spend time with other believers in order to help them grow in their faith.

73% put their spiritual gifts to use

Increased church attendance and daily Bible reading.

69% feel closer to God.

74% understand the Bible better.

“God has supernaturally ordained community to sanctify His people” Ed Stetzer.

Do you wan to have an effective faith? Live in community with other believers.

LifeGroups

Are you praying for your community? Are you praying for your community to be effective, active, strong? Lets follow in Paul’s example to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ!

2. Effective faith facilitates a deeper relationship with Jesus (6b)

Paul prays that Philemon would experience community that would help his faith to be effective.

Paul then describes what this process looks like.

“through knowing every good thing that is in us.”

Paul prays that Philemon’s faith would become more effective by growing in the knowledge of God’s goodness.

The concept of “knowledge” in the first century was much different than our contemporary understanding.

To us knowledge is focused on information. When we say we know something that means we are cognitively aware of it.

“to be aware through observation, inquiry, or information.”

That is why I can say that I know it is cold in Antartica. I have been told that it tends to be pretty chilly down there. Never been there but that’s what I have observed.

To Paul, to know something meant much more than simply information — it emphasized intimacy.

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

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, 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;

The Psalmist calls for God to know him intimately — not simply be informed.

Paul wanted the Colossians not only to know the information of God’s will, but to intimately KNOW God.

When Paul prays that Philemon would KNOW all the good things in them, he is praying that Philemon would understand, meditate, and act on what God has done.

When we understand, meditate, and act on what God has done for us — we grow in our love for Jesus.

Paul knew that it in order for Philemon to have an effective faith he must be growing in his relationship with God.

You know what Satan wants believers to do most? NOTHING

He wants to lure you into a stagnant faith that is not growing — where you are not becoming more like Jesus each day.

Paul knew what it was like to be effective for the Lord — He knew that effective faith required growth.

Do you find yourself evaluating your walk with the Lord and being discontent? Do you think that you are ineffective for the Kingdom? How are you growing?

Just like Philemon — understand, meditate, and act on all the good things you have in Jesus.

Maybe your prayers should start by thanking God for all the good things you have in Jesus. For the physical and spiritual blessings you have!

3. Effective faith is for the glory of Jesus Christ (6c)

Paul ends this verse with the words, “For the glory of Christ.”

Paul’s prayers for Philemon’s faith were not self serving. His prayers were not focused on himself or even Philemon, they were focused on Jesus.

Effective faith has one purpose — the glorification of Christ!

You should not be motivated to have active faith:

By your desire to be a better person.

To impress others

To be a better leader

To be a better family member

To get a job

To accomplish a goal

Only one answer — to glorify Jesus Christ above all else.

Paul wanted Philemon to have an effective faith so that Jesus would be glorified.

Do you want to have an effective faith? What are your motivations?

Our Faith becomes effective when we place the object of our faith in the center of our life.

Somewhat self explanatory, but we mess this up.

We make Christianity about us… We make our church attendance about our preferences. We make our financial commitment about convenience. We don’t make it about Jesus.

You want to experience the most vibrant and life giving faith? Put yourself to death.

Are we praying that Christ would be glorified in our life? OR are we praying self-centered prayers?

God will take care of us. He wants to hear our concerns. We should have one concern above them all — the glory of Jesus.

As the band comes up and we prepare to respond to the Word of the Lord...

Some of you know that your faith is not very active… it isn’t very effective… its more stagnant.

Application

Plug into Christian community — join a LifeGroup

Understand, meditate, and act on what God has done for you in Jesus.

Take inventory of your motives. Seek to glorify Jesus more than anything else.

Spend time at the altar praying.

Pray for your community

Praise God for all the good things he has given you

Repent of misplaced motives.