Petitions for a Church: An Apostle's Request

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,

Paul sets an example

This specific text is not a command

the command occurs else-wear (James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18,

A general principle of praying for “us” is also seen throughout Scripture (“give us this day our daily bread” or “deliver us from temptation”)

Here, Paul offers a prayer for a specific church and it can inform our own prayers

I. Pray for your church (9-10a)

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

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;

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, 10b so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him

A. Pray for the knowledge of God’s will.

B. Pray that the knowledge will produce a godly lifestyle.

A. Pray for the knowledge of God’s will.

This text is specifically asking God to do the filling

Paul is not talking here about what we often refer to with the phrase “God’s will”

Instead, as the text defines it, Paul is praying for...

Spiritual wisdom and understanding

When taken in the overall context of the book and especially regarding the hymn about Jesus that we will be talking about next week, this spiritual wisdom and understanding would seem to indicate, as one commentator put it...

a deep and abiding understanding of the revelation of Christ and all that he means for the universe (vv. 15–20) and for the Colossians (21-23).

B. Pray that the knowledge will produce a godly lifestyle.

Exposition 2 (10b-12a)

II. Live a life that is pleasing to God (10b-12a)

Colossians 1:10–12 ESV

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.

10b 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; 12a giving thanks to the Father

Four aspect to a life that pleases God:

Bear fruit in good works

Grow in knowledge of God

Be empowered

Thank the God of your salvation

Exposition 3 (12b-14)

Colossians 1:12–14 ESV

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.

12b 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.

III. God the Father transfers believers from the kingdom to sin the the Kingdom of the Son who bought us (12b-14)

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