Transcript

Anatomy of A Prayer-Part One

Col. 1:9-11
Sunday, September 30, 2001
Pastor Randy Smith

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"Please don't send me any more of this stuff!" "Remove my address from your mailing list now." "Stop sending me your religious propaganda." "If you don't stop sending these emails, God is going to punish you! This is how a few unbelievers responded to our 9-11 gospel tract that was distributed via e-mail this week. Such hostility toward the gospel!

I find it ironic that last week's message was previously entitled, "Thanksgiving for God's Glorious Gospel." What a different perspective! We learned last week how this glorious gospel imparts the guaranteed hope of heaven, producing from it the byproducts of persevering faith and sacrificial love. We learned last week how the gospel makes local and universal impact because it is alive and constantly bearing fruit.

The gospel is the greatest news the world has ever received! Paul believed that, and we believe it, yet many reject it with such antagonism. Why? Is there a contradiction? Not according to the Bible! Jesus said: "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. A man's enemies will be the members of his household" (Mt. 10:34,36). "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you" (Jn 15:18). "I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world"(Jn 17:14).

According to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16: "For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life." And in

1 Corinthians 1:18 he says, "For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved (passive tense-God does the work) it is the power of God."

God is drawing men and women to Himself. He always has and He always will-until our Lord's return. And as we also learned last week, He uses human agencies to dispense His gospel of grace. It is not our responsibility to save. It is our responsibility to share. Many will reject it, but some will embrace it, cherish it and forsake all to accept it.

Think about it…an adequately presented gospel cannot be heard with neutrality. People will take sides. People will either hate the message (and the messenger), or embrace it as the only hope for eternal life. The Scriptures give no other options.

The Colossian church accepted the gospel. Paul began his prayer for the church with thanksgiving in verses 3-8. He was grateful for the impact of the gospel. In verses 9-14 Paul continues his prayer for the Colossian church in petition and praise. Verses 9-11 outline his specific petition and 12-14 his specific praise. In tracing the flow of Paul's overall prayer in verses 3-14, thanksgiving led to petition, and petition led to praise. As we exegete this section, this sequence alone will reveal a man after God's own heart. Specifically, this morning we'll be studying the petition of Paul's prayer in verses 9-11. I've entitled this message, "Anatomy of a Prayer-Part 1"

Recently we've seen many signs and slogans in our country promising prayer. For example, "Our prayers go out to America." I find it doubtful that the world is really laboring on their knees for this country. I find it doubtful that the world really understands how to pray for this country. I find it doubtful that God is hearing the prayers of the world. Possibly someone has even said to you, "You are in my prayers." Have you ever been tempted to ask what they mean by that statement? "How are you planning to specifically pray for me, how often, when and why do you think God should listen to your prayers?" The well-intended Samaritan would soon realize the shallowness of his comment and ignorance of the biblical practice. I think we would all agree that for many, the word prayer has come to mean nothing more than the expression of warm sentiment.

But what can be said about the church? Do we really know how to pray? As I meditated on verses 9-14, this prayer from the great apostle touched me. His concern was not over Aunt Erma's hangnail or sunny weather for Bobby's tee-ball game. These prayers unfortunately see God as a means to a greater end. Rather, Paul's focus was on the eternal, the spiritual which sees God as the greatest end. One author said, "(Paul's) prayer enters into the reader's situation and lifts the mind to see that situation in the light of God's purpose for the church." I trust that our study of this model prayer will assist you likewise in praying in a more God-glorifying fashion. If prayer for the Christian is synonymous to breathing, this topic should be of utmost priority in your life. For the next 2 sermons, I'd like to extract key principles from this prayer that will revolutionize our own prayer lives.

1. UNCEASING PRAYER (1:9a)

"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you…" (Col. 1:9). We've spent the past few weeks discussing God miraculous work amongst the Colossian church. We also mentioned that Paul did not personally plant the church or visit the church prior to his writing. But reports of the Colossians' reception of the gospel traveled back to Paul. Look at verse 8: " …and he (Epaphras)…also informed us of your love in the Spirit." These favorable reports immediately prompted Paul to pray.

In church life today, upon hearing bad news, we say, "I'll pray for you." How would you feel if you reported good news and someone said, "I'll pray for you?" Shocked (to say the least)? Remember, this was a good report that Paul received from Epaphras! The good report prompted him to pray. But why did he pray for these believers? He wanted them to excel even more. He wanted them to be protected, knowing that those who make the greatest difference for God's Kingdom are those who experience Satan's greatest assaults. He wanted them to stay humble in times of great blessing. There are few atheists in foxholes; there are few prayer warriors in times of blessing.

For example, it was C.S. Lewis who said, "I especially need your prayers because I am traveling across 'a plain called Ease'. Everything without and many things within are marvelously present." Paul's prayers were "preventative maintenance", not just seeking to "fixing people's problems."

Furthermore, Paul immediately (the text says "since the day we heard of it"), responded to that good report with unceasing prayer, because God was his confidence and people his concern. It was not the "you're in my thoughts" stuff. It was regular, intense, focused, purposeful and intentional petition with joy and thanksgiving. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul commanded the church to, "pray without ceasing". The only way we can fulfill that command is to be God conscious…seeing everything as an opportunity for prayer.

2. GENERAL PRAYER (1:9b-10a)

If that was Paul's attitude toward prayer, what was the content? "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects…" (Col. 1:9-10). Paul initially prays for the Colossian church to be filled ("totally controlled") with the knowledge of God's will.

Allow me to ask you some questions based on those verses: Knowledge of what? Answer, God's will. Paul is not talking about general knowledge, but specifically about the knowledge regarding God's will that we are to be seeking. The Christian is exhorted to gain godly knowledge. Paul said elsewhere: "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment…" (Phil 1:9). And in Philemon 1:6, "I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake." Gaining godly knowledge is a command! Additionally, every time the word knowledge is used in the New Testament it has moral or spiritual connotations and is in reference to the knowledge of God and His truth. We need to remove the notion that increased biblical knowledge brings division. Division comes not because we are too knowledgeable, but because biblical knowledge is insufficient and/or unapplied. Knowledge, in addition to wisdom and understanding (end of vs. 9), are given by the Spirit and mediated through the Word. They are to be sought after. That means we need to be at church to hear the Word. We need to be in the Word personally on a daily basis. For only through a regular saturation of the Word will we gain a greater knowledge God's will.

Question number two. What is God's will? God's will is understanding how God acts and what He expects from His children. It is revealed completely in the person of Christ. According to verse 9, we need to perceive His will with spiritual knowledge, wisdom and understanding. We are experts in batting averages, current events and the best jokes, but can anything be more important than knowing God's will? As we previously mentioned, an understanding of God's will comes from the Scriptures. Sometimes it is very obvious: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality" (1 Thes. 4:3), and "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thes. 5:16-18). Other times God's will needs to be extracted from the Scriptures by simply reading the "Good Book". But let me put it this way; it is God's will for you to know His will. When discerned, we should make it our ambition to walk in His will. Unfortunately, our lives are often self-focused with the theme-"Thy will be changed." Rather, we should make it our joy to pursue- "Thy will be done."

Question number three. Why do we need knowledge of God's will? Answer, because God puts no premium on ignorance. I can think of two comments I read this week regarding the recent 9-11 tragedy: "Many may be angry with God this morning," Vicar Samuel Johnson said. "That anger is all right. God can handle it. God expects it." Lauren Sandler writes a Salon.com. In her column she said, "My atheism has only been strengthened by this week of human catastrophe." A correct knowledge of God's Word would have prevented both of these erroneous comments from ever being mentioned.

Logically, the only way we can please God is to have an understanding of His will. You can't do what you don't know. That's why we put such an emphasis on the Bible here at The Grace Tabernacle! If our ultimate goal is to please God, we can't please God unless we know His will. We can't know His will without spiritual knowledge, and we can't gain spiritual knowledge without the Bible. The Bible imparts spiritual knowledge, spiritual knowledge reveals God's will, God's will outlines His expectations, and His expectations become our joy in living a life that is pleasing to Him.

You may ask, "Why do we need a spiritual understanding of God's will?" Paul in his prayer said it a whole lot better than I can. Look at verse 10: "So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects."

You can see how knowledge and action are inseparably bound together. Proper knowledge is the first step to proper action. The purpose of knowing the Word is not mere intellectualism. Knowledge without action leads to arrogance (1 Cor. 8:1) and an unloving spirit (1 Cor. 13:2). The ultimate action or goal of such biblical knowledge is clearly specified in verse 10: "…walking in a manner worthy of the Lord and pleasing Him in all respects".

Now I don't want to brush over this point! As a Christian, you should have no greater goal. Beloved, I ask you this morning, is that your goal? Think about that! Do you really want to conduct your life in a manner worthy of the Lord - one that brings glory and honor to who He is? Do you really want to please Him in all respects and seek His approval as your goal for living?

God doesn't want you to hear this sermon because it "counts toward" your religious merit. God doesn't want you to hear this sermon because it is Sunday morning. God wants you to hear this sermon and every sermon and read His Word so you can understand how to walk in a manner worthy of your calling and worthy of His Name. Don't let the sins of laziness, distractions, materialism or wrong priorities deter you.

There are countless opportunities throughout the week for you to walk worthy and please God - to put into use what you know in your head. How are you doing? Knowledge plus your will, all governed by the Holy Spirit, equals a God honoring life. Take any one out of the equation and your spiritual life is headed for spiritual disaster.

You might be saying, "Pastor, I don't know how to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord". In his prayer, Paul gives 4 specific examples as to how to live in a way that pleases God. Let's move to the third point, specific prayer.

3. SPECIFIC PRAYER (1:10b-12a)

Colossians 1:10-12: "So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Himin all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father…". Through the use of four participles, Paul spells out more specifically what is involved in walking worthy and pleasing the Lord. Let's examine each one of them individually.

Bearing Fruit - One way to please the Lord is to bear fruit. Literally, the text says to bear fruit in every good work. Last week we as a family went apple picking. I have never seen so many apple trees in one place. And though the trees themselves were small, each tree was filled with apples. Every time my daughter tried to pull an apple off the tree it seemed that 10 more would fall to the ground! In light of this sermon, I can remember thinking that those trees were the greatest illustration of a productive Christian that I have ever seen in my life. Just as those trees were loaded with fruit, God wants His children likewise to be loaded with fruit as well. Fruit identifies the physical health of a tree. Fruit identifies the spiritual health of a believer. Productive trees please the farmer. Productive Christians please the Father.

Specifically, fruit is the outworking of Christ in the life of the believer. In John 15:4-5 Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing." The church lives in a self-centered day and age when we want to bear fruit by bypassing the Vine.

Fruit comes in two packages. The first is "Attitude Fruit." "Attitude Fruit" is an internal fruit which is produced by the Holy Spirit. It's the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5). "Attitude Fruit" produces "Action Fruit": Coordinating a walk-for-life, sharing a biblical tract with 1,000 people, giving God glory in local newspaper article, planning a church fellowship, interest in baptism, attending a prayer service or ladies Bible study, teaching the children and youth of this church, leading a Bible study with co-workers, maturing as a husband and wife in Christ, writing encouraging notes to fellow believers, trusting God in a local tragedy, visiting an ill Christian brother in the hospital, concern for an aborted baby, seeking to reconcile a relationship, meeting late with other deacons, volunteering to serve food to the men on Saturday morning, cleaning the church, ministering Christ at the nursing home, public confession of sin, overseeing a youth group activity, bringing friends to a Bible study, assisting a baptism class, buying Christian literature, financially giving over and above, praying for the ill in this flock, designing a visitor's brochure, making a web-site more evangelistic…I could continue, but this was just some of the fruit I've observed amongst this flock in the past week. "Action Fruit" without "Attitude Fruit" is legalism (just cranking it out), but "Action Fruit" with "Attitude Fruit" is true spirituality. Fruit is the greatest test of our faith. Is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit really making a difference in our lives?

Increasing in Knowledge - In addition to bearing fruit, the second specific way one can please Christ is to "increase in the knowledge of God" (verse 10). I think the connection with knowledge and bearing fruit is rather obvious. But I find it fascinating that Paul so quickly returned to the knowledge of God after mentioning it in verse 9. Formerly, knowledge enabled us to please God (verse. 9). Now in verse 10, knowledge is a product of pleasing God.

Do you want to please God, grow in spiritual knowledge? Spiritual knowledge fuels an upward spiral. He or she who truly seeks to please God will seek to grow in knowledge. The more we grow in knowledge the more we will please God.

Bearing fruit pleases God. Increasing in knowledge pleases God. Third point, God is pleased when His children depend on His strength.

Being Strengthened - Verse. 11 says, "strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience." Ed Martin wrote, "Salvation is more than a matter of restoring standing with God; it is a transformation in which God is at work in believers as well as for them." So often in the Christian life, due to pride or a lack of faith, we attempt to bear fruit or fulfill the will of God based on our own strength. The problem with this mentality is two-fold.

First of all, we are not tapping into the spiritual power available to us, the power that raised Christ from the dead. After all, the text says the measure of the power is according to His glorious might! Paul said it in a similar way in another prayer in Ephesians 1:18-19: "I pray thatthe eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might." Both texts say "according to", not "out of."

For example, let's pretend I was a millionaire and you asked me for some money. If I said, "Here is $2.00, go and spend it wisely," I am giving out of my riches. But if I offer to assist you with a $2,000 check, now I am giving according to my riches.

Second, we fail to depend on God strength; we are not allowing God to work through us whereby He might receive the glory. We must remember that it is not we who work for God (Ac. 17:25), but rather it is God who works through us. Accord to 2 Corinthians 4, we are an unattractive jar filled with the glory of God. The container is meaningless when compared to the contents. God is pleased when His children serve Him according to the glorious power that He provides. This shows a need, surrender and a dependence on Him. In that the creature is taken out of the picture and the Creator receives all the glory. God can only be pleased when He is the source and the energy behind our work.

Joyously Giving Thanks - God is pleased when His children bear fruit, increase in knowledge, and depend on His strength. Fourthly, God is pleased when His children joyously give thanks (mentioned in verses. 11-12). God is not a celestial killjoy. He wants His children to rejoice so much that He commands it in Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" Here's where we go wrong. We think we should be able to make the decisions as to what makes us happy and satisfied. The folly of this rebellion is that we think that we are wiser, and thus better able than the all-loving, omniscient, omnipotent God to provide for the cravings of our soul. That is the spirit of rebellion. That is the spirit that eventually led Adam and Eve to the fall, believing their plan was better than God's plan. But we must remember that God is good and loving to His children. He is a God who has a perfect plan for our lives. He has promised us eternal bliss in heaven and unfathomable riches in Christ. When we understand these truths, we as Christians should be the happiest people on the planet! We should be overflowing with spontaneous joy. We should express thanksgiving directed to the One who makes this wonderful life a reality- God the Father. Should we doubt why Paul said, "Joyously giving thanks to the Father" (Col. 1:11-12)? We please God by a life of continual joy. We please God by a life of continual gratitude. The two aspects go together.

So in conclusion, you may be asking, "What can I take away from this message?" First of all we must pursue knowledge of God's will to lead a life that is worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him. Also, we must seek to please God by bearing fruit, increasing in godly knowledge, depending on His strength and joyously giving thanks. But let's not miss the big picture. All these imperatives are couched in the context of prayer. Because as much as we desire these qualities in our own lives, we should, like Paul, desire them in the lives of our fellow believers. Oh how much more pleasing to God our Christians lives would be if we would pray for each other in such a fashion.