“A Prayer That Strengthens Believers”
Philippians 1:3–11
Thankful for the People of God
Philippians 1:3–5
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
Thankful for their fellowship in the gospel
They supported Paul in prayer and partnership
Philippians 4:15–16
Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
True fellowship is working together for Christ
Amos 3:3
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Thankful with joy
“Always… making request with joy” (v.4).
Joy comes from unity in the Spirit
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it isfor brethren to dwell together in unity!
Acts 2:46–47
So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
They remained faithful from the beginning
“From the first day until now” (v.5).
Faithful believers strengthen the whole church
Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Confident in the Work of God
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
God starts the work
Salvation is God’s doing
Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.”
Ephesians 2:8–9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
God continues the work
We are being transformed “from glory to glory”
II Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Spirit works in us both to will and to do
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
God will finish the work
“Until the day of Jesus Christ.”
We will be made like Him
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
God completes what He begins
Psalm 138:8
The Lord will [a]perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.
To sum it up Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
Praying for the Growth of God’s People
Philippians 1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Growth in love
Love that “abounds more and more” (v.9).
Love grows in knowledge and discernment
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Growth in holiness
Approving things that are excellent (v.10).
Living “sincere and without offense”
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
1 Peter 1:15-16
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Growth in fruitfulness
“Filled with the fruits of righteousness” (v.11).
The fruit comes only through Jesus
John 15:4–5
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Fruit of the Spirit confirms maturity
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Conclusion
Paul shows us how to pray:
1. Thank God for His people.
2. Trust God’s work in His people.
3. Pray for growth in His people.