Philippians (2016) Paul’s Prayer

Philippians

Paul’s Prayer – Phil 1:1-9

v4 – Always offering prayer

v9 – And this I pray

(1) PAUL PRAYS FOR THEIR LIFE AND THEIR LIPS – Phil 1:7

A. Their Life – Work – this is the confirmation of the gospel.

*this is the building up of the people through the church

Confirmation – means to make stable; to be established in one’s life

a. this is developing disciples – a transformation of lives

b. Paul prayed that there would deb a hungering and thirsting after the Lord & His Word

B. Their Lips – Paul prays for their lips and words.  We must be verbal and defend the gospel

*defense – is apologia – apologetics – to defend the gospel against outside attacks of the enemy – 2 Timothy 4:1

*defend the gospel against false doctrine/false teachers

(2) PAUL PRAYS FOR THE PHILIPPIANS TO SEE THAT GOD SEES – v8

v8 – “For God is my witness” – God sees

Genesis 16:1-13 – Hagar was abandoned, mistreated, isolated…….

—-v13 – God sees and she saw that God sees

1. Seeing is a person word – Prov 15:3

-the Lord knows us personally, knows we exist & we have His full attention

2. Seeing is an action word – Psalm 121:1-8

-He sees and also takes action

3. Seeing is a convicting word – Psalm 139:1-12

(3) PAUL PRAYS FOR AN INCREASE IN GOD’S LOVE – V9

-to increase love in our lives, love must first exist

-God’s love is a fruit and not a feeling – it can grow and abound

*******abound – means to flow and overflow continually

-God’s love is an action word

-God’s love should increase in 2 ways:

(1) REAL KNOWLEDGE – this is love gained through experience

(2) ALL DISCERNMENT – means to be sensitive