WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:03.459 Well, what a joy and delight this service has been already. 00:00:03.580 --> 00:00:08.339 My heart's been encouraged and warmed just with the singing and the hearing of God's 00:00:08.339 --> 00:00:08.679 Word. 00:00:09.640 --> 00:00:15.759 But I am excited as well about a message that I believe God has for us as a church on the 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:17.100 brink of the new year. 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:21.660 Before we do jump in and get started, I would like to dismiss the children. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:23.120 They're already on their way out. 00:00:23.859 --> 00:00:29.879 Kindergarten through fifth graders, please head on back and enjoy your time. 00:00:29.879 --> 00:00:33.100 Together in the Children's Ministry. 00:00:35.479 --> 00:00:39.820 Well, it's been said before, but I'll just like to add my greetings, my welcome to you. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:42.140 Happy New Year to each one of you. 00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:46.700 It's good to be gathered together with you here on this first Sunday of 2015. 00:00:47.519 --> 00:00:50.399 And speaking of the new year, let me ask you a question. 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:52.460 Any New Year's resolutions out there? 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:54.700 Anybody have anything that they'd like to do? 00:00:54.799 --> 00:00:54.939 Yeah. 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:59.759 So, to be honest, about 10 or 15 years ago, I used to be a little bit jaded. 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:03.660 I used to be a little bit anti New Year's resolutions. 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:07.500 I used to say, well, if you've got to change something, do it. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:08.320 Change it now. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:09.500 Don't wait for the new year. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:11.520 And, you know, there is truth to that. 00:01:11.600 --> 00:01:13.780 There is something to be said for that. 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:14.799 Don't wait. 00:01:15.020 --> 00:01:15.719 Change now. 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:22.640 But I have, over time, come to realize that there is a goodness, a freshness in the cycles 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:28.219 of life, in new seasons, a good time for a new growth and a renewed vision. 00:01:28.620 --> 00:01:31.519 And I've become a little bit less anti New Year's resolution. 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:36.000 And I actually have a few myself that I'd like to see God work and do in my life. 00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:42.459 So, speaking of New Year's resolutions, an article that I read recently, top five New Year's 00:01:42.459 --> 00:01:42.980 resolutions. 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:48.060 These are the most popular ones, you know, that people generally make year after year 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:48.540 after year. 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:51.799 Number five, take up a new hobby. 00:01:52.159 --> 00:01:53.039 Learn something new. 00:01:53.140 --> 00:01:54.280 New activity, new hobby. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:58.460 Number four, make more money. 00:01:58.700 --> 00:01:58.799 Right. 00:01:58.920 --> 00:01:59.240 That's right. 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:00.140 Make more money. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:00.960 Get a better job. 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:01.960 Something along those lines. 00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:05.500 Number three, improve my relationships. 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:07.139 Improve my relationships. 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:10.959 And that certainly is a worthy and good resolution. 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:12.959 Number two, stop. 00:02:14.079 --> 00:02:15.259 Stop smoking. 00:02:15.579 --> 00:02:15.780 Right. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:16.680 Stop smoking. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:22.859 And number one, the number one, year after year after year, New Year's resolution is 00:02:22.859 --> 00:02:25.319 to lose weight. 00:02:25.459 --> 00:02:25.900 That's right. 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:27.900 To be more healthy. 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:32.920 And, you know, there is nothing wrong in and of themselves with any of these New Year's 00:02:32.920 --> 00:02:33.460 resolutions. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:40.719 But let me just remind you that if your goal, if our goal is simply to be healthy, wealthy, 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:44.819 and wise, then our goals are far too short. 00:02:45.700 --> 00:02:47.599 Our goals are far too low. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:50.640 We need to have an eternal perspective. 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:56.400 We need to be seeking after the things that are above and the things that are pleasing to 00:02:56.400 --> 00:02:56.819 God. 00:02:56.819 --> 00:02:57.180 God. 00:02:58.079 --> 00:03:02.239 This New Year, let's strive to put a priority on things of eternal significance. 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:04.239 Not simply learning more. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:05.939 Not simply earning more. 00:03:06.079 --> 00:03:08.500 Not simply smoking less or weighing less. 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:13.199 But instead, let's be growing in our relationship with God. 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:18.639 And let's be encouraging each other in their spiritual growth as well. 00:03:19.199 --> 00:03:21.659 And so we often wish each other a Happy New Year. 00:03:21.959 --> 00:03:25.259 We wish each other success in the New Year. 00:03:25.259 --> 00:03:32.879 But in Colossians chapter 1, our text this morning, Paul didn't simply wish people happiness. 00:03:33.399 --> 00:03:36.120 Paul didn't simply wish people success. 00:03:36.120 --> 00:03:38.740 But Paul prayed for them. 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:42.360 Paul prayed for their spiritual prosperity. 00:03:43.539 --> 00:03:47.060 Turn, if you would, to Colossians chapter 1 this morning. 00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:49.680 We're going to read through verses 1 through 14. 00:03:50.060 --> 00:03:53.240 And then we're going to really focus in on verses 9 through 14. 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:56.340 Earlier this week, I shot off a quick email to Mary. 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:59.680 And I said, we're going to be looking at verses 1 through 11. 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:00.900 And that was a typo. 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:02.699 We're going to be looking at 1 through 14. 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:09.560 But don't worry, today we are going to specifically be focusing in on just those last few verses, verses 9 through 14. 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:17.079 And so Paul prayed very specifically for the spiritual prosperity of the Colossian believers. 00:04:17.579 --> 00:04:23.980 Paul prayed that these believers would grow and that they would develop in several very specific ways. 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:27.680 And so we need to ask ourselves a question. 00:04:28.080 --> 00:04:30.780 In fact, there's going to be lots of questions and answers. 00:04:30.939 --> 00:04:32.120 That's kind of my format today. 00:04:32.180 --> 00:04:37.000 We're going to work our way through this passage, asking questions and answering those questions 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:42.700 to better understand how we can pray for each other in this new year. 00:04:42.700 --> 00:04:45.920 And so we need to ask ourselves the question, 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:54.040 how does the prayer that we see in Colossians chapter 1 line up with our own prayers? 00:04:54.439 --> 00:05:02.720 In other words, how closely do our prayers mirror the prayer that we see Paul praying on behalf of the Colossian believers? 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:09.020 What is it that we tend to pray for when we pray for other believers? 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:14.480 And so to fully understand what Paul was praying on behalf of the Colossians 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:17.259 and to fully understand how we should be praying, 00:05:17.700 --> 00:05:20.100 we're going to work our way through this passage together. 00:05:20.540 --> 00:05:22.420 So Colossians chapter 1 this morning. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:26.220 If you're using one of the Pew Bibles, it's page 1831. 00:05:27.180 --> 00:05:28.660 Colossians chapter 1. 00:05:29.660 --> 00:05:30.700 Verse 1. 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:36.180 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and Timothy our brother, 00:05:36.780 --> 00:05:40.040 to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae, 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:44.140 grace to you and peace from God our Father. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:48.220 So these first two verses, just introductory here, kind of like an email, 00:05:48.340 --> 00:05:52.100 who's writing it, who they're writing to, what this is about. 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:55.280 So Paul and Timothy, co-workers in the gospel, 00:05:55.759 --> 00:05:59.000 are together writing this letter to the believers, 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:01.900 to the men and women in the church of Colossae. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:06.300 And he's wishing them grace and peace from God to them. 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:07.379 Verse 3. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:12.079 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:17.459 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:19.860 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. 00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:24.680 Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:29.899 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing, 00:06:29.899 --> 00:06:32.879 as it also does among you. 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:37.679 Since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 00:06:38.139 --> 00:06:41.359 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our fellow servant, 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:45.219 he is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:49.560 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 00:06:50.179 --> 00:06:53.799 All right, so this next paragraph here, verses 3 through 8, again, introductory. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:56.199 Basically, what Paul is saying here is, 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:57.000 you know what? 00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:59.300 I have never been to Colossae. 00:06:59.400 --> 00:07:01.240 I have never been to the church in Colossae. 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:03.560 I've never met most of you as believers. 00:07:04.280 --> 00:07:07.500 And although I have not met you, I have heard about you. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:11.600 And although I don't know you, I am still praying for you. 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:15.040 And he references a man here named Epaphras. 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:18.060 Epaphras was an early believer in the city of Colossae. 00:07:18.400 --> 00:07:22.620 He was one of the founding believers that helped get the church started there. 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:29.439 And he has been passing along good reports to Paul of the spiritual growth, 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:35.600 of the new life, of the fruit that God is producing in these Colossian believers' lives. 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:37.100 And what is Paul's response? 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:41.560 He says, we thank God and we pray for you. 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:43.860 We praise God for what he's doing, 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:49.980 and we pray that God will continue to do it in a greater and greater way. 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:55.300 Basically, that's what Paul's prayer for these Colossian believers is, 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:59.319 is that they will continue to grow spiritually. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:05.040 He is praying for the spiritual growth and the well-being of these believers. 00:08:06.780 --> 00:08:10.600 And so it's interesting that even though Paul had never met them, 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:12.480 he was still interested in them. 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:16.340 And so that should influence the way that we pray. 00:08:16.700 --> 00:08:18.360 There's lots of people in this room here today, 00:08:18.460 --> 00:08:21.379 a couple hundred people probably close to in the church today. 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:24.060 And you probably don't know everybody. 00:08:24.400 --> 00:08:27.780 But that doesn't mean that you can't pray for everybody who's in here. 00:08:28.080 --> 00:08:32.420 You can pray for the spiritual growth and the well-being of those that you know 00:08:32.420 --> 00:08:34.820 and of those fellow believers, 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:38.340 those men and women here in this church and elsewhere that you don't know. 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:42.519 Paul was interested in the spiritual growth of the Colossian believers, 00:08:42.780 --> 00:08:46.019 even though that's not where he directly was ministering and serving. 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:50.019 And so again, we're going to ask ourselves a series of questions and answers this morning. 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:52.680 So my initial question for you once again is, 00:08:53.139 --> 00:09:00.160 how often do you pray for Christians in the same way that Paul prayed for the Colossian believers? 00:09:00.440 --> 00:09:06.500 How often do you pray for other believers in the same way that we see Paul praying for these believers? 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:09.080 Now, think about it here for a minute. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:13.299 Think about the last time that you prayed for another believer, 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:15.279 another brother or sister in Christ. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.879 What was it that you prayed for? 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:19.019 Maybe you prayed for health. 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:20.539 Maybe you prayed for healing. 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:22.840 Maybe you prayed for a job. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:31.259 Maybe you prayed for some other type of activity or event or situation in their lives. 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:34.820 And there's not anything wrong with praying for those things. 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:37.280 We should pray for those things. 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:40.260 But if we look at the scope of Scripture, 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:42.940 and if we look at the prayers that we see in Scripture, 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:49.300 the vast majority of the prayers in the Bible are for the spiritual growth 00:09:49.300 --> 00:09:52.080 and the spiritual well-being of other believers, 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:58.820 more than the physical needs and the situations and circumstances that we find ourselves in. 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:00.620 Now, we should pray for those things, 00:10:00.800 --> 00:10:06.140 but we should even more importantly be praying that in and through those circumstances, 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:07.660 in and through those situations, 00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:14.860 that God will be getting a work done and growing and building and encouraging spiritual growth 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:17.820 in the lives of his children. 00:10:18.800 --> 00:10:21.140 So, what is it that we should pray? 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:25.199 How is it that we should pray for Paul, for other believers, 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:27.740 in the same way that Paul prayed for these Colossian believers? 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:29.819 Well, look at verse 9, if you would. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.220 Verse 9, he says, 00:10:31.299 --> 00:10:32.699 And so from the day we heard it, 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:35.600 in other words, from the day we got the report from Epaphras, 00:10:35.600 --> 00:10:38.860 we have not ceased to pray for you, 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:42.019 asking that you be filled with the knowledge of his will 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:45.180 in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:47.139 So we have to ask ourselves a question, 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:49.420 what does it mean to not cease? 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:55.740 Does that mean literally 24-7 prayer, non-stop, 00:10:56.040 --> 00:10:59.259 never doing anything else but praying for the well-being, 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:01.680 the spiritual well-being and growth of other believers? 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:03.200 No, obviously it doesn't. 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:07.200 Obviously it can't mean that, that's physically not possible. 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:11.140 But I believe what he means by saying not ceased 00:11:11.140 --> 00:11:16.680 is that he is regularly, consistently, purposefully praying 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:19.600 for the spiritual well-being of these believers. 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:21.900 So my question for you is, 00:11:22.060 --> 00:11:26.180 are you regularly, consistently, purposefully praying 00:11:26.180 --> 00:11:30.500 for the spiritual well-being of other believers? 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:32.240 Do you make that a priority? 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:36.779 Do you have a plan to make that happen in your life? 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:40.180 Not just simply randomly praying, not simply haphazardly, 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:42.820 not just when somebody happens to come to your mind, 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:46.960 but do you consistently, regularly, purposefully pray 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:50.180 for the spiritual well-being of other believers? 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:56.379 Paul also says here that he desires that these believers be filled 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:58.579 with the knowledge of God's will. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:00.759 We're going to get to that God's will part in just a minute here, 00:12:00.979 --> 00:12:02.459 but let's look at that word filled. 00:12:02.839 --> 00:12:04.620 What does it mean to be filled? 00:12:05.319 --> 00:12:09.219 To be completely saturated, filled, influenced by, 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:11.939 in every single area of your life. 00:12:12.459 --> 00:12:14.240 Think about Ephesians 5.18. 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.120 Paul says, 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:16.539 Do not get drunk with wine, 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:20.019 but be filled with the Spirit. 00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:23.039 Completely under the influence of the Spirit, 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:25.940 every single action that you do, 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:28.139 every single inch of your life, 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:32.120 being saturated and influenced by 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:34.799 the power of the Holy Spirit 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:36.579 and the truth of God's word. 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:40.479 All right, so, not 24-7, 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:42.519 but consistently and purposefully, 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:45.919 filled, being completely saturated, 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:48.599 but what is it that Paul was praying 00:12:48.599 --> 00:12:50.500 that they would be completely saturated with? 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:53.379 What is it that he wanted them to be completely filled 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:56.519 to the brim with as he consistently and regularly 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:58.599 and purposefully prayed for them? 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:02.200 He says that he desires 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:06.300 that they are filled with a knowledge of God's will. 00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:06.980 Verse 9, 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:08.860 And so from the day we heard it, 00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:10.180 we have not ceased to pray for you, 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:13.700 asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:17.120 in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:18.740 All right, so here's another question. 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:21.460 What is God's will? 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:23.120 Or more specifically, 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:25.680 in this passage that we're looking at this morning, 00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:27.600 what is God's will? 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:32.180 Very oftentimes, people think of God's will 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:36.279 or knowing God's will as knowing who they should marry 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:38.180 or where they should live 00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:40.860 or what job opportunities they should pursue 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:43.940 or what church they should become an active member in. 00:13:44.440 --> 00:13:45.879 People are wanting to know, 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:48.580 what does God want me to do? 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:52.080 They think of God's will as being a very specific, 00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:54.080 highly personalized plan 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:57.800 that they need to discover for themselves. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:00.460 But biblically speaking, 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:04.300 that's, again, not often how we see God's will defined. 00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:06.779 In fact, more often than not, 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:12.480 God's will is simply another word for God's commands. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:16.740 God's will is God's revealed command. 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:20.220 Now, at times, the Bible does talk about God's will 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:22.720 referring to his unchanging, 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:24.680 sovereign control of the universe. 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:27.220 God's will will be done. 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.320 It's unchanging. 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:31.500 It is set before the world was even created. 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:33.960 God's will will happen. 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:37.200 His sovereign control over everything. 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:40.779 But the way that God's will is used in this passage 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.800 and throughout Scripture 00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:45.740 really isn't something hidden that needs to be discovered, 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:49.960 but it is something revealed that needs to be obeyed. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:53.620 God's will is God's word. 00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:57.440 God's will is God's truth for our lives. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:01.759 It is something that we need to step out and obey, 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.799 not seek out and discover. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:07.279 So where is it that God's will is revealed? 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:09.279 If it's revealed, if it's not hidden, 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:11.600 if it's plainly available to us, 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.940 where is it that we can discover God's will? 00:15:13.940 --> 00:15:20.180 God's will is revealed by God's spirit in God's word. 00:15:21.260 --> 00:15:23.560 1 Thessalonians 4.3 says, 00:15:23.920 --> 00:15:26.780 For this is the will of God, your sanctification, 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:29.940 that you abstain from sexual immorality. 00:15:30.380 --> 00:15:32.340 All right, so part of the spiritual growth, 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:34.800 part of sanctification includes 00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:37.980 abstaining from sexual immorality. 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.660 What is God's will? 00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:42.840 Well, one aspect of it is to be sexually pure. 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:46.879 That's a clearly revealed command in scripture 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.860 that we need to step out and obey. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:51.899 Again, 1 Thessalonians 5.3, 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.899 verses 16, 17, and 18. 00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:55.139 What is God's will? 00:15:55.820 --> 00:15:56.500 Verse 16. 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.800 Rejoice always. 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.820 Pray without ceasing. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:02.780 Giving thanks in all circumstances, 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:06.660 for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you. 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:11.139 Again, clearly revealed truths in God's word 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:13.299 for us to step out and obey. 00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:15.819 That is God's will for us. 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:17.980 And so when Paul is praying 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:21.039 that these Colossian believers would be filled, 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.600 completely saturated, 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:25.659 with a knowledge of the will of God, 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:28.439 he's praying that they would be filled 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:30.699 with the word of God 00:16:30.700 --> 00:16:34.640 and empowered by the spirit of God. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.820 Another question, 00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:39.340 what does it mean to be filled with 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.420 not only God's will, 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:42.759 but spiritual wisdom and understanding? 00:16:43.640 --> 00:16:45.140 Okay, so it's not just enough 00:16:45.140 --> 00:16:47.040 to know something in our head. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:49.800 It's not just enough to hear something in our ears, 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:53.800 but we must step out and do it, right? 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:55.920 Our Wednesday night small group studies, 00:16:56.140 --> 00:16:57.560 Emily and I had the privilege 00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:59.600 of being in the James study group. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.960 And as you know, that's a key theme of James. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.320 Not just hearing the word, 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.539 but stepping out and doing it. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:06.200 Not just saying you believe it, 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:07.940 but actually living it out, 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.140 living out the truth. 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.099 And so Paul here says, 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:14.000 I want you to be filled with a knowledge 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.940 of God's will for you, 00:17:16.360 --> 00:17:19.140 and I want you to step out and do it. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:21.220 I want you to apply that knowledge, 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:23.339 practically speaking, to your lives. 00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:24.599 Spiritual wisdom. 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:28.860 Wisdom, practically applying the truth to your life. 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:30.979 Living out the knowledge that you have. 00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:33.519 All right, so Paul prayed 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:35.539 that the Colossian Christians' lives 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:38.699 would be completely saturated with a knowledge 00:17:38.699 --> 00:17:42.819 and an application of God's will in their lives. 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.759 And that leads us to another question. 00:17:45.219 --> 00:17:48.559 Why, out of everything that Paul could have prayed for, 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:51.919 why is it that he prayed that prayer? 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:52.959 That's the prayer. 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.099 That's the bulk of the prayer. 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:56.679 And everything that follows supports that 00:17:56.679 --> 00:17:57.959 and fleshes it out. 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:00.059 The prayer that Paul prayed 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:01.439 is that they would be filled 00:18:01.439 --> 00:18:03.759 with a knowledge of the will of God 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:06.059 and that they would practically apply it and live it out. 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:07.079 Why did he pray that? 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:09.719 And by extension, why should we pray that? 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:11.619 Why should we pray that for each other? 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:13.799 The answer is, 00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:17.839 so that they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:20.819 and be fully pleasing to him. 00:18:21.199 --> 00:18:22.239 Verse 10 says, 00:18:22.699 --> 00:18:25.279 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, 00:18:25.439 --> 00:18:26.779 fully pleasing to him, 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:28.659 bearing fruit in every good work, 00:18:28.739 --> 00:18:29.679 so on and so forth. 00:18:29.739 --> 00:18:32.359 We'll continue working our way on through those things. 00:18:32.479 --> 00:18:33.939 But to answer the question, 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:36.219 why out of everything he could have prayed for, 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.779 he prayed that they would be filled 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.339 with the knowledge of God's will, 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.639 the answer is, 00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:43.179 so that they will walk in a manner 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:44.740 worthy of the Lord 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:48.220 and be fully pleasing to him. 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:51.319 Let's break it down a little bit further. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.399 Let's ask ourselves, 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.939 what do these words mean? 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.319 Words mean something. 00:18:55.679 --> 00:18:58.039 Paul chose these words for a specific meaning. 00:18:58.679 --> 00:19:00.919 Why is he using the word walk here? 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:03.379 Many people's New Year's resolution 00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:05.139 is to be healthy, lose weight. 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.599 He's not talking about walking 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:08.159 as an exercise plan here. 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:10.019 Paul is talking about walking 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:14.540 being a synonym for your lifestyle, 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:16.740 for how you live. 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:18.980 The way you walk is the way you live. 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:21.980 Your walk is your lifestyle. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:24.019 And so Paul says 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:26.540 that he wants these Colossian believers, 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:28.140 that he wants their lifestyle 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:31.660 to be worthy of the Lord 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:34.200 and fully pleasing to him. 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:36.240 And we say, 00:19:36.340 --> 00:19:38.759 well, it's by grace that we've been saved. 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.640 It's by God's mercy alone 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.799 that he has saved us. 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:44.640 We are not worthy of salvation. 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:47.539 We are not worthy of a relationship with God. 00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:49.080 So we need to ask ourselves, 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:51.140 what does this word worthy mean? 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:55.340 The idea here is an idea of weightiness. 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:59.080 To be worthy is to be of equal weight. 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:01.079 You know those old time scales 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:04.039 where you put a fixed weight on this side 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:06.419 and you put a pile of something else on this side 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:08.119 and it balances out. 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:10.000 And once it finds its equilibrium, 00:20:10.439 --> 00:20:12.720 you know that they are of equal weight. 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:15.819 Well, that's how our lives should be as believers. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:18.199 When our life is on this side 00:20:18.199 --> 00:20:21.299 and the life of Christ is on this side, 00:20:21.699 --> 00:20:22.740 it should be equal. 00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:23.619 It should be balanced. 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:27.659 Our lives should be a reflection of Christ's life. 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.820 That's the goal. 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.700 That's what we should be striving for. 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.480 Of equal weight. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:35.120 Believers are to be an equal standard 00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:36.680 to God's standards. 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:40.900 We are to be holy as God is holy. 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:44.180 And we are to be fully pleasing. 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:47.040 What is the goal of the Christian life? 00:20:47.300 --> 00:20:51.640 The goal of the Christian life is Christ-likeness. 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:55.180 To glorify God and to enjoy him 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.900 and to live for him 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:58.019 and to serve others, 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:01.660 but ultimately to be like Christ. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:04.120 To know and to do everything 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.980 that God expects from his people. 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:09.380 And you may be sitting there and thinking, 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.920 wow, I thought this was supposed to be 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:14.400 an encouraging, uplifting New Year's message. 00:21:14.820 --> 00:21:16.160 And this sounds pretty daunting. 00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:17.860 This sounds impossible. 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:19.960 And you're right, it is. 00:21:20.040 --> 00:21:20.960 In and of ourselves, 00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:22.019 in our own strength, 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:25.279 it is impossible to be fully pleasing to God. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:29.379 It is impossible to be worthy of the Lord 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:33.279 and for our lives to be equivalent to Christ's life. 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:35.720 We're going to get more to the how-to 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.319 in the following verses. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:41.000 In verse 11 in particular. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:44.660 So, Paul is praying for a knowledge of Christ 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:46.839 that leads to a transformed life, 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.519 verse 9, 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:51.039 and he's praying for Christ-like living 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:53.819 in the lives of these believers. 00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:57.400 So, the question is, once again, 00:21:57.880 --> 00:22:00.180 what is Christ-like living? 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:02.000 What does that look like? 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:04.640 What should it look like in our lives? 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:08.120 And so, in verses 10 and following, 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:11.340 we're going to look at four specific ways 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:16.160 that Christ-likeness is demonstrated, 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:19.120 four specific ways that Paul prays for 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:22.020 Christ-likeness to be manifested 00:22:22.020 --> 00:22:24.600 in the lives of these men and women, 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:27.280 of these believers in the church in Colossae. 00:22:27.800 --> 00:22:29.020 So, what does it look like? 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:31.860 Well, here are four specific areas of growth. 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:36.819 Let's read verses 9 and right on through verse 14 again. 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:39.119 And so, from the day we heard, 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.759 we have not ceased to pray for you, 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:43.959 asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will 00:22:43.959 --> 00:22:46.199 in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:48.959 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:51.059 fully pleasing to him. 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:53.919 What does it look like to be fully pleasing to him? 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:56.619 What does it mean to be worthy of the Lord? 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:57.859 Starting right here, 00:22:57.859 --> 00:23:02.139 it means to be bearing fruit in every good work 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:04.599 and increasing in the knowledge of God 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:07.079 and be strengthened with all power 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:08.579 according to his glorious might 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:10.979 and all endurance and patience with joy 00:23:10.979 --> 00:23:13.539 and giving thanks to the Father 00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:16.099 who has qualified you to share 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.679 in the inheritance of the saints. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:20.399 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness 00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:22.139 and transferred us to the kingdom 00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:23.599 of his beloved Son, 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.199 in whom we have redemption, 00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:28.240 the forgiveness of sins. 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:31.779 What does it look like to be Christ-like? 00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:33.779 What does it look like to be transformed 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.480 more and more like Christ? 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:38.919 Number one, the middle part of verse 10 there, 00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:41.539 it means to be bearing fruit, 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.959 spiritual fruit, 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:45.539 in every good work. 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:48.279 You know, Paul started off this letter 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.879 and he said, 00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:49.980 I've never met you, 00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:51.219 but I've heard about you. 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:52.480 I don't know you, 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:55.500 but I am excited about the spiritual growth, 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:59.039 about the fruit that I hear about in your lives. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.500 And Paul says, 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:03.200 I am going to continue, first of all, 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.579 to pray that you will continue 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:07.460 to bear more and more fruit. 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:10.360 Paul was not only thankful for the reports he heard, 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:12.640 but he prayed that God would continue 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:15.600 to increase their spiritual fruit. 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:19.360 So how does Paul's prayer for the Colossian believers, 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:22.119 how should that influence our prayers 00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:23.839 for each other here today? 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:26.059 Well, we should be praying 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:29.379 that God would be producing spiritual fruit, 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.719 spiritual growth. 00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:33.039 We should be thankful for what he has done 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.799 and is doing, 00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:35.179 and we should be praying 00:24:35.179 --> 00:24:37.519 that God will continue to do 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:40.699 the work in men and women's lives 00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:43.159 so that they will grow spiritually, 00:24:43.479 --> 00:24:44.759 continue to be fruitful, 00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:47.099 and spiritually prosperous. 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:51.859 The second thing that he prays for 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.740 on their behalf 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:55.299 is not only that they would be bearing fruit, 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:57.559 but that they would be increasing 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:59.399 in the knowledge of God. 00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:01.659 We see that in the last part of verse 10 there, 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:04.019 increasing in the knowledge of God. 00:25:04.679 --> 00:25:09.259 This here is kind of a cyclical effect here. 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.740 The more we know God, 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:13.079 the more that we are like God. 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:15.519 The more that we live in the way that we should, 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.240 the better we know God. 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:20.359 One influences the other in a positive way. 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:23.980 It is a cyclical pattern of growth here 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:26.000 that the more we know God, 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.720 the more we are like God. 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:29.399 The more that we are like God, 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:31.960 the better that we know him. 00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:33.339 And so Paul here, 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.799 the second thing he prays for 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:36.579 is that they would be increasing 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:38.679 in their knowledge of God. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:41.619 Increasing in their knowledge of God. 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:44.179 The third thing he prays for, 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.919 verse 11, 00:25:45.179 --> 00:25:46.459 look at verse 11 here together, 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:48.759 is that they will be strengthened. 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:50.500 That they will be strengthened. 00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.279 He says, 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:53.399 may you be strengthened with all power 00:25:53.399 --> 00:25:55.379 according to his glorious might 00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:58.619 for the endurance and patience with joy. 00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.500 Now with joy, 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.719 I think actually is better, 00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:02.859 fits better with verse 12. 00:26:02.959 --> 00:26:04.519 So we're just going to kind of lop that off 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:06.479 and include that in with verse 12 there. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:08.939 So Paul here is praying for these believers 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.940 and he says, 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:11.920 may you be strengthened with all power 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:14.700 according to his glorious might 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:16.700 for all endurance and patience. 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:19.259 For all endurance and patience. 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:22.279 This is the good news here. 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:23.759 This is the exciting news here. 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:26.600 We're talking about being worthy of Christ. 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:29.440 We're talking about being fully pleasing to God 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.660 that our walk, 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:34.120 our lifestyle be reflective of God. 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:36.039 And we're starting to feel a little bit discouraged 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:37.279 and overwhelmed and saying, 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.859 we can't do it. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.980 And that's exactly the position 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:42.759 that God wants us to find ourselves in. 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:45.339 Just like the song that we sang this morning together, 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:47.220 the prayer that we prayed through that song, 00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:49.099 Lord, I need you. 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:51.519 Every hour I need you. 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:55.839 We need God's strength in our lives. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:58.740 The only way that we will grow 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.859 in a knowledge of God, 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:02.500 the only way that spiritual fruit 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:04.500 will be produced in our lives 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:07.819 is through the strength of God alone. 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:11.359 Paul says that he prays 00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:12.420 that they will be strengthened 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.960 with all power 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:16.440 according to his glorious might. 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:20.059 Let me encourage you with a truth here. 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.880 Your spiritual growth 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:24.500 is not fueled by your strength. 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:26.059 Your spiritual growth 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:28.500 is fueled by God's glorious power 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:30.859 and by God's glorious might. 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:35.299 And so here is an even more exciting reality 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:37.000 based upon that truth. 00:27:37.439 --> 00:27:40.319 If our growth is not based upon our power, 00:27:40.699 --> 00:27:42.579 but if our growth is based upon 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:45.379 God's insurmountable power, 00:27:45.699 --> 00:27:48.359 then there is nothing in your life, 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:50.939 there is no struggle that you are facing, 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.500 there is no addiction 00:27:52.500 --> 00:27:54.379 that you find yourself in, 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:56.000 there is no bondage 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.399 that you are experiencing 00:27:57.400 --> 00:28:01.000 that is greater than the power of God. 00:28:03.560 --> 00:28:07.160 God's power is glorious 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:09.680 and mighty and strong 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:11.240 and greater than anything 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.140 that we are facing. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.820 There is no sin struggle 00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:14.860 that is too strong 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:16.060 for the power of God 00:28:16.060 --> 00:28:19.340 to change in your life. 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:22.019 And so that is encouraging. 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:23.780 And that's what Paul is praying, 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.620 that they would be experiencing 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.579 the fruit of God, 00:28:26.659 --> 00:28:27.399 that they would be growing 00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.539 in their knowledge of God, 00:28:28.739 --> 00:28:30.279 and that they would be doing it 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:32.259 through the power of God, 00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:34.319 which is greater than anything 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:36.979 that you may ever experience. 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:39.919 Well, he gives us a couple of examples here 00:28:39.919 --> 00:28:42.199 of some things that you and I 00:28:42.199 --> 00:28:43.259 may be experiencing. 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.199 He says, 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.859 with all power, 00:28:45.979 --> 00:28:47.219 according to his glorious might, 00:28:47.219 --> 00:28:50.439 for all endurance and patience. 00:28:50.959 --> 00:28:51.919 Now those words are kind of, 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.500 sort of related, 00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:55.179 but they also have different applications. 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.500 So what do the words 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.659 endurance and patience mean? 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:01.519 Well, when you are enduring something, 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:03.379 that means that you find yourself 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:05.399 in a difficult situation, 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.559 a difficult circumstance. 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:10.199 Any of you find yourselves 00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:11.839 in a difficult circumstance? 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:12.719 Ever? 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:14.099 Yeah, I know that I do. 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:16.139 And so Paul here is praying 00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:19.159 that God's insurmountable power 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:21.379 would be evident in their lives 00:29:21.379 --> 00:29:23.059 when people are facing 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.740 difficult circumstances 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:26.019 and difficult situations. 00:29:26.440 --> 00:29:28.500 But he also prays for patience. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.779 Kind of, sort of, 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.700 related to endurance, 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.659 but I really think that 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.799 the word patience here 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:35.399 could be understood 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:38.019 to be referring to people. 00:29:38.659 --> 00:29:40.960 Not just difficult circumstances, 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:43.000 not just difficult circumstances 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.940 and situations, 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.599 but patience 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:47.500 when you are interacting 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.380 with difficult people. 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.480 Difficult people. 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.660 Patience with others. 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.660 Do any of you interact 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.640 on a regular basis 00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:57.279 with difficult people? 00:29:58.539 --> 00:30:00.240 Yes, we all certainly do. 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:02.240 And so Paul here is praying 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.200 that these believers 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.880 would experience 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:05.839 the insurmountable power of God 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:07.460 in difficult circumstances 00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:08.259 and situations 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.920 and when interacting 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.700 with difficult people. 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:13.680 And the fourth thing 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.559 that he prays 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:15.440 to bear fruit, 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.559 increase in knowledge, 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.360 being strengthened, 00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.279 the fourth thing 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.059 that he prays 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:20.279 is verse 12 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.860 through verse 14. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.779 He prays 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:25.480 that these believers 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.740 would be joyfully 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.700 giving thanks 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.980 to God the Father. 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.279 That they would be 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:32.220 joyfully giving thanks 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.819 to God the Father. 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.860 Verse 12, 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:38.160 let's add those two words 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:39.080 in from verse 11. 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.279 With joy, 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.500 giving thanks 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.200 to the Father 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:44.700 who has qualified you 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:46.019 to share in the inheritance 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.980 in the saints. 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.519 He has delivered us 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.700 from the domain of darkness 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:51.019 and transferred us 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.859 to the kingdom 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:53.180 of his beloved Son 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.859 in whom we have redemption, 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:58.000 the forgiveness of sins. 00:30:58.920 --> 00:31:00.399 That sounds pretty 00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:02.039 gospel-y, doesn't it? 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:04.420 That sounds like a summary, 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:06.759 a recap of the glorious news 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.440 of the gospel. 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:09.200 And if Paul is praying 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:10.600 for these believers, 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.860 why is he bringing 00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:14.019 the gospel into this? 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:16.220 Why is he introducing 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:18.720 these glorious gospel truths? 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:20.100 Why is it that he reflects 00:31:20.100 --> 00:31:20.779 upon the gospel 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.519 in these verses? 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:25.340 It's because a gratitude problem 00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:27.799 is a gospel problem. 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:30.360 If you don't have 00:31:30.360 --> 00:31:32.440 a proper, thankful, 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:34.620 joyful attitude towards God, 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:36.779 it's because you don't understand 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.619 the gospel. 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:39.440 You don't fully grasp 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.619 how the gospel 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:42.980 has transformed your life. 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:44.440 You don't fully grasp 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.819 what God has done 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:47.500 on your behalf 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.740 through his Son, 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:49.779 Jesus Christ. 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.899 Let me ask you a question. 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.039 Are you a person 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.240 who grumbles 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.460 and complains 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.259 and mumbles 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.000 and murmurs 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.940 about everything? 00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.319 Or are you somebody 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:01.000 who gives thanks 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.839 about everything? 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:04.399 Are you one of those people 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:06.279 that people try to avoid 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.159 when they see coming? 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.659 Or they try not to get 00:32:08.659 --> 00:32:10.240 into a lengthy conversation with? 00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:11.480 Because they know 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.819 that all they're going to hear 00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:13.799 is moaning 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.539 and groaning 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.220 and griping 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.000 and complaining. 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:18.439 If that characterizes you, 00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:21.240 then you don't fully understand 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:23.000 what God has done 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.879 for you. 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.919 And that's why Paul 00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:25.679 reminds us here 00:32:25.679 --> 00:32:26.819 of the glorious truth 00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:27.539 of the gospel. 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.699 Because a gratitude problem 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:32.400 ultimately is a gospel problem. 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.240 And Christians 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:33.880 that struggle 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.779 with being grateful 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:36.700 don't have a proper understanding 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:38.200 of what the gospel is 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:40.420 and what God has done 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.100 in their lives. 00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:42.740 So he reminds these believers 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.779 of who they were 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.680 before the gospel 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.960 and he reminds them 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:47.120 of who they are now 00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:48.980 because of the gospel. 00:32:49.580 --> 00:32:51.900 So four bullet points 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:54.019 summarizing the gospel, 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.799 what has God done for us? 00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:56.860 Look at the second half 00:32:56.860 --> 00:32:57.819 of verse 12. 00:32:57.819 --> 00:33:00.879 who has qualified you 00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:02.579 to share in the inheritance 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:05.259 of the saints in light. 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:09.839 Before conversion, 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.679 you were dead 00:33:11.679 --> 00:33:14.119 in your trespasses and sins. 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.879 Before you became 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:17.159 a child of God, 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:18.779 you were blind 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:20.720 to spiritual truths. 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:22.359 But God did a work 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:23.000 in your life. 00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:24.220 He brought faith 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:24.839 into your life. 00:33:24.939 --> 00:33:26.240 He opened up your eyes 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.899 to the truths 00:33:26.900 --> 00:33:27.560 of the gospel. 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:28.880 He gave you the ability 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:30.019 to turn from your sin 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:31.120 and to turn to him. 00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:32.960 He transformed you 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:35.380 from darkness. 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:37.120 He gave you an inheritance 00:33:37.120 --> 00:33:38.720 as one of his children 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:41.120 to share in the glorious light 00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.120 of the gospel. 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:44.600 If you have trouble 00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:45.780 with being thankful, 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:47.240 reflect upon this truth. 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.259 You were dead 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.480 and you are alive. 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.600 You were blind 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.700 and you can now see. 00:33:51.820 --> 00:33:52.680 You were in darkness, 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:54.080 but you are now in light. 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:55.280 You were not a part 00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:55.980 of God's family, 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:56.879 but you are now 00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:58.200 a child of God. 00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.980 God has qualified you, 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:02.460 if you are a child of his, 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.799 to share in the inheritance 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:05.480 of the saints in light. 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:07.579 But another part of the gospel, 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:09.259 beginning of verse 13 there, 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:11.619 God has delivered us 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:13.380 from the domain of darkness. 00:34:13.759 --> 00:34:15.519 Again, we were in bondage 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.300 to sin. 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:18.400 We were in spiritual darkness, 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:20.900 but God has delivered us 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:22.860 from that darkness of sin 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:25.420 and given us spiritual sight 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.059 and light. 00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:28.680 Second half of verse 13, 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:30.500 what else does the gospel do? 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:32.119 What else has the gospel done 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.420 for God's children? 00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:35.360 And transferred us 00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.039 to the kingdom 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:37.940 of his beloved son. 00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:42.139 We used to be enemies of God. 00:34:42.240 --> 00:34:44.400 We used to be fighting against God 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.900 and God has transferred 00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:46.740 our citizenship 00:34:46.740 --> 00:34:48.260 to become citizens 00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:49.900 of God's kingdom, 00:34:50.240 --> 00:34:51.119 to be citizens 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.539 of Christ's kingdom, 00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:53.900 to be citizens 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:55.760 under Christ the king, 00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:56.619 our king. 00:34:57.240 --> 00:34:58.420 He has transferred us 00:34:58.420 --> 00:35:00.740 from the kingdom of sin, 00:35:01.220 --> 00:35:02.539 the kingdom of this world, 00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:04.579 fighting and warring against God, 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:06.039 instead to becoming 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:08.539 a citizen of the kingdom of God. 00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:10.440 In verse 14, 00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:11.300 he says, 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.980 in whom we have redemption, 00:35:13.780 --> 00:35:15.860 the forgiveness of sin. 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:19.099 What is the gospel? 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:21.260 The gospel is simply 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:23.840 that God has redeemed his people 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:26.800 and forgiven them of their sins. 00:35:27.139 --> 00:35:28.960 God has redeemed you 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:30.200 if you are a child of God. 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:31.619 He has bought you back, 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.780 made you a part of his family, 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:37.599 and he has forgiven your sin. 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:39.139 Are you a person 00:35:39.139 --> 00:35:40.800 who struggles with being grateful? 00:35:41.220 --> 00:35:41.940 Are you a person 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:43.119 who is characterized 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:44.940 by grumbling and complaining? 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:47.759 Reflect upon these glorious truths 00:35:47.759 --> 00:35:48.779 of the gospel? 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:52.880 Paul says that he desires 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:54.619 that these believers 00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:56.799 are joyfully 00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:58.980 and regularly 00:35:58.980 --> 00:36:00.400 thanking God. 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:02.299 And if you have trouble with that, 00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.980 just think about who you were, 00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.480 what God has done, 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:07.559 and who you are now. 00:36:07.559 --> 00:36:09.619 So what I want to do 00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:10.619 in conclusion here 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.779 this morning is 00:36:11.779 --> 00:36:14.360 I want to pray for you 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:15.940 as Christ the King Church. 00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:18.199 I want to pray this passage for you. 00:36:18.840 --> 00:36:20.079 And then what we're going to do 00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:21.820 is I'm going to encourage you 00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:23.519 just to take a couple of minutes 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:25.480 to turn to the people around you, 00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.539 just to pair up 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:27.860 with some people nearby you, 00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:29.279 and I want you 00:36:29.279 --> 00:36:31.219 to pray this passage 00:36:31.219 --> 00:36:32.759 on behalf of 00:36:32.759 --> 00:36:34.440 the believers at this church, 00:36:34.519 --> 00:36:35.420 the men and women here 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.139 in this church. 00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:36.920 And so, 00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:38.500 would you please bow your head? 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.480 I'm going to pray for you, 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.940 and then in just a minute 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.320 I'm going to invite you 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.680 to turn to each other 00:36:43.680 --> 00:36:45.280 and pray with each other. 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.079 Let's pray. 00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:49.860 God, I thank you 00:36:49.860 --> 00:36:50.800 and I rejoice 00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:52.280 for the spiritual fruit 00:36:52.280 --> 00:36:53.159 in the lives 00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:54.079 of these dear people 00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:55.420 of Christ the King Church. 00:36:55.860 --> 00:36:57.079 And God, I want to ask you 00:36:57.079 --> 00:36:58.280 that you would continue 00:36:58.280 --> 00:37:00.099 to increase their fruit 00:37:00.099 --> 00:37:00.820 even more. 00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:03.000 I pray that they would be filled 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.880 with the knowledge 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.720 of your will 00:37:04.720 --> 00:37:06.559 with all spiritual wisdom 00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:07.440 and understanding 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:09.140 so that they would walk 00:37:09.140 --> 00:37:09.760 in a manner 00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:10.680 that is worthy 00:37:10.680 --> 00:37:12.400 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:14.500 and that they would please him 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.820 in every way. 00:37:17.160 --> 00:37:18.660 I pray that they would be 00:37:18.660 --> 00:37:20.119 bearing more fruit 00:37:20.119 --> 00:37:22.220 in every good deed. 00:37:22.680 --> 00:37:23.680 I pray that the people 00:37:23.680 --> 00:37:24.880 of Christ the King Church 00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:25.740 would be growing 00:37:25.740 --> 00:37:28.200 in a knowledge of you, God. 00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:30.019 I pray that they would be 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:32.160 strengthened with all power 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:33.299 to have endurance 00:37:33.299 --> 00:37:35.079 for every difficult circumstance 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:36.879 and to have patience 00:37:36.879 --> 00:37:39.159 for every difficult person 00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:40.779 that they come into contact with. 00:37:41.379 --> 00:37:43.299 And God, I pray that they would be 00:37:43.299 --> 00:37:46.420 joyfully giving thanks to you 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:48.319 because you have saved 00:37:48.319 --> 00:37:49.339 and redeemed them 00:37:49.339 --> 00:37:50.579 from the power of darkness 00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:51.219 and sin 00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:52.440 and welcomed them 00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:53.259 into the kingdom 00:37:53.259 --> 00:37:54.399 of your Son. 00:37:54.920 --> 00:37:56.579 And God, I pray these things 00:37:56.579 --> 00:37:58.719 desiring to see your glory 00:37:58.719 --> 00:38:00.719 displayed through these people 00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:02.639 in an even greater way. 00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:04.219 And I pray all these things 00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:05.459 in Christ's name. 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.399 Amen.