North Avenue Church Podcast

Learning to Pray with Paul | Colossians 1:3-14; Philemon 4-5

I. THE GRATITUDE OF PAUL'S PRAYER LIFE (vv. 3-8)

    1) Paul thanks God and prays ... for a church, most of whose members he has never met

• Colossians 1:3, "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,"
• Colossians 2:1-2, "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face..."

Carson, "We must ask ourselves how extensive our own praying is. Do all our petitions revolve around our own families and churches, our own cherished but rather small circle of friends? Of course, we are primarily responsible for praying for our own circle... But if that is the furthest reach of our prayers, we become parochial [narrow in outlook or scope]... Our prayers may be an index of how small and self-centered our world is."

    2) Paul's gratitude results from paying attention.

• Paul says to Philemon: "[4] I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, [5] because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus" (Philemon 4-5)
• Paul says to the Colossian church (that Philemon hosted in his house): "[3] We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, [4] since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints," (Colossians 1:3-4)

Paul is listening! He is paying attention to others.

• Acts 15:36, "Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.'"
• • Paul cares greatly about their spiritual state!
• Carson, "[I]t will do us good to fasten on reports of Christians in several parts of the world we have never visited, find out what we can about them, and learn to intercede with God on their behalf. Not only is this an important expression of the fellowship of the church, but it is also a critical discipline that will enlarge our horizons, increase our ministry, and help us to become world Christians."

When a fellow believer comes to your mind, what is your first thought?

• Irritation? Annoyance? Jealousy? Bitterness?

What is Paul's first thought? Gratitude!

• Philemon 4 "I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,"
• Colossians 1:3-4, "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, [4] since we heard of your faith..."

Gratitude for what? Their faith, love, and heavenly hope.

• Paul credits God with their own faith and love.
• Philippians 1:29, "For it has been granted [Dictionary: to give graciously] to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake…”
• Colossians 3:12, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,"

    3) Paul thanks God for the gospel's fruit as it comes through human means (vv. 5b-8)

• Epaphras, after being converted under Paul, brings the good news to Colossea! (Last week's sermon)

 

II. THE FOCUS OF PAUL'S PRAYER LIFE (vv. 9-12)

Spiritual growth is always the dominant concern, over the physical!

• Carson, "Suppose, for example, that 80 or 90 percent of our petitions ask God for good health, recovery from illness, safety on the road, a good job, success in exams, the emotional needs of our children, success in our mortgage application, and much more of the same. How much of Paul's praying revolves around equivalent items? If the center of our praying is far removed from the center of Paul's praying, then even our very praying may serve as a wretched testimony to the remarkable success of the processes of paganization in our life and thought. That is why we need to study the prayers of Paul."
  • See Matthew 6:31-33, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the Gentiles [the pagans] seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

So what does Paul focus on in his prayer?

    1) Paul asks God to fill believers with the knowledge of his will (v. 9)

"[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,"

• This may seem simple, yet it takes "all spiritual wisdom and understanding" in the complicated nature of life to know what is best.
  
  • Doug Moo, "[This] suggests the ability to discern the truth and to make good decisions based on that truth."
  • "spiritual wisdom" means wisdom from the Holy Spirit. (Not how many use the word "spiritual" today)

EXAMPLE: Colossians 4:5-6, "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of [= redeeming] the time. [6] Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

• How do I best love a fellow Christian who is in sin?
• How do I best evangelize a co-worker or family member?
• I only have limited money, how much do I spend, save, and give away? to whom? how often?
• How do I honor my parents if they are unbelievers and disagree with my faith?
• What does it look like to "speak the truth in love" when dealing with a rebellious student? or hostile unebeliver? or a timid Christian friend?
• When does hard work become sinful preoccupation with your career? When does rest become laziness? 
• You are posting something *true* on social media, but unsure if it will be edifying or needlessly distracting or contentious

    2) Paul's purpose in prayer is that believers might be truly pleasing to the Lord (v. 10a)

 

v. 10 "so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:"

• Knowledge must lead to action!
  • "Knowing" God's will (with all spiritual wisdom and understanding) must lead to "walking/living out" God's will.
• We must walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
  • (Not earning, not perfection; but rather living "in accord with" the Lord, fully pleasing to Him)

    3) Paul prays for four characteristics of a life that is pleasing to the Lord (v. 10b-12)

 

This will produce, among others, these four characteristics...

1. "BEARING FRUIT in every good work" (v. 10b): Fruit is about character transformation and faithfulness, not mere "results."
2. "INCREASING in the knowledge of God;" (v. 10c): it will lead to a fully experiential knowledge of God, as we walk with Him
3. "BEING STRENGTHENED with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;" (v. 11)
   1. "[Endurance] is what faith, hope, and love bring to an apparently impossible situation, [patience] what they show to an apparently impossible person."
   2. To endure ... takes power; to endure patiently with joy takes tremendous power "according to his glorious might."
4. "GIVING THANKS to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." (v. 12)
   1. Paul further reminds them why they should be thankful: (vv. 13-14)
      1. vv. 13-14 "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."
   1. All of this should be seasoned by thankfulness to the Father for our share in the "inheritance of the saints of light."

 

III. THE DEVOTION OF PAUL'S PRAYER LIFE

    1) WHY does Paul pray so often for so many?

Colossians 1:3, 9, "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, .... [9] And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you,"

• Carson, "In short, Paul is telling the Colossians that since hearing about them he has made it a point to intercede with God on their behalf in his disciplined, regular prayer times; he has 'not stopped praying' for them." 
• Carson, "Paul again and again prays for ... the Colossian believers, as if the supply must be constantly renewed."
• Think of it like watering the grass or flowers. It must be done continually!

Colossians 4:12-13, "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God."

    2) HOW does Paul pray so often for so many?

Philemon 4-5, "I thank my God always when I remember you [singular] in my prayers,"

• G.K. Beale, "Paul is praying specifically for Philemon [the 'you' is singular], which implies that his daily prayer list must have been extensive."
• Richard Phillips, "When we consider the large number of people for whom Paul says that he is praying, he must have had not only a devoted prayer life, but also a highly organized one."

APPLICATION:

Don't turn these points from Carson into legalisms, but take them as practical suggestions to help you pray in a more regular, organized, and focused way.

I. PLAN TO PRAY

Don Carson, "Much praying is not done because we do not plan to pray. We do not drift into spiritual life; we do not drift into disciplined prayer. We will not grow in prayer unless we plan to pray. That means we must self-consciously set aside time to do nothing but pray. What we actually do reflects out highest priorities. That means we can proclaim our commitment to prayer until the cows come home, but unless we actually pray, our actions disown our words. This is the fundamental reason why set times for prayer are important: they ensure that vague desires for prayer are concretized in regular practice. Paul's many references to his 'prayers' suggest that he set aside specific times for prayer -- as apparently Jesus himself did (Luke 5:16)... Unless we plan to pray we will not pray." ('Praying with Paul,' p. 1-2).

II. ADOPT PRACTICAL WAYS TO FIGHT MENTAL DRIFT

Don Carson, "Adopt practical ways to impede mental drift.... [Perhaps] articulate your prayers, moving your lips...to...help deter meandering.... A great way to begin to overcome this problem is to pray through various biblical passages. In other words, it is entirely appropriate to tie your praying to your Bible reading... [The] truths and entailments [in your daily Scripture reading] can be the basis of a great deal of reflective praying. [Another option is] journaling [your prayers.]

III. DEVELOP A SYSTEM FOR YOUR PRAYER LISTS

Carson, "Develop a system for your prayer lists. It is difficult to pray faithfully for a large spread of people and concerns without developing prayer lists that help you remember them."

Carson's personal "system": "I kept a manila folder in my study, where I pray... The first sheet ... was a list of people for whom I ought to pray regularly: ... My wife..., my children and a number of relatives, followed by a number of close friends... [Then] institutional names on that sheed [which] included [my] local church ... and the seminary where I now teach.

The second sheet ... listed short-range ... concerns that would not remain indefinitely... In other words, the first sheet focused on people for whom I prayed constantly; the second included people and situations for whom I might pray for a short[er] ... time, but probably not indefinitely.

The next item ... was the list of the students ... for whom I was particularly responsible....and of course this list changed from year to year."

IV. KEEP YOUR PRAYERS TIED TO SCRIPTURE

V. PRAY UNTIL YOU PRAY

VI. FIND MODELS WORTHY OF IMITATION

Don Casron's book, which Mark used to help with the message and numerous subpoints, can be purchased here.

You can watch this message here.

How the Trinity & the Gopsel Ground Unity in the Church | John 17; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4

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You can watch this message here.

The Winepress of God's Wrath vs. the Blessedness of Dying in the Lord | Revelation 14:6-20

This passage is a sobering warning about the realities and horrors of hell and our need for Jesus. If we endure and die "in the Lord" we will be truly blessed. Let us not live for Babylon, which will be fully and finally judged and destroyed. Let us rather live for eternity.

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Church Unity: Laying Down Our Preferences & Avoiding Division on Matters of Opinion | Romans 14:1-15:7

The gospel gives great motivation to allow us to, at times, lay down our preferences in order to better love others and, like Christ, not please ourselves.

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Paul & Epaphras: The Remarkable Origin of the Colossian Church in Philemon's Home | Philemon 1-2, 23 (Acts 19:8-10; Colossians 1:6-8; 4:12-13)

Origin stories are popular these days. Today, we look at the origin story of the church that met in Philemon's home, which is better known as the Colossian church. We will focus on the two main human means God used for the birth of this church:

1. Paul (Acts 19:8-10)
2. Epraphras (Colossians 1:6-8; 4:12-13)

We can be encouraged by how God uses our lives and His word through us in ways that go beyond what we often are aware of. Small things can lead to significant results! Let us be faithful in the days of seemingly small things.

You can watch this message here.

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Church Unity in Matters of Opinion | Romans 14:1-15

When Scripture neither commands or forbids an action, Christians will often come to a variety of views as to what is best. How do we maintain Christian unity when we will never be uniform in all disputable matters?

This is week six of the sanctification series.

You can watch this message here.

How the Gospel Changes Lives & Transforms Relationships | Philemon 1-3

This message introduces the Paul's shortest NT letter. It is often neglected and yet contains much that is edifying and encouraging!

1. The Senders: From Paul & Timothy (v. 1a)
2. The Recipients: To Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, & the Church (vv. 1b-2)
3. The Grace We All Need: From God our Father & the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3)

Mark found Malcolm MacLean's excellent chapter on this passage especially helpful in outlining and preparing this message.

You can watch this message here.

The Second Beast who is the False Prophet: Looks Like a Lamb, Speaks Like a Dragon | Revelation 13:11-15

The second beast is later called "the false prophet" in Revelation 16:13 and 19:20. This beast is at work, we argue, throughout the church age. It represents all false religion, philosophy, ideology, economic pressure, and idolatry that turns us away from Christ, especially to worship the first beast. This includes false teachers in the church today who look like a lamb, but speak like a dragon.

You can watch this message here.

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You can watch this message here.

Hezekiah's Imperfect Faith & God's Perfect Faithfulness | 2 Kings 18-19

Greg walked us through a dramatic and important Old Testament story involving King Hezekiah's virtues and flaws, along with Assyria's attempt to intimidate and intice the people of Jerusalem with their powerful army to not trust the Lord.

1. Hezekiah's strong start (18:1-8)
2. Hezekiah's fateful misstep (18:9-35)
3. Hezekiah's renewal in faith (18:36-19:19)
4. God's perfect faithfulness (19:20-37)

You can watch this message here.

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You can watch this message here.

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Zach Petty preached for the first time today and did a great job answering the question, "What is missions?"

The three-legged stool of mission:

1. Gospel proclamation (v. 21a)
2. Church planting (v. 23)
3. Church strengthening (v. 22; 15:41)

You can watch this message here.

The Beast who Makes War on the Saints | Revelation 13:1-10

We seek to answer five questions about this passage:

1. What is the beast from the sea? (vv. 1-2) [Rome? The Antichrist? Something else?]
2. When are the "42 months" wherein the beast exercises authority? (v. 5b)
3. What is the mortal wound that is healed? (v. 3a)
4. How does the beast obtain worship? (vv. 1-5)
5. How do the beast and saints seek to "conquer" each other? (vv. 6-10)

You can watch this message here.

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The battle for contentment is more important than we may often think!

You can watch this message here.