Prayer: Solid Foundation

Ultimate Trick or Treat

 

Intro:  Its not what happens to us that counts.  It’s how we react to it that does!

Worried about things? Overly concerned with your situation right now?

Lets look at Paul------Philippians 1: 1-11

He was under house arrest--------waiting trial to either be free or be sentenced----yet he choose to write to the Philippians.

To pray for each other no matter------

 

So how are we to pray:

 

With thanksgiving  (v 3-8)

·        Prayed for “you all”  4 times in v 1-11.

·        He was thankful for each person

·        What are you thankful for today?

·        All were the same to Paul

o       No preferences

o       No one was better than the other

·        Thankful for their help and partnership in the gospel

·        And in grace (v 5-7)  he saw a three way partnership and a 3 dimensional partnership

o       3 way partnership

§        involves God….His Grace is the origin and content of the gospel

§        Paul the messenger of the Gospel

§        Philippians they believe the gospel and participate in it---by proclaiming it

§        We have to be healthy Christians----have to be in gospel ministry---share it and pray with others

o       3 dimensional in time  (v 5-6)

§        He that began a good work……until now….will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

§        Put the finishing touches on

§        Ever heard don’t be harsh---God isn’t finished with me yet?

§        Job was done when we put our faith in Jesus……………….set free……………future secure………..hearts and attitudes changed…………….and will be complete when Jesus comes back---

§        Meanwhile finishing touches are added

·        Attitude changes

·        Speech patterns different

·        Thoughts different

·        Actions different

 

With Petition ( v 9-11)

·        Was thankful for the help and prayed for gospel growth and progress

·        What Paul is praying for ( v 9)

o       Praying for love---real not

o       Not out of duty …. But … out of relationship

o       Christs love in us has to come out

o       Would others see your love if they watched you….could they tell?

o       Have to demonstrate our love and duplicate it in others

·        Why is Paul Praying  (V 10-11)

o       For results

o       To be discerning that Jesus has more to offer than life here on earth

o       True love keeps us faithful:

§        Marriage

§        Ministry

§        Work with friends

§        In family

o       So we stay blameless in integrity to Jesus comes back

 

CONCL: God has done all the work to 1 save us from sin, 2  save us from death eternal and 3 He will bring that to a completion

We need to just continue trusting and praying

Petition God…with the uncertainties of life… be thankful to God….for the certainties in life

We all need each other----you need each other---they out there need to see that—and then they will know ..not by words alone…but by deeds you do

And God will be honored and glorified in this place and when they ask you can say YOU ARE BLESSED!!!

 

C Call to Worship:

I will praise You,O Lord,among the peoples;I will sing to You among the nations.For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,and Your truth unto the clouds (Ps.57:9 –10),

RReaders ’ Theater (or Responsive Reading):

Reader 1:And this I pray,that your love may abound still more

and more in knowledge and all discernment,that you

may approve the things that are excellent,that you may

be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ

(Phil.1:9 –10).

Reader 2:I pray that out of His glorious riches He may

strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your

inner being,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts

through faith.And I pray that you,being rooted and

established in love,may have power,together with all

the saints,to grasp how wide and long and high and

deep is the love of Christ (Eph.3:16 –18,NIV).

Reader 1:Beloved,I pray that you may prosper in all things and

be in health,just as your soul prospers (3 John 2).

Reader 2:I pray that God,who gives you hope,will keep you

happy and full of peace as you believe in Him.May you

over .ow with hope through the power of the Holy

Spirit (Rom.15:13,NLT).

Reader 2:I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlight-

ened in order that you may know the hope to which He

has called you,the riches of His glorious inheritance in

the saints (Eph.1:18,NIV).

Both I pray that God,who gives peace,will be with all of you.

Readers:Amen.(Rom.15:33,CEV)

BBenediction:

As we depart from this place, may the Word of God not depart from our hearts, nor the peace of God from our souls, nor the blessings of God from our lives. In Jesus ’ name, Amen.