Praying With Paul
Sermon from Colossians 1:9-14

Introduction: 

One very important reason for studying Scripture is to strengthen our prayer lives.  Learning God’s Word informs us how and for what to pray.  Meditating on who God is as He reveals Himself in His Word influences our petitions to Him.  We want to focus on one prayer recorded in Colossians 1:9-14 by the apostle Paul.  By learning what it says, we can pray it with Paul. 

Text:  Colossians 1:9-14 

Body:

 I. Paul Hears about Them (Verse 9a) 

• Paul writes to a church he didn’t plant – Christians he had not seen before.  Even though he had never visited them, he is praying for them.  (Verses 3-4)  This should make us consider how extensive our prayer list is.  Is it just our close family and friends?  Let’s be like Paul and pray for those we have never met.
• Paul consistently and regularly prays for them.  This is similar to  Romans 1:9-10.  Some things we need to pray for again and again.  These are things we need and others need.  Prayer helps us live and serve as His disciples.
• “And so,” for this reason – Paul links thanksgiving and prayer.  (Verses 3-7)  When he hears good things about a church, he thanks God for it and prays for an increase.  What does this tell us about our own prayers?  Should we not be doing the same?

II. Paul Petitions God (Verse 9b) 

• To fill them with knowledge of God’s will  How does this happen?  (Psalms 143:10)  His will for us is revealed in His Word.  (II Timothy 3:15-16)
• He desires not only that they come to know His will; but that they do His will.  (Romans 12:2)  Knowing and doing His will results in a change for good.
• “Spiritual wisdom and understanding” Knowledge of God’s will is more than just agreeing with a certain set of commands.  It consists of wisdom and spiritual understanding.  This allows us to see Christ as our sole source of authority and keep us from being deceived by false religions.  (Colossians 2:8-10)  Many today in the religious world are led astray by every new thing that comes along.  We need to pray regularly to our Father that our knowledge, wisdom, and understanding will increase.

III. Paul Wants Them to Be Pleasing to the Lord (Verses 10-14) 

• The purpose of Paul’s praying is that they would be pleasing to the Lord.  “Fully pleasing” – pleasing in every way
• We can’t be pleasing to the Lord without being filled with knowledge of His will.  But knowledge by itself isn’t enough. It must be put into our lives. 
• Paul then describes what putting knowledge to work looks like:
  1. Bearing fruit  We cannot please the Lord without bearing fruit.  (Ephesians 2:10)  Good works – God’s Word is filled with different good works.
  2. Growing in Knowledge  Never be satisfied with our level of knowledge.  (I Peter 2:2)
  3. Being strengthened  We need to have great endurance and patience.  This includes stamina to hold up during difficult times and the  ability to bear the burdens of suffering with patience.  (Matthew 5:11-12)
  4. Giving thanks with all joy  We should thank God for our inheritance, for being transferred from Satan’s kingdom to Christ’s kingdom.

Invitation: 

God’s people are to be people of prayer.  When we consider that in His Son we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins; we will regularly go to the Father with a joyful heart. 

Bobby Stafford

November 27, 2011

What Must One Do to become a Christian and be saved?