PRAYING THAT PLEASES GOD--Colossians 1:9-14
Proposition: Praying that pleases God leads to living a life that is pleasing to God and brings glory to our God.
Objective: My purpose is to challenge God’s people to pray prayers that please God that will lead to living a life that is pleasing to Him.
INTRODUCTION:
60 years ago a young missionary named Raymond Edman staggered in from an Ecuadorian jungle, desperately ill. "He’ll be dead by morning," the doctor predicted. Edman’s wife dyed her wedding dress black, so it would be ready for the funeral. (In the tropics funerals must be held immediately). However, 1000s of miles away in Boston, Edman’s friend Dr. Joseph Evans, interrupted a prayer meeting, saying, "I feel we must pray for Ray Edman in Ecuador." The group prayed earnestly, until Evans called out, "Praise the Lord! The victory is won!" The rest is oft-repeated history: V. Raymond Edman recovered, his wife’s dress did not, & Dr. Edman went on to become president of Wheaton College, & to minister for another forty years! This story unforgettably affirms the power of intercessory prayer. We ask: how are we to pray for the church & for other members of the body of Christ? Paul’s prayer for this church teaches us how to pray for other believers. Paul thanked God for their faith in Christ, their love for all the saints & their hope laid up in heaven. His thanksgiving overflowed in a prayer that can be a model for our own praying.
What is it that pleases God? The Bible states that “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek” (Heb. 11:6) Being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. This is how we can have a worthy walk. Paul states that he is praying that the Colossian Christians may live a life that is pleasing to God. A life that is pleasing to God results in a fruit bearing life. Also, a life that pleases God is one that yearns to know God better. One way to come to know God better is through prayer. Also, a life that pleases God is a life that is lived gratefully and our coming to Him in prayer pleases God. A speaker was urging a group of youth to serve God. He was asked by a young girl, “Sir, I should like to know how we can be Christian and have our own way?” Paul says, “My concern for you is that you should want God’s way instead of your way.”
I. A DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION (v. 9) “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will…and spiritual understanding”-- The false teachers of Colossae offered these Christians a new and fuller knowledge. But Paul says, the knowledge I’m concerned that you have is that you might be filled with a full knowledge of God’s will.
1. The reason for prayer (v. 9a) “for this reason”— This in vvs. 3-8 shows that the petitionary prayer is Paul’s response to the news which comes to him of the Colossian’s experience in Christ. This prayer is because of their faith in Christ, their love to all the saints, & the good hope they had of eternal happiness; & because they had heard the Gospel, truly knew it & sincerely professed it.
2. The reality of prayer (v. 9b) “do not cease to pray for you”—Paul’s praying was constant at the throne of grace; & as often as they were there, they were mindful of these Colossians, even ever since they heard of their reception of the Gospel, of their profession of it & of the fruit it brought forth in them; & in their petitions "prayed" & "desired," earnestly & entreated God on their behalf.
3. The requests of prayer (v. 9c) “to ask that you” The Colossians had knowledge, but they must have more; it is their privilege to be filled with it. Paul took every occasion and opportunity for prayer. He has heard that they were good & he prays that they might be better.
1). Information “the knowledge of His will”-- Remember that what ’’fills’’ you will control you...both your actions & your reactions. Are you letting the Word of Christ richly dwell within you (Col 3:16) so that you might be controlled by the will of God in the Word of God as taught by the Spirit of God?
2). Instruction “in all wisdom”-- Wisdom is the insight into the true nature of things. Knowledge is the mental possession of powers of perceiving objects, wisdom is the power of right reasoning concerning them and forming right decisions accordingly. Wisdom is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding. Illus: "Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom." (Spurgeon)
3). Insight “spiritual understanding”—Spiritual understanding is) is the special faculty of intelligence or insight which discriminates between the false and the true, and grasps the relations in which things stand to each other. This means one has the capacity to assemble facts into an organized whole or the faculty of putting "2" and "2" together so to speak. It’s the ability to understand concepts & see relationships between them. It is defined as “insight depending on judgment and inference.” This understanding is the ability to assess any situation & decide what practical course of action is necessary w/in it.
Illus: "To find God’s will is the greatest discovery; To know God’s will is the greatest knowledge; and to do God’s will is the greatest achievement."
II. A DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE (v. 10) “that you may walk worthy of the Lord”-- The goal of knowledge is conduct as far as God is concerned. Not knowledge for knowledge’s sake. But for the believer it is not knowledge for knowledge’s sake, since the end of knowledge is a new conduct.
1. The aim “You may walk worthy of the Lord”-- "Worthy of God" was a popular formula archeologists have discovered on ancient pagan inscriptions to their gods. If pagans appreciated the importance of lending worship which was worthy of the deities to whom they were devoted, how much more should Christians render spiritual service of obedient lives to the true God & to His Son Jesus Christ!
2. The attitude “fully pleasing Him”—“To please Him in every way" means: "to anticipate and to do His will in every aspect of life." It refers to perfect, implicit obedience. It implies a radical commitment to the authority of Jesus Christ in every sphere of life." J.C. Ryle has written: "Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way. It is not enough to say that he is earnest, hearty, uncompromising, thorough-going, whole-hearted & fervent in spirit. He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for one thing…& that one thing is to please God."
3. The action “being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”-- The figure of a growing tree (v. 6) is used again. The present tense means that the Christian life is to exhibit continual fruitfulness.
Illus: Jay Kesler, former Pres. of Youth for Christ and Pres. of Taylor University, was on a flight. When lunch was served the young man next to him declined a lunch tray. During the whole lunchtime this man sat with his head bowed, apparently in prayer. Kesler was impressed by the man’s devotion. He commented to the young man that he wondered if he was a Christian because it appeared that he was fasting. The young man replied with words that shook up Kesler. "I am a Satan worshiper & the members of my church have agreed to fast every Fri. at noon. During that time we pray that the leaders of the Chrn. world will fall. We pray that they will fall into sexual sin, & that their family life would crumble."
III. A DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL POWER (v. 11) “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power”—Human strength is inadequate.
1. Available strength "strengthened with all might”—Strengthened means to be enabled & speaks of an inherent power which gives one the ability to do something. The present tense indicates that believers are to be contin-uously strengthened. That power is available to the believer who is filled with the knowledge of God’s Word. God is not like a booster rocket giving believers an initial boost of power & then leaving them to fly on their own.
2. Abundant source “His glorious power”-- His glorious might indicates that this strengthening is not by any human means, but by the power of God. There is a manifestation of power in the spirit w/ which Christians are enabled to bear up under trials, which shows that it is not of human origin & it is the power which God gives in the day of trial. Here God’s might is accompanied by glory (Shekinah).
3. Adequate steadfastness “for all patience”-- Endurance
is "staying power"--the ability to deal triumphantly with difficult circumstances, to hold your position in battle." Endurance is perseverance in the performance of a God- given task in spite of every hardship and trial. Steadfastness (perseverance) is an important characteristic of the maturing Christian growing best in the field of affliction, as James writes --"the testing of your faith produces endurance" (Jam 1:3-4). If we do not learn to be patient, we are not likely to learn anything else. James reminds his readers of Job "Behold, we count those blessed who endured.
Illus: "Patience is the ability to keep your motor idling when you feel like stripping the gears."
4. Acceptable satisfaction “long-suffering with joy”-- To endurance Paul added patience. Patience is characterized by an emotional calm in face of provocation or misfortune. It is a long holding out of the mind before it gives room to passion and so refers to the self-restraint which does not hastily revenge a wrong and expresses itself in patience without complaint or irritation in the face of injustice or unpleasant circumstances. While both graces are used to describe men, only long-suffering is used of God. ENDURANCE has to do with difficult circumstances. PATIENCE has to do with difficult people.
Illus: In his book Confessions of a Pastor, Craig Groeschel offers some advice on how to handle critics: It’s a fact that "hurt people hurt people." They usually dislike themselves and criticize others in a misguided effort to validate themselves. If one of these injured souls lobs a criticism grenade in your direction, defuse it with understanding. Part of considering the source is seeking awareness of what that person may be going through…
Illus: William Barclay: "It’s basic meaning is patience with people. It is the quality of mind and heart which enables a man so to bear with people that their unpleasantness and maliciousness and cruelty will never drive him to bitterness, that their unteachableness and foolishness will never drive him to despair, that their folly will never drive him to irritation, and their unlovliness never alter his love."
IV. A DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL PRAISE (vvs. 12-14) “giving thanks to the Father”-- Warren Wiersbe states, "When a Christian finds himself in a difficult situation, he should immediately give thanks to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Spirit, to keep his heart from complaining and fretting. The devil moves in when a Christian starts to complain, but thanksgiving in the Spirit defeats the devil and glorifies the Lord."
1. Adoration (v. 12) “to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints”-- William MacDonald states: "When God saves someone, He instantly bestows on that person fitness for heaven. That fitness is Christ. Nothing can improve on that. Not even a long life of obedience and service here on earth makes a person more fit for heaven than he was the day he was saved. Our title to glory is found in His blood." "Share" refers to a portion of a whole that has been divided. So the Greek reads more literally " for the portion of the lot", that is we each receive our own individual allot-ment or portion of the total inheritance. In the OT, God’s people had an earthly inheritance, the land of Canaan, and each tribe received its portion of the lot. Christians have a spiritual inheritance in Christ. Crossing the Jordan to Canaan is unfortunately often portrayed as a picture of heaven but this is not an accurate portrayal for there will be no battles or defeats in heaven. More accurately, Canaan can be considered a picture of our present inheritance in kingdom of God’s beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
2. Appreciation (vvs. 13-14) “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins”
1). A deliverance from sin’s power (v. 13a) “He has delivered us from the power of darkness”-- This is the power of darkness where Satan rules. He delivered us, here is a redemptive rescue. This is initiated by God the Father, through the radiant Redeemer, His Son. Delivered means "to draw to oneself or to rescue." It is the picture of someone drowning and another coming to lift him out of the waves to save sin.
Illus: There was an elderly man that had a little piece of property that over the years became extremely valuable. Finally a real estate developer told his agent I want to buy everything on that block--every piece. The agent discovered this man had this little tiny piece of property--finally made a deal with him --to buy the property at a very good price that totally surprised the elderly man. He asked, "When do they want the property?" In about a month. So he hastily did everything he could to refurbish his house located on that lot. Had it painted, fixed up the windows. Did everything he could and when time came to sign over the property he asked the agent "What do you think of the house." Do you think it will be more enjoyable for the person? Happy about what he had done. Look, we are not interested in that house. We are going to tear it down. We didn’t buy this property for what was on it now, but what we are going to put on it. That is why God redeemed us.
2). A deliverance from sin’s presence v. 13b) “(He) conveyed us into the kingdom of Son of God”-- The word "conveyed" (or transferred) means that a population has been taken from one country and to another. As Israel is delivered from Egypt and transferred to Canaan. Also, the ten tribes of Israel was taken away to the land across the Euphrates after the conquest of the Northern Kingdom, an exile from which they never returned and which they became the ten lost tribes. The Colossians are freed from the domain of hostile demon powers and transplanted into a kingdom of light and love. God in Christ has done for that for us! In other words, this means transference from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from condemnation to forgiveness and from the power of Satan to the power of God. This is what God does for His people.
3). A deliverance from sin’s penalty (v. 14) “In whom we have forgiveness…the forgiveness of sins”-- Note the redemption and forgiveness for our sins. Redemption means "to release a prisoner by the payment of a ransom." The word forgiveness means "to send away" or "to cancel a debt." Christ has not only set us free and transferred us to a new kingdom, but He has canceled every debt so that we cannot be enslaved again.
Illus: Howard Hendricks tells of a young man who met Christ after many years of life in the world. After his conversion he went to his first prayer meeting. Everyone was getting up and uttering their flowery (and maybe showy) prayers. Finally, this new convert stood to pray and said, "Lord, this is Mel. I’m not sure whether you remember me or not . . . I met you last Tuesday night. I just wanted to say . . . well . . . Thank-you for changing my life." And then he sat down. The simplicity and honesty of that prayer brought tears to the eyes of many.
CONCLUSION: In closing, remember:
1. Pray for a deeper insight in doing God’s will.
2. Pray for a worthier walk in God’s way.
3. Pray for a richer harvest in God’s work.
4. Pray for a growing knowledge of God’s Word or better yet the God of the Word.
5. Pray for a greater strength in God’s Workers.
We need endurance that no situation can defeat.
We need even-temperedness that no person can defeat.
Illus: A missionary asked his West African translation assistant to help him find the Bambara language translation of "redeem." He replied, "We say, ’God took our head out.’" The missionary asked, "How does that help the people understand redemption?" He explained, "The idea is buried deep in the memories of our fathers." Then he shared about how years before some of his people had been chained together and driven to the coast, each with a heavy iron collar around his neck. As the condemned slaves passed through villages, a chief might see a friend among the slaves and want to set him free. To do this, he paid the Arab slave traders a sum of gold, silver, brass or ivory. The redeemed man would then have his head taken out of the iron collar. His redeemer had taken his head out. Our Redeemer has taken our heads out of slavery of sin and saved us. Therefore we can sing:
Up Calvary’s mountain one dreadful morn,
Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn;
Facing for sinners death on the cross,
That He might save them from endless
loss.
Blessed Redeemer! precious Redeemer!
Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree;
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading--
Blind and unheeding--dying for me!
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