The Power of Praying for Friends: Philippians 1:3-8
Today’s Episode: The Power of Praying for Friends
Scripture: Philippians 1:3-8
Series: Philippians: The Unshakable Joy of Life in Christ
How do we build truly holy friendships? Join us for Episode 2 of Timeless Truth as Pastor Jim Thomas continues our series, Philippians: The Unshakable Joy of Life in Christ. Exploring Philippians 1:3-8, Pastor Jim dives into the themes of gratitude, partnership in the Gospel, and the transformative power of prayer in our relationships.
“The church is supposed to be God’s new society, the living embodiment of the gospel, a sign of the kingdom of God, a demonstration of what human community looks like when it comes under his gracious rule.”
John Stott, The Message of Ephesians
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ”
Philippians 1:6
What was Paul confident in? His confidence was not in himself, but rather in God.
And did you notice the Present-Past-Future basis of Paul’s unshakable joy?
Present confidence in God: “I am confident of this very thing…”
Past faithfulness of God: “that He who began a good work in you”
Future hope in God: “will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ”
Here is the basis for becoming an individual within a community of unshakable joy: your confidence is in the past faithfulness, the steady presence, and the hopeful promise of God’s power to hold all of history in His hands; and you have faith that God’s plans and purposes will come to pass. Paul had this steady confidence that ALL outcomes belong to God. ALL means all. Large and small!
How should we respond to this passage, especially Philippians 1:6?
Reflect on the things God has done among us in the past.
Rejoice in the work God is doing among us in the present.
Pray with confident hope about how God will continue to move among us in the future.
“Spiritual joy… is not an attitude dependent on chance or circumstances. It is a deep and abiding confidence that, regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, disappointment, failure, rejection, or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of that eternal well-being established by God’s grace in salvation. Thus, Scripture makes it clear that the fullest, most lasting, and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God.”
John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary
