Bible Study - Thrive (1) - Praying with Joy - Philippians 1:3-11 - January 22, 2017

Bible Study – Thrive (1) – Praying with Joy – January 22, 2017

This is lesson one (1) in our new series entitled “Thrive: Living in Real Joy.”

Our focus scripture is Philippians 1:3-11.

Prayer is an opportunity to experience joy.

It is fitting that this new series follows our study of GOD’S Word, Psalm 119, and the special lesson, GOD has chosen us – all of us for HIS purpose.

We are not upon earth by accident but by design. GOD knew us before HE created the world. Exactly according to HIS plan, we were conceived and born with the freewill to choose.

Over the next six-weeks our focus scripture will be taken from Philippians. Our lesson will focus on: Praying, Sharing, Following, Growing, Practicing and Giving. Each study will focus on the “Joy” associated with each of these.

Lesson one focuses on “Praying with Joy.” Let’s explore!

Prayer is talking with GOD. Prayer is a two-way conversation. We talk with GOD and GOD speaks to us. How does GOD speak to us? Any way we will listen to HIM. Do you recall 1 Kings 19:11-13, GOD communicated with the Prophet Elijah as we read:

11 Then He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord's presence." At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.

13 When Elijah heard [it], he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Priscilla Shirer has a Bible Study entitled “Discerning the Voice of GOD.” If you have not taken it, I highly recommend it.

Do we pray in real joy? What is our expectation? When GOD does not respond, what do we do?

We must keep in mind that there is the physical and the spiritual realm. Let’s consider the prayer of Daniel. His prayer was delayed, as we recorded in Daniel 10:10-14:

Angelic Conflict

10 Suddenly, a hand touched me (Daniel) and raised me to my hands and knees.

11 He said to me, "Daniel, you are a man treasured [by God]. Understand the words that I'm saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you." After he said this to me, I stood trembling.

Do you know that you are treasured by GOD?

12 "Don't be afraid, Daniel," he said to me, "for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days."

GOD’S delay does not indicate that GOD has not already taken action on your request. You simply do not know it. That is why, when we pray, we must trust.  

The Apostle Paul gives us insight into the spirit world in Ephesians 6:12-13:

12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

Satan does not want Christians to experience the power of prayer. The words of Dr. Vance Havner come to mind “We must practice in the dark what we learn in the light.”

When we pray, we must trust GOD to answer according to HIS will and purpose for our lives and in the lives of others.

The scripture reveals to Christian men a very important point regarding their prayer life as recorded in 1 Peter 3:7:

7 Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

The Apostle Paul was called by GOD to go to Macedonia. The Apostle Paul and his companions would establish a church in Philippi. This is recorded in Acts 15:36-41 and 16:1-40. Paul, Timothy, Silas and Luke met with a group of women who were worshiping near the river in Philippi. This group of ladies formed the base for the new Christian church in Philippi.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi was written while Paul was in prison in Rome. He thanked them for the gift they had sent to him. Plus, he wanted them to know the joy and strength that comes from obediently serving JESUS. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Philippians 1:1-2:

Greeting

1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Slaves are those bought with a price for the purpose of doing their masters work. All who place their faith in JESUS have been bought with a price no other person can provide and that is the shed blood of JESUS.

Let’s read Philippians 1:3-6:

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,

It is wonderful when our memories of a certain place and friends we met in that place bring joy to us. Paul reveals the joy in the LORD that he experienced with them in Philippi. There was unity and harmony through the common bond of Christian fellowship which is “koinonia.” There was “joy” which comes from the Greek “chara” which is related to the Greek word “charis” for “grace.”

Paul had rich memories because GOD was at work in Philippi in the lives of Lydia and the Philippian jailer and his family. Watching GOD work in the lives of people brings joy to all who minister in the name of JESUS. This leads us to ----

4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is always a joy to watch those who have accepted JESUS as their Savior continually to obediently serve HIM throughout their lives. Once they began their journey with JESUS they have continued to walk with HIM.

We need to look back at Acts 16:11-40:

Lydia's Conversion

11 Then, setting sail from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis,

12 and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for a number of days.

13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.

14 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul.

15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.

Paul and Silas in Prison

16 Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit of prediction and made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling.

17 As she followed Paul and us she cried out, "These men are the slaves of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation."

18 And she did this for many days. But Paul was greatly aggravated, and turning to the spirit, said, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it came out right away.

19 When her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

20 And bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, "These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews,

21 and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice."

22 Then the mob joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods.

23 After they had inflicted many blows on them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to keep them securely guarded.

24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks.

A Midnight Deliverance

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains came loose.

27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped.

28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, "Don't harm yourself, because all of us are here!"

29 Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

30 Then he escorted them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household."

32 Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house.

33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized.

34 He brought them up into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household.

An Official Apology

35 When daylight came, the chief magistrates sent the police to say, "Release those men!"

36 The jailer reported these words to Paul: "The magistrates have sent orders for you to be released. So come out now and go in peace."

37 But Paul said to them, "They beat us in public without a trial, although we are Roman citizens, and threw us in jail. And now are they going to smuggle us out secretly? Certainly not! On the contrary, let them come themselves and escort us out!"

38 Then the police reported these words to the magistrates. And they were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

39 So they came and apologized to them, and escorting them out, they urged them to leave town.

40 After leaving the jail, they came to Lydia's house where they saw and encouraged the brothers, and departed.

The Church of Philippi was established in Lydia’s house.

Now back to our focus scripture repeating Philippians 1:6:

6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Salvation is an ongoing process until a Christian either, exits his or her earth suit and goes to Heaven or CHRIST returns to earth for the second time. Christians are secure in CHRIST.

Let’s read Philippians 1:7-8:

7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel.

Paul was on the receiving end of the love the Christians in Philippi had for JESUS because they were ministering to him in prison and remaining steadfast in the defense and rock solid foundation of the gospel during times of uncertainty.

8 For God is my witness, how I deeply miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

The hard times in our lives produce joy when we see the hand of GOD at work in those whose hearts have been changed by the gospel. Hard times produced lasting relationships with fellow Christians in Philippi. Christians in Philippi saw the power and hand of GOD at work in the lives of Paul, Silas and the others who were with Paul as well as fellow converts to CHRIST.

Paul witnessed a genuineness of salvation in the lives of the Christians in Philippi because they had not forgotten Paul and had reached out to him while he was in prison in Rome. They had sent Epaphroditus to minister to Paul in prison with financial support.

Paul and Silas had demonstrated the love of JESUS when they were beaten and placed in jail in Philippi and GOD’S deliverance and care for them. They saw the fruit that came from their overnight stay in jail that resulted in the jailer and his family receiving JESUS as their Savior and becoming Christians. They saw that Paul and Silas exonerated by the public officials in Philippi.

Let’s read Philippians 1:9-11:

9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment,

Paul’s prayer was for their love of JESUS to continue to grow as they put into action what GOD, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, was revealing to them. Growth is continuing action. When Christians put into action what they learn as they yield their lives to CHRIST results in knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge applied to GOD’S plan. Wisdom in turn results in having every kind of discernment for application to our walk as Christians -----

10 so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that [comes] through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Discernment keeps us focused on that which is important to GOD according to HIS plans and purpose for our lives. We can get caught up in busy activity which robs us of time. Christians need to discern what really matters to GOD and for Christians to obediently use their time wisely.

We are time dependent. If Satan can get us to chase useless activity that is contrary to GOD’S plan it dilutes the time Christians can focus on that which is important for GOD. It robs GOD and it robs us of the joy of obedient service.

Satan will do all he can to get our eyes turned away from GOD.

GOD is sovereign and our prayer life is vital for Christians to function upon earth. Satan desires for humans to consider this world truth and reality but the truth is that all Christians are destined for heaven which is truth and reality. This world is not our home; we are aliens in a foreign land. Prayer connects us to truth. Salvation connects us to this truth and is the starting point to reality. Christians look through the fog of life and then face to face as they build their relationship with GOD through JESUS. As we read and study GOD’S Word, pray and obediently put into action what GOD reveals to us, the fog of this life is lifted and we begin to see and understand truth.

May we all be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through JESUS CHRIST to the glory and praise of GOD” because this world is not our final destination. The “fruit of righteousness” as it is manifested in our lives brings unspeakable joy to us as we communicate with our Father, through prayer, because HE is the reality upon earth in the midst of the fog in life upon 

earth. Blessings!!!