Transformative Prayer for Spiritual Growth and Gratitude
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound prayer of Paul for the new believers in Colossae, as recorded in Colossians 1:9-14. Paul, despite never having met these believers, fervently prayed for their spiritual growth and maturity. He prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. This knowledge isn't merely intellectual but experiential, leading to a transformed life that instinctively knows and follows God's will.
Paul's prayer emphasizes the importance of living a life worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God. This growth is not just about accumulating knowledge but about putting it into practice, much like learning to mow the lawn by actually doing it. Our external actions should reflect our internal transformation.
Moreover, Paul prayed for the believers to be strengthened with all power according to God's glorious might, so they may have great endurance and patience. This strength is not from their own efforts but from God's mighty power, enabling them to endure difficult circumstances and deal with challenging people with joy.
Finally, Paul encouraged continuous thanksgiving, recognizing that God has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. We have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. This profound truth should fill our hearts with gratitude and shape our prayers for one another.
### Key Takeaways
1. Experiential Knowledge of God: Paul prayed for the believers to be filled with an experiential knowledge of God, not just intellectual understanding. This knowledge leads to a transformed life that instinctively knows and follows God's will. It's about knowing God personally and deeply, which changes how we live and interact with the world. [45:31]
2. Living a Life Worthy of the Lord: True knowledge of God is demonstrated through our actions. Paul emphasized that knowing God should lead to living a life worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work. Our external actions should reflect our internal transformation, proving our faith through our deeds. [54:00]
3. Strengthened to Endure with Patience: Paul prayed for the believers to be strengthened with all power according to God's glorious might, so they may have great endurance and patience. This strength comes from God, enabling us to endure difficult circumstances and deal with challenging people with joy. [01:06:27]
4. Continuous Thanksgiving: Paul encouraged continuous thanksgiving, recognizing that God has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. We have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son. This profound truth should fill our hearts with gratitude and shape our prayers for one another. [01:19:17]
5. Transformed by the Gospel: The foundation of being a disciple of Jesus is a changed heart that comes from knowing Christ. This transformation leads to a life that is radically different, filled with the knowledge of God, and lived out in good works. Our joy and strength come from this new identity in Christ, enabling us to live out our faith with endurance and patience. [01:16:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:23] - Introduction and Context
[35:49] - New Experiences and Anxieties
[38:01] - Paul's Prayer for the Colossians
[40:01] - Filled with Knowledge of God's Will
[42:40] - Praying for New Believers
[45:31] - Experiential Knowledge of God
[48:15] - Instinctual Knowledge and Changed Life
[49:52] - Living a Life Worthy of the Lord
[51:45] - Discipleship and Changed Hearts
[54:00] - Proving Knowledge Through Actions
[01:06:27] - Strengthened to Endure with Patience
[01:19:17] - Continuous Thanksgiving
[01:21:04] - Transferred to a New Kingdom
[01:22:17] - Redemption and Forgiveness
[01:33:59] - Response and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Colossians 1:9-14
### Observation Questions
1. What specific things does Paul pray for the believers in Colossae to be filled with? ([40:01])
2. According to the sermon, what does Paul mean by "knowledge of God's will"? ([42:40])
3. How does Paul describe the strength that believers should have, and what is its source? ([01:06:27])
4. What are the two key aspects Paul prays for in terms of endurance and patience? ([01:12:41])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to have an "experiential knowledge of God" as opposed to just intellectual knowledge? How does this impact a believer's life? ([45:31])
2. How does living a life worthy of the Lord manifest in practical actions according to the sermon? ([54:00])
3. Why is it important for believers to be strengthened with God's power rather than relying on their own strength? ([01:06:27])
4. How does continuous thanksgiving shape our perspective on our spiritual inheritance and daily life? ([01:19:17])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. How can you cultivate an experiential knowledge of God this week? What specific actions can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? ([45:31])
2. Think about your daily actions. In what ways can you ensure that your external actions reflect your internal transformation? Can you identify one area where you need to improve? ([54:00])
3. Consider a challenging situation or person in your life. How can you rely on God's strength to endure with patience and joy? What practical steps can you take to apply this in your interactions? ([01:12:41])
4. How can you incorporate continuous thanksgiving into your daily routine? What are some specific things you can thank God for today? ([01:19:17])
5. Identify one good work or act of service you can commit to this week. How will this help you grow in your knowledge of God and bear fruit in your life? ([54:00])
6. Reflect on a time when you tried to rely on your own strength and failed. How can you shift your mindset to depend more on God's power in similar situations in the future? ([01:06:27])
7. How can you encourage and pray for a fellow believer to be filled with the knowledge of God's will and strengthened to endure with patience? What specific prayer can you offer for them this week? ([42:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Experiential Knowledge of God
Paul's prayer for the believers in Colossae emphasizes the importance of being filled with an experiential knowledge of God. This knowledge goes beyond mere intellectual understanding; it is about knowing God personally and deeply. Such knowledge transforms our lives, enabling us to instinctively know and follow God's will. This transformation is not just about acquiring information but about experiencing God in a way that changes how we live and interact with the world. When we truly know God, our lives reflect His character and His will becomes our natural response. [45:31]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: Think about a recent experience where you felt God's presence in a profound way. How did that experience change your perspective or actions? How can you seek more of these experiential encounters with God in your daily life?
Day 2: Living a Life Worthy of the Lord
True knowledge of God is demonstrated through our actions. Paul emphasized that knowing God should lead to living a life worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work. Our external actions should reflect our internal transformation, proving our faith through our deeds. This means that our daily lives should be a testament to our relationship with God. Just as learning to mow the lawn requires actually doing it, living a life worthy of the Lord requires us to put our knowledge into practice. [54:00]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where your actions do not fully align with your faith. What specific steps can you take this week to bring your actions in line with your knowledge of God?
Day 3: Strengthened to Endure with Patience
Paul prayed for the believers to be strengthened with all power according to God's glorious might, so they may have great endurance and patience. This strength is not from their own efforts but from God's mighty power, enabling them to endure difficult circumstances and deal with challenging people with joy. Endurance and patience are crucial for a life of faith, especially when facing trials. God's power sustains us, giving us the ability to remain steadfast and joyful even in the midst of adversity. [01:06:27]
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Think of a current challenge or difficult person in your life. How can you rely on God's strength to endure this situation with patience and joy? What practical steps can you take to seek His power in this area?
Day 4: Continuous Thanksgiving
Paul encouraged continuous thanksgiving, recognizing that God has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. We have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son. This profound truth should fill our hearts with gratitude and shape our prayers for one another. Continuous thanksgiving is a response to the incredible gift of salvation and the new identity we have in Christ. It reminds us of God's grace and keeps our focus on His goodness, even in difficult times. [01:19:17]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Reflect on the ways God has delivered you from darkness and brought you into His light. How can you cultivate a habit of continuous thanksgiving in your daily life? What are three specific things you can thank God for today?
Day 5: Transformed by the Gospel
The foundation of being a disciple of Jesus is a changed heart that comes from knowing Christ. This transformation leads to a life that is radically different, filled with the knowledge of God, and lived out in good works. Our joy and strength come from this new identity in Christ, enabling us to live out our faith with endurance and patience. The gospel transforms us from the inside out, making us new creations who reflect God's love and grace in every aspect of our lives. [01:16:56]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Consider how the gospel has transformed your life. In what ways are you living out this new identity in Christ? What is one area where you can more fully embrace and demonstrate this transformation in your daily actions?
Quotes
1. "If you think about it and all of the new things that I talked about in your new school, new job, your relationship, if you were feeling really anxious, the thing that you want is somebody who's done it before you who can say, hey, this is what this is going to look like. That's really, really when we think about because we know that sometimes figuring it out on our own is not easy." [38:01] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We should pray for each other. We should pray without ceasing and we sometimes say that like because when we remember maybe it's just me growing up in the deep south ever heard anybody because nine times out so today I want to give you some instruction from God's word on how to actually you're ready to take notes I hope you are you can write this down how do we pray for new believers how do we pray for followers we pray we should pray for this for new followers of Jesus new churches and honestly old followers Jesus and old churches that they should be filled with the knowledge." [42:40] (106 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "This is where it all starts. This is where being a disciple of Jesus starts. It starts with a changed heart that comes from knowing Christ. This is the foundation of all that follows and it's true for us today. You know we talk a lot about discipleship and impact if you've been here for a little bit you might want to twice every time we get together because it's really important and because we believe that this is what God has called us to do this is the mission he gave to the church go and make disciples of all nations disciples of all nations and so this is what we're trying to do." [51:45] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But here's the deal. We can't just pray. We have to pray that without ceasing. We want to see lives change because we want to see people change that's what we have to because that needs to be prayed honestly for new followers of Jesus maybe they're tired maybe circumstances are leading them to walk away and pray the same thing fill them up with the knowledge of all spiritual understanding so Paul doesn't just pray for this though sometimes I think that's enough but he keeps going he asks them to be filled with his knowledge this knowledge of the word is essential knowledge for me at inverse 10." [54:00] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "This is the true test of knowing God. It's not what we say but it's what we do. It's the new instinct of a changed heart that's found in Jesus that leads to new behaviors, new lifestyles, new ways of living but you don't know it until you do it so let me tell you a story how many of you have ever mowed grass okay how many of you like cooking grass okay I love it there's a sense of like instant gratification when you're you smell the fresh grass and you know it's a good time right but here's the deal if you haven't done it before you don't know how to do that okay especially with the push button." [55:46] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "See, God desires your with joy. And he desires for you to live a life that pleases him, because that's what he wants. That's where we find the ultimate joy. is praying that they would live a life transformed by the gospel, and find that their joy is found no longer in their circumstances, or the things that they want to have, or need. Their joy is no longer found just in their families, or their jobs, their safety, their security, their comfort, their entertainment. No. Instead, he prays that our joy is found in the reality of God." [01:01:02] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Imagine, just imagine for a second, how our world would change, how this would change our lives, and our church, and the people who are following Jesus, if this is what we pray for. Imagine how this might change the lives of your community group, your serve team, your family, your friends, your coworkers, if this is what we pray for. That they would grow in the knowledge of God, and that they would walk in the manner of pleasing him, bearing fruit for him, growing in good works, and therefore deepening their relationships with him. What wondrous works God might work in our lives, if this was our constant." [01:03:03] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "But here's the deal. That's not where Paul is coming from. And we can be encouraged. So, you're taking notes here the next day. Pray. They are strengthened to endure, and patient to endure. How should you pray? They are strengthened. They are strengthened to endure. Patience. See, we know. We recognize that it is impossible for any of us, any of us, myself included, has to bring in this fruit. Any follower of Jesus, it is impossible to live a life worthy of him." [01:06:27] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Brothers and sisters, can you imagine, can you fathom what Paul is praying for? He's praying for this new church at Colossae to be able to live as fully mature followers of Jesus. Changed by the Spirit of God. To live out in such a way that even their suffering, even in their suffering, they are strengthened by God. Able to endure and to do it with us. would this change us? This is how we lifted up our leaders, our community groups, the people we're discipling, the people that we are watching struggle with the very idea of faith. This is what we pray for them. Can you imagine how this could change?" [01:16:56] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Qualify means to be made sufficient. To be made adequate. So look at those words. Give thanks to the Father who has qualified you. He has made you sufficient. He has made you adequate. To do what? To share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Well, what's that inheritance? Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters in Christ, it's Him. You get Him. That's what you get. The inheritance is the presence of God Himself. It's Him in heaven. It's His presence forever. It's a rewriting of the story that started in Genesis chapter 3 where we got kicked out of the garden. Your inheritance with thanksgiving is that God has said, you can come back." [01:19:17] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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