Blessing of Prayer & Being in the Church -- 9/27/09

Sunday, September 27, 2009

THE BLESSING OF PRAYER AND THE LOCAL CHURCH
Phil. 1:3-8

We are looking at Paul’s letter to the Philippians. While Paul wrote four letters to individuals, nine of his letters were written to churches. We found in verse 1 that Paul addressed his letter to “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, together with the bishops and deacons.” He sent it to the church, which was composed of all the saints in Christ Jesus who were at Philippi. It wasn’t intended for certain individuals in the church, but for all of those saints in Christ Jesus.

This morning, as we continue to look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we will see that he was very thankful for the church at Philippi. Because he was thankful for these brothers and sisters, he prayed for them. Last week I suggested that we might look at verses 1-11 as Paul’s introduction to his letter. And we might break it down like this…
1. The make-up of the church (1)
2. Paul’s blessing for the church (2)
3. Paul’s thanksgiving for the church (3-8)
4. Paul’s prayer for the church (9-11)

This morning we will be looking at verses 3-8. In this section it is very easy to see how thankful Paul was for the Philippian believers. Last week we talked about Paul’s blessing for the church. What was it? “Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” I guess I still have that concept of blessing on my mind. This morning I want us to remember what a blessing it is to be a part of God’s church. We will look at it both from Paul’s side and the side of the Philippians. Let’s see it from two aspects…
1. The blessing of personal prayer
2. The blessing of being in the church

Now let’s read Phil. 1:1-8…
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5. For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7. Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

I. The Blessing of Personal Prayer

Because Paul was deeply thankful for the Philippian church, he earnestly prayed for his brothers and sisters there. He not only prayed, but he prayed regularly for them. His prayers for the Philippian church were not routine, but they came from the depths of his heart.

A. Prayers of Thanksgiving and Joy

Paul begins by reminding them that every time he thinks of them, he gives thanks to God. And then he quickly goes on to say, “Always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy.” Notice that his prayers for them are sandwiched between thanksgiving and joy. He not only prayed for them, but he prayed with thanksgiving and joy.

So why was Paul so thankful for the Philippian church? At first glance, after reading the entire letter, we might conclude that Paul was thankful for the way they supported him. We read in chapter two that Philippi was the only church that gave him financial support, and they had done it more than once. In addition, they had sent Epaphroditus to minister to him personally. In addition, we see in verse 5 that he was thankful for their fellowship in the gospel. One author (Jonathan Sims in The Book of Philippians) refers to Philippi as the model church. Surely Paul had much to be thankful for concerning the church.

However, we must understand that his thanksgiving went beyond these outward causes. He sounds this note of thanksgiving in all of his letters, with the exception of Galatians. When he wrote to the Galatians, it seems that his urgency to deal with the deep problems launched him directly into the letter without mention of this thanksgiving. But even when he wrote to Corinth with all of its problems, he said, “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 1:4). His thanksgiving was not based primarily upon the outward circumstances of the church, but upon Paul’s focus on the grace of Jesus Christ. Even within the Philippian church there were problems. In chapter 3 he had to warn them of evil workers. In chapter 4 he had to strongly urge two women to be of one mind in the Lord. He himself was writing from prison. Nevertheless, he was deeply thankful for what he saw God doing in the Philippian church. Even when he made petition for them, asking specific things on their behalf, he made his requests with joy.

What a lesson for every believer. True thanksgiving isn’t conditioned by the outward circumstances. Do you give thanks when others give you reason for thanksgiving? Or do you “give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20)? When the world can find no reason to give thanks, the one who trusts God can always give thanks. When it would seem impossible, God will always give us grace to thank God for our brothers and sisters, no matter what the circumstances.

Nevertheless, the church at Philippi did make it easy for Paul to give thanks. What if Paul were writing to this church? Would he find it easy to give thanks? Would he write to us with great joy because of what he saw the Lord doing in and through us?

Fifteen years ago I went to Chugiak, Alaska and spent a week with Bob Chadwick, who had been my pastor from the time I was 12 until I graduated from high school. He wasn’t a perfect man or a perfect pastor, but I had great respect for him because his life demonstrated that he loved God and he loved God’s people. I can’t remember too much about that visit, but I do remember one thing he told me. He said something like this: “The longer I serve the Lord, the more thanksgiving dominates my prayer life.” I haven’t forgotten that. Are my prayers flavored with a continual attitude of joy and thanksgiving?

B. Persistence in Prayer

Read verses 3-4 again: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.” Notice the phrase “every remembrance” and in verse 4 the words “every” and “always.” I get the definite impression that Paul prayed often for these Philippian brothers and sisters. Since they seemed to be doing well, he might have figured they didn’t need his prayers, but that was not the case with Paul.

What is amazing is the way Paul prayed consistently for so many. Just listen to his testimony, as he wrote his letters…

Rom 1:9 "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;"
1 Cor 1:4 "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;"
Eph 1:16 "Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;"
Col 1:3 "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,"
1 Th 1:2 "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;"
2 Tim 1:3 "I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;"
Philemon 1:4 "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,"

Either Paul was a liar, or he spent a lot of time praying! Later we will talk more about him being in prison, but just think about it with me for a minute. Our adversary, the devil, was able to limit the physical work of Paul by putting him in prison, but he wasn’t able to shut down Paul’s ministry. While he was in prison, Paul had even more time to pray. What we believe about prayer will determine whether we believe Paul could minister effectively from prison. When we read his letters, we have to conclude that Paul believed prayer was vital to his ministry.

Persistence in prayer is one of the most important things we can learn from Paul. While we may complain that we are not gifted to minister as Paul did, what can we say about the opportunity to pray? Paul had no special monopoly on prayer. We can pray, just as Paul did. One of first excuses the devil will give us for praying little is the fact that we are just too busy. Look at Paul. This was a man who started churches and carried on a regular correspondence with them. “But Paul was able to pray like this because he had plenty of time in jail.” Are you willing to go to jail so that you will have more time to pray? Brothers and sisters, we give attention to what we believe is important. If you and I “don’t have time to pray,” we should count up the hours we give to other things. Persistence in prayer is not an option for the believer who is seeking God; it is essential. Please understand that I am preaching first of all to me.

C. The Giving of Self in Prayer

Now look at verses 7-8, "Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ." Paul openly told them that he had them in his heart and that they partook with him of grace. And then he made that strong statement: “God knows how much I longed for you with the affection of Jesus Christ.

When I read it out of the King James, you noticed the phrase “the bowels of Jesus Christ.” That is the translation of a Greek word that referred to the heart, lungs, and liver, “from which feelings of love and tenderness were thought to arise” (Howard Vos, A Study Guide to Philippians). It is similar to our phrase, “I love you with all my heart.” It was a very strong expression.

When Paul prayed for the Philippians (and for other Christians), it was not a mechanical exercise or a meaningless routine. Paul gave himself freely, as he prayed for them. It is an understatement to say that Paul was attached to these brothers and sisters. Later in chapter 4 he will say, “Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (4:1).

Surely this kind of self-giving makes for effective prayer. Think of your own experience. Do you not have more confidence when you pray for a person for whom the Lord has given you great affection and love? When you pray in such a way that nothing is held back, when you put your whole self into the prayer, don’t you believe that God cares and that He will answer?

Understand that Paul addresses this letter to all the saints in Christ Jesus who were at Philippi. Paul had this tender affection for all the Philippian Christians. But surely there were a few of them that weren’t so lovable. Paul’s affection for them was not because they were wonderful, perfect, lovable people; it was because they were his brothers and sisters in Christ. They shared the life of Christ, and for that reason he held them close to his heart.

II. The Blessing of Being in the Church

Now we want to shift our focus from Paul who was praying for the church at Philippi to the church itself. Paul says some things that give us insight into the Philippian church and give us instruction, as we seek to be the church the Lord wants us to be. I would like to emphasize three great blessings that come to those who are a part of the local church.

A. The Blessing of Fellowship

Look again at verses 3-5. Verse 4 is kind of like a parenthesis. Verse 5 is connected closely to verse 3. Let me read it, skipping verse 4. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you… for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul thanked the Lord specifically for their fellowship in the gospel. But what does that mean?

First of all, let’s take a look at that word translated “fellowship.” The Greek word is one that has been brought over into English, and, no doubt, some of you have heard it. It is the word koinonia. It is used 19 times in the New Testament, and in 12 of those occurrences the KJV translates it as “fellowship.” Four times it is rendered “communion” (once each as communication, distribution, contribution). Thayer’s Greek-English lexicon gives it these basic definitions: fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse. So we might think of it as including partnership, participation, and communication (Sims). This koinonia is a meaningful sharing together.

Paul thanked God for their fellowship in the gospel, their partnership and participation in the gospel. I must say until recently I just assumed that referred to the fact that they were partners with the Paul in the work of the gospel. That is certainly true. They sent financial help to him and were obviously vitally involved with him, as he preached the gospel. However, that is not the only possibility. We might also think of their fellowship with one another in the gospel. We must remember that the fellowship within the church is built upon one thing – the life of Christ. That sharing of life is not based upon common race, similar backgrounds and experiences, having the same likes and dislikes. The world has a “fellowship” based on those things. The uniqueness of the church is that its people are held together by a participation in the life of Christ, though they may differ in every other respect.

The scripture speaks clearly of this principle. Please turn to Eph. 2. As I read this passage, please bear in mind its background. Paul is dealing with the great gulf between Jews and Gentiles. In general, they hated one another. The animosity between Jews and Gentiles was racial, cultural, and religious. Take the religious conflict in Ireland, add to it the black/white conflicts of this country in the 60’s, and then add to that the current suspicion of Arabs, and you might come close to the barrier between Jew and Gentile. Now listen to Eph. 2:11-22…
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The barrier was beyond description, but God made both one in Jesus Christ. This is why the church enjoys a fellowship the world knows nothing about.

We find the same thing in 1 Pet 2:9-10,
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Look at us. We were not a people. Many of us have very little in common. But He has made us a people, a body, a family. How? It is because we share the life of Jesus Christ. We participate together in His life. We are partners in the ministry of the gospel. We communicate with one another, as we exhort each other, considering one another and spurring one another on to love and good works (see Heb. 3:12-14; 10:24-25).

I cannot overemphasize the blessing of fellowship within in the church. And we must emphasize it because it has been much misunderstood in the past few decades. Fellowship is not just getting together. It is not achieved because we have the same interests and talk about the same things. This room can be packed with people and there still be little or no fellowship. This fellowship of which the Bible speaks begins supernaturally, because no one can experience until he or she has been born again. I encourage you to restrict the term “fellowship” to the biblical definition. Sometimes I hear us talk about people having fellowship, even non-Christian people. No. That confuses the issue. Fellowship is among those who share the life of Christ. And the more we partner together in the cause of Christ and let His life dominate our communication, the richer our fellowship will be.

Paul thanked God for the fellowship of the Philippians. Yes, they had fellowship with him, but deeper than that they had fellowship with one another. They heard from Paul now and then, but they shared the life of Christ on a regular basis within the context of the local church. That thrilled Paul, and so he gave thanks to God for that fellowship.

B. The Blessing of Assurance

Now we come to the verse we haven’t really mentioned this morning. On the other hand, we refer to it many, many times. Let’s read verse 6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” For Paul, this is not just a wish. He says that he is confident. This is a strong word which means “to be persuaded.” This is the same word that Paul uses in Rom. 8:38-39, when he says, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Paul is just as persuaded that He who began a good work in them will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

That word translated “perform” is another very strong word. The base Greek word means “to complete,” but it has a little preposition in front of it to make it stronger. The resulting word means “to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete.” The meaning here is very simple. Paul is absolutely persuaded that God will finish what he started. When he put His life into one of those Philippian believers, He intended to bring it to completion, to make that life like Christ.

Again, this is a beautiful principle set forth in the scriptures. When a person first receives the life of Christ, what is he? He is a baby, having just been born. For that person to be a mature adult spiritually, there must be much growth. Let’s read again Eph. 4:11-16, where Paul speaks of that growth…
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

But how do we know that growth will take place? Because God, who sees the end from the beginning, says it will. I realize there are many who want to qualify Phil. 1:6 and say, “If we do such and such, then God’s work will come to completion,” but that isn’t what the text says. There are no qualifying words. When the Lord starts a work within, He will bring it to completion – period. Does that mean a Christian can do whatever he pleases, and God will still finish the work, make him like Christ, and take him to heaven? No. Because God is doing the work in him, he won’t be able to go on doing whatever he pleases. Rather, he will be conformed to the image of Christ, though it may be ever so gradually.

Look at one other passage of scripture which says basically the same thing. Rom. 8:28-30…
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

What is Paul saying here? Simply that He who begins a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Someone may say, “How long will that take?” Until the day of Jesus Christ, until Jesus comes again. It is a process. We find the seed of this truth even in the Old Testament. Ps. 138:8, "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."

Of course, we must understand that this promise is true only for those in whom the Lord has begun the work. In other words, just because a person claims to be a Christian, that doesn’t mean that this promise applies to him. This must be the true work of being born of the Spirit, of being adopted into the family of God. Notice that this is not a work that any man began, but it is a work that God began. Enough said on this subject, as we have talked about it at length in times past.

Before we leave this verse, I want you to think about something. Hear it again: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We have a strong tendency to interpret scripture individually. Our background has trained us to do so. Most of us immediately think of the good work that he started in me as an individual. But remember that this letter was written to a church, to people who were participating together in the life of Christ. Might Paul have meant, “I am persuaded that He who began a good work there in Philippi by establishing you as a church will perfect it until the day of Christ”? That principle does come from our Lord Jesus, who said, “And upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Just bear that in mind. When we read that passage from Eph. 4, did you notice that the emphasis was not upon the individual, but upon the body of Christ? We must be careful not to individualize everything in the Bible.

C. The Blessing of Loving Affection

Now come back again to verse 8, “For God is my record, now greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” God knows how much I long after you all in the affections of Jesus Christ. I have already mentioned to you that this word translated “bowels” is intended to communicate a deep loving affection. The root of that deep feeling (yes, I am using the word “feeling,” because that is what the idea is here) is the Lord Jesus Himself. The Amplified reads like this: “For God is my witness how I long for and pursue you all with love, in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus Himself.”

Think with me for a moment. It is certainly true that Paul’s deep affection for the Philippians was not based on how wonderful they were. It was based primarily upon the affections of Christ Jesus. We sometimes emphasize that agape love, the love with which God loves us, is not just a feeling. It is a willing and doing the best for the other person. It goes beyond feeling. However, we must not twist that truth to make it say that the Lord has no affection for His own. I remind you that the Father loves all of His children just as He loves His own Son Jesus. That is what we learn from Jesus’ prayer to His Father in John 17:23, "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." Don’t take lightly the bowels, the affections, of the Lord Jesus. It was that tender love that motivated Paul’s love for God’s people.

Now if that was true of Paul, what about the rest of God’s people? Jesus commands His people to love one another: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). That is the agape word, the love that goes beyond feeling. So we might take it really hard: “I have to love all my brothers and sisters, whether I want to or not.” On the other hand, let us remember the affections, the tender mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 9:36, "But when he [Jesus] saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." That word translated “compassion” is the same word (just the verbal form) that is translated “bowels” here in Phil. 1:8. If Jesus looked on us with tender affection when we were scattered abroad as sheep without a shepherd, how does He look on us now that we are clothed with His righteousness? We are the apple of His eye. Even though David was an Old Testament saint, he knew something about the Lord’s affection. After he was convicted of his adultery and murder, he came to God with these words: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions” (Ps. 51:1).

When we realize that we are blessed with such tender affection from our Lord, shouldn’t that impact the relationship we have with one another? That Christ who loves us with tender mercy is the Christ whose Spirit dwells within us. As we are conformed to His image, we love like He loves. We not only do what is best for our brothers and sisters, but we cultivate a deep, loving affection for them. Is it more difficult with some than with others? Yes, but what we remember is that these tender mercies are not ultimately based on how our brothers and sisters act, but upon the truth that our loving Lord has redeemed them and made them a part of the family, both His and ours!

Someone here might have this attitude: “Well, I’m just not a very affectionate person by nature. That’s hard for me.” I understand. We are all shaped by our personality, our background, and our experiences. Nevertheless, if you have been included in the church of Jesus Christ, then you have been included in this net of the tender affections of Jesus Christ. As God conforms you to the image of Christ, your heart will continue to soften and you will give and receive such loving affection. And when you do, God will receive even more glory from your life, because people will know it is the Lord working in you rather than you simply doing something by your own strength!

Brothers and sisters, it is a blessing to be in the church where the affections of Jesus Christ flourish. Praise God! Perhaps you didn’t grow up with loving affection in your family, but you can know that family affection now that you are in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

What more can be said this morning? May we pray for one another with thanksgiving and joy. As our Lord Jesus told us, may we always pray and not faint (Luke 18:1). And may we pray with untiring persistence.

As we pray, let us rejoice in being included in the Lord’s church, which is expressed through the local church. It is in the context of the church that we enjoy the blessing of fellowship, the blessing of assurance, and the blessing of deep, loving affection.

Now let me a saw a word to you who are not a part of the Lord’s church. Perhaps you are
thinking, “I would sure like to be a part of a family like that.” Let me remind you of why you are not part of that family and cannot be. The prophet Isaiah says that the hand of the Lord is not shortened that it cannot save, but your iniquities have separated between you and your God (Is. 59:1-2). Your sins have separated you from your Creator. Whether you are six or sixty, your sins stand between you and God. The Lord God cannot let you into His church, because your sin would utterly defile it. He will not have rebels within the ranks.

But I have good news for you. “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). Look to the Lamb of God. When you read about Abraham taking his son Isaac up on the mountain to sacrifice him, it is hard for you to keep back the tears. That is only the picture of what God did when He put His Son on the cross. God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21).

Look to Jesus. Don’t just take a casual glance at Him. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Look at Him today, and tomorrow, and the day after. Behold Him until your heart is broken and you kneel before Him in repentance and faith. Yes, you can become a part of the Lord’s church, but it is only through Jesus the Lamb.