Thankfulness and Prayer in 2021
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Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 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, 10 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; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:3-14 ESV
Psalm 115:1-3 ESV - 1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" 3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases
Colossians 1:28 ESV - 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Colossians 2:3 ESV - 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:9-10 ESV - 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled (made complete) in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
1. The Context of Paul’s Prayer
Colossians 1:3-5 ESV - 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
John 3:36 ESV - 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV - 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Five Truths Regarding Their Embrace of the Gospel
1. The Gospel You Heard Is the Word of Truth
Colossians 1:5b ESV - Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
2. The Gospel Not Only Came to You, But to the Whole World
Colossians 1:6a ESV - which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world
3. The Gospel is Working
Colossians 1:6b ESV - it is bearing fruit and increasing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
4. The Gospel was Faithfully Preached by Epaphras
Colossians 1:7 ESV - 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
5. Epaphras Has Verified Their Testimony
Colossians 1:8 ESV - 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
2. The Content of Paul’s Prayer
Colossians 1:9 ESV - 9 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,
Romans 12:2 ESV - 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Peter 2:15 ESV - 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Psalm 143:10 ESV - 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Four Characteristics of a Church that is Pleasing to the Lord
1. Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work (v10)
John 15:8 ESV - 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
2. Increasing in the Knowledge of God (v10)
1 Peter 2:2 ESV - 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation
Philippians 1:9 ESV - 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
3. Strengthened with Power (v11)
Colossians 1:11 ESV - May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
4. Giving Thanks to God (v12)
Colossians 1:12 ESV - giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.