Title: Prayer (Phil. 5)
Contents
Title: Prayer (Explanation to Philippians 5)
(Sunday service on May 27, 2007, text: Philippians 1:9-11)
Every woman has one. He was zealous for Buddhism in the past and was a superstitious person. That is why, during the festivals, Buddhist offerings were offered or offerings were made. Fortune-telling and attaching amulets. Then he met a great ordeal at home. An economic crisis came, and my husband became ill. No matter how much you give, no matter how hard you try, it is of no use. Then, I received the evangelism of my neighbor and started attending church. He was always a religious man, so he was able to attend the early morning prayers shortly after attending church. However, in the beginning, he had only one prayer. “God, help me out of this economic crisis. make me a lot of money Why is my life so hard? Please let me out.” And, many years have passed. However, when I listened to the woman's prayer, the contents changed. “God, help me to forgive my husband. God save my husband. God, I want to live for your glory. please give me strength God, forgive me for my mistake.”
Guys, who are Christians? A Christian is a person who prays. So, is everyone who prays a Christian? No, it is not. To whom and with what content you pray determines whether a person is a true Christian or a Christian only in patterns.
Last time, we said that a Christian is a person who prays to the “living God.” Also, in today's Bible text, Paul said that a Christian is a person who prays first, for “abundant love,” second, for “good discernment,” and third, for “unchangeable truth.” Today, we are going to look at two more prayers that Christians should offer.
Then, what is the content of prayer that Christians should offer?
Fourth, it is a prayer for “the abundant fruit of righteousness.”
Verse 11, “Being full of the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ”
When a seed is planted, it sprouts, flowers, and eventually bears fruit.
Then, when the life of Christ is planted in our hearts, what kind of fruit will it bear? It is, in a word, the fruit of righteousness. The righteousness spoken of in the Bible can be divided into two main categories. One is “statutory righteousness.” This is also what we call “imputed righteousness”. Basically, we are people who have nothing to do with righteousness. No matter how hard they try, no matter how many good deeds they do, it has nothing to do with righteousness. Because the thoughts and motives of his heart are evil.
Genesis 6:5-6 "When the Lord saw that man's iniquity was so great in the world, and that every plan of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time, he lamented that he had created man on the earth, and his heart was grieved."
Sometimes, we can be morally and conscientiously good. However, that kindness is far from God's standard. So we must first be given righteousness from the outside. Jesus Christ, who came in human form, is God. That is why He has perfect righteousness. When we believe in and accept Jesus Christ, who is the righteousness, His righteousness is given to us. Now, I am justified not by my own righteousness, but by his righteousness. This is what we call “justification” as we “justify”. And, those who are justified in this way cannot remain. Because of the righteousness planted in him, his life is now actually made righteous. This is what we call “actual righteousness,” or in other words, “the fruit of righteousness.”
When we believe in Jesus and become Christians, the content of our prayers must change. However, one of them is prayer for “the abundant fruit of righteousness.”
In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to worry about eating and drinking. Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, What to eat, what to drink, or what to wear, for these are all the Gentiles seek, and your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Food and living issues are important. However, Heavenly Father knows all the needs of these people. And, He will surely satisfy our food and living problems. If you believe and trust, God will surely take care of you. Now what do we need to save? It should be a supplication for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, “the fruit of the abundant righteousness.”
Fifth, it is a prayer for “the glory and praise of God.”
Verse 11, “May you be filled with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
What do you live for? No, what do Christians live for? The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” A life that is to the glory and praise of God is the goal of life that Christians should pursue.
In Matthew 4, there is an expression that the devil used repeatedly toward Jesus when he tempted Jesus who had fasted for 40 days. It means “if you are the Son of God”. “Are you the Son of God? Then make bread from this stone and eat it.” What is this? The meaning of this temptation is to worship God, not to live for His glory, but to use Him. It is to use God for your success, your fullness, and your well-being. This is the devil's temptation. Because if you live like this, you will surely perish. Jesus adamantly rejected this temptation.
How are you? Do you live for the glory and praise of God? Or are you using God?
The abundant fruits of righteousness, prayers for the glory and praise of God, these are the contents of prayer that true Christians should offer. I would like to recite the “Prayer for Peace” by St. Francis that I recite last week.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace.
Where there is hate, love
Forgiveness where there is strife,
Unity where there is division,
Faith where there is doubt,
truth where there is wrong,
Hope where there is despair,
Where there is darkness, there is light,
Let me sow joy where there is sorrow.
to comfort rather than be comforted,
understand rather than understand,
Let me love rather than be loved.
we receive by giving
being forgiven through forgiveness
by giving up and dying
Because you get eternal life. Amen.