Text: Philippians 1:3-11
Title: The Pastoral Prayer
Paul’s Situation
The book of Philippians was probably written during Paul’s first 1st imprisonment in Rome at around AD 60-62. Most probably he wrote this letter while he is in prison. As we try to picture Paul’s situation, probably he is waiting for the verdict of his case. Maybe he’s a little bit tense. Probably he is a little dismayed because he was imprisoned without a crime. But of course, it is surely a pride for him to be imprisoned in Christ Jesus.
Some authors said that the church in Philippi was probably the most favorite church of Paul. In the passage that we have read, we can see a clue why. In verse 5, it mentioned about the Philippian church being a “partner” (NIV) in the gospel with Paul. Now take note that Philippi is in the province of Macedonia. In 2 Corinthians 8, Macedonian churches which includes Philippi, Berea and Thessalonica assisted Paul and his companions in the ministry by supporting them financially and physically.
Meaning, they have a good relationship and partnership in the past where Paul treasured it in his heart that until the time of his imprisonment, he remembered those good days with the Philippian Church. Take note however that Paul had lots of opposition in Philippi, but such opposition did not came from the believers but from the unbelievers.
There are three things that we can see here as a good quality of the Philippian Church.
The Philippian Church
1.Is a supportive church. The word “partner” is very important here in the passage. In a corporate world when we speak of partnership it means that “two or more parties agreed to pull talent and money and share profits and losses.” The church in Philippi had been a good partner of Paul. In verse 5 of our passage, it says that they’ve been a partner since the beginning until the time that he was imprisoned.
Philippians 4:14-15 speaks of that great generosity of the Philippian church. There was a debate to whether or not a pastor or a worker should dogmatically live by faith or not. It is true that the Bible teaches the Pastors and other servants of Christ to live by faith. However, it will be unfair if we discuss living by faith but without discussing supporting the workers. It’s because the Bible also teaches that members ought to support their workers.
And take note that the support that they are to give to the workers should not be out of obligation but of love. To tell you the truth, there is no such comparable joy that the pastors felt than to feel that they are being loved by their members, not only in terms of supporting his needs but also in obedience to the word of God.
Let me ask this question to you as a church; are we supportive in the ministry? Do we act as partners in the gospel?
I believe that most of you are now aware of our Macedonian project. It was called Macedonian project because we had a fund raising for our pastors in our outreaches for their support. We made partnership to different people and associations in order to support our pastors in our outreaches. And these supports that we have gathered are not out of riches, but out of generosity. We encouraged our partners to give not out of their excess but out of their love.
2.Is a loving church. Verse 9 of our passage mentioned about the love of the Philippian church. That even when Paul went ahead in his missionary work, they continue to support him in his way in preaching the gospel in different places. Obviously Paul loved this church very much for they have shown great love to him and to our Lord Jesus Christ.
I would say that Philippian church is a pastor loving church, a minister loving church. We can see how Paul loved them so much that Paul always remembers them in prayer. Take note that a church can be called “supportive” yet do not practice love. It’s not all about the need, its all about the care.
But I tell you this, becoming a supportive church without love is not a supportive church at all. The book of Philippians tells the story of a church that supports their minister out of great love to their workers and of Christ. The book of Acts (16) even tells us that they took care of Paul even of the great opposition of their community to their ministers. It is up to the point of giving their loyalty despite of the great pressures of the community.
The Philippian church is not only driven by their love to their minister but also driven by their love to Christ. In chapter 16 of the book of Acts we can also find the story of Paul and Silas when they were thrown to jail. The jailer who became a believer expressed his great joy by feeding Paul and Silas in their home (take note that they are still prisoners) v.34.
Verse 18 of Chapter 4 of the book of Philippians is another example of their love to Paul resulted in great generosity and their gifts not only became a gift to Paul but an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Meaning if you gave something to a minister out of your love, it is already a pleasing sacrifice to him. And by the way, for those who have extended their love gifts to me and to Grace, we don’t know you but we want to claim and give this verse to you, Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. May God bless you the more.
3.Is a passionate church. We can also see here that their love to their worker is driven with deep passion for if not they will not and cannot continue being a partner to Paul. They’ve been supporting Paul since the beginning and until this time that Paul is facing a great trial in his life. Their love is not just by words but with actions. Actions with deepest expression of their love.
They did not only support Paul financially but they also supported him in prayers, Philippians 1:19. The Philippian church is a praying church. No wonder that they grow in love because they practice it through prayer. They pray for their minister. How about you? Do you pray for your pastor? How about to your leaders?
There’s an article written by Chuck Lawless. Chuck Lawless in his book “Discipled Warriors” differentiated the church that talks about prayer and the church that really pray. Here are their differences…
Churches that talk about prayer...
tell people to pray.
announce prayer meetings.
preach about prayer.
may have a prayer list.
may have a prayer ministry as one among many.
have leaders who talk about prayer.
Churches that really pray ...
teach people to pray.
actually pray at prayer meetings.
preach about prayer and pray during preaching.
intentionally pray through the prayer list.
have a prayer ministry that covers every other ministry.
have leaders who model prayer.
We’ve been talking about prayer for a while. And in fact two weeks from now, we will be talking about it again. But are we a church that only talks about prayer? Or are we a church that really prays? The hardest part in prayer is to put it into action. Please don’t tell me that “I prayed in the house anyway even if I did not go to church for the prayer meeting.” Please, tell to God. If you feel that he accepts it and completely understand you, then go ahead and be merry. But if you feel guilty and a little a shamed before God, please don’t hardened your hearts, come and join us every Tuesday, 7:00pm.
His prayer for the Philippian Church
1.That their love will grow the more. The Philippian church is already a loving church; Paul’s prayer was that their love will continue to grow the more.
2.That their knowledge will be accompanied with discernment. Paul’s prayer to the Philippian church is that their deep insight of the word of God will grow deeper and be accompanied with discernment.
3.That their righteousness will continue. God’s will that all men will continue to pursue righteousness.
4.That their sincerity in the faith will grow. Not only to continue righteousness but also to have sincerity for the righteous walk.
