FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL

Text: Colossians 1:9
10 April 2011

(I) THE PLACE OF PRAYER

1. Practice of prayer

a) Together with human activity

b) Beyond human ability

2. Power of prayer

a) Faith in God

b) Faith in God’s promise to hear and answer prayer

(II) PAULINE EXAMPLE OF PRAYER (COLOSSIANS 1:9-12)

1. Commencement of prayer

“Since the day we heard it…” Colossians 1:9a

2. Ceaseless prayer effort

“Do not cease to pray for you…” Colossians 1:9b

3. Content of prayer

a) Filled with the knowledge of His will ( Colossians 1:9c )

b) In all wisdom ( Colossians 1:9d )

c) Spiritual understanding ( Colossians 1:9e )

d) Walking worthy of the Lord ( Colossians 1:10a )

e) Fully pleasing Him ( Colossians 1:10b )

f) Being fruitful in every good work ( Colossians 1:10c )

g) Increasing in the knowledge of God ( Colossians 1:10d )

h) Strengthened with all might ( Colossians 1:11a )

i) According to His glorious power ( Colossians 1:11b )

j) For all longsuffering and patience with joy ( Colossians 1:11c )

k) Giving thanks to the Father ( Colossians 1:12 )

(III) PERSONAL CHALLENGE TO DEEPEN OUR PRAYER-LIFE

1. Real desire to have a deep Knowledge of God

a) Knowledge of God’s will

b) Wisdom and Understanding

c) Increase of knowledge of God

2. Ramifications of possessing knowledge of God’s will

a) Challenge to fulfil God’s will

c) Finding significance through fulfilling God’s will