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The prayer sections of the Pauline epistles are among the most significant in the New Testament. They are inspired by the Spirit of God. In them we have a revelation of the will of God for his children. Through the study of them we may be challenged. But it is in the personal realisation of the truths they convey, that God's children are brought into the rich inheritance of full salvation. W. B. Pope, the renowned Wesleyan theologian, stated that, outside the Psalms, which he called "the universal liturgy of Christians" there is nothing quite like the prayers of the Apostle Paul in the rest of Scripture. It is worth recalling that God's servant was praying for believers, and in the majority of situations it was for new and progressing believers. What scope, and depth of spiritual richness there is in the mind and will of God for all of us. May we pray, "Lord help us to know your will as expressed in these suplications." Paul says, "If you could know it, and if you will but make use of it, there is in the Lord Jesus Christ a limitless sufficiency of spiritual resources." He can clothe your life with purity, poise and power. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to reveal to the seeking person all this vast treasure of God's store house for his children. There are three obvious areas encompassed in the prayer.
1. Something to Encourage us. verse 18 In the living and ascended Christ, however, hope burned strongly for the Apostle. He was possessed of a hope, stedfast and sure. It is a hope laid up for the children of God in heaven. Colossians 1 verse 5. The apostle Peter speaks of this hope. It is "a lively, (or living) hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1 verses 3 - 5. It was said of Christ by one early Church Father, "He hath turned all our sunsets into sunrises." Hallelujah. Let us not miss the vital dimension of Christian holiness in the calling of God. God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness 1 Thessalonians 4 verse 7. Is this not the brightest hope of hearts here and now? The enjoyment of being set free from the inward pollution. The promise of deliverance from unholy thoughts and unchristlike tempers. Do you know this is also part of the hope of his calling? Charles Wesley put it like this. What is our calling's glorious hope, but inward holiness. For this to Jesus I look up, I calmly wait for this. If you know it by revelation of God and his Word, then embrace and experience his cleansing and fullness for your life today. The outlook in our world is overlaid by many shadows. We may expect them to darken and lengthen as this age of grace draws to its climax. But until Jesus comes we may be sure that he will continue to build his church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. He must reign until he hath put all enemies under his feet. His kingdom shall know no end. This is the unshakeable confidence of the people of God. Oh, and just to conclude, be encouraged in the knowledge that, "he that goeth forth, and weepeth, bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalm 126 verse 6 Watch this space for the continuation of this message. . If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly.
Due to be updated: end October Archived Messages.
23/05/04 Christ Our Life. |