Encouraging Prayer - SERMON NOTES

Intro: (1) series recap (2) practicing encouragement by praying for others (3) my current prayer practice

Prayer for love (9a): (1) prayer for growing love → vertical and horizontal (2) fuzzy sentimentality (cf. Rom. 12:10) vs. sacrificial giving (cf. John 3:16, Rom. 5:8, Eph. 5:2) →only possible with Christ (3) wedding day vs. wedding vows

Prayer for wisdom (9b): (1) love grounded in Christ is wise (2) “knowledge” → not just being smart, desire to know God and not just ABOUT him (3)”discernment” → practical application (cf. Korean church prospective elders (5) also implies time for learning, growth, and maturity (cf. driving)

Prayer for excellence (10a): (1) “approving what is excellent” → testing something before buying it (cf. car, shatter-proof plates) (2) app #1 → selecting what is best from a variety of options (cf. Eph. 4:14, info overload) (3) app #2 → prioritizing/stewarding time and resources (cf. finances, busyness)

Prayer for sincerity (10b): (1) “pure” → what you see is what you get (cf. visiting Grace) (2) “blameless” → above reproach, seeking to build up rather than be a stumbling block (cf. affirming words) (4) “day of Christ” → completed when Christ returns, motives revealed, can’t pretend (cf. v.6)

Prayer for fruitfulness (11): (1) imagery of fruitfulness → Psalm 1, Jeremiah 17, Mt. 13, John 15, Gal. 5 (2) sometimes hard to see for ourselves, one reason for community (cf. AP, Chuck’s 1 Peter text) (4) here the fruit is righteousness (cf. 3:9) → equals peace in James, Heb. 12 (cf. root of grace, fruit of peace)

Conclusion: communion → “Jesus is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” - Hebrews 7:25

“Father, we ask that our love for you and one another would continue to grow. Help us to live with your wisdom, grounded in the wisdom of Christ’s redemptive death and resurrection on our behalf. May we reject empty promises of this world, choosing instead to approve of your excellence above all else. Help us to walk side by side in sincerity and blamelessness, encouraging one another until the day of Christ’s return. Jesus thank you for taking our unrighteousness and offering to us your righteousness; may it be our foundation of peace through every trial and struggle. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.