Paul’s Prayer of Thanks (Philippians 1:3-11)

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Sermon Outline

1. Introduction on Thankful People…
2. Thanks directed to God consistently and with Joy (1:3-5)
   1. Act of Thanks
      1. Notice who Paul directs his thanks toward.
      2. Notice the personal way Paul addresses God.
      3. Notice this is Paul’s prayer, not anyone else’s.
   2. How often thanks are given (Phil 1:4)
   3. Joyful thanks is given (Phil 1:4)
   4. Reason: Longstanding partnership in the Gospel (Phil 1:5, 2Cor 9:13, Heb 13:16, Rom 15:26)
3. Confidence of God’s continuing work among the Philippians (Phil 1:6)
   1. The good work is…  (Acts 9:36; Rom. 2:7; 2 Cor. 9:8; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 1:6; Col. 1:10; 1 Tim. 2:10; 5:10; 2 Tim. 2:21; 3:17; Titus 1:16; 3:1)
   2. The partnership will continue
4. Expression of Paul’s connection (Phil 1:7-8)
5. The Prayer’s Content (1:9-11)
   1. Greater Love (Phil 1:9, Rom 12:9)
      1. Love informed by knowledge and discernment
   2. Reason: Approve what is excellent (Phil 1:10)
   3. Reason: Be Pure and blameless for the return of Christ (Phil 1:10)
   4. Reason: Filled with the fruit of Righteousness (Phil 1:11)
6. Conclusion (Heb 12:2)