Prayer (3-11) V.3-11 The Sons of God Sharing in the Fellowship of the Gospel. V.12-26 The Servants of God Supplying for the Furtherance of the Gospel. V.27-30 The Soldiers of God Striving for the Faith of the Gospel. V.3-6 YOU IN MY HEART V.3 a) Memory - Of you. People who serves God cause thanksgiving to rise to God. V.4 b) Making request - For you. I. As Paul, so did the high priest bear the names of the 12 tribes upon his heart, Christ always prays for us too. Ex.28:5-14; Heb.7:24-25 II. Like incense was offered upon the golden altar, we too should offer to God prayers and worship through the altar of our heart. III. This is the first reference to joy out of 16. IV. Paul was in house arrest and chained to a Roman soldier yet he rejoiced. Acts 28:30 V. Circumstance is a thief of joy but Paul had the antidote - a single mind and therefore he could rejoice. V.5 c) Mutuality - I. Your fellowship of the Gospel causes me to remember and always prays for you, we are all partakers of the Gospel. II. Gospel and fellowship is the will of God they are never to be separated. III. Lydia and her household fellowshipped with him and so did the jailor and his household. Acts 16:14-15; 27-34 IV. The golden altar moved from the holy place into the most holy place to the ark of God where the 10 commandments where placed. Like the golden altar so do we move in and partake of the Gospel. V.6 d) Masterwork - In you. I. The work has to be for the common good. 1.Cor.12:7 II. God begins the good work in us. John 6:44; Eph.1:3-14 III. God also continues the good work. Phil.2:13 IV. God also completes the good work. Phil.3:21 V. God begins, continues and completes His work in us because we are His workmanship. Eph.2:10 V.7-8 YOU IN MY MIND V.7 & 8 expresses the basis of Paul's confidence that he just expressed in v.6. V.7 a) Attitude - Of the mind. Paul’ s attitude of mind and confidence toward them was because of his confidence in God. V.8 b) Affection - Of the heart. Because of this confidence he had a great affection toward them. V.9-11 YOU IN MY PRAYERS V.9 a) Love - Abounding in it. I. In v. 4 Paul said he always prayed for them, in V.9-11 he reveals what he prayed. II. First part of his prayer: Abounding love. III. Love abounds in knowledge and discernment. (Both joined in Heb.5:12-14) IV. Lack of knowledge misguides love. V. Lack of discernment quenches love. VI. What devils can’ t stop they try to misdirect. V.10 b) Loftiness - Approving the excellent. I. Second part of his prayer: Approved sincerity. II. Approve (Gr.. Dokimazo) means to test; we only know truth by testing it. 1.Thes.5:21, 1.John 4:1 III. Excellent (Gr. diaphero) means to bear through or to surpass. In Heb.1:4; 8:6 the Greek word (diaphoros) for excellent and surpassing derives from (diaphero), these declare how Jesus through approval and sincerity chose what was excellent. IV. Sincere (Gr. eilikrines) means judged by sunlight. In N.T times cracks in statues were filled with wax by the sculptor but the sunlight melted it. V. The day of Christ: The rapture - We will all experience judgment by the light or fire of God and all the faults and cover-ups will be burned. 1.Cor.3:11-15 V.11 c) Labour - Acts of righteousness. I. Third part of his prayer: Applied righteousness. II. It begins with fruit 1:11 and ends with flourishing (like a tree) 4:10 and fruit 4:17 III. The fruit of the Spirit. Gal.5:22-23 IV. The fruits of righteousness glorify God. John 15:8; Matt.5:16