16. THE POWER OF JOY IN THE PRISON OF PAIN IN PHIL. (part15)

PRAYER AND OUR PROVISION V.19-20

THE PRIVILEGE OF DELIVERANCE V.19 For I know that this shall

                                                                               turn to my salvation

THE POWER OF DELIVERANCE                through your prayer,

THE PERSON OF DELIVERANCE              and the supply of the Spirit 

                                                                              of Jesus Christ, 

There is a mystical connection and progression of action between salvation, supplication, supply and the Spirit.  Paul says I know that this shall turn out.  Do we have the same optimism about things turning out?

Anthony Ash writes:  “We are convinced that the Spirit operates in response to human prayer. The Philippians prayed, and God responded through his Spirit.^”

William MacDonald In the Believer’s Bible Commentary writes; “We marvel here at the importance which Paul puts on the prayers of a feeble band of believers. He sees them as sufficiently powerful to thwart the purposes and the mighty power of Rome. It is true; Christians can influence the destiny of nations and change the course of history through prayer.”

We can never overestimate the fact that God works out His purposes through prayer.

In 2 Cor. 1:5, 8–11 Paul emphasizes twice that impossible circumstances are solved through prayer.

“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”

The principle is undeniable.  The prayers of the saints bring the power of the Spirit.

This word “supply” in the phrase “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” is the word provision.  It’s described in Vines Greek dictionary; to supply fully, abundantly, to minister, where the present continuous tense speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit in all His ministrations to nourish believers individually and collectively.

It’s in the Spirit of Jesus Christ that we find our bountiful, and sufficient supply of what is needed.

Eph.3:20 says He is the power that works in us; “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”

No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in it is apparent what our lacks are. The Spirit produces in our lives fruit, more fruit and much fruit. A harvest of spiritual fruit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” Gal. 5:22–23.

I know what I produce in myself and it’s the opposite these character qualities of the Spirit.  In myself there is indifference, sorrow, strife, insecurity, intolerance, disrespect, insult, raw abrasiveness, phony careless disloyalty, betrayal, duplicity, coarse roughness, and an out of control lack of discipline.

But Jesus has promised we will receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon us: and ye shall be witnesses.  Witnesses of the beauty of Jesus Christ, witnesses of His tenderness and He will flow out of our life all the character attractiveness of abundant sufficient provision in the charm of Jesus in us.

The answer to our prayer and the prayers of those who pray with us is the increase of the Spirit’s activity in us, through us and around us. This is the turning out of our salvation.

PRAYER AND OUR PROVISION V.19-20

THE PRIVILEGE OF DELIVERANCE V.19 For I know that this shall

                                                                   turn to my salvation

THE POWER OF DELIVERANCE    through your prayer,

THE PERSON OF DELIVERANCE   and the supply of the Spirit

                                                                   of Jesus Christ,

THE PROBABILITY OF DELIVERANCE V.20

INTENSE ANTICIPATION      According to my earnest expectation

      IMPERISHABLE ADVOCACY and my hope,

      INCREDIBLE APPROVAL       that in nothing I shall be ashamed,     

   THE POISE OF DELIVERANCE but that with all boldness, as always

THE PURPOSE OF DELIVERANCE   so now also Christ shall be

                       magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.