Mandarin Baptist Church

Scripture: Ephesians 1.3 - 19Scripture to Remember: Ephesians 1.17-19For this reason, I kneel before the Father. - Ephesians 3.14In the prison prayers of Paul, we discover the blessings that Paul wanted followers of Christ to enjoy. In none of these prayers does Paul request material possessions. His prayers are for spiritual wisdom and the Christ-centered character for those that follow Him.  He does not ask God to give them what they do not have, but rather prays that God will reveal to them who they already are in Christ.  1 -  In Ephesians 1.17, Paul prays that we receive wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God…. Our new life as followers of Jesus becomes an adventure of embracing promises more and more as we journey through life.  Peter richly connects the comprehensive nature of our possession that we have in Christ and the promises found in the knowledge of God.  Read 2 Peter 1.3-4.  What do you learn from this scripture? Talk about ways that you might grow in the knowledge of God. Take a first n

Scripture: Philippians 1.4-11Scripture to Remember: Philippians 1.9-11For this reason, I kneel before the Father. - Ephesians 3.14The church of Philippi was forged through prayer and initiated by the supernatural work of God in Christ. The Spirit of God connected hearts, continents, circumstances, spiritual hunger and a heart to know our Rescuing Redeemer. At great cost, God connected Paul as a discipling leader for this church. With great passion, a small group of spiritually hungry stood outside the gates and prayed day in and day out. At even greater cost of imprisonment, worship and miraculous provision of freedom, God grew this amazing Macedonian church. They are a people quite familiar with prevailing power of prayer.  So, Paul carries on in prayer as he writes…..1- Paul prays for abounding love among His people…The words ‘keep on’ presupposes that they are already loving God. Already loving Jesus Christ. Already loving one another. No matter where a faith family may be in their journey, Paul prays for