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A Prayer For The ChurchA father and his son went on a fishing trip. When they returned home, the father was talking to a friend and at the same time the son was talking to a friend of his. The friend asked the dad how the trip went, the fathers response: “Absolutely miserable, one of the worse days of my life. We struggled getting the boat ready, we got to the lake and had to gas up so got out on the water late. By then all the good fishing spots were already taken, finally we found a place and the lines were all tangled together, once we got the lines in the water we kept on snagging them on something. The weather was hot, the mosquitoes were thick, and we didn’t catch a thing. Meanwhile the son was talking to his friend who asked how the trip went. The boy's reply: It was a great day, one of the best day's of my life. We didn’t catch a thing, but I got to spend the whole day alone with my dad. Today being fathers day, a day we set aside to honor dads, but more then that I think its a good day for all us dads - to remember the power we have in our kid's lives. Power not just when they are young but throughout their lives. Even if your children are not living with you. Even when your children are older and raising their own families, dads can and do have a powerful influence on their kids. Well, today I do not have a fathers day message as such, but in our ongoing studies of the book of Ephesians we have come to the transition between the first and second halves of this book. The first three chapters of Ephesians as we have seen, are doctoral. Laying a foundation for a church that had no model before them. Giving sound doctrine to establish the Ephesians in truth that would help them build a solid faith in God. Then as we enter chapters, 4,5, and 6, we find the book becomes more practical. Looking to the application of faith for everyday life. Well, today's text is the lead in for the practical things of chapters 4-6. As Paul has given the church the foundations of doctrine to build their hope upon suddenly- he breaks into prayer for them and then and praise for what God has done through them. Paul was the spiritual “father” to the church in Ephesus, he had established them, he had discipled them -- now he has been removed from them as he sits in house arrest in Rome. But like a loving father he knows that these folks are looking to him. Looking to him for leadership, and looking to him for approval, looking to him for guidance on how to live by faith. Isn't that exactly what we look to our earthly fathers for? Whether your children are living with you or not, they are always looking to their dad, for leadership, wisdom, and approval. Approval, just like when they were little jumping into the swimming pool, “look at me dad.” Approval for their boyfriend, or girlfriend, approval for their activities, approval for their accomplishments, then wisdom, leadership and approval for their careers. Well that's what the Ephesian church was looking to Paul for, and Paul wants to mentor them the best he can. So after laying out great doctrinal truths of election (you were chosen before the foundation of the world). And after laying out doctrinal truth about God's sovereignty, and the church (As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins) (For he himself is our peace...abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.) Now in this transition between the doctrinal and the practical parts of his letter, Paul breaks into prayer for his spiritual children. READ THE TEXT EPHESIANS 3:14-21 A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH. Notice he says, for this reason. That makes me ask, what reason. For the reason of chapter two and thee, that there was entrusted to Paul a mystery and a ministry. The mystery that there is one church, for everyone was dead in their transgressions and sins, but by faith in Christ they are made alive in Christ. And it doesn't matter if you were a Jew or a Gentile, there is one church. The mystery given to Paul. Then the ministry entrusted to Paul. The ministry that he was to go to the gentile nations, and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. What has God entrusted you with? Do you like Paul fall on your knees in prayer for the blessings he has entrusted you with? Three things I want us to glean from Paul's prayer. 1. PRAYER IS DIRECTED. V14-15 It is directed to the Father as he kneels in prayer. In the scriptures we see all kinds of models of prayer. Kneeling, sitting, standing, hands lifted up, praying out loud, praying silently, corporate prayer, and individual prayer. God hears all kinds of prayers. God is attentive to all prayers because we have a intercessor, a mediator for our prayers. 1 Tim 2:5-6 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men — the testimony given in its proper time. As believes we pray to the father, just like Jesus taught us, we pray in through the mediator, Jesus Christ, and our prayers are heard. Not only heard but when they are in line with the will of God are prayers are answered. 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him. First Paul's prayer is directed, directed to the father who all believers have as their father. Because as the bible teaches us, when you receive Jesus Christ as Lord, you are a child of God. There's a great song by Tommy Walker “He Knows My Name” He knows my name. - He knows my every thought - He sees each tear that falls And hears me when I call - He hears me when I call.” Paul like a father prays for his spiritual children, but his prayer is directed to our heavenly father whom all the family gets its name. 2. PRAYER IS FOCUSED. V16-19 Paul prays 5 very focused things in his prayer for the Ephesians. Dad's, Mom's, may I suggest today that we can see in this model some great areas to pray focused for our children. For our own children or for your spiritual children – as you pray for those that God has nit you into ministry with. Or those that God has brought into your life to disciple. Are you praying for your kids? Are you praying for those that you serve with in the church? Are you praying for those you serve? Lets see these five areas Paul prays for. 1. INNER STRENGTH. Be strengthened in your inner being. I think that is a great prayer. For it is the inner man/ the inner being were faith is brought to life. It is the inner being where character is built and strength to stand in temptations or troubles is developed. The bible tells us that men see the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. Luke 6:45 (Jesus said) The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. It is from the heart, the inner self- that we live for God. It is from the heart that good things come out of our lives and from the heart that good words come from our lips. Ps 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Dad's/ mom's today as you pray for your kids, be they young or old, pray that they would be strengthened in the inner self. That they would become men and women of character, men and women who will walk by faith, men and women who stand firm against the things of this world. And pray for those God has you serving with like Paul prays for the church in Ephesus. 2. ROOTED AND ESTABLISHED IN LOVE. Does love motivate you? Is your life driven by and founded in the love of God? How does God's love manifest itself in your life? Do you pray for your children, and those who God has severing with you that they may be rooted in love? TURN TO 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-8 I know this is only for weddings. No its not, stop that, you guys! Look at what this wonderful manifestations of love are. First he tells us that if you have religious activities, if you have spiritual wisdom, and insight, or even if you have great faith –if it is not rooted in love, then you are just making noise. Love is evidenced in or homes first, for those closest to us see if you are being hypocrite. Our kids can tell when someone is a religious and self-righteous and without love. But it goes beyond those who are close to us, it goes to your workplace/ your neighbors / your friends / your witness to our community. If all you have is religious piety, even if your doctrine is perfect, if love is not manifest in your life you are just a clanging gong and an resounding cymbal. Then the love text tells us what love does, what love doesn't do, and how love manifests itself. Patience, kindness are the only two things that it says love is. Wow, that's it, yes. Love is not rude, and love does not keep a record of wrongs. Those are biggies, Love trust, forgives and never gives up. How do we get this love that bible calls AGAPE? How does God take a heart of stone and make it a heart rooted in Agape? That is the power of the Holy Spirit, that is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit as the believer surrenders his will / her will to the will of God. Are you rooted in love? Are you praying for others to be rooted in love? Paul's prayer is focused. Be strengthened in the inner self. Be rooted in love. 3. HAVE POWER. Not just miracle working power, but power to overcome. Power to overcome the issues of life, power to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Power to live a life of love. Power over addictions, power over religion. Where does that power come from? Not to sound like a broken record, but it does not come from you. It comes from God and from a surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 ( the last words of Jesus before he ascended into heaven) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; Gal 5:16...Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Focused prayer, for strengthening of the inner man, being rooted in love, and having power to live for Christ. 4. UNDERSTANDING OF CHRIST'S LOVE. Sometimes kids even though they were raised in the church, even though they have a good foundation -- sometimes they lack the understanding of Christ's love. Pray for that wisdom in their lives. Again Paul's prayer is for his spiritual children, so this is a great model to pray for anyone God has in your life, in fact this is a great model to pray for yourself. “Lord give me understanding of your love, I need that wisdom!” James 1:5 (one of the few specific things we are told to pray for) If any of you lacks wisdom , he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Great prayer, wisdom or under understanding into the love of Christ. You know my friends that is the bottom line of our faith. 1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. We become children of our Father in heaven because of the great love that was demonstrated in Jesus Christ. Pray for understanding into that great love. Focused prayer, for strengthening of the inner man, being rooted and established in love, having power to live for Christ and understanding of Christ's love. 5. FILLED WITH THE FULLNESS OF GOD. Some people think of the bible's authors as untouchable, unapproachable, but really they were regular people just like us. They came from many different backgrounds, they had different educational experiences, and they struggled with personal issues -- just like you and just like me. Listen to the cry from the heart of this same Apostle Paul. Phil 3:10-11 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Wow. Here is Paul the writer of most of the New Testament, and he calls out the desires of his own heart. He had already said how he laid down all his life, how he counted everything of this world like dung compared to knowing Jesus Christ. Then just like he prays for his spiritual children, he says, I want you to know the fullness of God, so he prays for himself. “I want to know Christ.” Know Christ? Didn't he already know the Lord? Didn't Paul have the Damascus road experience? Sure, but he's saying I want even more. I want to know the depths of all he is and all he has done. I want to know Christ so well that there is very little of me left in anything I do. Is that the cry of your heart? Is that the prayer you pray for others. I thing of the old Hymn, “More about Jesus.” More about Jesus would I know - More of His grace to others show - More of His saving fullness see - More of His love who died for me. More about Jesus let me
learn - More of His holy will discern - Spirit of God my teacher be -
We have seen Prayer directed
– directed to the Father in Heaven. Then prayer focused. Focused on specific
needs for his spiritual children. Finally we see. 3. PRAISE IS GIVEN. V20-21 Have you ever just broke out in spontaneous praise to God? That's what Paul does here. He's writing out his prayer for the church in Ephesus, he's pouring out his heart, when he suddenly begins to worship the Lord. Eph 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Paul's praise, gives God glory praise for what he is able to do. His worship speaks of what God does and how he is working within the believers life. And that's the bottom line. 1. GOD IS WORKING. How awesome it is to know that God is working. He was working in the first century believers in Ephesus, he's working in the twenty first century believes in Northern Nevada. So along with Paul, I say, “To him be the glory in the church.” Notice what God is able to do as one translation says, “he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” Do you know that? That God can accomplish more then you can hope for? He opened the sea and Israel crossed on dry ground. He took a sinner like me and gave me hope? He opened the eyes of the blind, and he helps those who are blinded to his love to see clearly. As the worship team comes up. Friends, today I want to encourage you. Put your hope in God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. So with Paul I say, “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. PRAY, INVITE, BENEDICTION, SING. Series: Ephesians -Through the Bible |
(C) High Sierra Fellowship 2008 |
