Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-21
Listen Link: Listen link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab.
As I prepared my annual report, I remembered that last year I had said, every Christian would do well to keep track of spending time in the service of the Lord. In fact, I challenge you, my partners in this ministry of LCEPC to keep track of how you serve the Lord this coming year. I would like to read all your personal annual reports in January of 2020! I spur you on to do it, as Hebrews 10:24 urges me to do.
So, I know it’s short notice now, but I’ll give you a couple of weeks to prepare your own annual reports. What Christian books have your read, how has the Lord used you or changed you in the past year? You can invite me over for a visit to talk about it, or we can go for coffee maybe, or just send me an email. Any way you like, I’m interested in hearing from you. And that’s not bragging. That’s reporting in. Give God the glory.
Now, onto our message today. Purpose is such an important bit of information. Any time you want to use anything well, you have to know what it’s for. To illustrate, I have a few photos of mysterious objects. In the first picture, there’s a little wheel, attached by a belt, to a larger rear wheel of a car. I think probably the engine of the car is turning the car’s wheel with the tire, and that little wheel is running some other accessory hooked up here. But what’s it really for? Air conditioner? A generator that’s powering up some electrical equipment inside? And, wouldn’t it be strange if it was the other way around? What if that little wheel is actually attached to an electric motor powered by batteries and that is what is making the car go? This requires further investigation.
In our next picture, we have what looks like a fancy plumb bob made of brass. But there is no string. It’s in a velvet box to be protected like a precious musical instrument. But it might be some kind of measuring instrument. The extra discs of various sizes look like different weights. But where’s the balance? How do you use this thing? What’s it really for? I want an owner’s manual. Unless somebody like Lee just happens to know already. Anybody know?
The last one is actually a small piece. The box up top is about one-inch square. It’s kind of fancy little thing, with that chain attached to the box and the other end of the chain has a fancy hook on it. Does anybody know what it’s for? (Pause.) The ladies ought to know. It’s a purse hanger. You set the box on the edge of a table and hang your purse on this hook down here. I don’t know why or how it stays on the edge of the table and doesn’t just flop off. However, I did find this picture of one in use. It’s a purse hanger!
If you want to use something and get the most out of it, you have to know its purpose. It’s the same with prayer. So, what do you think the purpose of prayer is? I really want to hear some of your answers. Pause for response…..
Those are good answers. And you know what? There is no verse in the Bible that specifically says what the purpose of prayer is. We have to deduce its purpose from its uses in Scripture. Communication with God is the obvious main purpose. But even that communication has its own purpose. Why do we communicate with God? What’s that for? That’s what I want to explore.
A lot of people think we pray to ask for things. And Jesus certainly allows for that when he taught us to pray. He told us to say, “Father give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Those are good things to ask for. Paul also, elsewhere in his teaching said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
But that can’t be the only purpose for prayer because sometimes God doesn’t give us what we ask for. And we all know that we should not expect God to act like a vending machine. There are many new sings on the radio that sing about how to deal with unanswered prayer. One of them is by Lauren Daigle. “When You don't move the mountains, I'm needing You to move. When You don't part the waters, I wish I could walk through. When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You, I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You.”
Some people think the purpose for prayer comes into play as people are trying to improve themselves. Prayer is just one of the religious tools in the toolkit for getting that job done.
The text I chose as a basis for discussing the purpose of prayer actually is a prayer. It is Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. Listen again. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
Paul prayed with some very grand purposes there. These are not just high-sounding words that sound good in church. I think they describe the very best purpose for prayer. The purpose of Paul’s prayer was that the Ephesians would grow in their understanding of some very important truths about God and about us, or who we are in Christ.
One critically important purpose of prayer is to open our eyes and hearts to more fully know what it means to be a Christian. It’s not just another religion. Religion generally teaches people how to behave in this life. It is basic moral instruction. Even if there is an afterlife mentioned or any eternal reward, it is generally employed as motivation to live a better life here. Or else the mystical or spiritual “secrets” in those religions are things we need to know so that we grow or expand our capacities for healthy living in this life.
The thing about Christianity is, that by telling us the wonderful gospel about how much Jesus loves us, and all that has been done for us by Christ, and what a great hope we have for the never ending future, we learn that good behavior here is an inevitable outflow of the life of Christ in us. Prayer is not just a tool for spiritual growth.
In Christ, Jesus is the one doing the real work. He improves us by making us into new creatures. We are changed from sinners who are trying to do better, into saints who hang out with Jesus and just grow more mature. That’s why Jesus said he is the vine. The branch just clings to the vine and the life in the vine makes the branch grow. Prayer then is abiding in Christ, keeping in touch with Him because we love Him.
If we love Him, we will obey Him. That’s not saying that we’d better obey Him so that He knows we love him. That’s saying that the more we know Him, the more we will love Him and the more we love Him the more our lives will change as a result of the that growing love relationship. The purpose of prayer is to know God and know him better over time.
Another purpose Paul pointed out was to “know the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” Prayer can constantly remind us that we are a royal priesthood because by prayer we are invited into God’s Holy Throne room. We are the King’s kids! Remember President Kennedy in the oval office with is toddler son? Kennedy wasn’t a king, but you get the idea. Who but the children of the monarch can go visit Him at any time without an appointment and without fear of being stopped by the guards, and sometimes for no treason but to play or enjoy each other’s company? As God’s adopted children, by prayer we are ushered into His presence and welcomed into His loving arms!
He comforts us when we are distressed. He lifts us up as if we had wings of eagles to soar. You know how you’ve heard about how much people appreciate their dogs for comfort. You can say anything, and they just listen and never judge you but keep on loving you. It’s kind of funny to me how people love that, and don’t seem to realize that God is so much better at it.
And, it is from the heavenly Throne room that God administers justice compassionately, especially to the poor and needy. But in Christ, we are not poor and needy. We are the King’s kids! We have access to all the spiritual riches of God’s kingdom. That might not make us physically rich on earth. But it sure makes us generous. And we will want to assist in bringing God’s kingdom to earth by being His ambassadors who express the administration of His justice to the poor and needy. We get to be His hands and feet at work in this world. The purpose of prayer is to keep us in touch with that mission.
Finally, Paul prays that we will “know God’s incomparably great power for us who believe.” This the source of being able to say, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Paul was talking about all the things he had endured, all of God's will for him. We listen to God. We don't tell him what we're doing and just say thanks for the strength. He tells us what to do. Our natural reaction is, “I can't do that.” Paul's teaching is, “Yes. You can.” The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us so that we will never die. It is at work in us so that we can do anything God asks of us. I can do anything God asks of me because Christ's strength is in me.
That is the purpose of prayer. It is by prayer that I remember who I am in Christ. It is by prayer that I abide in him for strength and comfort so that I will obey him because I love him very much. It is by prayer that I hear from God and discern what is my mission while on earth and that I can accomplish that mission because I abide in Christ who loves me very much and strengthens me for the days ahead.
In summary, the very best and greatest purpose of prayer is so that I may know God and enjoy him forever. You all know how we know God loves us. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead to prove His love and His power to forgive. He offers pardon for sin, if you will trust in him and switch your allegiance to let Him be the Lord of your life. Amen.
Listen Link: Listen link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab.
As I prepared my annual report, I remembered that last year I had said, every Christian would do well to keep track of spending time in the service of the Lord. In fact, I challenge you, my partners in this ministry of LCEPC to keep track of how you serve the Lord this coming year. I would like to read all your personal annual reports in January of 2020! I spur you on to do it, as Hebrews 10:24 urges me to do.
So, I know it’s short notice now, but I’ll give you a couple of weeks to prepare your own annual reports. What Christian books have your read, how has the Lord used you or changed you in the past year? You can invite me over for a visit to talk about it, or we can go for coffee maybe, or just send me an email. Any way you like, I’m interested in hearing from you. And that’s not bragging. That’s reporting in. Give God the glory.
Now, onto our message today. Purpose is such an important bit of information. Any time you want to use anything well, you have to know what it’s for. To illustrate, I have a few photos of mysterious objects. In the first picture, there’s a little wheel, attached by a belt, to a larger rear wheel of a car. I think probably the engine of the car is turning the car’s wheel with the tire, and that little wheel is running some other accessory hooked up here. But what’s it really for? Air conditioner? A generator that’s powering up some electrical equipment inside? And, wouldn’t it be strange if it was the other way around? What if that little wheel is actually attached to an electric motor powered by batteries and that is what is making the car go? This requires further investigation.
In our next picture, we have what looks like a fancy plumb bob made of brass. But there is no string. It’s in a velvet box to be protected like a precious musical instrument. But it might be some kind of measuring instrument. The extra discs of various sizes look like different weights. But where’s the balance? How do you use this thing? What’s it really for? I want an owner’s manual. Unless somebody like Lee just happens to know already. Anybody know?
The last one is actually a small piece. The box up top is about one-inch square. It’s kind of fancy little thing, with that chain attached to the box and the other end of the chain has a fancy hook on it. Does anybody know what it’s for? (Pause.) The ladies ought to know. It’s a purse hanger. You set the box on the edge of a table and hang your purse on this hook down here. I don’t know why or how it stays on the edge of the table and doesn’t just flop off. However, I did find this picture of one in use. It’s a purse hanger!
If you want to use something and get the most out of it, you have to know its purpose. It’s the same with prayer. So, what do you think the purpose of prayer is? I really want to hear some of your answers. Pause for response…..
Those are good answers. And you know what? There is no verse in the Bible that specifically says what the purpose of prayer is. We have to deduce its purpose from its uses in Scripture. Communication with God is the obvious main purpose. But even that communication has its own purpose. Why do we communicate with God? What’s that for? That’s what I want to explore.
A lot of people think we pray to ask for things. And Jesus certainly allows for that when he taught us to pray. He told us to say, “Father give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Those are good things to ask for. Paul also, elsewhere in his teaching said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
But that can’t be the only purpose for prayer because sometimes God doesn’t give us what we ask for. And we all know that we should not expect God to act like a vending machine. There are many new sings on the radio that sing about how to deal with unanswered prayer. One of them is by Lauren Daigle. “When You don't move the mountains, I'm needing You to move. When You don't part the waters, I wish I could walk through. When You don't give the answers as I cry out to You, I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You.”
Some people think the purpose for prayer comes into play as people are trying to improve themselves. Prayer is just one of the religious tools in the toolkit for getting that job done.
The text I chose as a basis for discussing the purpose of prayer actually is a prayer. It is Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. Listen again. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
Paul prayed with some very grand purposes there. These are not just high-sounding words that sound good in church. I think they describe the very best purpose for prayer. The purpose of Paul’s prayer was that the Ephesians would grow in their understanding of some very important truths about God and about us, or who we are in Christ.
One critically important purpose of prayer is to open our eyes and hearts to more fully know what it means to be a Christian. It’s not just another religion. Religion generally teaches people how to behave in this life. It is basic moral instruction. Even if there is an afterlife mentioned or any eternal reward, it is generally employed as motivation to live a better life here. Or else the mystical or spiritual “secrets” in those religions are things we need to know so that we grow or expand our capacities for healthy living in this life.
The thing about Christianity is, that by telling us the wonderful gospel about how much Jesus loves us, and all that has been done for us by Christ, and what a great hope we have for the never ending future, we learn that good behavior here is an inevitable outflow of the life of Christ in us. Prayer is not just a tool for spiritual growth.
In Christ, Jesus is the one doing the real work. He improves us by making us into new creatures. We are changed from sinners who are trying to do better, into saints who hang out with Jesus and just grow more mature. That’s why Jesus said he is the vine. The branch just clings to the vine and the life in the vine makes the branch grow. Prayer then is abiding in Christ, keeping in touch with Him because we love Him.
If we love Him, we will obey Him. That’s not saying that we’d better obey Him so that He knows we love him. That’s saying that the more we know Him, the more we will love Him and the more we love Him the more our lives will change as a result of the that growing love relationship. The purpose of prayer is to know God and know him better over time.
Another purpose Paul pointed out was to “know the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” Prayer can constantly remind us that we are a royal priesthood because by prayer we are invited into God’s Holy Throne room. We are the King’s kids! Remember President Kennedy in the oval office with is toddler son? Kennedy wasn’t a king, but you get the idea. Who but the children of the monarch can go visit Him at any time without an appointment and without fear of being stopped by the guards, and sometimes for no treason but to play or enjoy each other’s company? As God’s adopted children, by prayer we are ushered into His presence and welcomed into His loving arms!
He comforts us when we are distressed. He lifts us up as if we had wings of eagles to soar. You know how you’ve heard about how much people appreciate their dogs for comfort. You can say anything, and they just listen and never judge you but keep on loving you. It’s kind of funny to me how people love that, and don’t seem to realize that God is so much better at it.
And, it is from the heavenly Throne room that God administers justice compassionately, especially to the poor and needy. But in Christ, we are not poor and needy. We are the King’s kids! We have access to all the spiritual riches of God’s kingdom. That might not make us physically rich on earth. But it sure makes us generous. And we will want to assist in bringing God’s kingdom to earth by being His ambassadors who express the administration of His justice to the poor and needy. We get to be His hands and feet at work in this world. The purpose of prayer is to keep us in touch with that mission.
Finally, Paul prays that we will “know God’s incomparably great power for us who believe.” This the source of being able to say, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Paul was talking about all the things he had endured, all of God's will for him. We listen to God. We don't tell him what we're doing and just say thanks for the strength. He tells us what to do. Our natural reaction is, “I can't do that.” Paul's teaching is, “Yes. You can.” The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us so that we will never die. It is at work in us so that we can do anything God asks of us. I can do anything God asks of me because Christ's strength is in me.
That is the purpose of prayer. It is by prayer that I remember who I am in Christ. It is by prayer that I abide in him for strength and comfort so that I will obey him because I love him very much. It is by prayer that I hear from God and discern what is my mission while on earth and that I can accomplish that mission because I abide in Christ who loves me very much and strengthens me for the days ahead.
In summary, the very best and greatest purpose of prayer is so that I may know God and enjoy him forever. You all know how we know God loves us. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead to prove His love and His power to forgive. He offers pardon for sin, if you will trust in him and switch your allegiance to let Him be the Lord of your life. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment