Sermon for Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 26, 2015, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wallis, Texas
Sermon Text: Ephesians 3:14-21
Sermon Theme: “A Prayer for Spirit-Filled Fullness”
(Sources: Anderson’s, Cycle B, Preaching Workbook; Emphasis Online Commentaries; Emphasis Online Examples; original ideas; Believer’s Commentary; Online Christian jokes)
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Just as there are hymns in the Bible, both a whole book of them, as well as, songs imbedded throughout, there are prayers throughout the Bible, the Psalms being both songs and prayers. The most cherished and most often prayed Bible prayer is known as the “Our Father” or “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Almost as well known are the three prayers Jesus prayed before His arrest, — for Himself, for His disciples, and for all believers, and His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Like hymns and songs, prayers are commanded by God. Psalm 148 says, “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures . . . wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds . . . “ How literal we are to take this I don’t know.
However, there is an old story about a pastor who went to a restaurant to eat, and, quite upset, he summons the waiter.
“What’s this fly doing in my soup?” asks the pastor.
“Praying,” answers the waiter.
“Very funny,” says the pastor, “but I can’t eat this; take it back!”
“You see,” says the waiter, “the fly’s prayers were answered.”
Today’s sermon text from Ephesians is a lesser known prayer by the Apostle Paul. From Jesus and the Bible, we learn how to model our own prayers. Although Paul says he is kneeling as he prays this particular prayer, that does not mean kneeling must always be the posture for prayer. We may pray as we walk, sit, recline, or even run, but our inner being must always kneel in reverence and humility. We are kneeling and bowing our heads on the inside. Continue reading