Sunday, September 21, 2014

sermon, "Jesus' Prayer", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, September 21, 2014

September 21, 2014
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series on “All My Day: A Summer of Prayer”
Inspired by Marcia McFee
Sermon 12 of series-
“The Empty Cross”
Luke 11:1-13 The Disciples Literal NT
Philippians 4:4-9 The Disciples Literal NT

“Jesus’ Prayer”

Let us pray. . .  (Pray for God’s illumination. . . )

I was talking with Terry Pettengill after our book study a couple of weeks ago I think , and we were talking about the Lord’s Prayer. She was telling me that she was reading that at noon time, there are Christians all around the world that have made a commitment to recite the this pray. There are people all around the world that come into agreement with each other and rise up their voices so that God’s Kingdom will come on earth as it is in Heaven. . .  We are talking Protestants, Catholics, Baptist. . . and the like. I have decided that it is something I want to agree with and I have begun to pray that prayer with all those other voices. It has been awe-inspiring to think that I am agreeing with not only God but with God’s children. . . my brothers and sisters in Christ. . .  all around the world. What miracles happen when God’s children come together for His glory. . . ?

This summer, we have been working though the prayer beads that were made as a way to helps remind us what we should be praying for. I can’t believe we have reached the end of our strings of beads. It really has been a summer of prayer. Our beads have lead us through many twists and turns but it has been wonderful traversing the road with each of you this summer. Let’s recap. . . the Gold Bead. . . which reminds us to begin with adoration . . . .the bumpy beady. . . .that is to remind us to let go and let God. . . .the embrace of silence with the “holey Bead” . . . the steeping stone bead. . . our journey of faith. . .  The next one. . . the black...the black and white...the gray bead...reminds us to bring our spiritual struggles to God. . . .and the green bead, represents concern. . . not worries but concerns.

How about that red bead. . .  the one that lets us know that we need to pray for the lovable and not so lovable people in our lives. . . even those who do us harm. Then there is the three purple beads on the string...the ones that remind us to pray for those “who are standing in the need of prayer.” And we are not just limited to the three beads. . . they are there to remind us that there are those who are needing...waiting...for our prayers for and about them. The green bead from last week is all about praying for those around the world. . . praying for the worlds situations. . . praying down God’s “kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven”. . .  The next bead is the fiery red bead from last week. This bead is the one that we ask God to work through the Holy Spirit in us so that we will use our gifts and talents to and for His glory. . . to “step out of our comfort zone” and use the Spirit within us to “go forth and make disciples of all nations.”  

So. . . we have finally reached the last bead. . . the empty cross. This bead brings it all together. With this bead we are agreeing with God’s plan for the world and are trying to bring about change. As we end our time in “bead Prayer” this cross is where we pray the Lord’s Prayer. As we pray this prayer we are rededicating ourselves to be the hands and feet of Christ and pray for God’s reign over all the earth as it was in the beginning.

So why is it called the Lord’s Prayer you may ask. It is called this because it is the one that He taught His first disciples as well as those who have come after them. From the Scripture from Luke this morning shows us, when the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He answered them with this prayer. But not only did He answer them, He told them that if they know how to do good and give good gifts to their own, being sinful and all, how much more will God give to His own. And we not only pray once for something, we need to keep asking until it is answered. . . and it will be answered. . .  We have talked about how we need to keep praying throughout this whole sermon series this summer. We are to trust that God hears and will answer. Even when we don’t see God at work, we know and believe “that all things are working-together for good for the ones loving God, the ones being called ones according to His purpose.”

In the letter to the people of Philippi, Paul talks about this praying without ceasing. . .  The scripture is found in Chapter 4 verses 4-9. Listen to the Good News about our prayers. . .

Philippians 4:4-9 Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT)
Be Rejoicing In The Lord, Kind To All, And Praying To God
4 Be rejoicing in the Lord always; again I will say, be rejoicing. 5 Let your kindness[a] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious-about nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgivings, let your requests be made-known to God. 7 And the peace of God surpassing all understanding will guard[b] your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Be Considering And Practicing All That Is True And Commendable
8 Finally, brothers, be considering these things— whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are commendable, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise. 9 Be practicing these things which you indeed learned and received and heard and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

WE know. . . trust. . . believe. . . have faith in the fact that God is for us so who can be against us. As we “agree” with God’s purposes we will see miracles happening around us. . . and even if we don’t “physically see it” we know by faith that it is happening. But. . . but. . . we need to come into agreement with God and with each other.  As we pray in faith, as we come together as one, God’s glory and purpose is released upon the world and we will see His mighty acts in Christ Jesus. If we would but just believe. . . believe in the power of the prayers of the called. . . .the prayers of “a righteous man.” And we are all made righteous not by our works but by the work of God that was done one a cross on Golgotha’s Hill. . .  Marcia McFee states. . . and I come into agreement with her statement. . . An empty cross at the end of the strand is the final word. . .  the Risen Christ lives in us as we move through the world as his Body. We sing and pray the Lord’s Prayer together in worship today as we have prayed it separately throughout the summer in our personal prayer devotions. This is the exclamation point on this Summer series and we celebrate God’s presence in “All My Days!” (by Marcia McFee)


People of Christ’s church. . . my people. . . can we agree on this. . . can I get a witness here? Maybe. . . jut maybe. . . as we pray the Lord’s Prayer and rededicate ourselves to God’s vision of the world, we can affect a change. As we pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done” we will be changed and empowered by our own words and the words of those who come into agreement with us. Perhaps if we. . . as we. . . surrender our wills to Gods will and pray this Disciples Prayer we will be transformed from the inside out. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” As we pray “all our days” just imagine the fear that will be felt by the “evil one” who is in and of this world. Imagine the chorus that will ring down from heaven as God ushers in a new heaven and a new earth..

Its the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
Its the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain.
The song of Asian believers
Filled with Gods holy fire
Its every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir

(x2)
Its all Gods children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered on the ground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this

(x2)
Its all Gods children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they've just heard
Cause all the powers of darkness
Can't drown out a single word

When all Gods children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All Gods children Singing
Glory, glory, Hallelujah
He reigns. . .

Let us pray. . . pray to rededicate ourselves to pray ending in the Lord’s Prayer...

Amen

====
September 21, 2014
Luke 11:1-13 The Disciples Literal NT
Philippians 4:4-9 The Disciples Literal NT
&
Sermon 12 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
The Empty Cross
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Jesus Prayer”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
September 21, 2014
& Joel 2:23-29 Common English Bible
Romans 8:22-28 Gods Word Translation
Matthew 28:16-20 (“The Great Commission)
&
Sermon 11 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
The Fiery Red Bead – The Holy Spirit of God
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a soccer ball, a partially deflated soccer ball, and
a deflated beach ball
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “The Power-Filled Gift from God . . . “
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
September 14, 2014
&
Isaiah 56:4-8 (NIV)
Psalm 67 (NIV)
Communion
&
Sermon 10 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Blue Green Bead – The World
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a bolt, a nut, and a washer
                - they are not useful for their intended purpose alone
                - we need all three to hold things together strongly
                - the church is like that – each of us has gifts
                - named some of the gifts of individuals – song, smile, faith, joy, encouragement, laughter, prayer warriors
                - the church needs all of us nuts to be bolted together
                - Jesus is the washer . . .  He washes us clean
                - we need all of us together
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Virally Going Global”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
September 7, 2014
&
Luke 18:1-8 NIV Bible
Ephesians 6:10-18 Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Sermon 9 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Three Purple Bead – People You Love
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a bag of purple beads
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Standing in the Need of Prayer”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 31, 2014
&
1 John 3:11-18
“More on Love and Hatred” (NIV)
Luke 6:27-36
“Love for Enemies” (NIV)
Hymn – “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”
Sermon 8 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Red Bead – People You Love
children’s message
-          Mystery Box –  a stone with the word “unforgiveness” on it. . .
(from exercise from book study, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World)
-          God wants us to forgive; God has forgiven us;
-          ask for forgiveness; forgive even if they haven’t asked
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “The Loveable UnLovable”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 24, 2014
&
John 17:6-19
Christ’s prayer for his disciples
John 17:20-25
Christ’s prayer for all believers
Sermon 7 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Green Bead – Your Special Concern
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – picture of our cat Moe sleeping
-          God wants us to be at rest, at peace
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “A Weight Upon the Heart”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 17, 2014
&
prayer of the people printed in the bulletin,
including the following prayer:
“For our church that it may be safe for all people
and an active witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.”
Genesis 32:22-28 Common English Bible
Psalm 139:1-14 NIV Bible
Sermon 6 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Grey, Black and White, Day and Night Bead – Spiritual Struggles
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – dog treats and squeaky ball
-          God gives us treats
-          God wants us to play
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “G.W.E.” (God Wrestling Entertainment)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 3, 2014
&
Romans 10:12-15 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Luke 12:12-15
Luke 12:1-6 Common English Bible
“The Long and Winding Road” The Beatles
Sermon 5 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Stepping Stone Bead – Journey of Faith
children’s message by Ellen Alward Dickinson
reading story – A Black Bear and Four Boys
and sermon, “A Long And Winding Road”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 27, 2014
&
Psalm 37:5-7 (Common English Bible)
1 Kings 19:9-23 (NIV Bible)
Sermon 4 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bead with a Hole - Silence
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box - a blank space
-          God starts with a blank canvas,
God fills in the picture until a masterpiece
is created and we come home
and sermon, “Is Silence Really Golden?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 20, 2014
&
Psalm 33:30-22
Psalm 25:1-3
Romans 8:30-32
Matthew 11:28-30
Sermon 3 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bumpy Bead – Letting Go
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box – a broken set of prayer beads
-          God can make something beautiful of all the broken pieces:
-          Dad can you fix this? Yes I can. . .
and sermon, “In the Letting Go We Find”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 13, 2014
&
June 29, 2014
Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible
Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible
Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible
Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”
Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box 
-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature
and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 29, 2014
&
June 22, 2014
Matthew 6:5-14
“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)
(including Lord’s Prayer)
Romans 12:12
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Ray Foss
-          God fills in the words we pray
based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014
Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
Romans 8:22-27
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“Guided by the Spirit”
by Milly Ibanda
for March and April 2014
-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer
(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)
opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”
by Sally Drew
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 22, 2014

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 32,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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