Today, on this Memorial Day weekend 2009, we have gathered to worship our God and to remember. We have remembered persons who have nobly served our country during times of war and national calamity and also more peaceful times. We have remembered persons as we dedicated memorial gifts presented to this church during this past year. We have lit candles to remember friends and family that have gone to their eternal homes. These observances are an attempt to remember those who are no longer with us physically, but were a part of this congregation and our families.

To help us personalize these verses read as our scripture this morning I would like to ask each of you to take a moment to remember. I would like you to think about those special persons who invited or brought you to church. Think about the persons whom God used to introduce you to Jesus Christ. Who stands out in your mind as playing key roles in your spiritual growth? You may remember earlier, exciting experiences in your walk with God. Think about this as we listen to the Ray Bolz's song, "Thank You." Perhaps it might be helpful for you to close your eyes to shut out distraction as you consider those special persons for whom you are thankful for assisting in your spiritual growth. However, since I found a wonderful video that goes along with this selection you may choose to focus on the screen to see the words and pictures.

"Thank You" by Ray Boltz video

In the previous verses we read about Paul's excitement with God, and he wrote about our spiritual wealth. In the midst of writing this letter Paul begins to pray. Stuart Briscoe wrote, "There is a tendency to settle down once the initial excitement of any experience has worn thin. Paul, continually aware of this possibility, tried not only to lead people to Christ, but to lead them into ever deepening relationships the Lord. His prayer for the Ephesians beautifully illustrates his concern and also his understanding of the dimensions of spiritual growth that could be reasonably expected of the Ephesians." With the background of their wealth in Christ Paul moves into a prayer for saints in the past and then for those in the present.

I. Prayer for Saints in the Past.

It is good for us to look back once in a while to remember where we have come from. That is why I asked each of you to do that a moment ago.

With some differing circumstances in their past, the original readers of this letter in Ephesus had certainly made some changes. We may remember that before the message of Jesus Christ was brought to Ephesus many in that city worshipped the goddess Diana. Luke reported some of the interesting events that took place in Ephesus as Paul preached and God performed extraordinary miracles. Many were converted from the worship of Diana to Jesus. Businessmen, especially silversmiths, got very upset because this teaching of Christianity threatened their financial prosperity because people were turning away from the handmade idols to goddess Diana. This same false goddess was known among the Greeks as Artemis and among the Romans as Diana. The temple to Diana was one of the wonders of the world.

Remember where you came from. Remember those special persons whom God used to draw you to Himself and help you grow in Christ. Some of these persons includes men and women who are in their eternal home.

This aspect of prayer seems to primarily be that of thanksgiving, rejoicing, for the blessing of men and women of God who have touched our lives for Christ's sake.

II. Prayer for Saints in the Present.

Some of the saints from Ephesus that Paul was praying for were still alive and very much in need of being remembered in prayer. Notice the motivation for praying for them. Was it that they were seriously ill or that they were in some crisis situation? No! It was good news, not bad news. Certainly we should pray for person when they are in bad situation, but good news also ought to motivate us to pray. In this particular situation Paul had received the good news of their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love toward all the saints.

Such good news about our brothers and sisters in Christ should also motivate us to pray. We should pray that the momentum be maintained and the progress of their faith continue. Pray that the efforts of our fellow Christians be worthwhile. Pray for our recent high school graduates, for our confirmation students, for the persons with whom we gather to worship and serve God. Pray for God to help each of us grow in faith and love that will make an impact on our community and bring glory to God. Real faith in God will result in genuine love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Remember and pray for Saints of the past and pray for Saints in the present. If we do so there will be a fellowship of Christians in the years ahead who will look back and remember what God did through His faithful and loving people.

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