“The Purpose of Prayer” (Part 8)

THE LORD’S PRAYER Sermon Series

“The Purpose of Prayer” (Part 8)

KEY PASSAGE: Matthew 6:13 (NASB)

Heavenly Father, thank You for drawing us together to seek Your face and receive Your Word. As we continue in worship, shine Your light on our path and awaken our hearts. Speak with clarity. Move with power. Be glorified in this moment. We offer our prayers to You, through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen. Please be seated.

THE LORD’S SUPPER – COMMUNION SERVICE

As we come to the Lord’s table, we do so in obedience to Christ’s command. This is not a ritual; it is a sacred proclamation of the gospel, a moment of unity, and a call to examine our hearts before the Lord. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26: “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me... This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”  The Bread: Jesus said, “Take, eat: this is My body.” The bread reminds us of Christ’s body, broken for our sins. As we eat, we remember not just His death, but the Person, our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Cup: Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood.” His blood replaced the old sacrifices with the perfect offering. Through the blood, we are washed, redeemed, and reclaimed by grace. As we drink, we proclaim: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. A Call to Examine: The Lord’s Supper is a celebration of unity, one body, one bread, and one Spirit. Let us come with hearts purified by grace, ready to commune with one another and with Christ Jesus. Let us be a church marked not by division, but by love.

Let us pray. Gracious Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, whose body was broken and blood shed for our redemption. As we come to Your table, renew our hearts, deepen our gratitude, and strengthen our faith. Preserve our unity. Let this bread remind us of Christ’s sacrifice, and this cup of our union with Him. May we walk in love, serve one another, and proclaim Your grace until Christ returns. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

TITHE and OFFERING

As we continue in worship, the ushers will receive our tithes and offerings. Let this be a moment of joyful praise and faithful giving to the work of Christ’s church.

PRAYER FOR TITHE and OFFERING

Bless these gifts, Lord. May they be used with integrity to glorify Your name. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

Welcome to our Sunday Worship Service! We are glad you are here today. Take a moment to stand and greet those around you. If you are visiting for the first time, we would love to recognize and welcome you.

ANNOUNCEMENT

📖 Wednesday Night Bible Study Connect Join us every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for a time of learning, fellowship, and spiritual growth as we study the Word of God. We are currently in the Book of First Samuel, and this week we will focus on Chapter 22. Come ready to grow, connect, and be encouraged in your walk with Christ Jesus.  📅 Corporate Prayer Meeting: We gather on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall for corporate prayer. All are welcome as we seek the Lord together.

DECLARATION of FAITH in GOD

Let us stand and say the Declaration of Faith in God together. Please remain standing as we pray.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Let us pray. Father, thank You for the gift and purpose of prayer. As we open Your Word, teach us to pray with faith, walk in wisdom, and trust Your strength. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. You may be seated.

SERMON INTRODUCTION WITH ILLUSTRATION

Have you ever stood at the edge of a runway, watching a plane descend through thick clouds, unsure if the plane will land safely? The tension builds as the engines roar and the landing gear lowers. And then, just when it seems the fog might win, the wheels touch down, and the crowd inside the terminal erupts in relief and celebration. Some people cheer, some whisper prayers of thanks, and others exhale in relief. The reactions vary, but the joy is shared because something powerful has come through in the nick of time, something worth celebrating.

SERMON EXPOSITION 1

That is the kind of moment we arrive at in Matthew 6:13. After walking through the depths of the Lord’s Prayer—recognizing the paternity of prayer, that God is your Father when you have recognized that it is God’s kingdom that matters first and foremost, when the priority and program of prayer have been set in order, so that God’s will takes precedence over yours. When you come to God for the provision of prayer, saying, ‘Give us this day our daily bread,’ you are acknowledging your dependence on God for every need, every moment, and every day. When you have turned to God for the pardon of prayer, seeking His forgiveness even as you extend that same grace to others. When you go to God for the protection of prayer—seeking His guidance as you navigate life’s challenges—and it comes time to say Amen, don’t say it too quickly.

Today, we come to the close of our sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6. And as Jesus concludes this model of prayer with the Father, He offers a final declaration in verse 13: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Jesus doesn’t end this prayer with a whisper—He ends it with a doxology. It is a declaration of praise, a spiritual eruption, and a moment of celebration. After aligning our hearts with heaven, we don’t just say “Amen” and walk away. We pause. We reflect. We rejoice. We erupt. This doxology is not an afterthought—it is the crescendo. It reminds us that the kingdom belongs to God, the power flows from God, and the glory returns to God.

SERMON ILLUSTRATION 1

The word doxology comes from two Greek words: doxa, meaning “praise,” and logos, meaning “word” or “utterance.” So a doxology is a spoken declaration of praise. A doxology is the kind of praise that erupts when the verdict is read in a courtroom and the judge declares, “Not guilty.” You have been waiting, praying, and hoping. The evidence was stacked against you. The courtroom was silent. And then, in a moment, everything shifts. The gavel falls, and the weight is lifted. And you don’t just smile—you shout. You cry. You collapse in gratitude. You worship. You testify. You tremble under the weight of glory. That is doxology.

A doxology is the eruption. It is the soul’s way of saying, “God came through, and I can’t keep it to myself.” A doxology is designed to remind you that you are on the winning side. Doxology declares that no matter what you face, God is still on the throne. Doxology proclaims that no matter how tangled your situation, God is greater than the mess. A doxology is like a spiritual earthquake; it shakes you, stirs you, and spills out of you. And if you have never experienced that kind of eruption, if you have never felt the need to praise God simply because He showed up when no one else could, then you haven’t yet tasted the fullness of salvation. Because saved folks know what it is to see God deliver them in the eleventh hour. They know what it is to watch God overturn the verdict, rewrite the story, and redeem the brokenness. And when that happens, all they can do is cry out to God, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” That is a doxology. And Scripture is full of them.

SERMON EXPOSITION 2

David couldn’t hold back his praise in 1 Chronicles 29:11. As David reflected on the majesty of God—His power, His glory, and His dominion—something stirred deep within him. Verse 10 tells us, “So David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly.” That is the nature of doxology: it is not about who is watching, it is about who is worthy. David declared, “Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth. Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.” [Watch This] The truth of God’s greatness overwhelmed David, and when it gets that good, you don’t whisper it. You erupt in praise and worship. That is the heartbeat of doxology.

The glory of God is too vast, too marvelous, and too soul-shaking for a believer to stay silent. Paul understood this after laying out God’s redemptive plan in Romans 11. After seeing how God worked through both Jews and Gentiles, Paul reached a tipping point. In verse 33, we are told that Paul bursts into praise: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” He continues, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”  And it is not just humans; it also applies to angels. When the angels appeared at Christ’s birth in Luke 2:14, they didn’t come with doctrine; they came with doxology. They sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men.” Heaven could not contain the joy.

Paul again erupts in Romans 16:25–27, praising God for revealing the mystery of salvation to all nations. He closed the book of Romans with this, “To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever. Amen.” But don’t rush to “Amen” too quickly. Doxology demands contemplation. It is not a punctuation mark—it is a proclamation. Even Jude, the quiet disciple with a one-chapter book, couldn’t hold back. In verse 24, he writes, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy…” And then the eruption: “To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forevermore.” He didn’t say “Amen” until the praise had poured out. That is the power of doxology.

Jesus Himself taught us to pray with doxology. In Matthew 6:13, Jesus ends the Lord’s Prayer with, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” That is not just a closing line in the Lord’s Prayer—it is a crescendo. Doxology is not about sophistication; it is about saturation. When the truth of God floods your soul, you respond with praise and worship. There are moments so powerful and undeniable that they demand a response. Not analysis. Not restraint. When the glory of God breaks in, when God’s grace delivers, His power redeems, His presence overwhelms; praise isn’t a suggestion —it is a reflex. Sometimes we become too polished and too composed. But reverence doesn’t mean silence. There are times when the only fitting response is to lift our voices and declare, “We saw God move. We saw God deliver. We saw God win.” That is doxology, an eruption of praise from a soul that has witnessed the mighty hand of God.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus gives us four truths that fuel this eruption. And while doxologies are not meant to be dissected, they do reveal something profound. When the victory is won, you don’t analyze—you rejoice. Every doxology in Scripture ends in victory. Not one ends in defeat. So, whatever you are facing today, look toward the doxology. Look toward the eruption. Look toward the moment when praise breaks loose. Jesus says, “For Yours is the kingdom.” That is sovereignty. That is power. That is the throne that never trembles. And that is reason enough to shout. And that should give you reason to dance. Reason enough to erupt in praise and worship.

And it happens in heaven, too. Revelation 5:12–13 paints the scene: angels, elders, and every creature declaring, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” The praise doesn’t decrease—it builds—word after word, wave after wave. When vocabulary runs dry, the worship begins again—glory, honor, dominion, majesty, power—on repeat. When heaven is overwhelmed, it doesn’t explain; it erupts in praise to God.

SERMON EXPOSITION 3

Four truths should shake you out of your comfort zone. Four realities should stir your soul to praise. In the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:13 ends with a doxology: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” That is not just a closing line; it is a volcanic eruption of worship. And it begins with sovereignty. “For Yours is the kingdom.” We have seen this word “kingdom” before. It speaks of rule or authority. It points to God’s sovereignty, His reign, and His right to rule. It reminds us that God is not just a king, He is King in His own kingdom. And every other kingdom, no matter how powerful, will ultimately fall short when it stands before the kingdom of God. God doesn’t campaign for power—He rules. Every opposing kingdom will collapse before God’s kingdom. King Nebuchadnezzar learned that the hard way. We are told that he built his own empire, defied heaven’s authority, and lost his mind. But when his reason returned, he lifted his eyes and confessed in Daniel 4:34-37: “His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation, ‘What have You done?’” You don’t challenge God’s kingdom and come out on top. So let me save you from a spiritual train wreck — the kind that derails your peace, your purpose, and your sanity. The surest way to avoid that disaster is to make certain that your kingdom bows to God’s Kingdom. Never flip the order. Don’t demand that God’s kingdom serve your agenda. Don’t demand that God serve your purpose. God is the sovereign King, and God’s rule is not negotiable.

This means that you and I reject every opposing kingdom — every counterfeit authority that competes with God’s rule. And let’s renounce every false ruler that tries to claim our hearts outside the will of God. To follow Christ is to pledge full allegiance to God’s kingdom with no compromise. No dual citizenship. Just total surrender to the One true and wise God, who reigns forever and ever. Amen. Another compelling reason to rejoice in our God is to praise Him for His unmatched power. “For Yours is the power.” God’s kingdom is not symbolic—it is backed by omnipotence. The King we serve is all-powerful, His authority unmatched, His reign unchallenged, and His will unstoppable. God doesn’t need assistance, enhancement, or permission. His power is self-generating, self-sustaining, and always sufficient.

God has a way of turning rebellion into redemption. He took Pharaoh,  the defiant king who refused to let the people of Israel go, and used that very rebellion to display His glory. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, made him drive the people out with his own hand, and then judged Pharaoh for his pride. That is God’s power on display. Then God turned to Caesar, a pagan emperor in Rome who knew nothing of the God of Israel, and stirred him to sign a decree that the whole world should be taxed. Why? So that a carpenter and a pregnant virgin wife would travel to Bethlehem, fulfilling a prophecy written centuries before: that the Messiah would be born in David’s city. That is not luck. That is not a chance. That is the hand of the mighty God at work. That is sovereignty in motion. We serve a King who doesn’t just react to evil; God rules over it. He doesn’t just overcome opposition, He orchestrates it for His purposes. God doesn’t panic when kings rebel; [Watch This] He uses their rebellion to fulfill His will. So, when wickedness rises, don’t lose heart. Don’t fold your hands in fear—lift them in praise. Worship the One who reigns above it all. Your King has the power to pull it off. He rules with wisdom, moves with precision, and never wastes a moment. Trust God. He is still turning rebellion into redemption.

SERMON EXPOSITION 4

Thirdly, praise God for His majesty. The Scripture declares, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory.” All authority belongs to God. All power flows from God. All glory is due to God. So, lift your voice and honor the majesty of the King who reigns forever.

Let me tell you something about man’s glory versus God’s glory. Man’s glory is ascribed. We attribute glory to people based on their position, education, reputation, or title. We say “Your Honor” to a judge and rise when he enters the courtroom. But take off the robe, step outside the courtroom, and he is just another man or woman. We say “Yes, to a police officer” when the blue lights flash behind us. We give recognition to the uniform. But strip away the badge and the blue, and he blends in with every other citizen. That is ascribed glory, glory given by others, and just as easily taken away. We refer to politicians as “The Honorable,” but that honor has an expiration date. Four years, maybe eight years. Give it some time, and the glory fades away. That is man’s glory.

[But Watch This] God’s glory? That is different. God’s glory is not borrowed. It is not bestowed. It is not stitched into a robe or pinned to a lapel. God’s glory is built into His very nature. What wet is to water, what heat is to fire, what brightness is to light, glory is to God. God doesn’t try to be glorious. From everlasting to everlasting, God is glorious. So don’t dilute God’s glory. Don’t compare God’s glory. Don’t drag divinity down to humanity’s level. If God is awesome, let every other name be silent before God’s name. Put a period. Start a new sentence. Let God be God—and let every other glory fall to its knees before God’s glory.

Jesus closes the Lord’s prayer with a thunderous declaration: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.” That is not just a benediction; that is a shout from heaven declaring that God’s reign has no expiration date. Kingdoms crumble, empires fade, and thrones are overturned, but God’s rule stands unshaken. Forever means forever. No term limits. No succession plans. No end in sight. God reigns without recess and without retirement.

Let me give you a picture. Imagine standing at the base of a mountain, watching a train snake through the valley. You see one car at a time: the engine, then the boxcars, and finally the last car. That is how we see life: moment by moment, frame by frame. [Watch This] But God stands on the mountaintop. He sees the entire train at once, from the beginning to the end. God sees your yesterday and your tomorrow in the same glance. God sees your rising and your falling, your joy and your sorrow, your struggle and your breakthrough, all at once. That is why you can trust God. God is not guessing your future; He has already walked through it. He is not reacting to your past; He has already redeemed it. Heaven is real. Hell is real. And I know it because God has already seen it, settled it, and spoken about it. God forever lives in the I AM. Not I was. Not I will be. Just I AM. Everything for God is now.

And while kingdoms rise and fall, while empires stretch and collapse, God remains. God’s Kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting. The Roman Empire lasted 422 years. The Egyptian Empire held power for centuries. The French monarchy endured for 465 years. The Russian monarchy stood for 741 years. And one day, even America will bow to the clock, because no nation outlasts God. No throne outshines His throne. No crown outlives His reign. But here is the point: when God is this great, silence is not an option. God’s goodness demands expression. God’s glory compels response. You don’t hold it in; you pour it out in praise. You don’t hold it down; you lift it up with worship. When the weight of God’s wonder hits your soul, praise becomes the only proper reaction.

SERMON CONCLUSION  – INVITATION TO FAITH, COMMISSION TO ACTION, AND CALL TO THE ALTAR

So how do we sum up a doxology? We finish where we began, with our Father. And now that I know who You are, and where You reside in heaven. I know what I must do: hallow Your name. I have to shift my program to fit Yours. So how about Your kingdom come, not mine? How about Your will be done, not my agenda?” Let me pull out my calendar and rewrite my schedule. Let me reorder my priorities so that Your name is lifted, Your kingdom is served, and Your will is done. And Lord, while I am walking in Your will, give me strength, the bread I need, the energy I need, and the grace I need. And when I make a mistake, please forgive me. And help me forgive others, because I can’t walk in Your will with bitterness in my heart.

As I step into tomorrow, let me not walk into anything that would dishonor Your name, Your kingdom, or Your will. And if I have prayed imperfectly, let me be clear: this prayer is not about me. It is about You. It is Your kingdom. It is Your power. It is Your glory. Forever. Amen.

And when you learn to pray like that, heaven responds. When you pray like that, chains break. When you pray like that, God shows up. The disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And Jesus said, “Start with God. End with God. You will be alright in between.”

So, don’t be cute. Don’t be quiet. Give God the glory. Give Him the honor. Give Him the praise. God healed when doctors gave up. God provided when the bank said no. God opened the doors no man could shut. God lifted you when life tried to bury you. God made a way when there seemed to be no way. So, give God the glory. Not just with your lips, but with your life. Not just with your hands, but with your heart. Not just on Sunday, but every day. Because to God be the glory, great things He has done. Great things He is doing. God is not done yet. And greater things are still to come. So, stand firm. Stay faithful. Keep praising God. God bless you.

The altar is open. If you need to bow before the King, come. If you need to lay down your burdens, come. If you need to erupt in praise, come. Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Don’t be too proud to kneel. Come and say: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Now you can say it — Amen. Amen. Amen.

CLOSING WORDS OF GRACE

Let us stand together and pray. Father, we thank You for the gift of prayer. You have shown us that the purpose of prayer is not to escape life, but to engage it with You. So today, we ask: lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Let Your Spirit guide us. Let Your Word equip us. Let Your grace sustain us. May our lives reflect the power of prayer. And as we go, let this be our declaration: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray — and all God’s people said: Amen.

You are dismissed. God bless you. We look forward to seeing you next week at 10:30 a.m.