02-10-13.01
02-10-06.02 vv zz 02-10-13.02
02-10-06.01 02-10-20.01
Title: “…on earth as it is in heaven”
D-Theme: Praying for fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose on earth
M-Thrust: What if?! What would really happen if we earnestly prayed according to this pattern? How would things change? How would they look different? How would we be different?
Comment: there really weren’t any since I had to go straight into meetings following the service
Subject: prayer
Date: 78C5E1EC2B8B4445AF60F9FA94EB0C7C
Text: Luke 11:1-4
1Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 3Give us day by day our daily bread. 4And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
• Introduction........................................ dominating theme
• The centerpiece—the cornerstone of this prayer…
• Is the addressing of God as “Our Father”
• Knowing him in an intimate and personal way…
• Not simply saying it in a repetitious, meaningless way…
• But being moved by the idea that we who…
• were once darkness, are now light in the Lord… [1]
• Because…
• He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of [His] Son… [2]
• Who is it that has done this? It is Our Father in heaven…!
• And to pray the Lord’s prayer addressing God as Father…
• Without that evoking the deepest sense of gratitude…
• Without that evoking an overwhelming sense of joy…
• Without that evoking unbridled praise…
• Means we likely have never known God as Father…
• Knowing God as Father—as a child
• The scriptures teach that the one led by the Spirit…
• Is the one who is God’s child—who by…
Romans 8:15b-16a
15[…] the Spirit of adoption […] cries out, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit Himself bear [ing] witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
• The one who has received the Spirit of adoption…
• Doesn’t come to the Lord passively or quietly, but they…
• Cry to the Lord “with a loud and raucous voice…” [3]
• Father, my Father!
• An expression of praise and thanksgiving…
• For what he has done—the witness of God’s Holy Spirit…
• Who are the ones who receive this Spirit of adoption?
• But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name [4]
• If you haven’t received him or believed in His Name…
• If you aren’t led by the Spirit of God…
• If you don’t walk after the Spirit but walk after the flesh…
• Then the right to become God’s child isn’t yours…
• And you haven’t nor yet can you exercise that right…
• And I have said all of this to point out…
• Knowing God as father—in order to pray
• For us to not truly to have known God as Father…
• Means we really can’t go on with the prayer…
• The dominating theme of the message this morning is…
• Praying for fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose on earth
• Can we honestly say we are…
• Praying for fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose on earth
• If we are not his child—if we don’t know him as Father?
• How can we really be…
• Praying for fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose on earth
• If we aren’t enabled and empowered by his Spirit
• You have not received the spirit of fear which brings you into slavery once again, but you have received the Spirit of sonship, whereby from the very core of your being you declare God to be Father and the Spirit testifies to you in your life “that’s exactly right, you can call him your Father, for your Father he is.” Now, that remains then the crucial question in considering this prayer… And I pose it to you once again… Ask yourself, is then God my Father? Do I know God in this way? When I sing the songs does the Spirit of God reach into my life and assure me that despite all of my wanderings and all of my futilities and all of my sometimes disinterest in these things, that @ the very center of my life I have been turned the right way up? And God is now my Father!? [5]
• O, we can go on, but without the understanding …
• Of the Fatherhood of God and all that it means…
• Everything that follows will seem extraneous @ best
• Which may explain why the usage of this prayer…
• Has become superficial—insignificant—routine
• So we begin with…
• The reign of God
• As we consider the petition…
• Your kingdom come…
• And what is it exactly, that we ask God for when we pray…
• Your kingdom come…
• We pray that God will reign… that he will…
reign (rān) noun
1. Exercise sovereign power [6]
• That he will be King upon his throne
• That his dominion and influence will be felt and exerted…
• And what is the nature of that kingdom for which we pray?
• Not visible
Luke 17:20-21
20Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
• To speak of the kingdom in human, earthly terms…
• Is to rob it of meaning—of power—of purpose
• If we understand the Kingdom of God to be where God’s…
• Dominion and influence is felt and exerted…
• Then the Kingdom of God is not a place, per se…
• It is rather more like a sphere where that influence is felt…
• If you have believed in Jesus Christ
• If you have the witness of… the Spirit of adoption…
• Then you have become the Kingdom of God…
• Wherever you go, whatever you do…
• The influence of the Kingdom of God is with you…
• Because the Kingdom of God is within you…
• Not of this world
• Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36
• And since it is not of this world…
• We are to avoid engaging in earthly battles…
• The upcoming elections for example…
• I do hope your registered to vote
• Perhaps one of the more important elections in a while…
• Determining the balance of power in the senate
• And yet, in spite of the importance of that…
• Our hope is in the Lord—the advancing of his kingdom…
• Meaning that the Kingdom of God is not established…
• By means of the political process…
• But by the preaching of the gospel…
• Through faith in Jesus Christ…
• Surely we would hope see and experience…
• the influence of the kingdom on and in this earth…
• Not Yet
• We pray also for the ultimate fulfillment of his kingdom…
• When “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15
• When Satan will be bound and sin and death defeated…
• Now
• But more than that we pray for his kingdom now…
• To be established now—in the hearts and minds…
• Of men and women everywhere…
• That by faith in Jesus Christ God’s kingdom will come…
• That conversion will happen… that lives will be changed
• And thereby we will see the influence of the kingdom…
• And we will see it through…
• The rule of God
• Your will be done…
rule (rl) noun
2. a. An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct […] b. The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
verb
ruled, ruling, rules
1. To exercise control, dominion, or direction over; govern.
[Middle English reule, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *regula, from Latin rēgula, rod, principle.] [7]
• Here we pray that not only will his kingdom come…
• But that his will, will be done
• Is it enough for the body of Christ to acknowledge…
• Jesus as savior… without acknowledging him as Lord?
• God has prescribed a direction for our lives and conduct…
• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
• God reigns when men, in denial of themselves […] the world and this earthly life, devote themselves to righteousness and aspire to heaven …John Calvin [8]
• The king’s subjects—submitted to his sovereignty…
• Subject to his rule—the will of God lived out…
• In the heart and life of the believer…
• What happens when the reign of God is in place…
• But his subjects refuse to be ruled by him?
• What is that called? Rebellion!
• And that is precisely the condition of the one…
• Who has resisted hearing the voice of God…
• Who has refused heeding the call of God…
• Who has rejected obeying the will of God…
• They are in rebellion against the Kingdom of God…
• And against the King of the Kingdom…
• But the children of God are submitted to the will of God…
• Judging it as good… regarding it as worthwhile…
• In fact the Kingdom of God is only truly come…
• When the will of God is lived out and in…
• The lives of his people…
• The reach of God
• as in heaven… so in earth!
• What is God’s will like in heaven… the place he dwells…?
• Is it perfect, complete, everlasting, faultless, pure ?
• It is all of those things isn’t it?!
• And yet how do we see God’s perfect will…
• Being carried out in the world today?
• How is God’s perfect will being felt in the sniper shootings
• How is God’s perfect will seen in 911
• How is God’s perfect will experienced by the unsaved…
• Your friends, your family, your loved ones, co-workers…
• Which is precisely why we are to pray in this manner…
• So that God’s perfect will—as it is in heaven…
• Would be done and fulfilled on the earth…
• In our hearts—in our lives—in our families
• In the lives of the unbelieving world
• If God’s perfect will was done in the unsaved…
• Would they get saved…?
• Would their lives be transformed?
• Would the alcoholic or drug abuser be healed?
• Would broken marriages be restored?
• Would wounded emotions and lives be turned around?
• Would those who are in bondage be set free?
• Where in this world can God’s will and purpose not reach?
• Who in this world is not capable of being touched?
• Or transformed or healed or restored or set free?
• The reach of God encompasses all of heaven and earth…
• And he longs and desires for his people to so pray…
• So that as it is in heaven it will be on/in earth
• Conclusion............................................. motivating thrust
• The Bible is always reminding us that things don’t have to remain the way they are. If God is given the opportunity, his blessings can bring about dramatic change no matter what our circumstances are. No negative situation, hostile environment, or shortage of manpower is greater than the power of Jesus Christ. He alone can transform any local congregation into something more wonderful than we could ever imagine.
• We who consider ourselves serious believers in Christ have to face this obvious question: Will we settle for the status quo in our own church situations, or will we reach out for what God can supernaturally do? The Lord is eager to make spiritual changes among us and shower us with his blessings. He wants us—his people—to experience the greatness of his power and the depth of his love in a new way. All he needs from us is a listening ear and a heart that believes that with God all things are possible.
• What if?! What would really happen if we earnestly prayed according to this pattern? How would things change? How would they look different? How would we be different?
• every time people really pray, they are believing that God by his divine power can change WHAT IS into something better! …Jim Cymbala The Church God Blesses
----
[1] Ephesians 5:8
[2] Colossians 1:13
[3] Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Ed. G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976. Vol. 3, Page 898.
[4] John 1:12
[5] Alistair Begg Hallowed be Thy Name #2 in the Audio Series When you pray, say… Truth for Life
[6] Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.
[7] Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.
[8] Calvin, J., & H. Beveridge. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997. III, xx, 42.
02-10-06.02 vv zz 02-10-13.02
02-10-06.01 02-10-20.01
Title: “…on earth as it is in heaven”
D-Theme: Praying for fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose on earth
M-Thrust: What if?! What would really happen if we earnestly prayed according to this pattern? How would things change? How would they look different? How would we be different?
Comment: there really weren’t any since I had to go straight into meetings following the service
Subject: prayer
Date: 78C5E1EC2B8B4445AF60F9FA94EB0C7C
Text: Luke 11:1-4
1Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 3Give us day by day our daily bread. 4And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
• Introduction........................................ dominating theme
• The centerpiece—the cornerstone of this prayer…
• Is the addressing of God as “Our Father”
• Knowing him in an intimate and personal way…
• Not simply saying it in a repetitious, meaningless way…
• But being moved by the idea that we who…
• were once darkness, are now light in the Lord… [1]
• Because…
• He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of [His] Son… [2]
• Who is it that has done this? It is Our Father in heaven…!
• And to pray the Lord’s prayer addressing God as Father…
• Without that evoking the deepest sense of gratitude…
• Without that evoking an overwhelming sense of joy…
• Without that evoking unbridled praise…
• Means we likely have never known God as Father…
• Knowing God as Father—as a child
• The scriptures teach that the one led by the Spirit…
• Is the one who is God’s child—who by…
Romans 8:15b-16a
15[…] the Spirit of adoption […] cries out, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit Himself bear [ing] witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
• The one who has received the Spirit of adoption…
• Doesn’t come to the Lord passively or quietly, but they…
• Cry to the Lord “with a loud and raucous voice…” [3]
• Father, my Father!
• An expression of praise and thanksgiving…
• For what he has done—the witness of God’s Holy Spirit…
• Who are the ones who receive this Spirit of adoption?
• But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name [4]
• If you haven’t received him or believed in His Name…
• If you aren’t led by the Spirit of God…
• If you don’t walk after the Spirit but walk after the flesh…
• Then the right to become God’s child isn’t yours…
• And you haven’t nor yet can you exercise that right…
• And I have said all of this to point out…
• Knowing God as father—in order to pray
• For us to not truly to have known God as Father…
• Means we really can’t go on with the prayer…
• The dominating theme of the message this morning is…
• Praying for fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose on earth
• Can we honestly say we are…
• Praying for fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose on earth
• If we are not his child—if we don’t know him as Father?
• How can we really be…
• Praying for fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose on earth
• If we aren’t enabled and empowered by his Spirit
• You have not received the spirit of fear which brings you into slavery once again, but you have received the Spirit of sonship, whereby from the very core of your being you declare God to be Father and the Spirit testifies to you in your life “that’s exactly right, you can call him your Father, for your Father he is.” Now, that remains then the crucial question in considering this prayer… And I pose it to you once again… Ask yourself, is then God my Father? Do I know God in this way? When I sing the songs does the Spirit of God reach into my life and assure me that despite all of my wanderings and all of my futilities and all of my sometimes disinterest in these things, that @ the very center of my life I have been turned the right way up? And God is now my Father!? [5]
• O, we can go on, but without the understanding …
• Of the Fatherhood of God and all that it means…
• Everything that follows will seem extraneous @ best
• Which may explain why the usage of this prayer…
• Has become superficial—insignificant—routine
• So we begin with…
• The reign of God
• As we consider the petition…
• Your kingdom come…
• And what is it exactly, that we ask God for when we pray…
• Your kingdom come…
• We pray that God will reign… that he will…
reign (rān) noun
1. Exercise sovereign power [6]
• That he will be King upon his throne
• That his dominion and influence will be felt and exerted…
• And what is the nature of that kingdom for which we pray?
• Not visible
Luke 17:20-21
20Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
• To speak of the kingdom in human, earthly terms…
• Is to rob it of meaning—of power—of purpose
• If we understand the Kingdom of God to be where God’s…
• Dominion and influence is felt and exerted…
• Then the Kingdom of God is not a place, per se…
• It is rather more like a sphere where that influence is felt…
• If you have believed in Jesus Christ
• If you have the witness of… the Spirit of adoption…
• Then you have become the Kingdom of God…
• Wherever you go, whatever you do…
• The influence of the Kingdom of God is with you…
• Because the Kingdom of God is within you…
• Not of this world
• Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36
• And since it is not of this world…
• We are to avoid engaging in earthly battles…
• The upcoming elections for example…
• I do hope your registered to vote
• Perhaps one of the more important elections in a while…
• Determining the balance of power in the senate
• And yet, in spite of the importance of that…
• Our hope is in the Lord—the advancing of his kingdom…
• Meaning that the Kingdom of God is not established…
• By means of the political process…
• But by the preaching of the gospel…
• Through faith in Jesus Christ…
• Surely we would hope see and experience…
• the influence of the kingdom on and in this earth…
• Not Yet
• We pray also for the ultimate fulfillment of his kingdom…
• When “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15
• When Satan will be bound and sin and death defeated…
• Now
• But more than that we pray for his kingdom now…
• To be established now—in the hearts and minds…
• Of men and women everywhere…
• That by faith in Jesus Christ God’s kingdom will come…
• That conversion will happen… that lives will be changed
• And thereby we will see the influence of the kingdom…
• And we will see it through…
• The rule of God
• Your will be done…
rule (rl) noun
2. a. An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct […] b. The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
verb
ruled, ruling, rules
1. To exercise control, dominion, or direction over; govern.
[Middle English reule, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *regula, from Latin rēgula, rod, principle.] [7]
• Here we pray that not only will his kingdom come…
• But that his will, will be done
• Is it enough for the body of Christ to acknowledge…
• Jesus as savior… without acknowledging him as Lord?
• God has prescribed a direction for our lives and conduct…
• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
• God reigns when men, in denial of themselves […] the world and this earthly life, devote themselves to righteousness and aspire to heaven …John Calvin [8]
• The king’s subjects—submitted to his sovereignty…
• Subject to his rule—the will of God lived out…
• In the heart and life of the believer…
• What happens when the reign of God is in place…
• But his subjects refuse to be ruled by him?
• What is that called? Rebellion!
• And that is precisely the condition of the one…
• Who has resisted hearing the voice of God…
• Who has refused heeding the call of God…
• Who has rejected obeying the will of God…
• They are in rebellion against the Kingdom of God…
• And against the King of the Kingdom…
• But the children of God are submitted to the will of God…
• Judging it as good… regarding it as worthwhile…
• In fact the Kingdom of God is only truly come…
• When the will of God is lived out and in…
• The lives of his people…
• The reach of God
• as in heaven… so in earth!
• What is God’s will like in heaven… the place he dwells…?
• Is it perfect, complete, everlasting, faultless, pure ?
• It is all of those things isn’t it?!
• And yet how do we see God’s perfect will…
• Being carried out in the world today?
• How is God’s perfect will being felt in the sniper shootings
• How is God’s perfect will seen in 911
• How is God’s perfect will experienced by the unsaved…
• Your friends, your family, your loved ones, co-workers…
• Which is precisely why we are to pray in this manner…
• So that God’s perfect will—as it is in heaven…
• Would be done and fulfilled on the earth…
• In our hearts—in our lives—in our families
• In the lives of the unbelieving world
• If God’s perfect will was done in the unsaved…
• Would they get saved…?
• Would their lives be transformed?
• Would the alcoholic or drug abuser be healed?
• Would broken marriages be restored?
• Would wounded emotions and lives be turned around?
• Would those who are in bondage be set free?
• Where in this world can God’s will and purpose not reach?
• Who in this world is not capable of being touched?
• Or transformed or healed or restored or set free?
• The reach of God encompasses all of heaven and earth…
• And he longs and desires for his people to so pray…
• So that as it is in heaven it will be on/in earth
• Conclusion............................................. motivating thrust
• The Bible is always reminding us that things don’t have to remain the way they are. If God is given the opportunity, his blessings can bring about dramatic change no matter what our circumstances are. No negative situation, hostile environment, or shortage of manpower is greater than the power of Jesus Christ. He alone can transform any local congregation into something more wonderful than we could ever imagine.
• We who consider ourselves serious believers in Christ have to face this obvious question: Will we settle for the status quo in our own church situations, or will we reach out for what God can supernaturally do? The Lord is eager to make spiritual changes among us and shower us with his blessings. He wants us—his people—to experience the greatness of his power and the depth of his love in a new way. All he needs from us is a listening ear and a heart that believes that with God all things are possible.
• What if?! What would really happen if we earnestly prayed according to this pattern? How would things change? How would they look different? How would we be different?
• every time people really pray, they are believing that God by his divine power can change WHAT IS into something better! …Jim Cymbala The Church God Blesses
----
[1] Ephesians 5:8
[2] Colossians 1:13
[3] Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Ed. G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976. Vol. 3, Page 898.
[4] John 1:12
[5] Alistair Begg Hallowed be Thy Name #2 in the Audio Series When you pray, say… Truth for Life
[6] Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.
[7] Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.
[8] Calvin, J., & H. Beveridge. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997. III, xx, 42.