.jpg)
Over the next several weeks we will be walking through the following Spiritual Disciplines:
Bible Intake
Prayer
Worship
Evangelism
Serving
Stewardship
Fasting
Silence and Solitude
Journaling
Learning
Perseverance in the Disciplines
Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Revised and Updated. (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2024)
The book that will guide our study: GET IT AND READ IT!!!!! We have a few available at church.
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life – Amazon Link
The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:5-13
Divided in 2 parts (PART 1 tonight)
In relationship to God – HIS GLORY – vv. 9-10
His Holiness – v. 9
His Reign – v. 10a
His Rule and Purpose – v. 10b
In relationship to believers – OUR NEEDS – vv. 11-13
Our Physical – v. 11
Our Spiritual – vv. 12-13
With 6 Petitions
1-3 are cast in terms of God’s Glory – vv. 9-10
4-6 are cast in terms of our benefit or needs – vv. 11-13
Prayer is Necessary – vv. 5-6a
When you pray
Colossians 4:2 – Continue in prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing
Go into your room
Prayer is Personal (To the Father) – vv. 6b-8
Pray to your Father
He Sees and Rewards
He knows before we ask (our heart… desires and motives)
Jesus Gives us an Example – v. 9-13
Pray then like this
We Pray to a Holy Heavenly Father – v. 9
Our Father in heaven
Jesus prayed to His Father – Mark 14:36
To the Father… it is a personal prayer
Believers – Only through the gospel of Jesus Christ…Through conversion… is God is our heavenly Father – John 14:6
Unbelievers – Those that have not repented of their sin and placed their faith in Christ… The devil is their father – John 8:44
Hallowed by Your Name
Name – Represents all that He is. His character and attributes. HIS HOLINESS
He is Holy. One should acknowledge His holiness
1 Peter 1:15-16 – but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
We Pray for His Purpose and Will – vv. 10
Your kingdom come – v. 10a
The King reigning in His Kingdom. His rule and reign over His creation
Started with the coming of Christ… yet not fully consummated until His ultimate and final return.
The Kingdom is NOW manifested and made known as the church lives out the Lordship of Christ through our lives.
Christ’s rule and reign through the hearts of believers and the ministries of the local church.
God’s redemptive plan lived out.
Your will be done – v. 10b
His will. His purpose and plan.
God is never trespassing on his own property. Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof”
Romans 12:1-2 – … that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
We are never going to ask Him to do something He has not already planned. (WHAT A PROFOUND THOUGHT)
He is all powerful, all knowing, all wise, and all loving. HIS PROVIDENTIAL CARE AS HE RULES WITHIN HIS KINGDOM.
3 Possible Understandings of His Will
God is in control of nothing
God is in control of somethings
God is in control of all things – THE RIGHT ANSWER
It is all or nothing .He is God…we are not. We have a will, but our will can never be superior to His will.
People say…WE HAVE FREE WILL. I always say yes, we do but OUR WILL IS NOT SUPERIOR TO HIS WILL. If someone really believes in TOTAL FREE WILL….THEN why pray at all…WHAT CAN GOD DO?????
A perfect example – Acts 2:23 – this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (ESV)
Comments