Prayer

Prayer • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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The Lord's prayer through the ears of 1st Century hearers. The prayer is not only a guide, it is descriptive of what is truth and not concerning social and political trends of that time...and ours as well.

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The Lord’s Prayer

WELCOME - Again, we’re glad you’re all here and glad for those online with us. Wow have we had some beautiful weather? Yeah and people are beginning to get out and about…graduations are happening. Spring sports are coming to an end. School is coming to an end here very soon! Most colleges are out already. Its just that time of year for lots and lots of change. And I know that all of us will be seeing changes around us…I think mostly welcomed change because of the numbers dropping concerning the virus. We’re thankful for that for sure.

We do however want to keep praying for those who are recovering yet. I know that Dave and Jamie would appreciate your prayers. Dave is now home and is making headway but has a ways to go. I know we’ve had others here who are recovering too. For some its just a long process.

We want to be remembering Linda Sciury and her family in the loss of her mom this past week Betty Puran (97 years young).

And we want to celebrate with the newly married couple, Louann and John Pierce. They were married last evening and on the way out of the door Louann told Peach and I … we’ll see you tomorrow! We’re very happy for you guys.

A couple of our day-care teachers are going through some medical concerns right now as well. So we ask that you keep all of those involved in that ministry in your prayers.

Let’s pray - Lord thank you for being here with us…allowing your presence to be here with us. Lord we ask that you be with those who are still struggling through this time…still recovering. Lord we grieve with those in our church family who have lost loved ones. Lord we celebrate with those who are graduating, about to walk through some big changes in their lives. Lord we celebrate with those who have made lifelong commitments to each other as well. Lord help all of us here this morning to know you more, to understand you more, so we can be closer to you. And its in your son’s name that we pray. Amen.

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Last week we talked about prayer. We kind of discussed what it was…God wanting to be near us and talk with us. Very much a conversation or a dialogue with God. He approaching us first hoping that we’d respond to Him.

And to put prayer in the right context we looked at what we lost in the beginning…that close one on one personal inviting relationship we had with God…without sin. Through our sin nature we lost that perfect relationship with our creator. But God left the door of communication open so we could come to Him…and we read of how He invites us to talk with Him…all the time.

At first we had no needs because we were with Him…the supplier of everything. Now He continually asks us to ask for what we need.

Ultimately we saw how prayer has everything to do with God presence being with us.

God’s presence near His people. We looked through history at where God was among His people…the Garden. The tabernacle. The temple. Jesus Himself…and then …as a gift…Jesus gives His spirit, the spirit of God, to those who believe and have faith in Him.

And now…believers can pray in the spirit…God is now as close as He gets to us this side of eternity…and He says talk to me any time you’d like. I’m always here…and I can supply your needs, help you, guide you, forgive you…ultimately give you peace from the dark side of life that we sometimes get stuck in…that we are stuck in. I shouldn’t say stuck…because something is changing and this all started when Jesus came, died and rose.

Today all we’re going to do is revisit one of the most well known passages in all the Bible. Jesus’ teaching on prayer. My hope is that all of us can revisit this little passage and then use it, wear it out every day as a guide and probably more than that…as a way to stay connected with God…and reality.

This is in both Matthew and Luke - is called the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus went through a bunch of basic life application teaching. Some of it very hard teaching. But all through it, he was saying that a change is happening. Yes, there’s this world that you all live in now, but God’s Kingdom is also here now. In a very real way…Heaven was now coming to earth…the two realms are meeting.

Jesus wants us to see this the reality of this change and to be a part of it....prayer is a big big part of this.

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A teacher asked a little boy, “Johnny, tell me honestly, do you say your prayers before you eat?”

Johnny replied, “I don't have to, my mom is a good cook!”

Lots of times, we think, “Life’s good. I don’t need to go to God all the time. I’m good. I’m not that bad of a person. I understand this life thing. I’ve got my opinions and my ideas and I think they’re pretty right on track.” I think I’m ok.

I think that is a very dangerous place to be in. Jesus wants to recreate everything about us. He died for that to happen.

But sometimes, we think we can fix us. Our way of life can be ok.

Jesus came to say, with a smile…I’ve got something better for you.

So we’re talking about prayer.

So back to the sermon on the mount, Jesus is talking to a bunch of people who are listening to him…and they are all listening with 1st century ears.

So what do I mean by that? Well, we’re going to look at the Lord’s prayer…when we read that, we think. Wow, succinct. Simple. Memorable. Good for this kids to memorize. Almost poetic. Magical. I feel good when I say it. You know we think things like that.

And I think…if we really listened …without our church ears… we might hear things that could add to our understanding of what Jesus is trying to do through this little prayer.

So let’s set the scene for when Jesus talks about the Lord’s prayer.

Our simple goal today is to understand why Jesus said “this is how we should pray.”

Jesus has just talked about how His Kingdom really views things like, the Law, Murder/hate, adultery/lust/divorce, (these are all life application stuff) Commitments, repaying someone for what they did to you, praying for your enemies, being generous, and then he gets to prayer. And he starts in a precise way. And remember who He’s talking to …people in the 1st century…many of whom are probably Jewish.

So right before the Lord’s Prayer - Jesus says:

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Matthew 6:5 jesus starts out like this

Matthew 6:5 LEB

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, in order that they may be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full!

What is Jesus’ assumption here? These are praying people…who understand prayer. They hear prayers. They say prayers. These aren’t just people who pray sometimes .. these are praying people. It is part of their life and part life in general.

We know this because of what Jesus says next...

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Matthew 6:5

Matthew 6:5 LEB

Don’t pray like the hypocrites - this would be the religious leaders. They liked to be seen by people…heard by people for how good their prayers are.

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Matthew 6:7

Matthew 6:7 LEB

“But when you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the pagans, for they think that because of their many words they will be heard.

Jesus then says, and don’t be like the pagans…(gentiles)

The pagans, this would be people other than the Jews - Some of whom might have been standing there listening to Him. These are people, other than the Israelites, who pray to their “g” gods. Their practice was to repeat and repeat and repeat to exhaustion. This was common practice. If you were a Jewish person walking from village to village to buy groceries for the next week, you would probably pass by some shrines or temples where you’d see people praying to their gods. This was not uncommon. Jesus is just pointing out some regular things these people saw and heard when it came to prayer. Prayer was common…even public…and accepted.

Jesus goes on to say, go into your room…closet even…and pray to God - where its just you and him. A relationship…not a duty. Two people talking where one happens to be the creator or the whole universe. And no need for all the repetition…remember He knows what you need even before you ask…He just wants you to talk with Him.

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Matthew 6:9 Then Jesus says, so when you pray, pray like this:

Matthew 6:9 LEB

Therefore you pray in this way: “Our Father who is in heaven, may your name be treated as holy.

Now, we need to take just a simple pause here to ask a question. What is Jesus going to tell us? What is Jesus going to give us here? Is he giving us something to recite? Maybe? Is he giving it to us to recite because reciting is the right way to pray? Are these the exact words to use when we pray …so we can be “good” people? Why is Jesus teaching people how to pray? Remember what was lost. Jesus is teaching people how to pray so they can be in communication with their creator…eventually spirit to spirit with their creator. Eventually in a position to be recreated…reborn so to speak…to be more like they were intended to be…more like Him…more like Jesus. That’s the goal. A relationship.

Here, Jesus isn’t just telling people how to pray, He showing people some basic principles of this New Kingdom…the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God.

Our Father, which art in Heaven. Hallowed be your name....

In the Old Testament there are some places where God is alluded to as a father figure. But here Jesus says you can call Him Father. This would be unheard of by other religions…those praying to the Greek or Roman or even Babylonian gods. Jesus says this is a personal relationship. Not just a duty you must perform.

And where is this God? Your Father? He’s not in the underworld or on this mountain or trapped in an idol or shrine…He’s in Heaven…His throne room is Heaven. He’s above all other “g” gods. And Holy is His name. He’s perfect in every way.

I’m sure you can see the claim Jesus is making there. These other gods are not holy.

Remember, Jesus is introducing this new Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven…that many had been waiting for. It’s here.

And the ears listening are ones who have maybe been waiting for this to happen…and some ears are probably hearing this and lining it up against their belief system.

So I believe Jesus is making some truth claims here too…about God and the Kingdom.

Now I want you to begin seeing how Jesus, in the year 2021 might be perceived if He’s teaching this over in Faircrest Park…a big crowd listening in.

Pray? Really…haven’t we progressed beyond that?

God? You mean to say you believe there is such a things as God?

And you’re going to obey only Him because He is holy.

You see Jesus is saying something big both then and now. When you repeat this prayer, your not only talking to God but you’re claiming what you believe to be true about the world. That there is a personal God who is the creator of the universe and He wants to talk with you.

Jesus, through this prayer, shows us reality. The things that are real. This little prayer will help us keep grounded in what’s real.

Now, with those beginning words, Jesus sets the stage for reality. God is real. He wants you to call Him father. He’s perfect and in Heaven but He’s approachable. Prayer isn’t a production or presentation or place where you beg and beg and beg. Its the basis of a relationship.

That’s what prayer is.

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The next thing Jesus goes to is the Kingdom. Matthew 6:10

Matthew 6:10 LEB

May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The Kingdom. Here Jesus goes back to the Kingdom. And if Jesus is asking us to pray in reality…and pray for what is happening right then and there… Its as though Jesus is asking us to participate in what He and the Father are doing. This thing He calls rebirth (when He talked with Nicodemus)…this thing He calls recreation....it’s happening. And we’re asking for it to happen…calling for it to happen. Why? Because if we’re going to have an eternal relationship with the Father…which is what He wants…we will need to recognize this Kingdom. Christ’s Kingdom. And that it is here and moving out through Jesus.

Your will be done. God’s will is perfect. This is a prayer of humility. A statement of position on our part. We’re saying…you’re will…not ours. Again…if Jesus was here in Faircrest Park speaking these things, this would be hard for many people…even probably us…we’re giving our will up for God’s way. For His will.

We’re admitting that Government reform - the government’s will - can’t fix things. Economic reform can’t fix things. Social justice reforms or theories can’t fix things. Social media influencers can’t fix things. Wisdom that comes from anywhere other than God and His will can’t ultimately fix things. There are many very good at heart people with great intentions who are pretty wise with wisdom that matches God’s wisdom…but ultimately, anyone’s will .... other than God’s… cannot heal and fix things…all of those problems that all of us see in humanity.

We’re asking for God’s will to be done here as it is in heaven. God’s will is perfect for us. That’s how we started…how humanity started. People in the best place possible. God’s presence. Living in His peace…perfect peace. Nothing at all wrong and no needs. People in perfect relationship with their creator....in a perfect relationship with each other....and in a perfect relationship with all of creation. And we know that was lost. Jesus is saying I’m recreating it all for you. Just follow the Father’s will.

Jesus asks that we pray for that to happen…and we, on this side of history, know that re-creation began with Jesus. With His death and resurrection.

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Matthew 6:11

Matthew 6:11 LEB

Give us today our daily bread,

This one is easy to understand but hard to live by. We’re doers. We’re fixers. We like to be successful at providing for ourselves. We like doing things our way. Here Jesus simply asks us to ask the Father for our daily bread. Many of these people hearing this would have had little problem understanding the basics of this one.

Daily needs. In the garden…in perfection with God in Adam and Eve’s presence there were no needs. Now, separated Jesus asks us to ask for our daily needs. This does two things…we realize we need things....and through Jesus’ words…we recognize that God is able to supply. He’s the one who supplies what we truly need.

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Matthew 6:12

Matthew 6:12 LEB

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

We probably know these words. Some translations will say “trespasses” or “sins - those who have sinned against us.” The idea here is this - We know we are sinful. This little verse just gives us a way to state what our position is before God: We’re sinners. We need forgiveness. And we ask God to forgive us. This is how we pray.

We admit our deepest need. Forgiveness of sin.

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A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, “Can anyone tell me what you should do before God or someone else can forgive you?”

There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. "Sin," he said.

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We admit we need help. We’ve done wrong. We’re in the wrong. We’ve stolen glory from God for ourselves. We’ve stolen honor from God and given it to ourselves. We’ve said that our ways are best…in the face of the creator. Jesus said…and he says this very nicely…very gently....just say “forgive us.”

These words both serve as a statement of truth and a request. We can only ask for this if we’re admitting we’ve done wrong in God’s eyes…right?

…as we have forgiven our debtors or those who have sinned against us. Jesus is simply stating this in terms of the Law of Moses…that is still in place…that these people knew full well. They needed to forgive others in order to be forgiven.

To our ears it kinda sounds like we have to do something to receive God’s grace. And we know…that being imperfect…this would be imperfect for us to do.

Jesus came to fulfill the law…meaning He was going to be the one who would never sin…become the sacrifice for us…and give us forgiveness as a gift…we might here this called grace. Meaning He gives us something we don’t deserve.

God’s grace is a gift. And if we receive that gift…we are to share it. We give grace to others. These two go hand in hand. Jesus want us to look at the world around us as God does…to look at others as God does. Love others as you love yourself. Do you want to be forgiven by God? Well, someone probably wants to be forgiven by you too. Is God reliant on our forgiveness…no, it wouldn’t be a gift. Does Jesus want us to give as He gives? Yes.

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Matthew 6:13 LEB

And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

This one is just easy. Don’t make this one hard. Paul writes that our battle isn’t against flesh and blood…but against rulers and authorities and powers outside of ourselves and outside of humanity. There is evil in the world…and Jesus asks us to pray to be delivered from it.

Ultimately, we will be. Is it hard right now? Yes!! This life isn’t perfect. Jesus said…look forward to the day when you will be delivered from evil. Saved. Rescued. And that process began when he walked out of the tomb.

Later manuscripts add the doxology that many of your are familiar with…and thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever Amen…that was added as just a BIG AMEN!

This prayer is simple. Simple - but explains the foundation of all of life.

God is real and He wants you to talk with Him. And He’s holy…perfect. That’s who your talking to — communicating with.

We want the Kingdom to come because that’s the next step of God bringing us back to Him. And His will be done…not ours. We know that Heaven is perfect and we want that perfect life too. (on earth as it is in Heaven).

God wants to and CAN give us all we need (our daily bread).

God can forgive us. And now, through Jesus, we can forgive others. We want to reflect Jesus’ love to others around us.

And keep that evil one away from us.

We know that this world isn’t perfect…but we know who wins in the end. Amen!?

I encourage you to memorize this prayer and look at it as though it will help you see the world in reality. God is real and He wants a relationship with you…and He’s at work in this world …beginning to not only recreate everything but you too. He is recreating you…changing your heart and your mind. To understand Him more and to Know Him more…so that you can be with Him forever and ever.

The gospel in a nutshell.

Jesus said, This is how you pray.

Let’s pray together.

Lord, keep teaching us how to pray. And we know the reasons…prayer helps us stay grounded in reality…with the creator of reality. You’re real. You’re holy. You can supply everything we need in life…to have a full life. You can forgive us and you’ve done that through your sons death and resurrection. You ultimately will recreate everything…including each one of us…taking all evil out of the world. Lord we look forward to that day when you bring all of that to completion. Lord help us as a church family this week to watch for ways to serve and speak life into lives around us.

Help us to be great Kingdom ambassadors. Help us to always realize that humans can’t ultimately fix all the needs around us. We can’t all the things that are broken when it comes to humanity. But you can…and you’ve promised to. Lord it there is someone here today that wants to begin a new life with you…I pray that you help them make that move....to talk about it with one of us. So that you can, through your son, begin that rebirth / that recreation in them.