This sermon is part of our Abundant Living series. You can watch more here.
Sermon manuscript:
This morning we are going to be in Matthew 6. You can turn to page 66 in your devotional or Matthew 6 in your bible. Our passage this morning is known as the Lord’s Prayer.
It’s possible we all have a different understanding of prayer. It’s possible that some of us are uncomfortable with prayer. It’s possible that some of us are nervous about doing prayer wrong. It’s possible that some of us see prayer as a last minute, “Dear Lord, give me, give me, give me.”
It’s possible that some of us love prayer. It’s possible that some of us have had people in our life who are prayer warriors. It’s possible some of us have seen God answer prayers. It’s possible for some of us our first response in life is prayer. I am sure we have all different experiences with prayer in our room this morning.
I know in my life, I didn’t grow up around people who prayed. I didn’t grow up around church. But when I came to faith in Jesus when I was 18 years old I found prayer to be very comforting.
I loved the idea of talking to Jesus. I was in awe that I had access to God through prayer. I was in awe that Jesus would listen to my prayers, so early on I fell in love with short prayers, long prayers, silent prayers, big prayers, simple prayers, writing down prayers, praying with other people, praying by myself, so I know that we have all had different experiences with prayer, but in our passage this morning we see Jesus teach us how to pray. Let’s read the whole of that prayer now:
Matthew 6:9-15, “9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ 14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
In this prayer we see key elements; Adoration, Submission, Trust, Confession, Protection and Forgiveness.
You can write those in your devotional or on the margins of your bible; Adoration, Submission, Trust, Confession, Protection and Forgiveness. We don’t have to pray these exact words but ideally, we want to see these elements in our prayers. Let’s look at Adoration in verse 9:
Matthew 6:9, “9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name”
In verses 1-8 Jesus is warning us against religious prayers, flowery prayers, repetitive prayers because through faith in Jesus we have been given access to our Heavenly Father. We are in His kingdom. We have the ear of the king of kings. We don’t have to jump up and down to get His attention. We can simply talk to God.
That’s the essence of prayer. Prayer is a conversation with God. Prayer is communion with God, therefore, in verse 9 Jesus teaches us how to pray with the word “our.”
The word “our” reminds us that our prayers are not done in isolation but in community. Do you see that? Our relationship with God is “Our Father.”
You might be alone when you pray. You might go for a walk and pray, but our relationship with God isn’t individualistic.
Through faith in Jesus we are united with the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians teaches us we are many members, but one body, so that our pray is communal.
This is important, because right out of the gate Jesus is teaching us that we aren’t alone in our prayers. It isn’t just you and Jesus taking on the challenges of the day. It is you, in the body of Christ, taking on the challenges of the day. Isn’t that good?
In addition, Jesus teaches us that our prayers are not only plural but also personal because through faith in Jesus we are able to address God as “Our Father.”
God is no longer speculation. God is no longer looking up into the sky and saying, “I think god is like this or that.” But through faith in Jesus we have been given direct access to God. Through faith in Jesus the invisible has become visible, the unknowable has become knowable. He is “Our Father.”
Last Sunday, our worship leader Jas, mentioned that it might be difficult to think of God as “Our Father.” It’s possible we might have had or have a negative connotation of our “earthly father” so that it is uncomfortable for us to think of God as our “Heavenly Father.”
I know this has been a growth area in my life. My parents divorced when I was three. My father was a functional alcoholic, so I didn’t have a close relationship with my earthly father but our Heavenly Father is unlike our earthly father.
Even if you had or have an amazing relationship with your earthly father, our Heavenly Father is completely different.
First, our Heavenly Father is eternal. Our Heavenly Father is in heaven. Do you see that in verse 9? Our Heavenly Father is perfect. Our Heavenly Father is powerful. Genesis 1 and 2 teaches all of humanity is made in His image. All of humanity is made to be with our Heavenly Father.
But in Genesis 3 we see a fracturing take place where humanity separates ourselves from our Heavenly Father.
Do you know Genesis 3? In Genesis 3 humanity spiritually runs away from home. We spiritually become lost and the response of our Heavenly Father is to chase after us by sending Jesus to provide a way for us to come home. Isn’t that glorious?
This is why Jesus prays “hallowed be Your name.” The word “hallowed” means holy. He is glorious. He has made a way for His creation to come home, so that Jesus teaches us in prayer, “holy is your name.”
Right now, our Theological Training is reading through a book called “Holiness of God” and the author reminds us in this prayer Jesus isn’t ascribing holiness to the Father.
It isn’t just a title or a characteristic for God but Jesus is declaring the glory of the Father. He is holy. His holiness is worthy to be known, so that it would drop us to our knees in prayer.
In Revelation 1 John sees the glory of Jesus and it says that John falls on his face like a dead man. He is holy. He is worthy. He is glorious. Let’s look at verse 10:
Matthew 6:10, “10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Our first element of prayer is adoration. Our second element is submission. Do you see that in verse 10? His will be done means our will isn’t being done, so that Jesus is teaching us that in prayer we are submitting ourselves to His will.
We are all born into this world trying to accomplish our will. As little babies we are crying and screaming because someone isn’t doing what we want them to do and this pattern continues throughout life, right?
We get frustrated with people because people aren’t doing what we want them to do. We get angry because someone isn’t doing what we want them to do. We get depressed, anxious, fearful because our will isn’t being accomplished, therefore, Jesus teaches us in prayer, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done.”
Listen, I know submission is a sensitive word in our day today and probably has a negative connotation. But our submission isn’t to a cruel dictator. Our submission isn’t to an abusive spouse. We’re submitting ourselves to “Our Heavenly Father who is holy.”
This is important because when we are trying to force people to do what we want them to do, it’s exhausting. When we are worried about why people aren’t living according to our purposes and our plans, we lose sleep.
Therefore, Jesus teaches us to humble ourselves. Turn from building up our kingdom and trust in His rule, not our rule.
When we bow our head in prayer we are acknowledging the glory and holiness of our Heavenly Father and we are putting ourselves in a place to trust in His glory, not our glory. His future, not our future. His reign, not our reign. His kingdom, not our kingdom. Look at verse 11:
Matthew 6:11, “11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.”
First, we have adoration, then submission, and in verse 11 we see trust. “Daily bread” is bread for today. It is language of Israel in the wilderness as they make their way into the Promise Land and the Lord provides manna from heaven each day.
It is language of a spiritual journey and in verse 11 Jesus teaches us through prayer we are pausing to trust in His daily provision.
I will tell you, this is really hard for me. I am not a big fan of living in the present. I love to live in the future. I love to plan. I love to work on what is coming. I plan out the sermons 18 months in advance and I love it.
I love thinking about our church in austin a year into the future, I love thinking about my family a year from now, I love thinking about challenges in our country, in our world a year from now but Jesus is teaching me in verse 11, “Trust in My Heavenly Father’s provision for today and then stop.”
This doesn’t mean we can’t plan for the future but I have to be careful that I am not working on problems and opportunities that haven’t even happened.
Right now, our culture loves to forecast gloom and doom about what is going to happen in the future. World War 3 might happen, civil war might happen, so and so might become president, end of democracy might happen. It’s all future-casting of gloom and doom.
And in my personal lives sometimes I will be working on a solution to a problem that hasn’t even occurred. Sometimes our elders, my wife, other men in my life will have to push back on me and say, “Michael is that something that has happened, or something you think might happen?”
Therefore, in verse 11, Jesus teaches us in payer, “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” Trust in your Heavenly Father. Trust He is holy. Trust in His plans and provision for today. Look at verse 12:
Matthew 6:12, “12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
First, we have adoration, then submission, then trust and in verse 12 we see confession. Confession is agreeing that we were created to live in perfect harmony with our Heavenly Father but we have all gone astray. It’s called sin.
In our sin we try to make our name holy. In our sin we try to build out our kingdoms. In our sin we try to exert our will, therefore, through confession we are acknowledging we are all sinners.
I know sometimes people don’t like to be told they are sinners but this is why Jesus is so important. Jesus didn’t just come to say some wise words. Jesus didn’t just come for the message of love. Jesus comes to bring forgiveness for our sin. Praise God!
Our Heavenly Father is holy. Humanity has metaphorically slammed the door in His face through our sin, therefore, how could the holiness of God possibly draw near to the brokenness of humanity?
Today people are trying to make Jesus about love, against oppression, against poverty, it’s called the social gospel and it sounds great but they never answer the question, “How does brokenness of humanity able to dwell with the holiness of God?”
Does our Heavenly Father just wink at the offenses of humanity? Does He just rub us on the head and say, “Hey, that murder, pride, arrogance, rape, incest, gluttony, and immorality isn’t that big of a deal!”
It’s kind of cute how humanity hates on one another throughout history. Let’s just keep that going into eternity. That’s not love. There’s no hope. That’s not the gospel!
The gospel is that the Father sends the Son to live a perfect life. His name is Jesus. He takes our sin at the cross. Jesus stands in our place. There are consequences and Jesus lays down His life to the point of death.
And then Jesus conquers death in the resurrection. Jesus removes the sting of death. Jesus brings forgiveness of our sin. Jesus provides a way home to the Father and Jesus clothes us in His righteousness so that the holiness of the Father can be reconciled with humanity.
If you have never trust in Jesus, you need to do that this morning. The holiness of God is frightful. He has provided a way for you to come home in Jesus but you must respond. Let’s look at verse 13:
Matthew 6:13, “13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’”
First, we have adoration, then submission, then trust, then confession and in verse 13 we see protection. The protection is against the schemes of the evil one.
We touched on this in Matthew 4. We have an enemy who wants to distract us from our Heavenly Father. We have an enemy that whispers lies, who comes to steal, kill and destroy.
1 Peter teaches us the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, so that we don’t need to be afraid of the evil one but we do need to be on guard.
In verse 13 Jesus teaches us our time in prayer is to make note of the temptation we might encounter that day.
Who are we going to see that day? What temptations are going to be before us? Where are we weak? Where are we vulnerable? Where are our thoughts not consistent with God’s Word?
Where are we trying to trust in ourselves, build our kingdom, accomplish our will? Where is the evil one going to try to bait us, distract us, and discourage us?
Listen to me, our Heavenly Father will speak to us in prayer. I don’t hear audible voices but in prayer He will bring thoughts to mind, Scriptures to mind, people to mind, hope and clarity to mind, so that we don’t have to get side-swiped by the enemy.
Instead, through prayer, we can see the enemy coming at a distance. Not today, devil! We can flee temptation. We can see sin knocking at our door and we can run the opposite direction.
Won’t you incorporate these elements into your prayer life church in Austin? Won’t you lift your eyes every day in awe of His holiness? Won’t you bow your head every day in submission to His will? Won’t you trust in His provision for today? Won’t you actively fight against temptation?
Right now, our non-denominational church in Austin is wanting to grow in prayer. If you see in your chair, our church family is challenging one another to Increase In Prayer. You can scan that QR Code. Make the commitment with us to increase in prayer.
I think we have about XX people but our desire is that our church family would grow in prayer because we want to grow in boldness in our faith in Jesus and our connection in prayer is going to deeply influence our boldness. Let’s look at verses 14-15:
Matthew 6:14-15, “14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
First, we have adoration, then submission, then trust, confession, protection and in verses 14 and 15 we see forgiveness.
Verses 14 and 15 could sound like if we don’t forgive someone then God isn’t going to forgive us, but verses 14 and 15 isn’t a reflection of God’s heart, but more so our heart when we don’t forgive one another.
God’s Word knows we are going to offend one another. We are going to let one another down. We are going to disappoint one another. We are going to say things and do things that are incredibly hurtful, therefore, in prayer Jesus reminds us to remember how much grace we have received in Christ.
The chasm of offense in our debt toward God is far greater than any debts committed against us, therefore, how could we who have been forgiven so much, possibly withhold forgiveness from someone else? Does that make sense?
Instead let us lift our eyes to the holiness of God and allow our hearts to be softened that He would consider drawing near to a people who have been so offensive, so that we might extend that same grace toward others.
It doesn’t mean we are doormat and people just walk over us. It doesn’t mean we can’t set up boundaries. It doesn’t mean we don’t have hard conversations but it does mean we don’t have to harbor their offenses toward us because Jesus has taken those offenses at the cross.
Communion
This morning we are going to celebrate communion as a bible believing church in Austin. Our Father. I want to ask the worship team to come to the stage. Let’s lower the lights. Let’s have our elders come forward.
The bread is a symbol of His body at the cross. The juice is a symbol of Jesus’ blood that was poured out on our behalf.
If you have yet to trust in Jesus then we ask you to hold off on celebrating communion but if you have then I wanted to invite us to stand together and pray our passage together as a church in north Austin.
I will give us a few moments of silence for us to pray on our own and then we will pray together as a church family:
Matthew 6:9-15, “9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ 14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
Come forward as you feel led.
North Village Church
This sermon is brought to you by North Village Church, a non-denominational church in Austin. established in 2009 and built around Jesus and Bible teaching.
Are you looking for a church in Austin? At North Village Church we put Jesus at the center of our church family. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30am, encourage Christ centered fellowship through groups, and host special events such as Bible studies and Theological Training, to ensure that we are rooted in in God’s Word. We also serve our local community in association with several Austin based organizations.
North Village Church is made up of professionals, married couples, singles, and families who are wanting to experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. If you are a family with children or teens, we can support you with either or both our Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry.
Check out our North Village Church calendar highlights such as our Christmas Eve Service and Easter Sunday Service.
You are welcome to contact us if you would like more information.
NVC Online
Unable to attend this Christian Church in Austin? Don’t worry, because, through God’s provision, we have created NVC online, an Online Church streaming a worship service every Sunday from 10:30am Central Time. You can also watch our short, powerful sermons on demand and follow us on Instagram for daily Christ centered content.