We hardly need encouragement to ask for things. From birth to death from cradle to crypt our wants and needs drive us to obtain what we want or need.
Some mistakenly think that we should not ask for things for ourselves because “it isn’t spiritual” (whatever that means). But hear this:
* “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (NASB)
* James said, “You do not have because you do not ask.” James 4:2b (NASB).
* Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (NASB). Take note of the “if.”
We should, and can, ask in boldness because our Father can do anything, even things far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
SO, ASK GOD!
We can ask in confidence because our Father won’t play tricks on us. Jesus said, “What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:9-11 (NASB).
Let us consider that, when we ask as Jesus directs us, we will receive only good from our Father’s hand. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” James 1:17 (NASB).
With that in mind, consider this prayer again, “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 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.” Matthew 6:9-13(NASB). Today we will learn to ask for three vital needs. If we ask in faith and sincerity, we will ask and will receive.
On this Father’s Day consider the first thing for which Jesus urges us to ask from our Heavenly Father: ASK GOD FOR
I. THE FATHER’S DAILY PROVISION:
A. “Give us this day our daily bread.” This request is filled with implications:
1. It implies A DAY BY DAY kind of living.
a. We don’t need to worry about tomorrows bread just ask for today’s portion.
b. Not forbidding proper and wise foresight and preparation, Jesus would not have us worry about what is ahead.
c. He said, “Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34 (NASB).
d. He wants us live in “day-tight compartments,” making the most of the present moment.
2. It implies A SIMPLE kind of living.
a. We are instructed to ask for bread, not a 6 layer chocolate cake covered with a hot fudge frosting. (Can frost something with hot fudge?”
b. Paul wrote, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:8 (NASB).
3. It implies A CONFIDENT, GOD-DEPENDENT kind of living.
a. We can say with David these words as they appear in the Amplified Bible: “THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.” Psalm 23:1-6 (AMP).
b. Paul assures us, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NASB).
(1) Not the riches of Bill Gates.
(2) Not the riches of the Gold in Fort Knox.
(3) But according to the infinite, unlimited, all comprehensive, peerless, incomparable riches of God in Jesus Christ in Heaven’s glory.
B. Some, not thinking of how little we truly need, think, “God doesn’t seem to be giving me my needs (a Lamborgini in which to swish to the spa, a nicer house, a higher paying job, etc., etc., etc.”) But:
1. Did you eat today?
2. Do you have clothes on?
3. Did you drive, or ride in a car today?
4. Did you leave from a house with a roof on it?
5. Did you have air to breathe?
6. Did anyone give you a hug today?
C. Keith Davis illustrated the worries of those who have weak confidence in Providence: “Two outs, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, three balls, two strikes on the hitter, losing by 3 runs. The batter approaches the plate. What is the coach doing? Wringing his hands, pacing, sweat is coursing off his brow. CAN WE PULL THIS LAST MINUTE VICTORY OFF?”
D. That coach night be uncertain, distressed and worried, but
1. You will never find God “Wringing his hands, pacing, sweat coursing off his brow.” He has it in control.
2. So there is no need for us to “Wring our hands, pacing around with sweat coursing off our brow.”
E. Ask for today’s bread for today’s need with confident assurance of hope based on our Father’s promise, hope that will not disappoint.
The second request is a dangerous one to lift to God. ASK GOD FOR
II. A FATHER’S DIVINE PARDON:
A. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” This is not a request to be made without some self-examination. It is dangerous to pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” if we refuse to forgive. It is tantamount to praying
1. “If I am unforgiving, do not forgive me!”
2. “If I seek retribution, revenge and restitution, demand that of me.”
3. Treat me as a debtor in the same way I have treated my debtors.
4. Jesus made it clear in verses 14-15, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NASB).
B. Not forgiven if we don’t forgive?
1. This is not forgiveness on an exchange basis. It does not mean that we get one sin forgiven for one sin we forgive.
2. This illustrates that
a. If grace cannot issue from us, it won’t flow into us.
b. That same grudge that grits its teeth and says, “I’ll NEVER forgive!” is the same grudge of which we must repent if we expect to be forgiven.
C. Note the danger of not forgiving:
1. To not forgive wears us out. (Ask someone to come forward and hand them a book to hold out in front of them with one hand and proceed with points to follow – referring back to book holder from time to time)
2. To not forgive is to disobey.
a. Jesus said, “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4 (NASB).
b. And Paul wrote, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NASB).
3. To not forgive is destructive:
a. It uses energy, creates ulcers, high blood pressure, headaches, stress and many more maladies.
b. It destroys homes, friendships, and churches.
c. It is like eating Habañeros and expecting the other guy to suffer Montezuma’s revenge
4. To not forgive is to be unforgiven:
D. Think about this:
1. When we have been so fully and freely forgiven, how can we justify carrying a grudge?
a. For some it is a matter of pride, “He offended ME!”
b. The other person may not be, or say they are, sorry. Are we always sorry, as sorry as we should be?
c. They’ve done it one too many times. Haven’t we?
d. They’ll just do it again. Don’t we do that same thing?
e. They don’t deserve to be forgiven. Do we?2.9
2. On the other side of the issue, here are some insights to help us forgive:
a. Remind yourself that compared to Christ's suffering you haven't been seriously wronged at all.
b. Make an honest effort to pray for the one who has injured you.
c. Go even further by looking for an opportunity to help him.
d. If the offense is especially hard to forget, try to replace the memory by thinking gracious and generous thoughts.
e. Finally, before you fall asleep at night, repeat slowly and thoughtfully that phrase from the Lord's Prayer, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
E. One woman had been offended by another woman in the church. The pastor sought to reconcile the two and one was willing but the offended one said, “I don’t feel like forgiving her, but if I do, she has to publicly apologize and promise never to offend me again.” Wow! How would you like God to forgive you like that? He forgives as we forgive.
We ought not only seek to receive forgiveness but also to dispense it. Then we pray for help to not sin again. So next ASK GOD FOR
III. THE FATHER’S DEPENDABLE PROTECTION:
A. “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Look at key words:
1. Lead: to actively direct or bring us to temptation.
2. Temptation:
a. A test or trial or difficulty that can prove us or break us.
b. An enticement to do what is sinful.
c. God will never tempt us to sin but He will at times test us through various trials to prove our strength or to reveal our weaknesses. This petition asks God to forego taking us through circumstances in which we might fail the test.
3. Deliver: can mean
a. Keep us from being overcome by evil.
b. Or set us free from evil if we have fallen,
4. Evil:
a. Can mean from Satan, thawed evil one.
b. Can mean from the evil of sin.
c. Can mean the evil, corrupted world around us.
B. Here is the good news:
1. “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB).
2. “Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,” 2 Peter 2:9 (NASB).
3. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 2:1-3 (NASB).
C. We live in a cauldron of trials, troubles, enticements, influences and temptations.
1. We are in the world but we must not have the world in us.
2. We are in the world but we must not be of the world.
3. We are in the world but we are citizens of Heaven.
4. Let us live like Heaven’s people, not the people of the world.
D. What we are asking is safe passage over, through or around anything that might destroy us. We must also be on guard and not wander into needless trials or situations for temptation to sin.
E. A man took his two children to a river. They ran ahead of him despite his call to stop. He got to the river’s bank in time to grab one child before she got into the water, and to put her safely on the beach. He jumped into the river and rescued the other frightened child. One he delivered before she got into the water and one he delivered out of the water after she had fallen in.
So can our Father deliver us before we fail, or from our failure.
David said, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.” Psalm 103:10-14 (NASB).
And Isaiah said, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” Isaiah 40:11 (NASB).
He wants to provide your needs; He wants to forgive you and wants you to forgive; He wants to lead you in paths of righteousness.
He wants to lead you, not drag you – will you follow?
