LORD TEACH US HOW TO PRAY
Part 2 - Reverence God’s Name.
TEXT: Matthew 6:9-13
Ok, so last week we found ourselves here in the Gospel of Matthew,
As we continued in our Scriptural search for…
“…those things most surely believed among us”
And in particular, our focus of late has been all about Prayer.
In fact, after opening the Bible and studying the Scriptures
We now all know the answers to some pretty basic questions like:
“What Prayer Is?”…
“Who Prays?”…
“Where We Pray?”…
“When We Pray?”…
“And Why We Pray?”.
Last week we even began to explore - “How We Pray?”
But the thing is – as we discovered through the Word of God...
There is a right way to Pray – and a wrong way to Pray.
And Jesus teaches us about both.
In way of a quick recap - it was The Gospel of Luke that actually provided us...
With a useful introduction into How we ought to pray last week.
Remember In Luke Chapter 11 verse 1…
We actually found one of the disciples requesting of Jesus:
“Lord, Teach us to Pray.”
You see, the disciples had all seen Jesus Pray…
They had all heard Jesus Pray….
And they knew Prayer was of the utmost importance
When it came to their relationship with God.
But what they didn’t yet know - was How they should Pray.
Now there is perhaps no better example given us on “How to Pray”
Than the teachings Jesus provides us with here during the Sermon on the Mount.
In this sermon - Jesus covers the whole spectrum on Prayer,
Beginning with instructions in “How not to Pray.
Read with me now Matthew 6 verse 5: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
To all the Religious “Hypocrites” of the world…
Jesus reminds us all that – God knows exactly where a person’s heart is at!
Remember that term Hypocrite there means “pretender”,
In the Greek it pictures an actor…
Who would play out on stage various roles through the use of masks.
Jesus says – “don’t pray like the Religious Hypocrites…
…Because they’re just a bunch of pretenders.”
They wear the mask of spirituality - because they want others
To be convinced of how righteous they are.
And in doing so, there hearts seek after the praises of men...
More than the praises of God.
And Jesus says: “They have their reward”
They will fool some into believing how great they are - but they will not fool God.
And I find this interesting…
Because when teaching on the topic of Prayer,
Jesus first step was to teach us how we ought not to pray like the Hypocrites.
But then He continues on to say - don’t pray like the Heathens either.
Take a look at verse number 7:
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Now I like this because Jesus quickly covers all the angles.
He talks firstly about the Jews...
Who like to pray in the synagogues and on street corners – so “they can be seen”.
And then He starts talking about the Heathens,
Which is of course a gentile or non-Jew...
Who Pray using “vain repetitions” and “much speaking”
Now in doing this – and by providing these examples
Jesus effectively teaches us that – the true essence of prayer...
Is not about what can be seen outwardly,
Neither is it about what is said verbally.
In fact, Jesus outlines to us that this is what the Hypocrites and Heathens do,
Some put on a show of Prayer before others,
And some pray the same prayer over and over again...
Thinking they will be heard for their much speaking.
So then, if prayer is not about what can be seen…
Or about the words that can be heard – what is prayer really about?
Do you know what Jesus shows us here?
By teaching us how not to pray…
He begins to show us what prayer is really all about.
Because prayer is always a matter of the HEART.
Prayer is about us talking to God,
As we humble ourselves before Him - and share our hearts with Him.
Prayer is not about you look…
It is not an outward show.
Prayer is not about reading something…
It’s not about quoting something…
It’s not about reciting something,
Even if it is something as significant as “the Lord’s Prayer”.
In fact, Jesus says that such practices are just - Vain Repetitions,
Or literally as it comes out in the Greek – “Empty Babblings”
Furthermore, simply praying the same things over and over again,
Is not going to make it more likely for God to hear you.
Remember that the Greeks had all kinds of Gods they prayed to - didn’t they.
And the general philosophy of the time was,
The more you prayed about something…
And the more you prayed to a particular deity,
The more likely it was for your prayers to be answered.
However, Jesus put all such misnomers to rest in verse 8 when He declared:
…Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.
So clearly, prayer is not about what you say - or how often you say it,
Because it’s actually about the heart.
“Don’t pray like all the religious hypocrites who want to be seen
And don’t pray like all the Heathens who Just want to be heard” - Jesus says.
And it’s only after establishing this wider context with His disciples,
Only after providing them with examples in how not to pray,
That Jesus then provides us all with a private demonstration
Of how we ought to pray. Take a look with me at verse 9:
9 After this manner [or considering this example] therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
HOW TO PRAY
So here we have a personal demonstration by Jesus in How we should Pray.
It’s not a long or overly complicated prayer,
But it didn’t have to be – because Jesus is just providing an example
Of the types of things we too can model our prayer life around.
And I don’t know if you noticed…
But Jesus doesn’t delay with a long flowery introduction…
He just gets straight to the point.
And remember the underlying purpose when it comes to our prayers
Will always be about us sharing our Hearts with God.
And in this regard, notice the calibre of heart Jesus prays with
Because He simply starts out
By openly acknowledging who He is Praying too.
In fact, in His opening address in verse 9 - Jesus actually recognises:
Who God Is…
Where God is At…
And even what His name Represents.
In other words He acknowledges…
The Person
The Place
And The Position of our Lord.
Now I don’t think there is a better way to pray – than to start here.
To follow Christ’s example in truly Humbling ourselves
Before the Person God is...
By recognising the Place where He resides
And by honouring the Position He holds.
This is how Jesus begins His prayer – and He effectively teaches us to do the same.
And do you know what all of this is about?
Do you know what Jesus is teaching us here first - when we pray…
Is that we ought to “Reverence God”.
1) REVERENCE GOD
I don’t think that It’s by any mistake that Jesus
Starts off demonstrating the act of prayer in this way – do you.
I mean not only does it demonstrate admiration and respect for the Lord,
But it shows the kind of heart attitude we ought to carry into our Prayers.
You see, God is not some magical Genie...
Or religious Santa Clause who grants wishes to all those that ask.
He is the Kind of Kings...
The Lord of Lord’s...
Master over all heaven and earth...
And He should be Reverenced as such in our prayers.
THE PERSON
In verse 9 Jesus starts out very clearly
By firstly acknowledging the Person God is:
He says - Our Father…
Now there is simply no mistaking this.
The disciples all heard it,
And it’s plainly written here in the Word.
This is who God is - He is a recognisable person in our lives,
And He is identified as “Our Father”.
Now this is a very Important point...
Because it highlights a particular kind of relationship.
And we are going to come back to this point in just a moment.
THE PLACE
But notice also how Jesus then continues in saying: Which art in heaven
So Christ’s focus here quickly moves on from the Person God is
To the Place where God resides.
And His place is not of this world!
His place is beyond the reach of mankind
Beyond the corruption and decay of sin.
It’s a perfect place...
It’s a glorious place...
And It’s the place where He rules and reigns without question.
1 Timothy 1:17 testifies to this reality saying:
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Isaiah 66:1 declares: Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool:
Guys – Heaven is God’s Place!
Now none of us have been there,
And we can only imagine what it must be like,
But it’s a place He promises to one day share with us and take us too.
Jesus said in John 14:2-3:
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
You see – all of this is a temporary abode.
Home is not where you end up after work,
Home is the place we are one day destined to Go
And remain with our heavenly Father for all of eternity.
Now how cool is that?
Jesus says when you pray…
Open up your heart and reverence the Person God is
And recognise the Place where God resides.
Finally, He tells us to - Respect the Position His name holds…
THE POSITION
Notice with me what Jesus says next: Our Father - which art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
That term Hallowed there means:
To be “Pure and Holy”
It speaks of that which is “Sanctified”.
Now if something is Sanctified – it is set apart from everything else
So that it can remain pure and holy.
You see, in this respect alone, God’s name is unlike any other name
Because it represents everything that is Pure and Holy.
Because of this, we should marvel at His very mention,
And we should all reserve a special place for Him in our hearts.
His name should be set above all other things
And reverenced above everything else in our lives.
That is the Lord’s rightful position – because His name is Holy!
Psalm 33:21 declares - For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
because we have trusted in His Holy name.
Likewise, Psalm 103:1 says:
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy name.
Brethren, know this - when we pray…
We must always remember who we are praying too.
If you want to make sure that your prayers come from the heart - Start here
Because in this simple opening statement - Jesus shows us how pray
By recognising, honouring and respecting...
The Person, The Place and The rightful Position of our Lord.
OUR FATHER
And it all starts with but two simple words - Our Father…
I told you we were going to get back to this,
Because Jesus openly recognises the Person God is as - Our Father
But what exactly does that mean?
Well this is actually quite significant - when you think about it
Because the title of “Father” isn’t just given to anyone - is it.
For a person to be called “Father”…
There needs to first exist a particular type of relationship.
And in truth - you either have that kind of relationship with someone or you don’t.
As an example - I have that type of relationship with Pastor Gary Max,
He is my father – that is my relationship to him,
Now many of you also know him – but you share a different kind of relationship.
I call him “Father” – because that relationship is specific to me.
Jesus prayed to His Father – and acknowledged Him as such
Because that was the type of relationship He shared with the Lord.
And we see this represented in Christ’s prayer life throughout the Scriptures:
In the Garden of Gethsemane we are told that Jesus:
…Fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father,…(Mat 26:39)
Likewise, as Jesus died on the cross we find Him praying again saying:
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
So this is a simple truth right – Jesus is Praying to His Father,
However, in our text here in Matthew, Jesus didn’t pray “My Father” – did He?
Which would of course have been perfectly fine...
Because Jesus is in fact the Son of God.
But here, He widens His address to say “Our Father”,
Which includes and Implies that God is somehow is Our Father too.
But what does that mean?
Well what we need to recognise straight off the bat
Is that Jesus isn’t just speaking about a physical relationship based on family linage,
But instead about a spiritual relationship with God based on promise.
Turn with me to Romans Chapter 8.
If you need something to Reverence God for when you pray,
Wait till you get a hold of this promise.
Now in the immediate context here…
We find Paul writing to a local church body of believers in Rome.
And since this Church, was comprised largely of new Christians,
Paul begins to explain to the brethren there...
That they are no longer subject to living a life according to the flesh,
But have now been called into a new way of life according to God’s Spirit.
Remember Jesus prayed “Our Father”…
Because He was emphasising a spiritual relationship we can all share with the Lord,
And we are going to learn more about that here.
Now read with me here verse number 1:
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Now straight away – we are given a contrast here
Between those who live after the flesh - and those who live according to the Spirit
There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Interesting word “in” because it speaks of a inter-connection or special relationship.
And we actually see this particular reference made to saved believers
Time and time again in throughout the Scriptures,
And not just to us being “in” Christ - but also to Christ being “in” us.
In fact, there’s a clear example of this…
While Jesus was preparing His disciples for His death, and He said:
At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father…
and ye in me, and I in you. (John 14:20)
So clearly there is a strong relationship and inter-connection here
Jesus “in” the Father…Us living “in” Jesus…and then Jesus residing “in” us.
Now back on point…
Paul says - those who have a relationship with Jesus and who are connected to Him,
Are not condemned because they have God’s Spirit.
He then moves on to contrast the flesh with the spirit of God in the next 8 verses…
Before finally summarising everything in verse 9.
Drop down to read verse 9 with me:
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if [“if” is conditional] so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Do you know what is necessary for you to have a spiritual relationship with God?
You need, to have the Spirit of God residing within you!
Now we don’t have time to get into all of this today
But the Bible teaches the fact…
That God’s spirit resides within every saved believer.
This happens at the very point a person first gets saved.
When they ask Jesus into their hearts,
Their sins are forgiven - and part of God’s Holy Spirit
Then takes up residence within them.
1 Corinthians 6:19 simply says:
Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
Ephesians 4:30 declares that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit
…unto the day of redemption.
And remember Jesus even taught Nicodemus about this very thing
In John Chapter 3 when He told him that He must be born again…
Not at all speaking of a physical re-birth,
But rather of the need for a - spiritual birth.
Paul says in verse 9 - You are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, “if” so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
But notice how the verse ends:
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
In other words, without the Holy Spirit…
There is no connection or relationship with God.
You see, it’s at the point we first get saved that is when everything changes!!!
Because that is the point when God’s Spirit first resides within you
And you first begin a personal relationship with the Lord.
God effectively becomes our heavenly Father – and we one of His Children.
Drop down to verse number 14:
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
This is speaking of an entirely new spiritual relationship
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
You see, God is Our Heavenly Father. Verse 16:
16 The Spirit itself [speaking of the Holy Spirit] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Now there is a lot to digest here…
But for a start – just focus on the type of spiritual relationship Paul is outlining here
Because he talks about us being the “Sons of God”
And about being “Children of God”…
And about us being adopted into the Family of God.
SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP
Now at this point, I just want to clear something up,
Because you would have all no doubt heard people say things like:
“Well - we are all just God’s Children”
That is not correct – Not everyone is a Child of God - ok.
That is a specific type of spiritual relationship that not everyone has with Father.
If anything, when you open up the Scriptures,
You will find that there are in fact a number of different associations
Mankind can have when it comes to God.
In fact, Jesus turned to a group of religious Jews one day and said,
Ye are of your father the devil, (John 8:44)
Now how can we all be God’s Children...
If Jesus called some children of the Devil.
To be a child of God you need to first have a spiritual relationship with God ok.
And the sad truth is – a lot of people, even under the guise of religion,
Are out there professing to be doing things for the Lord...
When they are in fact not even saved,
And have no spiritual relationship with Christ and the Heavenly Father at all.
EXAMPLE – 3 CIRCLES
Consider things this way…
Imagine with me 3 large circles one inside the other,
Each getting progressively smaller…
And each circle representing the kind of relationship man can have with the Lord.
The first and largest circle represents the Creation Of God.
It includes everyone and everything…
All of God’s creation fits neatly into this circle - ok.
Now even though everyone is not necessarily one of God’s Children,
We are all apart of God’s Creation. These are two entirely different things.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…
And then He went onto to create all life as we know it – Genesis Chapter 1.
So we are all apart of God’s creation – every man, women and child.
However just because I am apart of God’s creation,
Doesn’t mean that I have a personal relationship with the creator.
Please understand that.
Because this leads us into our next circle,
Which is significantly smaller by the way,
This represents the Family of God.
This includes all those who are saved believers,
Those who have asked Jesus Christ into their hearts
Those that have repented of their sins – been born again...
And received God’s Holy Spirit as a seal of their salvation.
And what distinguishes the people in this circle from all the rest
Is their relationship with God.
And because of the sacrifice of Jesus…
Not only have their sins been forgiven - they’ve been accepted in God’s sight.
As Paul declares they have been adopted into the Family of God.
Do you want to know why we call ourselves brothers and sisters?
It’s because for those of us in this circle - we share the same Heavenly Father,
And we have been joined together by His Spirit
And united through our faith in Jesus Christ.
And this then leads us on into third circle - the inner circle.
This circle is the smallest of them all
And represents the closest and most intimate type of relationship
One can have with the Lord.
This circle is the one made up only of those,
Who have been both Saved and Baptised…
And who are faithfully looking to follow and serve the Lord with their lives.
You see, these are the few Children of God
Who want to move on in following the Lord,
And consequently, look to serve Him faithfully in full Covenant Relationship
Within a local Scriptural Church.
Now this is a very close relationship - so intimate and so special in fact,
That the Lord even likens and pictures this spiritual relationship in the Scriptures
To that of a marriage union …
And He openly addresses all of those who belong to this inner circle as His Bride.
So in summary, we have the Creation of God – that’s everyone and everything,
Then the Family of God - that being those...
Who are saved and have a spiritual relationship with the Lord.
And then we have the Churches of God – also known as the Bride of Christ.
So there are clearly a number of different associations
Mankind can have with the Lord.
But clearly not everyone is a Child of God
And as Jesus is teaching us to pray...
He is addressing those have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour
And have a spiritual relationship with the Lord.
Now in understanding all of this…
Take another look with me at the second half of verse number 15
Because Paul is talking about this special kind of spiritual relationship...
And not one everyone has.
Here Paul says: ...but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,
whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Do you see that term Abba?
Abba is the Aramaic word for “Father”
And is used several times in the NT – but always in direct relationship to God.
In fact, Jesus can be heard praying this in Mark 14:36 saying:
Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee;
The term Father that follows Abba in verse 15 is the Greek word “Pater”
And again, this is the term children would use
To really emphasise the loving bond shared with their father.
Both terms denote a specific relationship.
The fact that both Jesus and the Apostle Paul teach
That we can all call upon the Lord as “our Heavenly Father”
Is entirely linked back to the fact… That after we get saved,
God accepts us as one of His Children.
He adopts us into His Family, makes us joint heirs to His Kingdom,
All of which is only possible because of our spiritual relationship with Him.
A relationship characterised and compared in the Bible
As one shared between a loving Father and His Child.
CONCLUSION
Now I don’t know about you…
But I think it’s entirely fitting that Christ’s prayer started in this way…
With a humble heart, that was focused entirely on Reverencing the Lord.
This prayer serves a timeless example
Which we as Christs disciples today,
Ought to continue to model our own prayer lives around.
You see, the point we first get saved everything changes!!!
Because that’s the point where we first begin a spiritual relationship with God.
We are in affect adopted God into the Family of God by a loving Heavenly Father.
Were as once we were lost…
Living and walking aimlessly according to the flesh and condemned by our sins,
Now we have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ
And indwelled with His Spirit – and accepted in His sight as one of His Children.
Remember, how one of the disciples made the request:
“Lord, teach us to Pray”
Well in Matthew Jesus says let me show you how…
Model your prayers after mine,
And start by simply Reverencing God
Acknowledge The Person, The Place and the Position He holds
Because He is our Spiritual Father…
He rules and reigns within Heaven…
And He is set so far apart from everyone and everything else in this world,
That even His name stands for all that is Pure and Holy.
Jesus said: After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father / which art in Heaven /, Holy is your name.
