Lessons on Faith from the Lord’s Model Prayer
Confident Faith
Matthew 6:9, “Our Father in heaven…”
October 5, 2003
Intro:
A. [Praying in Faith, Citation: Larry King, Powerful Prayers (Renaissance Books, 1998), p. 243]
Television interviewer and journalist Larry King describes three farmers who gather daily in a field during a horrible drought. The men are down on their knees, looking upward, and praying the skies will open and pour forth a much-needed rain. Unfortunately, the heavens are silent, and the petitioners become discouraged, but they continue to meet every morning to lift up their request to God.
One morning an uninvited stranger approaches and asks the men what they are doing. They respond, "We’re praying for rain."
The newcomer looks at each of them and shakes his head, "No, I don’t think so."
The first farmer says, "Of course we’re praying. We are down on our knees pleading for rain. Look around; see the drought. We haven’t had rain in more than a year!"
The outsider continues to nod his head and advises them their efforts will never work. The second farmer jumps in and says, "We need the rain; we aren’t asking only for ourselves, but for our families and livestock."
The man listens, nods, and says he still isn’t impressed. "You’re wasting your time," he says.
The third farmer can’t take any more, and in anger he says, "Okay, what would you do if you were in our shoes?"
The visitor asks, "You really want to know?"
The three landowners answer, "We really want to know! The future of our farmlands is at stake."
The guest announces, "I would have brought an umbrella!"
B. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV), Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
1. That’s the Bible’s definition of faith.
2. Faith is living like we’re sure of what we hope for.
3. Faith is speaking with certainty of what we cannot see with our fleshly eyes.
4. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV), We live by faith, not by sight.
5. We live by what we see with our spiritual eyes and not our physical eyes.
6. The guest could Biblically say that when the three farmers prayed for rain they should have brought their umbrella!
C. We all need to pray the prayer of the apostles in Luke 17:5 (NIV), The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
1. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV), And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
2. It is impossible to please God without faith. We must have faith to please God.
3. So what is faith? What does it look like in 2003? How do we live faith in 2003?
4. We all need to pray the prayer of the apostles, “Increase our faith!”
5. So as we embark upon this new series of sermons, let’s start out today by praying that prayer together…[Pray for God to increase our faith during the coming weeks.]
D. For this sermon series I want to follow the lead of Dr. Jack Hayford and see what we can learn about faith from the Lord’s Model Prayer recorded in Matthew 6.
1. Today I want to start with the phrase, “Our Father in heaven…”
2. Perhaps the KJV is more familiar… “Our Father which art in heaven…”
E. In this opening phrase, Christ shows us the basis of faith: confidence.
1. Jesus said that we could have confidence in prayer.
2. How can we have confidence in prayer and in our lives?
3. Because Jesus said that we come to “Our Father” in prayer.
4. We live our lives knowing that Almighty God is our Father.
5. Jesus said we should address God as “Our Father!”
6. Paul said in Romans 8:15 (NIV), For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
7. Paul said what Jesus said: we do not have to be afraid to come before God because when we come to Him we can address him as “Abba,” which is Greek for “Daddy.”
8. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
F. Unfortunately, our image of fatherhood has often been tarnished and many don’t fully understand what is meant by coming to our heavenly Father.
1. So today I want to take a look at Jesus’ parable that describes our heavenly Father.
2. Jesus often told parables, which are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.
3. This parable is often referred to as the story of the Prodigal Son; it’s in Luke 15.
4. I’ve preached this parable from the perspective of the prodigal son and salvation.
5. I’ve also preached it from the older sons’ perspective and his inability to forgive and accept his younger brother.
6. But today I want to look at it from the perspective of the father, who, in the heavenly meaning of the parable is descriptive of our heavenly Father.
7. Let’s read the text and then see what we can learn about our Father, which art in heaven and then see what we can learn from that in the context of faith [read Luke 15:11-24].
I. God’s compassion for us.
Luke 15:20 (NIV), So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
A. Do you see what the father did for his wayward son?
1. When his son was still a long way off, the father saw him, he RAN to him, he threw his arms around him, and kissed him.
2. How did the father see his son while he was still a long way off?
3. The father saw his son from a long way off because he was watching and yearning for his wayward son.
B. Do you understand what this means about your Father which art in heaven?
1. Do you understand that your heavenly Father is watching for and yearning for you?
2. Do you understand that your heavenly Father saw you even while you were a long way off?
3. Do you understand that your heavenly Father yearns to RUN to you and throw His arms around you and kiss you?
4. Do you understand that Jesus is saying that your heavenly Father has been on a quest for you?
5. Do you understand what this means about how your heavenly Father accepts people who wasted someone else’s money?
6. Do you understand what this means about how your heavenly Father feels about people who waste someone else’s money on getting drunk?
7. Do you understand what this means about how your heavenly Father feels about people who spend someone else’s money to pay for sex?
8. Do you understand what this means about how your heavenly Father feels about people who have made complete fools of themselves?
9. Do you understand what this means about how your heavenly Father feels about people who have completely embarrassed themselves?
10. Do you understand that God doesn’t care who you are or what you’ve done, God is on a quest for YOU?!!!
11. Do you understand that God yearns to run to you no matter who you are or what you’ve done?
12. Do you understand how much compassion God has for us?
II. God’s restoration of us.
Luke 15:22 (NIV), "But the father said to his servants, ’Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.
A. The “best robe” referred to here is a full-length robe that was reserved for those who held a position of honor and prestige.
1. The father gave the boy some very nice new clothes.
2. This is a clear indication that this fallen son was being restored to his former position.
3. This boy who had done his father so wrong was now being given great honor with this nice new robe.
4. The boy’s previous position in the family was being fully restored.
5. The privilege of being his father’s son was being fully restored.
B. That means that our Father, which art in heaven restores us to our former position.
1. We once had good standing in the family and our relationship with our heavenly father.
2. But all of us have squandered that relationship and have dishonored our heavenly Father.
3. There is none of us who have not sinned against our heavenly Father.
4. We have all lost our position in the family and relationship with our heavenly Father because of our own wild living.
5. BUT Jesus is saying that even though you have sinned against the Father, not only does God still have compassion on you, but he also restores you to your former position.
6. There are no demotions!
7. There are no punishments!
8. There are no balcony positions in the family of God!
9. God restores back to the full privileges in the family.
10. God restores back to the full position in the family.
11. You are fully a child in the family – you are not considered a wicked stepchild!
12. You are a full-fledged son or daughter!
13. You are fully restored as a member of the family of your heavenly Father!
III. God’s authority in us.
Luke 15:22 (NIV), "But the father said to his servants, ’Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger
A. The hearers of Jesus’ parable would have readily recognized the significance of this ring.
1. The people to whom Jesus told this parable would know that this ring meant that the son was being re-authorized by the father to be a full partner in the family business.
2. Even though the son had rebelliously squandered his father’s money, the son was being re-authorized as a full partner in the family business.
3. This ring gave him the right to exercise full authority in all commercial and legal affairs.
4. This ring represented the full weight and authority and power of the family’s name.
B. There is significant heavenly meaning for us in this ring…
1. In spite of the fact that we have all rebelled against our heavenly Father and squandered our inheritance, God still has compassion on us!
2. In spite of the fact that we have all rebelled against our heavenly Father and squandered our inheritance, God still restores us to our full status as His child!
3. In spite of the fact that we have all rebelled against our heavenly Father and squandered our inheritance, God still re-authorizes us as full partners in His business!
4. God gives us all authority to carry on the business of furthering his kingdom here on earth.
5. In spite of the fact that we have rebelled against him and squandered our inheritance, God still trusts us with the full authority of His name to promote His kingdom!
6. We are not just loved. We are not just welcomed back into the family. We are made full partners in His business.
7. Even though we have not been fully responsible with His business in the past, He still gives us the full authority to carry out His mission on earth!
8. God has invested authority in us!
IV. God’s rejoicing over us.
Luke 15:22-24 (NIV), "But the father said to his servants, ’Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
A. Old Testament imagery teaches that people removed their shoes when they were in mourning or grieving.
1. By placing shoes on his feet the father is saying that this is something to rejoice over and celebrate.
2. The father killed a calf and threw party!
3. They had a feast and celebrated!
4. The father declared his excitement over the occasion of the return of his son and they began to celebrate!
B. And so in the heavenly meaning of this story, we understand something else about our Father which art in heaven.
1. Even though we don’t deserve it, our heavenly Father has compassion on us!
2. Even though we don’t deserve it, he restores us as full heirs in the family!
3. Even though we don’t deserve it, he re-authorizes us in His business!
4. And even though we don’t deserve it, he celebrates our return!
5. God considers us dead when we are apart from Him, but alive when we return!
6. And as unbelievable as it may sound, God loves to party!
7. I know that may sound unbelievable coming from a preacher, but I’m telling you that God LOVES to party!
8. And NOBODY knows how to party like our heavenly Father!
9. Jesus is saying that when you return and God does all of this for you, He throws a party in your honor!
10. Your Father has a lost and found party for you!
Conclusion:
A. Now, as wonderful as this story is, please don’t get lost in it and miss the real point of this sermon!
1. All of that information about your Father in heaven is true and it is absolutely amazing, BUT I told you all of that to tell you this…
2. Because this is what your heavenly Father thinks of you, you can have CONFIDENT FAITH!
3. Because this is what your heavenly Father thinks of you, you can face the trials of this life with confident faith!
4. Because this is what your heavenly Father thinks of you, you can come confidently before God in your time of need!
B. [Coach Jim Fassel’s Son Bears Family Likeness, source: Bill Pennington, "34 Years Later: One Coach’s Sweetest Victory," New York Times (5-16-03)]
As the head coach of the New York Giants, Jim Fassel has enjoyed great success on the football field with a trip to the Super Bowl as recently as 2001. A fresh off-the-field-success, however, might be his sweetest victory. The story begins 34 years ago.
The year was 1967; Jim and Kitty Fassel were freshmen in college in Fullerton, California when they met, fell in love, and made a mistake. In the late summer of 1968, as they were getting ready to start their sophomore years, they found out Kitty was pregnant. Since abortion was never an option for them, they seriously considered marriage before accepting their parents’ advice that being forced into a wedding was no way to start their lives together. Kitty left southern California to attend a Colorado business school and have the baby. On April 5, 1969, a healthy baby boy was born and three days later given up for adoption.
Even though Jim and Kitty got married two years later and raised four more children during their 32 years of marriage, the unanswered questions about their firstborn son haunted them. They tried for years to make contact with their son but were unsuccessful, until a change in Colorado adoption laws in July of 2002. On Mother’s day, May 2003, they spoke on the telephone for the first time, and three days later they met face-to-face.
The Fassel’s reunion with their son, John Mathieson, turned into a genuine reconciliation. Said Coach Fassel: "For John, Kitty, and myself, we have lived with an unanswerable question for all these years. If someone had granted us one wish in the world, it would always have been to be together and to know things were okay. Instead you carry this question around with you, and you never know how it will come out. So to have a day like today, it is a miracle."
The family resemblance between Mr. Fassel and his long-lost son, John Mathieson, is obvious even at a glance, but for years Mathieson did not know who his true father was. He bore the image of his father but was unaware.
Mathieson recalls watching a November 2000 replay of Coach Fassel on television making a now-famous prediction. The Giant’s were reeling from two consecutive losses at a time when they should have been ramping up for a playoff run. Most commentators were writing them off and suggesting that a postseason birth was out of the picture. In that context, Fassel used his post-game news conference to boldly predict that his Giants would make it to the playoffs.
Mathieson recalls: "I turned to Kristi [his wife], pointed at the television and said: ’That’s what I would have done.’ I said: ’That guy is doing the right thing.’ When they went to the Super Bowl that year, I must have seen that television clip 20 times. I always thought: ’That’s the way to handle it. I’d have done the same thing.’"
When this story hit the headlines, I couldn’t help but think of some parallels to the story of humanity and our own "reunion" with our heavenly father. As Paul reminds us, we are "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph. 4:24). Even though we bear his image, it often takes us many years to discover who it is that God made us to be.
B. [Daddy’s Baby’s Come Home, Citation: Jeannette Clift George, "Belonging and Becoming," Preaching Today, Tape No. 93.]
On a short flight from Tucson to Phoenix, I noticed a young woman with her baby. They were both dressed in white pinafores. The mother was smiling, and the little baby was saying "Dada, Dada." And the little baby was darling. She wore a little pink bow where there would probably be hair pretty soon, and it was just darling. And they sat down opposite me. Every time anybody went by, the baby would say, "Dada, Dada."
The young mother said they were going home, and Daddy was waiting for them. I think they had been gone overnight--it was a long, long time like that!
Everybody was so happy, and we all enjoyed the little baby. The mother had a little Thermos with orange juice in it. She kept feeding the baby, a little fruit and then a little juice. It was a rough flight. Every time the baby cried the mother fed her a little bit more orange juice and a little more fruit.
I don’t know how to get out of this story without telling you the truth. The flight was very turbulent. (The flight was so rough that the attendants had to stay seated.) All of the fruit that had gone down came up. I think more came up than had gone down; I think there was more up than there was baby, and it was startling; the carpet was not in good condition. It was a mess.
Those of us on the opposite side of the aisle were not in good condition at all. We kept trying to tell the young mother it was just fine. We were handing her tissues and things. (Most of us have been babies.) It was a very loving time, but a mess. The baby was crying, and she looked awful. We couldn’t cry, but we looked awful. The mother was so sorry about it.
We landed. The minute we landed, baby was fine: "Dada, Dada." The rest of us were just awful. We began to get off the plane, and we all moved very carefully. I had on a suit, and I was trying to decide whether to burn it or just cut off the sleeve. Have you ever tried to get away from something really unpleasant and it was you? Well that’s the way we were. It was really bad.
I looked out of the plane, and there waiting was the young man who had to be Daddy: white slacks, white shirt, white flowers, and a little green paper. I thought, I know what’s going to happen. He’s going to run to that baby who now looks awful--I mean the hair and the pinafore were dreadful. He’s going to run to that baby, get one look, and keep on running, saying, "Not my kid!"
As he ran to the young mother, I wouldn’t say she threw the baby at him, but she did kind of leave quickly to go get cleaned up. He picked up that baby, and I watched him as he hugged that baby and kissed that baby and stroked that baby’s hair. He said, "Daddy’s baby’s come home. Daddy’s baby’s come home."
I watched them all the way to the luggage claim area. He never stopped kissing that baby. He never stopped welcoming that baby back home. I thought, “Where did I ever get the idea that my Father God is less loving than a young daddy in white slacks and white shirt with white flowers and a green paper.”
C. That’s the way our Father which art in heaven loves us!
1. Do you see that Jesus is describing our place of confident standing before God through His own sacrifice and forgiveness?
2. Our Father offers us authoritative rights as sons and daughters to be full partners in His life-changing business!
3. With this confidence, we can face the future with faith!
4. Even though we cannot see it with our physical eyes; with the eyes of our spirit, we can see victory over anything we may encounter.
5. Whether we fight the powers of hell or our own weaknesses, with this confident faith we know that victory is ours!
6. Ephesians 3:12 (NIV), In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
