I Agree - Part 3

I Agree #3

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Text: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 18:19-20
We first touch His heart and come into agreement with Him, then each other.
Praying with Him links our hearts to His dream.
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God clearly emphasizes in scripture the importance of praying together.
When together we touch God’s heart, pray His dreams, what is possible?
I believe God is waiting for FC to pray together for His dreams for SL.
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This morning I want to take a quick look at what is known as the Lord’s Prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13

This prayer has MANY layers – one message can’t begin to cover its depth.
In Luk.11’s account of this prayer, when Jesus introduced this prayer, He said, “When you pray, say…”
So even though I think this is more an outline to be filled in, I think it is also important to “say / quote” this prayer. Out loud, and together.

For me, what I think is a major understanding this prayer teaches is: anytime I start praying, I begin with worship to God, and end with worship.

Ver.9 “Our Father in heaven Hollowed be Thy Name.”
Something I don’t remember being emphasized before this time of study is how much this prayer is for “us.”
It might be that I strongly believe God is speaking to FC about the NEED to come together to pray.
I feel God emphasizing our need to not just get along with each other, but to join our hearts together with God’s to see change.

But NOTE this says “Our” Father, not “my Father.”

Something our church society has a problem with is how much we are to join our hearts with each other.
When Cain asked God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The answer is? Yes.
That hasn’t changed.
Ro 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Ro 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
Ga 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Heb 12:12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,…”

My choices of how I live – in church and at home – affect everyone in this room.
There are certain aspects of this Christian life that is TOTALLY dependent on one another.
So this “Lord’s Prayer” is not just for me, but for us.

Ver.10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
Jack Taylor – (A bible scholar) explains how this is a decree we make.
The verb tense is more like, “Kingdome of God, come. Will of God, be done.”

A command, a decree that after joining my heart with God, we join with Him and His heart to change history.
Loaded question: What is the #1 reasons my pray is not answered? I don’t pray. What is the #1 reason I don’t see sick people healed when I pray? I don’t pray.

Ver.11 Give us this day our daily bread.
AGAIN notice “us” – this is not just a prayer for my needs, but ours.
This is a prayer for “our” provision.
I think it is more probable that when I pray for provision, it is more about what I am facing rather then what we are facing.

A major point is that I come asking God as “my loving Father.”
Ver.8 If God knows what I need before I ask, then why ask?
We NEED to develop a relationship of dependency on Him.

Ver.12. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
The issues of my constant need to forgive others is HUGE!
I think it is one of the #1 sins we don’t recognize as sin.
#1 reason we don’t have healing in our bodies.

This prayer is to be a lifestyle of daily heart response to God.
Ver.14-15

Ver.13a “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
James 1:13 says it is impossible for God to tempt me.
So why pray this kind of prayer?
God is not the one leading me into temptation – I go there willfully or ignorantly.

NOTE the “us. A prayer I pray for us, not just me.

Ver.13b “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
I see the instruction here for me to end my time with praise and adoration.