The Lord’s Prayer – Part 4

Matthew 6:9-13

Introduction…

We’ve been talking about the “Lord’s Prayer” and the necessity of prayer in our personal lives and how to be effective in our prayer!

We have this prayer because Jesus had been praying and when He was finished one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lu.11:1).

That’s when He gave us this “model” prayer by which we could pattern our prayer as so we can pray fervently and effectively as He prayed!

We’ve come to the final part of that prayer that Jesus gave to teach us to pray.  What I want to talk about is that very last statement found at the end of Mat.6:13.

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, fore ever.  Amen.”

Before we wrap it up we have to understand that:

1.     God is our Father – we can trust Him!  “If ye then, being evil, etc. (Mat.7:11).

2.     Our Father is in Heaven – that’s where are prayers are to be directed, and because He’s in heaven He has power over things in the earth.

3.     His name is to be hallowed – you don’t need to know all the names of God, you just need to know that when you pray, He’s everything you need.

4.     Our first request should be that His kingdom come and His will be done in earth as it is in heaven – this is where we surrender our will to His.

5.     Our Father is our provider – He has the power and ability to supply all our needs, we just have to ask.  We have not because we ask not.

6.     Forgiveness must be a part of our prayer – if we don’t forgive we can’t be forgiven.  Forgiveness is the only things Jesus came back and addressed.

7.     We’re to ask for divine protection in a fallen world – we’re to pray for strength to hold up under any burden.

Jesus taught that as we finish praying we’re to close with praise and worship by praying – “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, fore ever, Amen”.

Notice, this praise is different than ordinary praise!

This kind of praise is the kind that erupts when the game is tied and a basketball player sinks the winning shot with one-tenth of a second left on the clock.  Those points don’t’ count any more than any of the other points, but they’re different from all those other points.

David broke out in this kind of praise at the offering given for the building of the temple.  As he began to reflect on the glory and greatness of God He said:

“Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all” (Deut.29:10-11).

David was so overwhelmed with His presence that he couldn’t keep it to himself.

Something’s wrong with us if we try to hold it in and keep praise under wraps all the time!  Every now and then we need to LET IT OUT when the glory and greatness of God overwhelms us!

Psalm 47:1-9 (sing ye praise WITH understanding)

I love the way Paul “let it out” in Rom.11:33-36.  After talking about the glorious plan and program of God he couldn’t restrain praise any longer:

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.  How unreachable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counselor?  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Rom.11:33-36).

Sometimes we get a little too sophisticated and inhibited in our worship!

I’m not suggesting that we loose control and go crazy, but when the glory of God erupts in our souls we ought to let it out in spontaneous, exuberant praise.

The number 1 theme that ought to dominate our prayer is praise – it ought to begin and end with it!

Here, Jesus gives us four glorious concepts by which we’re to express our praise!

I. Thine Is The Kingdom…

We ought to praise Him for His KINGDOM!

He’s the SOURCE of the kingdom and the power and the glory!

Source – the place of origin; a spring from which a stream arises.

In Mat.4:8 the devil offered Jesus all the “kingdoms” of this world.  Jesus refused because they already belonged to Him!

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by and for him.  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col.1:16).

Not only is it His kingdom but it’s a glorious kingdom, and we’re a part of it!

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col.1:13).

II. Thine Is The Power…

We ought to praise Him for His POWER!

He’s the POSSESSOR of the kingdom and the power and the glory!

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is NO POWER but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom.13:1).

The devil has no power of his own – the only power he has is the power given to Him!  Jesus said, “All power in heaven and earth belongs to me”!

It’s not the nature of God to empower the devil and not sufficiently empower us!  We need to understand our empowerment!

One day everything will bow to His power!

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of thing in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil.2:9-11).

Until then He still has power over sickness, disease, cancer, sugar diabetes, sin, doubt, failure!

The devil says, “You can’t have it”, but you’ve stepped into the house of God one more time and God is saying, “You Can”!

“Praise ye the Lord.  Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His POWER” (Ps.150:1).

III. Thine Is The Glory…

We ought to praise Him for His GLORY!

He’s the RECEPIENT of the kingdom and the power and the glory!

Glory – to be weighty or heavy.

In the 60’s they used to say, “That dude is HEAVY”.  That meant that person has got it going on and is worth paying attention to!

Psalms 113:1-6 (His glory is above the havens)

You won’t find anyone quite as glorious as the Lord!

1.     “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in al the earth, who hast set thy glory above the heavens” (Ps.8:1).

2.     “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Ps.19:1).

In heaven, in Rev.5, we’re going to fall down before the throne and sign, “Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, wisdom, strength, honor, and GLORY and blessing” (Rev.5:12).

IV. Forever…

We ought to praise Him for His eternality; because His kingdom, power, and glory is FOREVER!

Revelation 5:13

Because He had no beginning and no ending, His kingdom isn’t going away!

We need to understand WHAT we’re a part of!

This “kingdom” is going to last forever:

1.     “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (Ps.145:13)

2.     “The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations, Praise ye the Lord” (Ps.146:10).

3.     “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (Isa.9:7).

4.     “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most

High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him” (Dan.7:27).

5.     “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luk.1:32-33).

6.     “Wherefore we’ve received a kingdom which cannot be moved” (Heb.12:28).

7.     “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev.11:15).

V. Amen…

Don’t dismiss this last word as just another nice way to wrap up a prayer!

Jesus wasn’t shopping for words to close it out!

Amen – So be it; let it be Lord; I agree with you; it is and shall be done!

When He said, “Amen”, He sealed the deal!

This is where OUR FAITH comes into play and we involve ourselves in what we’ve just prayed about!

You’re saying, “I believe that the things I’ve prayed for WILL come to pass”!

 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Mat.21:22).

Faith in God and His desire to answer prayer ought to cause us to break forth in praise!

If we really pray in faith then there ought to be some praise with it!

Closing…

We’ve covered a lot of ground and discussed a lot of important ideas.  It’s hard to adequately sum up a prayer like this in a few words, but let me try.

Here’s “Labat’s paraphrase” of what we’re saying to God when we pray as Jesus taught us to pray:

Lord, I acknowledge and bow before you, recognizing that you are my Father and the Father of all who believe.  I know you live in heaven and I want to give you the honor you’re due by hallowing Your name in everything I think, say, and do.

And because You’re my heavenly Father I’ll restructure my priorities so that I live for your kingdom program and not my own agenda.  Let me get out my calendar and redo my schedule so I can do your will and not mine.

And Father, because I know who you are and where you live and how important your kingdom program is, and because I’ve committed myself to live totally for you and your glory, I have several request to ask.

First, Lord, please give me the daily nutrients I need to have the energy to hallow your name, serve your kingdom, and do your will.

And as I seek to hallow your name, serve Your kingdom, and do your will, forgive me for anything I’ve done to offend or fail you, even as you see that I have forgiven others who have done anything against me.  Lord, I know that if I don’t forgive others you won’t forgive me, and my fellowship with you will be broken and you won’t accept my praise and service.

Also, Father, as I go out to serve you today don’t let me get into something I can’t handle.  Don’t give me a trial I can’t deal with because if I get into something I can’t deal with I’m going to embarrass your name and your kingdom.

And Lord, as I come to the end of my prayer, I want you to know that I understand this is not about me.  I want you to know that I’m so excited about worshiping you, serving your kingdom, and accomplishing your will on earth that I just can’t contain my praise any longer.

I praise you for your kingdom which rules over all!  I praise you for your marvelous, incomparable power!  I praise you for your transcendent glory, which far outshines the sun!  And I praise you that you shall reign forever!  Let it be so Lord, even as you have spoken!

When we learn to pray like that and mean it we’ll begin to experience the power and glory of God like never before.

The disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray”, and He did.  Now it’s our privilege and life-long challenge to learn to pray as Jesus taught us to pray.

Let our prayer also be, “Lord, teach us to pray.”  And then, let us pray!

The Lord’s Prayer – Part 4

Matthew 6:9-13

Introduction…

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, fore ever.  Amen.” (Mat.6:13).

 “Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.  Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all” (Deut.29:10-11).

Psalms 47:1-9

 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.  How unreachable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counselor?  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Rom.11:33-36).

I. Thine Is The Kingdom…

 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by and for him.  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col.1:16).

II. Thine Is The Power…

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is NO POWER but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom.13:1).

III. Thine Is The Glory…

Psalms 113:1-6

Back to back:

1.     “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in al the earth, who hast set thy glory above the heavens” (Ps.8:1).

2.     “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork” (Ps.19:1).

IV. Forever…

Back to back:

1.      “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations” (Ps.145:13)

2.     “The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations, Praise ye the Lord” (Ps.146:10).

3.     “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (Isa.9:7).

4.     “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most

High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him” (Dan.7:27).

5.     “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luk.1:32-33).

6.     “Wherefore we’ve received a kingdom which cannot be moved” (Heb.12:28).

7.     “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev.11:15).

V. Amen…

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Mat.21:22).