WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.960 The recent events of the siege in Martin Place gripped our city. 00:00:05.900 --> 00:00:09.259 The outpouring of shock and grief was incredible. 00:00:10.339 --> 00:00:16.120 One thing that I noticed on the TV, the newspapers, Facebook, other media, 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:21.339 was the amount of times I heard people say, or the amount of times I saw written, 00:00:22.100 --> 00:00:27.660 things like, our thoughts and our prayers are with you. 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:35.079 I noticed it again on Facebook in response to the South Australian bushfires just last night. 00:00:35.480 --> 00:00:38.920 My thoughts and my prayers are with you all. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:41.640 This was posted from someone who I know personally, 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:46.039 who's got no trust in a God or whatever, no connection with God, 00:00:46.120 --> 00:00:49.120 actually openly declares themselves to be an atheist, 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:52.579 and yet writes, my thoughts and my prayers are with you all. 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:56.100 And I noticed it again today, this afternoon, 00:00:56.100 --> 00:01:00.740 reading the paper about the event of that guy who punched his brother and he's in hospital, 00:01:01.179 --> 00:01:06.099 the area police commander said that there's a whole lot of fingers crossed out there 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:08.240 and there's a whole lot of prayers floating out there. 00:01:10.099 --> 00:01:14.420 When difficulty or danger threatens, the immediate response of many people is to pray. 00:01:16.219 --> 00:01:19.719 Most humans on this planet pray at least some time in their lives, 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:22.640 but usually without giving much thought to what they're doing. 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:26.040 I wondered whether the TV presenters and even the area police commander, 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:27.760 a bunch of other people I've seen on Facebook, 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:30.939 actually were giving any thought to what they were saying when they said, 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:32.739 my prayers are with you. 00:01:34.019 --> 00:01:39.019 Most who pray occasionally probably don't even consider it a difficult thing to do. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:45.219 My children pray often with a real simplicity and an ease that I can't even muster. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:51.159 Sometimes their prayers put chills down my spine as they use the prayer times to bicker with one another. 00:01:52.179 --> 00:01:59.319 But on one level, prayer seems a natural thing to do and a spontaneous thing to do, 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:04.259 and yet for Christians, prayer is anything but the easiest thing to do. 00:02:05.099 --> 00:02:06.420 We know we ought to pray. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:09.539 We feel that prayer should be right at the heart of our relationship with God. 00:02:09.539 --> 00:02:16.099 And yet few things are so agonizingly difficult as a consistent prayer life. 00:02:16.519 --> 00:02:22.180 Few things make us feel less Christian as when we have gone long periods without praying. 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:28.780 And so we're kicking off 2015 by spending the first five weeks on the topic of prayer. 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:30.620 And I'll be frank with you. 00:02:31.079 --> 00:02:34.199 I need this reminder as I begin a new year. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:37.139 Sam said to me just then, 00:02:37.239 --> 00:02:40.739 so any New Year's resolutions, Steve, that you've broken yet? 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:41.299 And I said, yeah. 00:02:41.739 --> 00:02:44.519 My New Year's resolution was I want to be more prayerful. 00:02:45.159 --> 00:02:50.000 And I haven't been prayerful in the first four days of this New Year's 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:51.659 because I've been writing a sermon on prayer. 00:02:51.859 --> 00:02:53.139 The irony of that. 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:59.379 And so I need this as much as I'm assuming you need this. 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:03.460 My hope is that I will grow in prayerfulness throughout this year. 00:03:03.960 --> 00:03:06.680 I know I need to be more deliberate in my planning to pray 00:03:06.680 --> 00:03:11.159 and have more humility for spontaneity in my prayer. 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:15.180 And of course, I want us to grow as a church in our core value of devotion to prayer. 00:03:15.699 --> 00:03:20.419 And so what I'm going to do is I'm kicking off today and I'm going to assume nothing. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:22.519 That's probably the safest thing. 00:03:22.579 --> 00:03:24.060 I'm going to assume nothing today. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:25.680 I'm going to start at the very beginning. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:26.599 So here it is. 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:30.900 Prayer is an interaction between us and God. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:33.379 Now, I'm pretty sure that's not Twitter worthy. 00:03:33.900 --> 00:03:36.579 Prayer is an interaction between us and God. 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:39.879 It takes place between two parties who have a relationship. 00:03:40.459 --> 00:03:46.699 And to understand anything about prayer, we must first discover what this relationship is like 00:03:46.699 --> 00:03:49.919 or, more importantly, what God is like. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:55.340 You see, when the Buddhist spins his prayer wheel and the Hindu sits in mystic silence, 00:03:55.340 --> 00:04:01.719 both are reflecting the nature of the God or the gods to whom they're praying to. 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:07.300 That is, prayer is shaped and defined by the being to whom we pray. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:18.020 And so, if I decided tonight to make Sam, Saint Sam, the object of my prayers, 00:04:18.280 --> 00:04:27.220 then who I think Sam is and what he's capable of will govern the sort of prayers that I pray to him. 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:33.699 I'm not going to pray for Sam to control the weather because I figured that that's kind of beyond him to be able to do that. 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:36.759 Prayer is shaped and defined by the being to whom we pray. 00:04:36.759 --> 00:04:43.959 It is only possible, prayer is only possible if the God is willing to accept my prayers, first of all. 00:04:44.019 --> 00:04:47.860 So, if Sam says, no, stuff you, I'm not going to, don't pray to me. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:51.079 Then prayer breaks down at that point. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:56.219 Or the God is willing to answer my prayers. 00:04:56.779 --> 00:05:00.939 So, if Sam hasn't got the capability to answer my prayers, prayer breaks down at that point. 00:05:01.159 --> 00:05:03.680 And without those two things, prayer is ineffective. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:14.360 So, throughout the Bible, there is a real insistence that the God of the Bible is significantly different from all the idols and pagan gods of the worlds around and the nations around them. 00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:16.780 Jeremiah 32, 17 says, 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:33.879 Psalm 145, verses 10 to 21, says that God's rule over all that he's made lasts forever. 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:37.959 That he's faithful to every single promise that he's made. 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:40.759 And he is loving to all that he's made. 00:05:40.980 --> 00:05:43.100 It says that he upholds those who fall. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:46.159 He sustains everything that he's made. 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:50.560 And that he is near to everyone who calls on him. 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:58.780 And so, the Bible consistently asserts that God is sovereign over all of his creation. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:00.639 Nothing is too hard for him. 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:05.399 He's also a God who cares for the intimate details of everything that he's made. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:09.079 He knows every number, every hair that I've got on my head. 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:13.379 He knows when one falls out, which a few have been doing in recent times. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:16.719 He knows everything about his creation. 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.620 He's a God of mercy and love. 00:06:19.699 --> 00:06:23.219 He is both powerful and he is merciful. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:24.839 And he is loving. 00:06:25.659 --> 00:06:34.959 And yet, the other side of the coin is that the Bible speaks of a God who is so holy, so pure, so perfect, so powerful, that he is unapproachable. 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:40.819 That he is so perfect that he will not allow the imperfect to commune with him. 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:43.540 So, 1 Timothy says, 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:54.439 God, the blessed and only ruler, the king of kings, the lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:07:05.959 And so, the biblical picture is that prayer, a communion with God, is an exciting possibility and an enormous privilege, 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:10.959 and yet, a practical impossibility at the same time. 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:18.180 God is the all-powerful creator and ruler of the world who delights to show kindness to those who call on him, 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:23.719 and yet he is blindingly holy, righteous. 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:27.880 His eyes are too pure to look upon evil. 00:07:28.640 --> 00:07:30.540 And Psalm 145 says, 00:07:30.720 --> 00:07:37.760 The God who delights to hear those who call on him will also hold all who are guilty accountable. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:44.319 See, the Bible tells us right at the beginning that when people rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden, 00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:46.759 God punished them by throwing them out of his presence. 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:52.899 He actually threw them out and he cut them off from access back to him. 00:07:54.779 --> 00:07:57.480 Sinful, rebellious people cannot have access to God. 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:01.759 People no longer had access to God, and how then can we approach the unapproachable? 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:10.480 How can mortal sinners pray to a holy God and even work on the assumption that he is listening? 00:08:12.719 --> 00:08:18.819 Well, the answer to that dilemma is what we celebrated last week or so at Christmas. 00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:31.579 God takes the initiative to re-establish relationship with his revelable creation by coming to us in the person of Jesus Christ. 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:37.460 For thousands of years, God held back his anger against his rebel creation, 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:41.639 and eventually his patience ran out and he unleashed his anger, 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:49.600 but not upon his guilty rebels, but upon his son, who was born so that he might die. 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:56.100 You see, Jesus died to rescue us from the position of being cut off from access to God. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:09:02.920 God resolved our problem so that we can have full and complete access to him again. 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:08.159 And anyone who trusts in Jesus has a relationship with God 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:13.460 and therefore has been granted free access to the almighty and true and living God. 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:15.600 Jesus is the one who tore down the barrier. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:18.500 He's the one who moved the roadblocks away. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:20.779 And so what's that got to do with prayer? 00:09:20.779 --> 00:09:23.139 I want to say it's the very foundation of prayer. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:26.000 This is the beginning of prayer. 00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:27.740 It's got everything to do with prayer. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:34.379 Prayer only takes place because of this new relationship through Jesus Christ. 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:41.899 This new relationship that Christians have with the Father through the saving work of the Son in the Spirit 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:44.019 is the beginning and end of all prayer. 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:48.959 You see, prayer is not some sort of an addition, a duty that we have in the Christian life. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:50.820 It's not an appendix to the Christian life. 00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:56.379 It is the heart of who we are as Christians and how we relate to a heavenly Father. 00:09:56.960 --> 00:10:00.420 Prayer is simply our relationship with God in action. 00:10:01.540 --> 00:10:06.639 It is why we can pray our Father who is in heaven. 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:17.980 And it's this issue of relationship with God that's at the heart of the context of the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:21.139 So if you grab your Bibles, open it up. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:22.220 Matthew 6. 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:23.840 I'm going to begin in verse 1. 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:33.560 As Jesus launches into this chapter, he has in mind here actors and the theatre. 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:39.259 Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men to be seen by them. 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:42.580 If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:49.139 And he refers to a specific kind of actor in verse 2, verse 5, and verse 16. 00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:52.320 They're the ones he calls hypocrites. 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:58.920 The word translated hypocrite was originally the name that was given to actors. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:04.220 The scene of the first half of Matthew 6 is a theatre performance. 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:12.080 Jesus says that hypocrites do their acts of righteousness before men to be seen by men. 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:20.259 And so Jesus has specifically in mind here those who put on vulgar displays of religious piety 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:23.240 in order to receive the applause of people. 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:25.500 Have a look at verses 5 and 6. 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:41.120 Back when Jesus said these words in the synagogue, 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:45.240 it was fairly much common practice for the men to lead the times of prayer. 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:49.200 And this responsibility was passed around from bloke to bloke in the synagogue. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:53.860 There would have been at least some temptation to pray to the audience that had gathered. 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:56.919 Maybe to try and outdo the last guy who prayed. 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:59.340 I don't know if you ever felt that temptation before. 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.519 I can say I have. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:04.060 To pray in a way that people like, in a form that people like. 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:10.159 Maybe to sound more spiritual or theologically informed than the last person who prayed. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:14.100 Maybe to pray in a way that you're giving an announcement to those who were gathered 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:16.620 rather than lifting your heart to God. 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:22.480 A hypocrite prays to the people, not to God. 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:25.279 How should the disciples of Jesus pray? 00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:26.620 He mentions two things. 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:28.320 Verse 6, firstly. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:33.399 But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. 00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:37.820 Now Jesus is not prohibiting public prayer here. 00:12:38.300 --> 00:12:40.899 Because if he was, his disciples didn't get that idea. 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:44.179 Because as soon as they were apostles and moved off into the church in Acts, 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.879 that's exactly what they did, public prayer. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:54.079 Verse 6 is simply causing us to ask questions of our motives and our hearts. 00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:59.959 Do I pray more frequently and more fervently when alone with God than I do in public? 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:07.420 Is my public praying simply an overflow of my private praying? 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:11.700 What do I think about when praying in public? 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:20.200 Am I so busy scrambling to find expressions that are going to be pleasing to my fellow worshippers 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:27.120 that I'm not actually concentrating my attention on God or scarcely even aware of his presence, 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:30.860 even though he's the one to whom my prayers are nominally addressed? 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.639 Who am I praying to? 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:34.299 That's the issue in verse 6. 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:40.019 The second thing Jesus mentions about his disciples or how they should pray is in verse 7. 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:45.159 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans because they think they'll be hurt for their many words. 00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:49.340 Do not be like them for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:56.860 So some of the pagans in Jesus' time thought that if they named all of their gods 00:13:56.860 --> 00:14:04.519 and addressed their petitions to each of those gods and repeated themselves a few times, 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:08.519 then they would have a better chance at receiving an answer to their prayer. 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:12.540 And Jesus says to his disciples, don't pray like that. 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:20.079 The prayer for the Christian should not consist of heaped up phrases, idle repetitions, 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:25.599 and the ridiculous assumption that the probability of the answer is in total proportion 00:14:25.599 --> 00:14:28.099 to the number of the words used in the prayer. 00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:36.019 Jesus wants to teach us here that praying to be a genuine act of righteousness 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:38.259 must be without showiness. 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:43.299 It must be directed to our heavenly Father and not to the people that are gathered 00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:50.600 and devoid of the delusion that God can be pleased or manipulated by excessive words. 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:54.360 Do you see what Jesus does here in this section? 00:14:55.480 --> 00:15:00.019 He connects true spirituality, true relationship with him, 00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:05.100 and a life of prayer, a life of certain kind of prayer. 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.159 Puts them together. 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:12.219 Prayer is tied together with a genuine relationship with God. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:17.459 Now, thankfully to help us in our prayers, 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:21.399 Jesus goes on to graciously give us a wonderful example 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:24.360 of what prayer looks like for his disciples. 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:29.019 It is a prayer that has relationship with God at its very centre. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:34.439 It's usually referred to, traditionally referred to as the Lord's Prayer, 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:37.840 but as the New Testament scholar Don Carson suggests, 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:41.640 it is more appropriate title would be the Lord's Model Prayer, 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:44.720 because Jesus himself actually never prayed this prayer. 00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:47.200 Carson says, 00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:52.860 it is less a prayer that Jesus prayed than the prayer that he gave his disciples 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:55.800 as a paradigm for their own praying. 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:58.240 And Carson goes on to suggest, 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:03.659 it's also somewhat ironic that at the very place that Jesus tells us 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:07.399 that we are not to keep babbling on like the pagans do, 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:10.419 is the very place that he gives us a prayer 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:13.679 that has regularly been babbled in churches ever since. 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:21.099 Tim Keller says that the Lord's Prayer is the greatest martyr on earth. 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:23.379 Everyone tortures and abuses it, 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:26.899 so few get comfort and joy from its proper use. 00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:30.659 It is like a mine with precious jewels and diamonds 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:34.279 that we can see, but that we just cannot extract. 00:16:35.719 --> 00:16:40.599 Jesus gave this prayer to us to unlock all the riches of prayer. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:46.680 It is the single richest source in the entire Bible on how to pray, 00:16:47.040 --> 00:16:49.240 and yet it is an untapped resource, 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:52.040 partly because it is so familiar to us. 00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:58.420 Martin Luther said in one of his works on prayer, 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:03.500 how many pray the Lord's Prayer a thousand times in the course of a year, 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:07.680 and yet if they were to keep on doing so for a thousand more years, 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:11.720 they would not have prayed or tasted it at all. 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:18.259 Our world is starving for spiritual experience, 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:23.400 and Jesus gives us the means to it in just a few words here. 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:26.240 It's like Jesus saying, 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:30.440 wouldn't you like to come face to face with the Father 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:33.299 and the King of the universe every day 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:36.919 to pour out your heart to him and have a deep sense 00:17:36.919 --> 00:17:40.039 that he is listening to you and that he is loving you? 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:46.599 And that's what this prayer does for us in its proper use. 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:51.359 So let's take a very brief tour of the Lord's Prayer. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.559 It consists of six petitions, 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:56.980 but it begins with an address. 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:58.440 Verse 9, 00:17:58.440 --> 00:18:03.059 As John Calvin said, 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:05.440 who would break forth in such rashness 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:08.080 as to claim for himself 00:18:08.080 --> 00:18:11.100 the honour of being a son of God 00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:14.360 unless he had been adopted as children of grace 00:18:14.360 --> 00:18:16.019 in the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.580 And so what he's saying there 00:18:18.580 --> 00:18:22.440 is that this opening address of God as Father 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.279 in the Lord's Prayer 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:28.559 is not so much a call just to plunge right in 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:30.480 and start talking to God 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:33.339 as much as it is a call 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.700 to first 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:36.920 pause 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:39.500 and recollect 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:41.039 our situation 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.819 and realise 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:44.740 our standing in Christ 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.819 before we proceed 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.599 in prayer. 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:50.240 It's a recognition 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:52.019 of everything that we have 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:52.920 in Christ 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.859 to be able to call 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.220 the unapproachable 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.599 God of this universe 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.839 Father. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:02.420 That's what Jesus has done for us. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:05.660 We should start by asking God 00:19:05.660 --> 00:19:07.119 to implant in our hearts 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:08.480 a comforting trust 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.240 in his fatherly love 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.579 and our status in him. 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:14.819 And then comes the first petition. 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.119 Hallowed be your name. 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.440 Now the word hallowed 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:20.839 doesn't get much use nowadays, 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:22.279 but then again 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.419 neither does the notion 00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:24.839 of hallowedness 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.359 because it means holiness. 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:30.099 Doesn't get much of air time 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.339 in our secular society. 00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:33.599 But when you look at it 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.199 on its surface 00:19:34.199 --> 00:19:35.339 it seems a little bit odd 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:37.220 that we should be asking God 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.959 for his name to be holy 00:19:38.959 --> 00:19:41.059 when it already is holy. 00:19:42.459 --> 00:19:43.639 The issue seems 00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:44.699 to be 00:19:44.699 --> 00:19:46.179 not that God's name 00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:47.399 is not holy 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:49.660 but that our use of it 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:51.220 is not holy. 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.200 That seems to be 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.840 the issue here. 00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:53.500 You see, 00:19:53.580 --> 00:19:54.640 when we declare ourselves 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:55.460 to be Christian 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:57.080 we identify 00:19:57.080 --> 00:19:58.740 with God's name. 00:19:59.660 --> 00:20:01.440 As his name bearers 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.400 we represent 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:04.420 a good and a holy God. 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.480 And so we're praying 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:07.440 with this first petition 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:11.019 that God would keep us 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.560 from dishonouring 00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:13.600 his name 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:15.559 the name by which 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.419 we are called 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:17.799 and that he would 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.980 empower us 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:20.619 to become holy ourselves. 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.379 That our lives 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.339 would display 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.240 his character 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.299 his holiness 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.099 and his goodness 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:27.480 to this world 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.419 that they too 00:20:28.419 --> 00:20:29.039 might honour 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:30.199 his name 00:20:30.199 --> 00:20:31.119 with their lives. 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.500 The second petition 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.179 verse 10 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:35.199 your kingdom come 00:20:35.199 --> 00:20:37.679 this is a lordship petition 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.320 it is asking God 00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:40.140 to extend 00:20:40.140 --> 00:20:41.600 his royal power 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.740 over every part 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.519 of our lives 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.820 over our emotions 00:20:44.820 --> 00:20:45.660 and our desires 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.360 and our thoughts 00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:47.060 and our commitments. 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.940 We're asking God 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.980 to so fully rule 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.720 rule us 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.980 that we would want 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.799 to obey him 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:57.019 with all of our hearts 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.620 and our bodies 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:58.259 and our souls 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.980 and our minds 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:00.840 and to do it 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:02.160 with great joy 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:04.279 to want him 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.640 to rule over us 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:07.540 and to pray 00:21:07.540 --> 00:21:08.400 your kingdom come 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.400 is also a yearning 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:11.380 for God's total control 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.780 his total rule 00:21:12.780 --> 00:21:13.560 to be taken up 00:21:13.560 --> 00:21:14.620 over all things 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.640 it is a yearning 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.920 for him to usher in 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.860 his final 00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.800 eternal kingdom 00:21:18.800 --> 00:21:20.460 a perfect future 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:22.000 where all peace 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:23.860 and justice reigns. 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.920 The third petition 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:27.080 is your will be done 00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.860 verse 10 00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:30.820 let me read to you 00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:32.080 Martin Luther's 00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:33.080 paraphrase 00:21:33.080 --> 00:21:34.180 of this petition 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.860 your will be done 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:39.660 grant us grace 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:41.820 to bear willingly 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:43.660 all sorts of sickness 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.980 poverty 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:46.480 disgrace 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.880 suffering 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.840 and adversity 00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:50.840 and to recognize 00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:52.200 that in this 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:54.160 your divine will 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.900 is crucifying 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:57.240 our will. 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:00.460 Now that is a bold 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.299 paraphrase 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:03.079 that is a bold 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.879 paraphrase 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:05.180 but unless 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:07.279 we are profoundly 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.259 confident 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:10.419 in being able 00:22:10.419 --> 00:22:11.279 to say 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:14.740 my father 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.480 in heaven 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:18.399 then we will 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.099 never be able 00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.700 to say 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:21.139 your will be done 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:23.599 unless we are 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.819 totally confident 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.779 that he is my father 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:28.279 because of the work 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.000 of Christ 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.940 and everything 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.500 that I have 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.039 in being able 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.619 to approach him 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.200 then we will 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.859 never be able 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.259 to say 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.059 your will be done 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.740 in my life. 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:39.500 Only if we 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.180 trust God 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:40.960 as father 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.400 can we ask 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.160 for the grace 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.819 to bear 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.579 our troubles 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:45.779 with patience 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.700 and grace. 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:51.119 This is the only 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:52.140 part of the Lord's 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:52.880 prayer that Jesus 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.819 himself prayed 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:55.900 the only bit. 00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.500 It was the 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.539 garden of Gethsemane 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:02.559 under circumstances 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.480 far more crushing 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.160 than any of us 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.099 will ever face 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:06.319 he submitted 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.279 to his father's 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.000 will rather 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.559 than following 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.339 his desires 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.880 and what was 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.519 the outcome? 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:15.220 It saved us. 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:18.380 Because he submitted 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.180 to the father's 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.319 will we can 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.140 call him father 00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:22.240 just like Jesus 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.900 did and that's 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.440 why we can 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.079 trust him. 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.859 He always works 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:27.680 everything out 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:28.140 for the good 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:28.700 of those who 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.259 love him. 00:23:30.800 --> 00:23:31.360 And so these 00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.040 first three 00:23:32.040 --> 00:23:33.480 petitions are 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.940 the beginning 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.680 of prayer 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.980 and did you 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.660 notice they're 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.720 all about God? 00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:40.720 They're all 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.320 about God. 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.540 Our own needs 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:43.259 and issues are 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.820 not the beginning 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:44.380 of prayer. 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.200 We are to give 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.720 pride of place 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.940 to praising 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.640 and honouring 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.580 him to yearning 00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:51.180 to see his 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.420 greatness and to 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.759 see it acknowledged 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.100 everywhere and to 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:56.620 aspire to full 00:23:56.620 --> 00:23:57.720 love and obedience. 00:23:58.140 --> 00:23:59.600 Adoration and 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.240 thanksgiving, 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:00.940 in other words 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:02.440 God-centredness 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:04.440 comes first 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:07.220 because it heals 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.540 our hearts 00:24:08.540 --> 00:24:09.500 of their 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.860 self-centredness 00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:12.300 which has a 00:24:12.300 --> 00:24:13.580 tendency to 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:15.140 curve us in 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.259 on ourselves 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.940 and to shut 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:18.759 down our vision 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.380 of God 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.500 and distorts 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.140 our vision 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:22.220 of all things 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.320 so that we 00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:24.040 wallow 00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:26.040 in our 00:24:26.040 --> 00:24:26.620 circumstances. 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:30.119 we begin 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:30.419 in the 00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:30.719 Lord's 00:24:30.719 --> 00:24:31.099 prayer 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:31.899 with a 00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.199 vision 00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:32.799 of the 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.059 all 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.539 sufficiency 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.239 of God. 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.559 We look 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:36.859 to our 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.359 needs in 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:37.679 prayer in 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.019 the fourth 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.419 petition, 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.039 verse 11, 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:39.679 give us today 00:24:39.679 --> 00:24:40.159 our daily 00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:40.500 bread. 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.599 1 Corinthians 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.500 4 reminds 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:44.419 us what do 00:24:44.419 --> 00:24:44.939 you have that 00:24:44.939 --> 00:24:45.359 you did not 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.819 receive and if 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.459 you did receive 00:24:47.459 --> 00:24:47.939 it why do you 00:24:47.939 --> 00:24:48.479 boast as though 00:24:48.479 --> 00:24:49.259 you did not? 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:50.379 The Bible 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:51.319 teaches us 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:52.579 that God 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.639 is the 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:54.019 ultimate 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.579 source of 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.079 every good 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.379 thing, 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:55.779 food, 00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:56.220 clothing, 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:56.639 work, 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:56.939 leisure, 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:57.419 strength, 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.059 intelligence, 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.559 friendship, 00:24:59.099 --> 00:24:59.559 whatever you 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.099 want to name 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:02.399 and our 00:25:02.399 --> 00:25:03.599 ingratitude to 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:05.779 him is an 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.379 affront to 00:25:06.379 --> 00:25:06.700 him. 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.579 How do we 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.200 express our 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.000 ingratitude to 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.259 him? 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.259 By assuming 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.200 that he owes 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.759 us these 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.200 things. 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:19.380 And when 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.880 we work on 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:20.460 the assumption 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.200 that he owes 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:21.759 us these 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.299 things, 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.519 when these 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.080 good gifts 00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:24.900 dry up, 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.220 our tendency 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.080 is to 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:28.220 complain and 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.120 grumble and 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.720 whinge. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.779 Our joy is 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.240 lost. 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.460 As our 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:37.740 heavenly 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.319 father we 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.700 come to 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.299 him as 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.860 his dependent 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.500 children with 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.100 our needs 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:41.660 in prayer 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:43.279 expecting a 00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.299 positive response 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.860 from him. 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.900 Because he 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.259 is a good 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.700 God. 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.380 But we 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:50.460 do it so 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.580 changed by 00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:52.620 our satisfaction 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.880 in him and 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.720 our trust in 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.759 him that it's 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.360 whatever his 00:25:56.360 --> 00:25:57.819 will is that 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.279 matters. 00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.580 The fifth 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.279 petition is in 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.960 verse 12, 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:03.799 forgive us our 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.340 debts as we 00:26:04.340 --> 00:26:05.380 also forgiven 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.039 our debtors. 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.240 This petition 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.100 concerns our 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.940 relationships both 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.640 with God and 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.180 with others. 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.200 Martin Luther 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:11.799 said that this 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:13.000 petition is not 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:14.059 only a challenge 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:15.059 to our pride, 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.460 but a test of 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.600 true relationship 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.200 with God. 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.580 If we find 00:26:19.580 --> 00:26:20.600 confession and 00:26:20.600 --> 00:26:21.100 repentance 00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:22.400 traumatic and 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:23.539 demeaning, he 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.740 says that means 00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.660 that the heart is 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.400 not right with 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.759 God and cannot 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.759 draw confidence 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.340 from his 00:26:29.340 --> 00:26:29.759 gospel. 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:29.859 people. 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.980 He says if 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.019 regular confession 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:35.980 doesn't produce an 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.980 increase of our 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.559 confidence in who 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.140 we are in 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:41.599 Christ and in 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.839 fact joy in our 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:44.839 life, then he 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.599 says we do not 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.460 understand that 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.680 salvation by grace 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.900 is the essence of 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.319 the Christian 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.819 faith. 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:55.220 God and our 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.139 relationship with 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:57.539 others together. 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:02.179 If we have not 00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:03.519 seen our sin and 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.299 sought radical 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.059 forgiveness from 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:06.599 God, we will be 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:08.419 unable to forgive 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:09.659 and to seek the 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:10.439 good of those who 00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:11.220 have wronged us. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.819 And so Martin 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.639 Luther suggests 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.559 that unresolved 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.079 bitterness, 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:17.039 unresolved 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:18.579 bitterness is a 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:20.059 sign that we 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.939 are not right 00:27:20.939 --> 00:27:21.480 with God. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.980 It also means 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.339 that if we're 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.259 holding a grudge, 00:27:26.939 --> 00:27:27.539 it would be 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:30.119 somewhat hypocritical 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:31.619 of us to seek 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.319 forgiveness from 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.179 God for our 00:27:33.179 --> 00:27:34.339 sins as verse 14 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.079 warns us. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.460 The sixth 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:39.019 petition is in 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.980 verse 13, 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.799 lead us not in 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.480 temptation but 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.059 deliver us from 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.919 the evil one. 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:45.600 temptation in 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:46.580 the sense of 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.940 being tried and 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.759 tested is not 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.160 only inevitable 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.880 but it's also 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:52.220 desirable in the 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.539 Bible. 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.640 The Bible talks 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:54.420 of suffering and 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:55.500 difficulty as a 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.279 furnace to which 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.560 impurities are 00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:58.820 burnt off and we 00:27:58.820 --> 00:27:59.440 become to a 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.240 greater sense of 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.060 God's love for us 00:28:01.060 --> 00:28:01.759 and greater self 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.400 knowledge and 00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.720 humility and faith 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.140 and love and 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.600 endurance. 00:28:05.300 --> 00:28:06.039 However, to 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.640 enter into 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.920 temptation according 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:09.380 to Matthew 26 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:11.140 is to entertain 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:12.560 and consider the 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.220 prospect of 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.659 giving into 00:28:13.659 --> 00:28:14.099 sin. 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.759 And so this 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:18.839 petition here is 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.240 a hefty reminder 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:22.099 that just as we 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.720 ought to 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:24.480 consciously be 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.379 dependent on 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:26.519 God for all of 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.179 our physical 00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:28.879 needs, which is 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.480 why we pray, 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.139 give us today our 00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:32.099 daily bread, so 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:35.059 also we should 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:36.579 consciously sense 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.779 our dependence upon 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:39.700 him for all 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:41.240 moral triumph and 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:42.240 spiritual victory. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.740 This petition 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:46.140 reminds us that 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:47.660 we are morally 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:51.259 weak and any 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.200 virtues that we 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.460 possess at all 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:56.859 are because the 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.319 fruit of the 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:57.660 spirit. 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.779 It reminds us that 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.819 our hearts are so 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:03.160 deceptive and the 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.000 evil one is 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.900 malicious and 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.400 cunning and we 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.380 need our father's 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.160 help for any 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.960 moral triumph. 00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:11.000 We are dependent 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.720 upon God for 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.120 all of our 00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:12.980 physical needs 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:15.440 and for all 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:17.360 moral triumph. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:20.680 And so what 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.600 Jesus does here in 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:23.920 these verses is 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.560 he tests the 00:29:24.560 --> 00:29:25.540 reality of God 00:29:25.540 --> 00:29:26.340 in our hearts. 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.740 These words 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.940 would have hit 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.519 the original 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.500 hearers like a 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:33.980 bomb blast and 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.500 it's what these 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.200 words are meant to 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.380 do for us as they 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.040 reach into the 00:29:37.040 --> 00:29:37.560 depths of our 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.019 hearts. 00:29:39.139 --> 00:29:40.599 God looks right 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.240 at the heart. 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:43.000 He doesn't look at 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.879 the external acts 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.419 of piety. 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.039 We can hide the 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.559 depths of our 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.279 hearts from each 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.839 other but we 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.599 cannot hide them 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:50.139 from God. 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.679 And Jesus tests 00:29:51.679 --> 00:29:52.799 our hearts to 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.819 see if God 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:56.379 himself is in 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:57.019 fact our 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.639 sufficiency. 00:29:59.419 --> 00:30:00.480 Jesus is calling 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.379 for a radical 00:30:01.379 --> 00:30:03.279 reorientation upon 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.859 God himself in the 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.759 Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:07.200 He is pushing us 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.380 to have a real 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.380 utterly authentic 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:10.640 personal relationship 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.759 with God through 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.200 Jesus. 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.460 Jesus is pushing 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:15.180 away from us as 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.700 a church. 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.860 This prayer is 00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.500 addressed to the 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:17.860 church, the 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.740 disciples of Jesus. 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.059 He is encouraging 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.799 us to push us 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.819 away from a 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.340 stale repetition 00:30:23.340 --> 00:30:24.660 of words and a 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:26.259 form and pushing 00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.420 us away from 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:29.059 vain, showy, 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:30.519 external piety 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.960 into a relationship 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.420 with God that goes 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.440 right to the heart 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.320 and flows out 00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:36.039 from the heart. 00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.600 A relationship 00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.279 that says God's 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.740 at the centre. 00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:43.160 A relationship 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:44.960 that will express 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:46.519 itself in a 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:48.240 prayer life that 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:50.200 is modelled on a 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.000 prayer like this. 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.080 Let's pray. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.299 Gracious Father, 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:56.100 we thank you for 00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:56.840 the work that you've 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:58.480 done in the Lord 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.660 Jesus Christ in 00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.799 calling us to know 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.099 you. 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.379 You, the 00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:03.139 unapproachable, 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.079 perfect and holy 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:05.839 God, have come 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:09.220 to us so that we 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.960 could come to you. 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.399 We thank you for 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.079 all the privileges 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:14.799 of being able to 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.659 call you the great 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:16.240 God of this 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.599 universe, our 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.000 Father. 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.839 Thank you that you 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:21.000 listen to our 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:23.419 prayers even more 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.039 than we are willing 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:24.759 to say them. 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:28.039 We thank you that 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.579 you have control 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.659 over all that is 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:31.019 and we pray that 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.480 you would help us 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.420 depend upon you. 00:31:33.580 --> 00:31:34.300 And we ask 00:31:34.300 --> 00:31:34.920 tonight that you 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.620 would teach us to 00:31:35.620 --> 00:31:35.900 pray. 00:31:36.700 --> 00:31:37.060 Amen.