Abba, Father!
Galatians 4:1-7 Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF
Key verse 4:6, 9-4-11
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'"
In today's passage Paul develops the idea that we are children of God. He first reminds us of our status as slaves before the coming of Christ. He then teaches us how we became children of God, and what blessings and privileges we receive. Many Christians do not really enjoy the blessings and privileges of being God's children. Even though they call God "Father," they have no sense of intimacy with God. In fact, many feel burdened. Their daily life is more like that of a slave than of a child of God. We need to realize that in Christ we are God's children with great blessings and privileges. Today let's learn to enjoy our Father God and his blessings!
Part l: God Sent His Son (1-5)
Thus far in Galatians, Paul has frequently written about the law. He has been primarily referring to the law of God found in the Old Testament. In chapter 4, Paul begins to refer to the law in Roman terms, which would be more familiar to many of the Galatians. Paul explained the status as slaves in a way that the Gentiles can understand. Then in verses 4-5 Paul tells us what God has done to redeem us from this slavery and to make us his precious and beloved children.
First, slavery under the law (1-3). Look at verses 1-2. Here we find the words, "heir," "child," "slave," "guardian," and "trustee." Paul draws upon the Roman system to explain what kind of slaves we were and how Christ has set us free. Roman families were different than ours. The Roman family was patriarchal. That is, the father governed the lives of family members and all business affairs and property. He had the right to disown his children, or sell them into slavery. When an heir was a child, he was indistinguishable from a slave. Heirs were subject to guardians--usually reliable household slaves--who trained them in many ways. During that training period, the heir had to obey the guardian. Though the heir had a large bank account, he could not spend any money without the permission of his trustee. However, when a set time had passed, the father would terminate the heir's subjection to others. In a single day, the heir's status changed. He was given the full rights of a son to govern the estate. Then he was free from his former guardian and trustee. Typically, the father held a great feast to celebrate.
In verses 3-5, Paul applies the analogy to God's dealing with mankind. Look at verse 3. "So also when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world." When Paul says, "we," he is referring to both Jew and Gentile. As Jews had been under the law of God before Christ's coming, the Gentiles had been under "the elemental spiritual forces of the world" (basic principles). Here the Greek word "stoicheion" literally means "ABC's." This refers to basic education through family, social, educational and religious systems. These things may have been good. However, the problem is that they could not give life. They could not set a person free from the power of sin and death, nor point them to the only Savior, Jesus. What is worse, failure to live up to them brings about its own condemnation.
I was raised as a hedonistic, middle class youth, with a minimal catholic background. I was influenced by the moral teachings of the Catholic subculture and I had my own code of conduct trying to be a cool guy, a nice guy and not hurt others. But I could not live up to my own personal standard that I had set for myself. Because of my sin, I had become the man that did not want to become. I ended up hurting a lot of people in my quest to seek pleasure and fun in this world. I fell into a sense of self condemnation and inadequacy. I knew that I had become a fruitless, junk person who only knew how to have a lot of fun. In my heart I had a sense of vague anxieties and impending doom. But God worked through these feelings and eventually led me to seek Christ. This prepared me to receive the good news of Christ with humility and faith. The point is that we were all in slavery to the elemental spiritual forces of the world in one way or another. No matter if you are a Jew or Gentile, churched or unchurched. There was no way out. We were helpless. Did God abandon us because we were useless? No. Then what did God do?
Second, children of God through the Son (4-5). Look at verse 4. "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law...." Here the words "the set time" tell us that God set a time for sending his Son into the world to be our Savior. According to his time schedule, God sent his Son. The Son's coming is comparable to the day that heirs are liberated from guardians to receive the full rights of sons. So the coming of the Son is the best news to mankind. It was the dawn of a new era. The words "fully come" are also important. They tell us how God fully prepared before sending his Son into the world.
When we refer to the book of Daniel we find that God foretold the events preceding the Son's coming in detail. God is the Sovereign Ruler of all the kingdoms of the world and he uses them for his salvation purpose. He prepared Christ's coming in several ways. The spread of Greek language made international exchange of ideas possible. The rise of the Roman Empire brought order to the world and accelerated worldwide travel and communication. Greco-Roman people were weary of their cruel, “man-made” gods. Jewish people, bound under the law of Moses, longed for freedom. Jewish people who settled in the west, spoke Greek and held onto the Old Testament text. This prepared them to hear the Gospel and many accepted it. People everywhere were thirsty for the truth. When the gospel was proclaimed, it spread rapidly to the whole world in the first century. God is still in control of nations and people. God still uses all things to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. Do you think he is doing something through the recent Arab Spring and the fall of dictatorships in Egypt and Lybia? What about the economic problems that America is experiencing? Is there a purpose and a point? And God has set a time for Christ to return, and it will happen! But that is another message.
God loves us. Look at verse 4 again. It says, "God sent his Son." His Son is most precious to God. Yet God was willing to sacrifice his Son for us. It is hard for us to sacrifice time, energy or money for others. Giving a child is unthinkable. God demonstrated his great love by sending his one and only Son. God deeply loves us with immeasurable love, and we should accept this based on the fact, regardless of how we may feel.
God's Son Jesus was born of a woman, the virgin Mary. This fulfilled God's promise to send a Savior from the offspring of a woman (Gen 3:15; 22:18; Isa 7:14). Why did God send him in this way? God wanted to reconcile with mankind. God is holy. Man is an incorrigible sinner. So people cannot come to God by themselves. God, in his mercy, came down into the world to live among us. This is the incarnation. John 1:14 says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." We cannot see God. But through the incarnation people could experience God. In 1 John 1:1, John says, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." This is amazing grace. Even though Jesus is God, he became a man to be with us. In this way he became a mediator between God and man (1 Ti 2:5).
Jesus was also "born under the law." Jesus was subject to the law, and fulfilled the law perfectly in its entirety. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day and presented to the Lord according to the requirement of the law (Lk 2:21-24). Jesus lived in obedience to his parents, who taught him the law of God regularly. At the time of his death, Jesus knew that all was completed and that the Scripture had been fulfilled. Finally, he said, "It is finished" (Jn 19:28,30). In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said, "Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Why did he do that? Verse 5a says, "...to redeem those under the law...." The law had condemned us sinners to death. We had to die, shedding our blood, to pay the demand of the law. But Jesus shed his precious blood on the cross to pay the price for us. Romans 3:25a says, "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood--to be received by faith." Hebrews 9:12 tells us that Jesus "entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption." Hebrews 10:14 explains the implication of this: "...by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Jesus paid it all through his perfect sacrifice on the cross.
What was God's ultimate purpose? Verse 5b says, "...that we might receive adoption to sonship." God's intention is not just to save us from our miserable situations, (which he may very well do) but most importantly to adopt us as his own children. Here we need to think about the word "adoption." In Roman law it meant that a slave could become a son who would inherit the estate of his master. He received his father's good name as a man of honor in the society. He also received vast property and was granted the right to reign over the household.
The old NIV says in verse 5b, "...that we might receive the full rights of sons." God did not give us half of the rights of sons, but the full rights of sons. We can understand what this means through the prodigal son in Luke 15. When he returned to his father, he was given sandals, a robe, and a ring on his finger. It symbolized the full rights of a son. He did not go through a probationary period, but became a full-fledged son immediately. These days many people adopt children from poor countries. The children's condition suddenly changes from poor, abandoned, and unloved to dearly loved, secure, and wealthy. We were slaves of sin and condemned by the law. We were abandoned, unloved and miserable due to our sins. But God had mercy on us and sent his Son to purchase us through the shedding of his precious blood. Furthermore, he adopted us as his dear children. What a great blessing God bestowed on us! But that is not all. God's blessing is deeper and richer still.
Part II: God Sent The Spirit Of His Son (6-7)
Read verse 6. "Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'" We were miserable sinners. Now we have become the children of God. Wow! Is it true? How can we know this for sure? Verse 6 says, "God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts." The Spirit is the Spirit of Christ and of God. The Spirit is the invisible God who dwells in our hearts. He assures us of God's love by testifying with our spirits that we are children of God (Ro 8:16). This assurance is not something we manufacture. It is the Spirit's own testimony that assures us that we are children of God.
In sending his Spirit into our hearts, God made an intimate love relationship with us. The Spirit enables us to call out, "Abba, Father." "Abba" is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for "My Father." The NLT says, "My dear Father!" The Message Bible says, "Papa! Father!" This shows us that the relationship between God and people is indeed intimate.
What a great blessing to call God "Abba, Father." God is the Almighty Creator God who made the heavens and the earth. God is the owner of all things. He is ready to answer all our prayers by providing limitless comfort, strength and wisdom. He enables us live as more than conquerors in this hard world. He is always ready to welcome us and to provide mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16).
However, there is a problem. Some people do not have a good image of a father in their hearts. They think of a runaway father or an abusive father. Then they are rather burdened by the word "father." On the other hand, some people have been so spoiled by their fathers that they never received any basic discipline. Their concept of a father is a vending machine that gives them whatever they need on demand. But our heavenly Father is different. Our Father God is perfect and holy. He always loves us in precisely the way we need. He is almighty. There is nothing he cannot do for us. He is always loving and understanding. He never hurts us or spoils us, but always blesses us and watches over us with great care and affection. He also give us proper discipline. God is our good Father. Moreover, he is our Everlasting Father. Let's come to God, calling, "Abba, Father!"
Verse 7 says, "So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir." Romans 8:17a says, "If we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ...." As heirs of God we have an inheritance. It is an eternal inheritance. We really need this inheritance. Yesterday, as we walked though Body Worlds, I thought that this can not be the ultimate outcome of our lives, to be plasticized exhibits in a museum. There must be more! There is! God provided us with an eternal inheritance, the glorious kingdom of God. Peter described that this inheritance will never perish, spoil or fade. It is kept in heaven for us (1 Pe 1:3,4). We are children of God, heirs of his kingdom. Let's live with this clear identity and reveal our Father's goodness and love to the world.
Sometimes we forget that we are glorious heirs of God. We wander in the world as spiritual orphans while our heavenly Father is seeking for us and wants to give us all things. Let's accept that we are sons and daughters of God and heirs of God and respond accordingly.
Do you truly enjoy God and delight in his love and blessings? Do you feel loved and wealthy, like the privileged son of a rich father? Or are you burdened by the thought of God? Let's repent of harboring the mentality of a house slave and enjoy God, and his blessings and privileges, as dear children!
1. How did Paul describe people under the law in the Jewish context? (3:23,25) What new analogy does he use to help the Galatians understand this in their context? (1–2) What was the legal status of children named as heirs of an estate? What were the roles of guardians and trustees?
2. How did Paul apply this to our lives before believing in Jesus? (3,9b) (“Elemental spiritual forces” (basic principles) in Greek is “stoicheion,” which is literally “ABC’s,” and can be applied broadly to conscience, ethics, reason, cause and effect, superstition or religious systems, even including demonic forces; see also Col 2:20–23) In what sense did we used to be in slavery to these things?
3. Read verse 4. When and how did Jesus come? What does “God’s set time” imply? What promises of God were fulfilled when Jesus was “born of a woman”? (Gen 3:15; 22:18; Isa 7:14) Why did God send him in this way? (Jn 1:14) Why was he “born under law”? (5a; Lk 2:21–24; Mt 5:17; Heb 2:17)
4. Read verse 5. How miserable was it to be under the law? To release us, what did Christ do? (Rom 3:24–25a; Heb 9:12) What was his ultimate purpose? (5b) What is the fundamental change in status of an adoptee, and what new privileges are bestowed? How can we experience being adopted into God’s family? (Jn 1:12)
5. Read verse 6. What amazing thing happens to us when we are adopted by God? What does it mean to call God “Abba, Father!” (Rom 8:15–16) How does this reflect a change in the way God views us, and in the way we relate to him? How is our identity changed? (7) What does it mean to be an “heir”? (Rom 8:17; 1Pe 1:3–4)
6. Review in these verses the wonderful things Christ has done for you. In what ways are you enjoying the blessings and privileges of being adopted as a child of God?
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Galatians 3:15-29
WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH FAITH
Galatians 3:15–29 Lesson 5
Key Verse: 3:26 Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 8-14-11
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith..."
In today's passage Paul helps us to see a bird's eye view of God's salvation work. When we do, we can find three main pillars: Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ. Through these three figures, God's plan is progressively revealed. God started salvation work through Abraham when he promised that all nations on earth would be blessed through his offspring. God fulfilled this promise through Jesus Christ. As God's salvation history unfolded, some 400 years later, God gave the law through Moses. The purpose of the law is to expose sin as sin, and lead us to salvation in Christ. Both the promise and the law point to Jesus Christ. However, God's history is based on his promise to Abraham, not the law. Paul explained God's history to the Galatians so that they might know God's intention to make people of all nations his children through faith in Christ. We must know that in Christ, there is no distinction based on race, gender, or social status. We are all children of God through faith in Christ. When we have this clear identity, we are blessed and can embrace all kinds of people in Christ.
Part l: “The Law Does Not Set Aside The Promise” (15-18)
In order to illustrate his point, Paul shared the example of a human covenant, and related it to God's promise. The word "covenant" in verse 15 comes from a rather technical Greek word (diatheke) which can be translated "last will and testament." We are familiar with a will. It is a legal document that governs the distribution of a deceased person's estate to his heirs. While the estate owner is alive, he can revise his will as he pleases. He may want to reduce or increase the inheritance of heirs based on their behavior. However, after he dies, his will cannot be changed. Nothing can be added or taken away. It must be executed as written by the deceased. And so is the covenant of God, it is a promise that can not be added to or taken away. It can not be changed. What are some of the promised of God that we Christians hold onto? What about the promise of the forgiveness of sins to all who repent and believe in Jesus? What about the promise of the resurrection? What about the promise to bear much fruit for the glory of God, in this life, as we follow Jesus? There are so many promises that God has given us that can not be added or taken away. Praise God.
In verses 16-18, Paul teaches that the inheritance God gives does not depend on the law, but on a promise; it comes by God's grace alone (18). Paul related this truth to God's promise to Abraham. God gave many promises to Abraham, such as, "I will make you into a great nation...I will make your name great," and, "...to your offspring I will give this land..." (Gen 12:2-3; 7). Yet, as Paul explains in Galatians, these promises all converge into one: "...though your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed..." (Gen 12:3; 22:18). Paul says that "offspring" is not plural but singular, and refers to one person, who is Christ (16). In giving his promise to Abraham, God looked forward to Christ. It was the promise to bring the gospel of grace, through the Savior, to all nations. God wanted Abraham and his descendants to realize that he would keep this promise without fail. So he swore an oath.
Usually, we swear by someone greater than ourselves. In a courtroom, witnesses put their hand on the Bible and swear “to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." But God had no one greater to swear by. So he swore by himself. Hebrews 6:17 says, "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath." God seriously and absolutely committed himself to keep his promise. The law came 430 years later. It does not set aside the promise (17). And so the point Paul is making is, the inheritance God gives does not depend on the law, but on a promise. It comes by God's grace alone (18).
Since Paul took great pains to distinguish the promise and the law, it is worthwhile for us to consider the nature of both. In the promise God said, "I will...I will...I will...." But in the law of Moses, God said, "You shall...You shall not...You shall...." Upon this basis, John Stott commented: "The promise sets forth a religion of God--'God's plan,' 'God's grace,' 'God's initiative.' But the law sets forth a religion of man--'man's duty,' 'man's works,' 'man's responsibility.' The promise had only to be believed. But the law had to be obeyed. God's dealings with Abraham were in the category of 'promise,' 'grace' and 'faith.' But God's dealings with Moses were in the category of 'law,' 'commandments,' and 'works.' The conclusion to which Paul is leading is that the Christian religion is the religion of Abraham and not Moses, of promise and not law; and that Christians are enjoying today the promise which God made to Abraham centuries ago" Martin Luther said, "For unless the gospel be plainly discerned from the law, the true Christian doctrine cannot be kept sound and uncorrupt. But if this difference be well known, then is the true manner of justification also known, and then it is an easy matter to discern faith from works, Christ from Moses...." So, it is important for us to distinguish between law and promise.
[John Robert Walmsley Stott, CBE (27 April 1921 – 27 July 2011) was an English Christian leader and Anglican cleric who was noted as a leader of the worldwide Evangelical movement. He was one of the principal authors of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974. In 2005, Time magazine ranked Stott among the 100 most influential people in the world.] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stott
This salvation of God, based on the promises of God, and which God himself fulfills in our lives, is purely the wonderful grace of Jesus freely given to all who believe. God's grace is the "safety net" of our soul, and the "bottom line" beyond which nothing can pass. God's grace will not allow us to fall beyond remedy. We go up and down, rise and fall, succeed and fail. Yet, through it all, God holds us in his arms of grace. This is our blessed assurance. This gives us hope, like an anchor for our souls, that is steadfast and certain no matter how stormy our lives may be (Heb 6:19).
Part ll: The Purpose Of The Law (19-25)
In verses 19-25 there are two questions. These questions were probably raised by the Judaizers. In order to answer them, Paul taught the Galatians the role of the law in God's work and history. Let’s see what Paul has to teach us…
The first question is, "Why, then, was the law given at all?" Actually, many of us have this question. Jennifer even posed this question one day during our group Bible study. We may even ask ourselves, "If we are saved only by faith in Jesus, why do we need the law? Why do have I struggled so hard to live a holy life? Why did I receive so much divine discipline in life in order to live rightly before God? Has it all been in vain?" With these questions in mind, let's see why the law was given.
Paul's answer was very clear. Look at verse 19b. "…It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come." In order to understand this verse it helps to know when the law was given to Israel, and what their national situation was. According to Genesis, God led the Israelites to Egypt in Jacob's time. God's purpose was to make them a great nation that could declare his praises to the whole world. The people suffered as slaves under Pharaoh. Then God delivered them by his mighty acts of judgment, some 430 years later (Ex 12:41). God led his redeemed people to Mount Sinai and gave them the law in order to make them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:5-6). They needed the law, because even though they were free, they still had the mentality of slaves. In reviewing Exodus, we find that they were ungrateful and ready to complain. They were impatient, easily angered, and often fought each other. They were greedy and sexually immoral in many ways. God gave them laws against incest, and physical relationships with animals. But they quickly forgot God, fell into idolatry, and even indulged in revelry. (Ex 32:6) What was their problem? Their main problem was that they did not have a consciousness of sin. They can be compared to people with a terminal disease who are totally unaware of it. They did not know themselves or see themselves from God’s point of view.
They were in desperate need of God and God so came to rescue them. He set out to make them his holy people. The first step was to give them the law to help them recognize sin as sin. If you know anything about medicine, when they properly diagnosed the problem in their hearts, they could realize that only God could help them. They could come to God, humbly as sinners for forgiveness and cleansing, which was offered through the sacrificial system. This sacrificial system was a shadow of Jesus' atonement for sin. The role of the law was not to save them from their sins, but to provoke, expose, and condemn sin so that they might come to God for help. As they did so, they could be trained and sanctified and grow as God's holy people. Now we understand why God gave them the law.
The promise is superior to the law both in substance and effectiveness. In verses 19c-20 Paul draws out a contrast between the law and the promise. This sharpens his argument that the promise is weightier than the law. First, the law required a mediator, the promise did not. In the NLT, (New Living Translation), these verses read, "God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham." We can find two points of contrast. First of all, the law was given indirectly through angels and a mediator, before it finally came to the people. At that time there was a great chasm between God and his people, because of their sin. God warned Moses not to let the Israelites go up the mountain to see him, or he would break out against them and many would perish (Ex 19:20-22). God is holy. If sinful men meet the holy God directly, they will perish. So they needed a mediator. The need for a mediator emphasizes the distance between God and man. However, God spoke the promise to Abraham directly. God was close to Abraham and so he gave his promises directly.
As a second contrast, the law was conditional. Within the covenant of the law, God and the people both had something to fulfill. If either party failed, the covenant would be nullified. On the other hand, God's promise to Abraham was unconditional. God did not require anything more of Abraham than that he believe the promise. God took full and one-sided responsibility to fulfill the promise. God kept his promise by sending Jesus Christ.
Because the promise is personal and unconditional for all who believe, it can not fail. It is based on the all mighty God and his unconditional love for sinner. Therefore, the promise is superior to the law both in substance and effectiveness.
The second question is, "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God?" The implication of this question is that if we are saved by faith alone, the law is in opposition to the promise and we can disregard it totally. What does Paul say? "Absolutely not!" The law and the promise are not opposed to each other. In fact, they work together according to God's intended purpose. Yet the role of each is different. The law does not produce righteousness, but conviction of sin and condemnation. The law brings a guilty verdict to all people on earth, so that mankind may realize there is no way out apart from the Savior. Verse 22a says, "Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin...." Romans 3:10b says, "There is no one righteous, not even one." Romans 3:20 says, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." This leads to the promise.
The promise is that salvation will be given freely by grace to anyone who believes in Christ (22b-23). While the power of sin and the law are like a prison, faith in Christ is like a key. Faith opens the door and sets the prisoner free. Verse 24 says, "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." When we have faith in Jesus, we are no longer under the law (25). So we see that the law and the promise are not contradictory, they are complimentary; we need both. But the promise came first and is foundational to understand the purpose of the law.
Part III: We Are All One In Christ Jesus (26-29)
Thus far Paul has reviewed how God worked through the promise to Abraham and the law of Moses. We have seen how both the promise and the law point to Jesus Christ. Now we will consider what Christ has done.
Paul proclaims a marvelous blessing on those who believe. Let's read verse 26. "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith...." It is an amazing proclamation! According to the law, it was impossible for anyone to become a child of God. People are born as slaves to sin. Their position as a slave cannot be changed. Though their living situation may improve, their slave status cannot be changed. The point is, without Jesus, we are always under the condemnation of the law. We are guilty and fearful without remedy. This is still the present condition of those who don't believe in Jesus. They try to be saved by works: like daily prayer, almsgiving, (which is giving to the poor), fasting, going on pilgrimages, and so on. However, they are greatly burdened in spirit, without peace or joy. This is the condition of all who rely on keeping the law to be righteous.
But now, in the Gospel, faith has come (25). Through faith we are set free from bondage to sin and the law. Through faith we become children of God. In Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith (26). When we simply believe in Christ Jesus, God gives us amazing grace to become his children. John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...."
The greatest blessing through faith in Christ Jesus is to become children of God. God not only forgives all our sins, but makes us his children. This is not just the improvement of our situation, such as becoming rich, getting accepted to Harvard University, being healed from a disease, winning a prestigious award, or marrying the most suitable person. But it is a fundamental change within us which brings us out of the dominion of darkness and into the kingdom of light. It also changes us from being like poor beggars into privileged children of God. Our status is changed from slaves to children. Sure, we have many ups and downs. Sometimes we make mistakes and fail. However, God never cuts us off from being his children. Even though we fall short, we are still his precious children. This happens when we just believe in Jesus alone. It is totally out of God's love for us. 1 John 3:1 says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are!" What a blessing to become his children!
Verse 27 further explains the meaning of faith in Christ through the metaphors of baptism and changing our clothing: "...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Baptism into Christ, as explained in Romans 6:3-5, means we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. It means the death of our old sinful nature and the birth of a new life through the power of the Risen Christ. Our inner person has fundamentally changed through a new spiritual birth as God's children. Though this new birth has happened by God's grace, we need to live out our faith in daily life. It is like changing clothes. We take off our old dirty garments and put on new clean garments (Ro 13:14). Just as we change our clothes every day, we can put on Christ every day and live a new life in him. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." God sees us as his children through faith in Christ.
Now we can see ourselves as God's children through faith in Christ also. We must also see others in the same way. So verses 28-29 say, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Our new identity as God's children supersedes any other human consideration. Distinctions based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, social status, wealth, education, appearance and so on become like spices. They make life spicy and interesting. But they are secondary. In essence, all who have faith in Christ are God's children and dear family members. It is wonderful, but not always easy to practice.
Dr. John Perkins, an African American, was born in New Hebron, Mississippi in 1930. His family members were sharecroppers and he grew up in grinding poverty. His brother died in his arms after being shot by a white deputy for no good reason. After moving to California, he met Jesus personally and began to live a Christian life. Later, he returned to Mississippi to work for the social and spiritual progress of his people. One night he was arrested without a charge and brutally beaten almost to death by white deputies. He said that at that moment, if he had had an atomic bomb, he would have blown up everyone around him out of his sense of vengeance. He realized that in his own soul there was a monster of racism and hatred. He could see the image of Satan in himself. So he began to seek Christ's grace for his own inner transformation. Through painful struggle, Christ began to set him free. Eventually, he could look upon white people with understanding and compassion. He often sings, "Red, yellow, black or white, they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world." And he ministers to many different people throughout the USA with the love of God. Today, even among Christians, there is still discrimination based on race, gender and social status. This does not please God. God wants all of his children to be one in Christ Jesus, not just in theory but in truth and practice.
In today's passage we have learned that God's promise of salvation gives us undying hope and is fundamental to our relationship with him. We also learned that we are all children of God through faith in Christ. Let's accept this grace with faith. Let's see other believers as precious family members in the family of God, our Father.
Part 1: The Law Does Not Set Aside The Promise (15–18)
1. A. What is the nature of a human covenant? (3:15) B. What were God’s promises to Abraham, and how were they fulfilled in Christ? (3:16; 3:8; Gen 22:18) C. When was the law introduced, and why did it not do away with God’s promise? (3:17) D. On what basis did God give his promised inheritance to Abraham? (3:18)
Part ll: The Purpose Of The Law (19-25)
2. A. For what purpose did God add the law? (3:19a; Rom 7:7,13) B. Why did God have to give his law to his sinful people through angels and a mediator? (3:19b–20; Ex 19:21–22) C. What did Paul say about the relationship between the law and God’s promise? (3:21a) D. What is the law’s limitation? (3:21b)
3. A. What does it mean that “Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin”? (3:22a; Rom 3:10–20) B. Who alone receives what was promised? (3:22b) C. What was our situation before faith in Christ was revealed to us? (3:23) D. What is the ultimate purpose of the law? (3:24) E. In Christ, what is our new relationship to the law? (3:25)
Part lll: We Are All One In Christ Jesus (26–29)
4. A. Read 3:26–27. What is our new identity in Christ Jesus? B. Why is this so amazing and graceful? (1Jn 3:1; 1Pe 2:10) C. How does this happen to us? (3:27) D. What is the spiritual meaning of “baptized into Christ”? (Rom 6:3–5) E. What does it mean to be “clothed with Christ”? (Rom 13:13–14; Eph 4:22–24) F. What does it mean to you to be a child of God?
5. A. In Christ, what is our new relationship with other believers, regardless of human distinctions? (3:28) B. How can we accept all kinds of people into our community, and why should we? (Rom 15:7; Rev 7:9) C. How did Paul emphasize the new status of those who belong to Christ, Jew or Gentile? (3:29)
Galatians 3:15–29 Lesson 5
Key Verse: 3:26 Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 8-14-11
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith..."
In today's passage Paul helps us to see a bird's eye view of God's salvation work. When we do, we can find three main pillars: Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ. Through these three figures, God's plan is progressively revealed. God started salvation work through Abraham when he promised that all nations on earth would be blessed through his offspring. God fulfilled this promise through Jesus Christ. As God's salvation history unfolded, some 400 years later, God gave the law through Moses. The purpose of the law is to expose sin as sin, and lead us to salvation in Christ. Both the promise and the law point to Jesus Christ. However, God's history is based on his promise to Abraham, not the law. Paul explained God's history to the Galatians so that they might know God's intention to make people of all nations his children through faith in Christ. We must know that in Christ, there is no distinction based on race, gender, or social status. We are all children of God through faith in Christ. When we have this clear identity, we are blessed and can embrace all kinds of people in Christ.
Part l: “The Law Does Not Set Aside The Promise” (15-18)
In order to illustrate his point, Paul shared the example of a human covenant, and related it to God's promise. The word "covenant" in verse 15 comes from a rather technical Greek word (diatheke) which can be translated "last will and testament." We are familiar with a will. It is a legal document that governs the distribution of a deceased person's estate to his heirs. While the estate owner is alive, he can revise his will as he pleases. He may want to reduce or increase the inheritance of heirs based on their behavior. However, after he dies, his will cannot be changed. Nothing can be added or taken away. It must be executed as written by the deceased. And so is the covenant of God, it is a promise that can not be added to or taken away. It can not be changed. What are some of the promised of God that we Christians hold onto? What about the promise of the forgiveness of sins to all who repent and believe in Jesus? What about the promise of the resurrection? What about the promise to bear much fruit for the glory of God, in this life, as we follow Jesus? There are so many promises that God has given us that can not be added or taken away. Praise God.
In verses 16-18, Paul teaches that the inheritance God gives does not depend on the law, but on a promise; it comes by God's grace alone (18). Paul related this truth to God's promise to Abraham. God gave many promises to Abraham, such as, "I will make you into a great nation...I will make your name great," and, "...to your offspring I will give this land..." (Gen 12:2-3; 7). Yet, as Paul explains in Galatians, these promises all converge into one: "...though your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed..." (Gen 12:3; 22:18). Paul says that "offspring" is not plural but singular, and refers to one person, who is Christ (16). In giving his promise to Abraham, God looked forward to Christ. It was the promise to bring the gospel of grace, through the Savior, to all nations. God wanted Abraham and his descendants to realize that he would keep this promise without fail. So he swore an oath.
Usually, we swear by someone greater than ourselves. In a courtroom, witnesses put their hand on the Bible and swear “to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." But God had no one greater to swear by. So he swore by himself. Hebrews 6:17 says, "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath." God seriously and absolutely committed himself to keep his promise. The law came 430 years later. It does not set aside the promise (17). And so the point Paul is making is, the inheritance God gives does not depend on the law, but on a promise. It comes by God's grace alone (18).
Since Paul took great pains to distinguish the promise and the law, it is worthwhile for us to consider the nature of both. In the promise God said, "I will...I will...I will...." But in the law of Moses, God said, "You shall...You shall not...You shall...." Upon this basis, John Stott commented: "The promise sets forth a religion of God--'God's plan,' 'God's grace,' 'God's initiative.' But the law sets forth a religion of man--'man's duty,' 'man's works,' 'man's responsibility.' The promise had only to be believed. But the law had to be obeyed. God's dealings with Abraham were in the category of 'promise,' 'grace' and 'faith.' But God's dealings with Moses were in the category of 'law,' 'commandments,' and 'works.' The conclusion to which Paul is leading is that the Christian religion is the religion of Abraham and not Moses, of promise and not law; and that Christians are enjoying today the promise which God made to Abraham centuries ago" Martin Luther said, "For unless the gospel be plainly discerned from the law, the true Christian doctrine cannot be kept sound and uncorrupt. But if this difference be well known, then is the true manner of justification also known, and then it is an easy matter to discern faith from works, Christ from Moses...." So, it is important for us to distinguish between law and promise.
[John Robert Walmsley Stott, CBE (27 April 1921 – 27 July 2011) was an English Christian leader and Anglican cleric who was noted as a leader of the worldwide Evangelical movement. He was one of the principal authors of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974. In 2005, Time magazine ranked Stott among the 100 most influential people in the world.] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stott
This salvation of God, based on the promises of God, and which God himself fulfills in our lives, is purely the wonderful grace of Jesus freely given to all who believe. God's grace is the "safety net" of our soul, and the "bottom line" beyond which nothing can pass. God's grace will not allow us to fall beyond remedy. We go up and down, rise and fall, succeed and fail. Yet, through it all, God holds us in his arms of grace. This is our blessed assurance. This gives us hope, like an anchor for our souls, that is steadfast and certain no matter how stormy our lives may be (Heb 6:19).
Part ll: The Purpose Of The Law (19-25)
In verses 19-25 there are two questions. These questions were probably raised by the Judaizers. In order to answer them, Paul taught the Galatians the role of the law in God's work and history. Let’s see what Paul has to teach us…
The first question is, "Why, then, was the law given at all?" Actually, many of us have this question. Jennifer even posed this question one day during our group Bible study. We may even ask ourselves, "If we are saved only by faith in Jesus, why do we need the law? Why do have I struggled so hard to live a holy life? Why did I receive so much divine discipline in life in order to live rightly before God? Has it all been in vain?" With these questions in mind, let's see why the law was given.
Paul's answer was very clear. Look at verse 19b. "…It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come." In order to understand this verse it helps to know when the law was given to Israel, and what their national situation was. According to Genesis, God led the Israelites to Egypt in Jacob's time. God's purpose was to make them a great nation that could declare his praises to the whole world. The people suffered as slaves under Pharaoh. Then God delivered them by his mighty acts of judgment, some 430 years later (Ex 12:41). God led his redeemed people to Mount Sinai and gave them the law in order to make them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:5-6). They needed the law, because even though they were free, they still had the mentality of slaves. In reviewing Exodus, we find that they were ungrateful and ready to complain. They were impatient, easily angered, and often fought each other. They were greedy and sexually immoral in many ways. God gave them laws against incest, and physical relationships with animals. But they quickly forgot God, fell into idolatry, and even indulged in revelry. (Ex 32:6) What was their problem? Their main problem was that they did not have a consciousness of sin. They can be compared to people with a terminal disease who are totally unaware of it. They did not know themselves or see themselves from God’s point of view.
They were in desperate need of God and God so came to rescue them. He set out to make them his holy people. The first step was to give them the law to help them recognize sin as sin. If you know anything about medicine, when they properly diagnosed the problem in their hearts, they could realize that only God could help them. They could come to God, humbly as sinners for forgiveness and cleansing, which was offered through the sacrificial system. This sacrificial system was a shadow of Jesus' atonement for sin. The role of the law was not to save them from their sins, but to provoke, expose, and condemn sin so that they might come to God for help. As they did so, they could be trained and sanctified and grow as God's holy people. Now we understand why God gave them the law.
The promise is superior to the law both in substance and effectiveness. In verses 19c-20 Paul draws out a contrast between the law and the promise. This sharpens his argument that the promise is weightier than the law. First, the law required a mediator, the promise did not. In the NLT, (New Living Translation), these verses read, "God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham." We can find two points of contrast. First of all, the law was given indirectly through angels and a mediator, before it finally came to the people. At that time there was a great chasm between God and his people, because of their sin. God warned Moses not to let the Israelites go up the mountain to see him, or he would break out against them and many would perish (Ex 19:20-22). God is holy. If sinful men meet the holy God directly, they will perish. So they needed a mediator. The need for a mediator emphasizes the distance between God and man. However, God spoke the promise to Abraham directly. God was close to Abraham and so he gave his promises directly.
As a second contrast, the law was conditional. Within the covenant of the law, God and the people both had something to fulfill. If either party failed, the covenant would be nullified. On the other hand, God's promise to Abraham was unconditional. God did not require anything more of Abraham than that he believe the promise. God took full and one-sided responsibility to fulfill the promise. God kept his promise by sending Jesus Christ.
Because the promise is personal and unconditional for all who believe, it can not fail. It is based on the all mighty God and his unconditional love for sinner. Therefore, the promise is superior to the law both in substance and effectiveness.
The second question is, "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God?" The implication of this question is that if we are saved by faith alone, the law is in opposition to the promise and we can disregard it totally. What does Paul say? "Absolutely not!" The law and the promise are not opposed to each other. In fact, they work together according to God's intended purpose. Yet the role of each is different. The law does not produce righteousness, but conviction of sin and condemnation. The law brings a guilty verdict to all people on earth, so that mankind may realize there is no way out apart from the Savior. Verse 22a says, "Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin...." Romans 3:10b says, "There is no one righteous, not even one." Romans 3:20 says, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." This leads to the promise.
The promise is that salvation will be given freely by grace to anyone who believes in Christ (22b-23). While the power of sin and the law are like a prison, faith in Christ is like a key. Faith opens the door and sets the prisoner free. Verse 24 says, "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." When we have faith in Jesus, we are no longer under the law (25). So we see that the law and the promise are not contradictory, they are complimentary; we need both. But the promise came first and is foundational to understand the purpose of the law.
Part III: We Are All One In Christ Jesus (26-29)
Thus far Paul has reviewed how God worked through the promise to Abraham and the law of Moses. We have seen how both the promise and the law point to Jesus Christ. Now we will consider what Christ has done.
Paul proclaims a marvelous blessing on those who believe. Let's read verse 26. "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith...." It is an amazing proclamation! According to the law, it was impossible for anyone to become a child of God. People are born as slaves to sin. Their position as a slave cannot be changed. Though their living situation may improve, their slave status cannot be changed. The point is, without Jesus, we are always under the condemnation of the law. We are guilty and fearful without remedy. This is still the present condition of those who don't believe in Jesus. They try to be saved by works: like daily prayer, almsgiving, (which is giving to the poor), fasting, going on pilgrimages, and so on. However, they are greatly burdened in spirit, without peace or joy. This is the condition of all who rely on keeping the law to be righteous.
But now, in the Gospel, faith has come (25). Through faith we are set free from bondage to sin and the law. Through faith we become children of God. In Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith (26). When we simply believe in Christ Jesus, God gives us amazing grace to become his children. John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...."
The greatest blessing through faith in Christ Jesus is to become children of God. God not only forgives all our sins, but makes us his children. This is not just the improvement of our situation, such as becoming rich, getting accepted to Harvard University, being healed from a disease, winning a prestigious award, or marrying the most suitable person. But it is a fundamental change within us which brings us out of the dominion of darkness and into the kingdom of light. It also changes us from being like poor beggars into privileged children of God. Our status is changed from slaves to children. Sure, we have many ups and downs. Sometimes we make mistakes and fail. However, God never cuts us off from being his children. Even though we fall short, we are still his precious children. This happens when we just believe in Jesus alone. It is totally out of God's love for us. 1 John 3:1 says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are!" What a blessing to become his children!
Verse 27 further explains the meaning of faith in Christ through the metaphors of baptism and changing our clothing: "...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Baptism into Christ, as explained in Romans 6:3-5, means we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. It means the death of our old sinful nature and the birth of a new life through the power of the Risen Christ. Our inner person has fundamentally changed through a new spiritual birth as God's children. Though this new birth has happened by God's grace, we need to live out our faith in daily life. It is like changing clothes. We take off our old dirty garments and put on new clean garments (Ro 13:14). Just as we change our clothes every day, we can put on Christ every day and live a new life in him. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." God sees us as his children through faith in Christ.
Now we can see ourselves as God's children through faith in Christ also. We must also see others in the same way. So verses 28-29 say, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Our new identity as God's children supersedes any other human consideration. Distinctions based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, social status, wealth, education, appearance and so on become like spices. They make life spicy and interesting. But they are secondary. In essence, all who have faith in Christ are God's children and dear family members. It is wonderful, but not always easy to practice.
Dr. John Perkins, an African American, was born in New Hebron, Mississippi in 1930. His family members were sharecroppers and he grew up in grinding poverty. His brother died in his arms after being shot by a white deputy for no good reason. After moving to California, he met Jesus personally and began to live a Christian life. Later, he returned to Mississippi to work for the social and spiritual progress of his people. One night he was arrested without a charge and brutally beaten almost to death by white deputies. He said that at that moment, if he had had an atomic bomb, he would have blown up everyone around him out of his sense of vengeance. He realized that in his own soul there was a monster of racism and hatred. He could see the image of Satan in himself. So he began to seek Christ's grace for his own inner transformation. Through painful struggle, Christ began to set him free. Eventually, he could look upon white people with understanding and compassion. He often sings, "Red, yellow, black or white, they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world." And he ministers to many different people throughout the USA with the love of God. Today, even among Christians, there is still discrimination based on race, gender and social status. This does not please God. God wants all of his children to be one in Christ Jesus, not just in theory but in truth and practice.
In today's passage we have learned that God's promise of salvation gives us undying hope and is fundamental to our relationship with him. We also learned that we are all children of God through faith in Christ. Let's accept this grace with faith. Let's see other believers as precious family members in the family of God, our Father.
Part 1: The Law Does Not Set Aside The Promise (15–18)
1. A. What is the nature of a human covenant? (3:15) B. What were God’s promises to Abraham, and how were they fulfilled in Christ? (3:16; 3:8; Gen 22:18) C. When was the law introduced, and why did it not do away with God’s promise? (3:17) D. On what basis did God give his promised inheritance to Abraham? (3:18)
Part ll: The Purpose Of The Law (19-25)
2. A. For what purpose did God add the law? (3:19a; Rom 7:7,13) B. Why did God have to give his law to his sinful people through angels and a mediator? (3:19b–20; Ex 19:21–22) C. What did Paul say about the relationship between the law and God’s promise? (3:21a) D. What is the law’s limitation? (3:21b)
3. A. What does it mean that “Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin”? (3:22a; Rom 3:10–20) B. Who alone receives what was promised? (3:22b) C. What was our situation before faith in Christ was revealed to us? (3:23) D. What is the ultimate purpose of the law? (3:24) E. In Christ, what is our new relationship to the law? (3:25)
Part lll: We Are All One In Christ Jesus (26–29)
4. A. Read 3:26–27. What is our new identity in Christ Jesus? B. Why is this so amazing and graceful? (1Jn 3:1; 1Pe 2:10) C. How does this happen to us? (3:27) D. What is the spiritual meaning of “baptized into Christ”? (Rom 6:3–5) E. What does it mean to be “clothed with Christ”? (Rom 13:13–14; Eph 4:22–24) F. What does it mean to you to be a child of God?
5. A. In Christ, what is our new relationship with other believers, regardless of human distinctions? (3:28) B. How can we accept all kinds of people into our community, and why should we? (Rom 15:7; Rev 7:9) C. How did Paul emphasize the new status of those who belong to Christ, Jew or Gentile? (3:29)
Matthew 6:5-18
“Your Kingdom Come”
Matthew 6:5-18 Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 8-21-11
Key Verse: 6:9b,10
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.”
Do you known what the best thing ever is? Is spending eternity with Jesus in the Kingdom of God as his child! Jesus’ main concern was always to glorify his Father in heaven and expand the territory of the Kingdom of God. From the onset of his ministry he preached the message, “The kingdom of heaven is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15) He chose his disciples and helped each of them to see the kingdom of God. He wanted to work through them to share the Gospel so that the Kingdom of God may grow in the hearts of the people. This is a great task….too great a task for these disciples to accomplish through their own human efforts. They need to do much more than just preach, teach and serve others basic needs. How could they do it? Only through prayer. That is why Jesus presents a model prayer for his disciples of all time. When Jesus’ disciples pray personally before God a genuine motivation to glorify God in all that they do grows in them. Then the Kingdom of God can grow to others. Let’s examine this model prayer.
Part l: The Attitude Of Prayer To God (5-8).
First, the attitude of prayer. Look at verse 5. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” We can approach prayer with various attitudes. There is the attitude of, “here we go again.” There is the sleepy attitude where we doze off in the holy sleeping position. At least they are trying to pray. There are good attitudes, that make a person say, “I can’t wait to talk to God” or “I need God’s help.” or “I want to get to know my Heavenly Father more deeply.”
In Jesus’ time there was another attitude among some of the people. There were hypocrites who tried hard to make people notice they were praying to God, but they are actually putting on a display for people to see. They sought human recognition. Would you ever do this? I don’t think many of us try to show off our spirituality by praying publically. In any case, the prayers born out of such motives are not directed vertically, to God, but horizontally, to other people.
Jesus says that such people forfeit the blessing of genuine fellowship with God through prayer. Verse 5b reads, “…I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” What is their reward? Their reward is having a few people say, “Wow! That person is really holy!” They get a momentary feeling of self satisfaction. Or they get a sense of relief that their being asked to pray is all over for now. They will get no reward from God. No peace of; no affirmation that their hearts are right before him; no praise from Jesus when they see him face to face in the heavenly kingdom. We must have the right attitude in prayer. But how?
First, our prayers must be directed vertically to God, in private. Look at verse 6. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Jesus is emphasizing a personal, intimate conversation with God. We Christians have a great privilege of prayer to God. When Jesus died on the cross the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The way to the most holy place was wide open. No longer did the people require a High Priest to pray for them, they could approach the throne of God, through faith. They could come to God and cry, “Abba, Father!” This is a great privilege given to us Christians. It was a costly privilege. The cost was the suffering and death of Jesus. This privilege was given to us. Jesus urges us to exercise this privilege in secret. We can make a personal relationship with God through prayer when we have the right attitude. So often we pray at meetings, two by two, or before meals, but go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen! Where your favorite place to pray in private to Jesus?
We always like to knock the younger generation, thinking of all their bad qualities. I think that our young people are not far from learning personal prayer. They already are accustomed to go into their rooms, closing their doors, and spending time on the computer or on an iPod. They know how to text to their friends, read texts and listen to music, via virtual reality. This is just a step away from the life of prayer. Can you see it? A rich prayer life is just around the corner for many of them.
Second, we must be confident that our Father in heaven knows our every need and wants to intervene. Look at verses 7-8. “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Pagans pray to idols which are not real. They babble repeated prayers thinking that these idols will be moved and give them blessings. Buddhist’s have found a way to increase the frequency of their formalistic prayers. When they are too tired to pray any longer, they can go to their prayer wheels and spin a prayer wheel. But prayer for Christians is not just endless, formalistic babblings. We have heartfelt prayer to our Father God, who is living. More than that, he listens and is very concerned as he watches over us each moment of the day. He understands us and knows exactly what we need. He answers our prayers. I can guarantee you that God will answer any prayer you send him. His answer will be “Yes”, “No” or “wait”.
Sometimes we don’t know what we need. All we know is that we need something. We can only groan before God in ways that words cannot express. But God hears and understands our groans. He is happy when we turn to him for help in our time of need. In 1986 at the age of 22, I was groaning because of my emptiness and my meaningless life as a student hedonist. One night I felt so bored, all alone and meaningless, that I went into my room and cried in my pillow, “Oh God!” It was more of a groan than a prayer. But it was a prayer uttered in the privacy of my own room. God heard my prayer. And he sent Christians to me who tried to preach the Gospel to me. Eventually I met Msn Ruth Hwang and I came to meet Jesus personally. Recently, I battled despair and depression. Many of my prayers were groanings pointed towards God. But God heard these groaning prayers and he is filling my heart with new hope and new vision. I don’t know if any of you noticed a difference in me lately. But there is a difference. We don’t have to wait until we are in a spiritual crisis to pray privately to God.
Part ll: Father In Heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name! (9)
First, “Our Father in heaven.” (9) Jesus taught us to call God “Father.” This was a revolutionary teaching in the ancient world. Until this time, no one would call God “Father.” The Jews knew God as the Almighty Creator God, the holy God who demanded their obedience. If they met the holy God in their sinful state, they would die immediately. It would be like finding yourself in the middle of a nuclear reactor. They had such an awesome respect for God that they would not say his name, and so they made up a name for God, that could not be verbalized, YHWH. (Which was Yahweh without the vowels.)
Jesus wanted his disciples to call God “Father.” They could do so because Jesus gave them the right to call God their father, for faith in him made each believer into a child of God. (Jn 1:12) How is this possible? Jesus offered his body and shed his blood at the cross to purchase for us another privilege, the privilege to call God “Father”. Through Jesus’ sacrifice our sins are forgiven and we are purified. Now, through faith, we can stand before God as holy children of God. This all comes through receiving Jesus and believing in his name. Wow! What a great gift.
When we call God “Father” we must recognize God’s love for all people. When we call God “Father,” we recognize that we are all part of his spiritual family which is made up of people from every language and nation who have been saved by Jesus’ blood. In God our Father, we have so many brothers and sisters. Several of us have come from Korea to be missionaries. They are all our brothers and sister in the Lord. Another young man grew up in the suburbs and has recently dedicated his life to Christ. He is a brother in the Lord. Suzie is a believer from Heidelberg Germany. She is a sister in the Lord. Red, yellow, black and white we are all precious in his sight for we are all part of the family of God. We can even think of unbelievers as our prodigal brothers and sisters in the sense they were all created by our heavenly Father who is their creator God. They just don’t know it. So, let’s decide to love our neighbors as ourselves no matter who they may be.
Second, “Hallowed be your name.” Hallowed means to be sanctified, consecrated, highly venerated. (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/hallowed) In a word, respected. Although God is our Father, we must remember whom we are coming to and not just come to him flippantly nor relate to him as many young people relate to their parents. Our relationship must be different. Why? God is the Almighty Creator God. He is holy. He is the Judge of all mankind. It is right for his name to be exalted above every name. It starts with hallowing God in our own hearts first.
As we pray, “Hallowed be your name,” we must also desire to bring honor to his name by the way we live in this world. How can we do this? Study hard in school and reveal God’s grace by trying your best to get great marks. Excel at work so that other employees may see God’s glory and honor him. Make our homes places of worship, love and praise to the holy God. Our ministries must maintain the highest moral standard and reveal the Spirit of the Holy God at work among us. When we pray “Hallowed be your name”, then God’s name will be hallowed through our lives, families and ministries and among the people of the campus’ we are praying for.
Part lll: Your Kingdom Come!
One of the most powerful portions of this model prayer is, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Since the Fall, this world has been a battlefield between the God and the devil. This battle has been going on for millennia. God has always been near to those who had faith, but in the perfect time, God sent Jesus, our savior and king, who would destroy the devil and restore God’s rightful rule in the hearts of his people. This is great news, for in the kingdom of Satan, there is only condemnation, fear, despair, worries, anxieties, slow erosion and degradation of the soul, mind and heart. There is death. But in the Kingdom of God there is God’s healing, hope, mission, spiritual joy, love, peace, room to grow, security, spiritual growth and strength and of course eternal life. When we accept Jesus as our Savior King, we are saved from the devil and become God’s children. We effectively come out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light life, the Kingdom of God.
However, the battle is not over. It is going on in us and around us and throughout this world. Just examine your own heart and watch the news. The Bible teaches that he devil is prowling around like a roaring lion. He blinds the eyes people so they can not see the glory of God in Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 2:4, 1 John 2:11).
The same is true even for more seasoned Christians. They too can loose sight of the kingdom of God. For years they serve Jesus, but one thing after another strike their hearts like the constant barrage of punches from a boxing opponent. The bad economy, work hassles, weakness of the body, constant rejections to our efforts to evangelize, constant calls to sacrifice, loved ones who don’t share our faith, sins and temptations, all take their toll on us until we can not see the kingdom of God any longer. We know that going back to the world is not an option, but we loose our joy of living by faith. Has this happened to you? Maybe we think that we can never tasted the joy, love and peace of the Kingdom of God again. But the truth is, experiencing the kingdom of God can be as new and fresh an experience to us as it is to new believers.
How do we dwell in the kingdom of God? We need to repent and believe the Gospel. Think about Nicodemis. Nicodenus had everything, the highest education, the respect of his peers, a high position in society. He had it all by this world’s standard, but he was not happy. He came to Jesus at night and asked him many spiritual questions. He was missing something. There was a “God sized hole in his heart”. Jesus saw pasts his words to see the true problem in his heart. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (Jn 3:3) According to the spiritual doctor, Jesus, the cure to Nicodmuses’ problem is that he needed to see and experience and live in the kingdom of God. Then the emptiness and meaningless of life he was feeling would be eradicated and he would find new joy, new life and salvation. We all need to repent and believe and have the Kingdom of God come into our hearts.
There are several other reasons why we must pray, “Your Kingdom Come?” First, The task is too big for us to accomplish. We try, but we are helpless. We fail to create an environment where we can reveal the kingdom of God. Our hearts may also be in such turmoil that we feel far from the kingdom of God. We need God’s help. Second, we need to pray because people really need the kingdom of God. They need heavenly citizenship fast! We try our best, but we will reach our limits. Praying is all we can do sometimes. But it is the best and most important thing to do. Third, God wants to work through us and co-work with us. This requires communication and collaboration with God through prayer. Can you think of any other reasons to pray?
God’s kingdom is spreading in many hearts and among us. We heard Matt’s message yesterday. It was delivered with spirit, power and personal conviction. We heard the personal testimonies of Sarah and Hope. That was there own testimonies born out of their living faith. We see all the humble co-working between all of us to make this Bible school possible. We experienced the joyful snack time with Subway sandwiches. The willing, open hearts of so many children of God, is proof that the kingdom of God is growing. May God’s kingdom advance in our campus’ until Jesus comes.
Part lV: Other Things To Pray For In God’s Kingdom (11-15)
Children of God, who pray for the advancement of the Father’s Kingdom, also pray for their daily bread, forgiveness and protection from sin. First, “Give us today our daily bread.” (11) Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread. Through prayer, we learn to depend on God and realize that God is the giver of our daily bead. And he does provide. He doesn’t always give us what we want, but he surely gives us what we need. People are so afraid of not having their daily needs met. But worrying never helped anyone. We need to stop worrying, and ignoring Jesus in our quest to “survive”. Rather we need to pray for our daily bread knowing that we are children of our Father God and he will supply our needs. We may pray for delicious steak but God knows what’s best because sometimes, whole wheat bread, and a simple diet is healthier for you.
Second, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (12) Here, the word "debt" has the same meaning as "sin." Living in this world, we need the forgiveness of our sins every day. Why? Because we sin everyday. Our sin problem is very serious. It is keeping our eyes blinded to the reality of the Kingdom of God. That is why Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “The time has come,’ he said, ‘The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Therefore, we must repent and ask God's forgiveness of our sin. Next, we must forgive others who have sinned against us. Then our spiritual eyes will be open and we can enter the kingdom of God. Forgiving others is so important that Jesus emphasizes it again. Look at verses 14 and 15. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." This is a serious matter. Is there anyone in your life whom you need to forgive? Do it now…don’t wait.
Sixth, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (13) Here, "the evil one" is the devil. There are many who say, "I don’t believe in the devil.” They these, Christianity faith is all about psychology and the power of positive thinking only. The battle is in your own thoughts. But I say, the evil one is a real enemy and the devil’s greatest weapon is making people believe he doesn’t exist. (Then he can do what ever he wants to.) Some say that they are not afraid of the evil one. Such people don’t know themselves and they surely don’t know that consequences of falling into the evil one’s grip. The devil's temptation is like sugared poison. No one can run away from the devil's pursuit. We must acknowledge that we are completely helpless, and pray earnestly to our Father in heaven to protect us from the devil and keep us then near him. "Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
Today Jesus teaches us that, as Jesus’ disciples, we must build up a secret prayer life, calling God, “Father”. We must hallow his holy name and promote the reverence and worship of God around us. When we do, God’s kingdom will come into our hearts, grow among us, on our campus’, across our nation and the world. A genuine motivation to glorify God in all that we do will grows in us. As we pray for God’s kingdom to come, he will provide for our physical and spiritual needs. We will be free from anxieties and insecurities. There will be an abundance of grace, love and forgiveness. There will be protection from sin and temptation when we dwell in the Kingdom of our heavenly Father. The Kingdom of God sounds pretty good. Let’s pray earnestly for its advancement.
Matthew 6:5-18 Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 8-21-11
Key Verse: 6:9b,10
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.”
Do you known what the best thing ever is? Is spending eternity with Jesus in the Kingdom of God as his child! Jesus’ main concern was always to glorify his Father in heaven and expand the territory of the Kingdom of God. From the onset of his ministry he preached the message, “The kingdom of heaven is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15) He chose his disciples and helped each of them to see the kingdom of God. He wanted to work through them to share the Gospel so that the Kingdom of God may grow in the hearts of the people. This is a great task….too great a task for these disciples to accomplish through their own human efforts. They need to do much more than just preach, teach and serve others basic needs. How could they do it? Only through prayer. That is why Jesus presents a model prayer for his disciples of all time. When Jesus’ disciples pray personally before God a genuine motivation to glorify God in all that they do grows in them. Then the Kingdom of God can grow to others. Let’s examine this model prayer.
Part l: The Attitude Of Prayer To God (5-8).
First, the attitude of prayer. Look at verse 5. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” We can approach prayer with various attitudes. There is the attitude of, “here we go again.” There is the sleepy attitude where we doze off in the holy sleeping position. At least they are trying to pray. There are good attitudes, that make a person say, “I can’t wait to talk to God” or “I need God’s help.” or “I want to get to know my Heavenly Father more deeply.”
In Jesus’ time there was another attitude among some of the people. There were hypocrites who tried hard to make people notice they were praying to God, but they are actually putting on a display for people to see. They sought human recognition. Would you ever do this? I don’t think many of us try to show off our spirituality by praying publically. In any case, the prayers born out of such motives are not directed vertically, to God, but horizontally, to other people.
Jesus says that such people forfeit the blessing of genuine fellowship with God through prayer. Verse 5b reads, “…I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” What is their reward? Their reward is having a few people say, “Wow! That person is really holy!” They get a momentary feeling of self satisfaction. Or they get a sense of relief that their being asked to pray is all over for now. They will get no reward from God. No peace of; no affirmation that their hearts are right before him; no praise from Jesus when they see him face to face in the heavenly kingdom. We must have the right attitude in prayer. But how?
First, our prayers must be directed vertically to God, in private. Look at verse 6. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Jesus is emphasizing a personal, intimate conversation with God. We Christians have a great privilege of prayer to God. When Jesus died on the cross the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The way to the most holy place was wide open. No longer did the people require a High Priest to pray for them, they could approach the throne of God, through faith. They could come to God and cry, “Abba, Father!” This is a great privilege given to us Christians. It was a costly privilege. The cost was the suffering and death of Jesus. This privilege was given to us. Jesus urges us to exercise this privilege in secret. We can make a personal relationship with God through prayer when we have the right attitude. So often we pray at meetings, two by two, or before meals, but go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen! Where your favorite place to pray in private to Jesus?
We always like to knock the younger generation, thinking of all their bad qualities. I think that our young people are not far from learning personal prayer. They already are accustomed to go into their rooms, closing their doors, and spending time on the computer or on an iPod. They know how to text to their friends, read texts and listen to music, via virtual reality. This is just a step away from the life of prayer. Can you see it? A rich prayer life is just around the corner for many of them.
Second, we must be confident that our Father in heaven knows our every need and wants to intervene. Look at verses 7-8. “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Pagans pray to idols which are not real. They babble repeated prayers thinking that these idols will be moved and give them blessings. Buddhist’s have found a way to increase the frequency of their formalistic prayers. When they are too tired to pray any longer, they can go to their prayer wheels and spin a prayer wheel. But prayer for Christians is not just endless, formalistic babblings. We have heartfelt prayer to our Father God, who is living. More than that, he listens and is very concerned as he watches over us each moment of the day. He understands us and knows exactly what we need. He answers our prayers. I can guarantee you that God will answer any prayer you send him. His answer will be “Yes”, “No” or “wait”.
Sometimes we don’t know what we need. All we know is that we need something. We can only groan before God in ways that words cannot express. But God hears and understands our groans. He is happy when we turn to him for help in our time of need. In 1986 at the age of 22, I was groaning because of my emptiness and my meaningless life as a student hedonist. One night I felt so bored, all alone and meaningless, that I went into my room and cried in my pillow, “Oh God!” It was more of a groan than a prayer. But it was a prayer uttered in the privacy of my own room. God heard my prayer. And he sent Christians to me who tried to preach the Gospel to me. Eventually I met Msn Ruth Hwang and I came to meet Jesus personally. Recently, I battled despair and depression. Many of my prayers were groanings pointed towards God. But God heard these groaning prayers and he is filling my heart with new hope and new vision. I don’t know if any of you noticed a difference in me lately. But there is a difference. We don’t have to wait until we are in a spiritual crisis to pray privately to God.
Part ll: Father In Heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name! (9)
First, “Our Father in heaven.” (9) Jesus taught us to call God “Father.” This was a revolutionary teaching in the ancient world. Until this time, no one would call God “Father.” The Jews knew God as the Almighty Creator God, the holy God who demanded their obedience. If they met the holy God in their sinful state, they would die immediately. It would be like finding yourself in the middle of a nuclear reactor. They had such an awesome respect for God that they would not say his name, and so they made up a name for God, that could not be verbalized, YHWH. (Which was Yahweh without the vowels.)
Jesus wanted his disciples to call God “Father.” They could do so because Jesus gave them the right to call God their father, for faith in him made each believer into a child of God. (Jn 1:12) How is this possible? Jesus offered his body and shed his blood at the cross to purchase for us another privilege, the privilege to call God “Father”. Through Jesus’ sacrifice our sins are forgiven and we are purified. Now, through faith, we can stand before God as holy children of God. This all comes through receiving Jesus and believing in his name. Wow! What a great gift.
When we call God “Father” we must recognize God’s love for all people. When we call God “Father,” we recognize that we are all part of his spiritual family which is made up of people from every language and nation who have been saved by Jesus’ blood. In God our Father, we have so many brothers and sisters. Several of us have come from Korea to be missionaries. They are all our brothers and sister in the Lord. Another young man grew up in the suburbs and has recently dedicated his life to Christ. He is a brother in the Lord. Suzie is a believer from Heidelberg Germany. She is a sister in the Lord. Red, yellow, black and white we are all precious in his sight for we are all part of the family of God. We can even think of unbelievers as our prodigal brothers and sisters in the sense they were all created by our heavenly Father who is their creator God. They just don’t know it. So, let’s decide to love our neighbors as ourselves no matter who they may be.
Second, “Hallowed be your name.” Hallowed means to be sanctified, consecrated, highly venerated. (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/hallowed) In a word, respected. Although God is our Father, we must remember whom we are coming to and not just come to him flippantly nor relate to him as many young people relate to their parents. Our relationship must be different. Why? God is the Almighty Creator God. He is holy. He is the Judge of all mankind. It is right for his name to be exalted above every name. It starts with hallowing God in our own hearts first.
As we pray, “Hallowed be your name,” we must also desire to bring honor to his name by the way we live in this world. How can we do this? Study hard in school and reveal God’s grace by trying your best to get great marks. Excel at work so that other employees may see God’s glory and honor him. Make our homes places of worship, love and praise to the holy God. Our ministries must maintain the highest moral standard and reveal the Spirit of the Holy God at work among us. When we pray “Hallowed be your name”, then God’s name will be hallowed through our lives, families and ministries and among the people of the campus’ we are praying for.
Part lll: Your Kingdom Come!
One of the most powerful portions of this model prayer is, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Since the Fall, this world has been a battlefield between the God and the devil. This battle has been going on for millennia. God has always been near to those who had faith, but in the perfect time, God sent Jesus, our savior and king, who would destroy the devil and restore God’s rightful rule in the hearts of his people. This is great news, for in the kingdom of Satan, there is only condemnation, fear, despair, worries, anxieties, slow erosion and degradation of the soul, mind and heart. There is death. But in the Kingdom of God there is God’s healing, hope, mission, spiritual joy, love, peace, room to grow, security, spiritual growth and strength and of course eternal life. When we accept Jesus as our Savior King, we are saved from the devil and become God’s children. We effectively come out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light life, the Kingdom of God.
However, the battle is not over. It is going on in us and around us and throughout this world. Just examine your own heart and watch the news. The Bible teaches that he devil is prowling around like a roaring lion. He blinds the eyes people so they can not see the glory of God in Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 2:4, 1 John 2:11).
The same is true even for more seasoned Christians. They too can loose sight of the kingdom of God. For years they serve Jesus, but one thing after another strike their hearts like the constant barrage of punches from a boxing opponent. The bad economy, work hassles, weakness of the body, constant rejections to our efforts to evangelize, constant calls to sacrifice, loved ones who don’t share our faith, sins and temptations, all take their toll on us until we can not see the kingdom of God any longer. We know that going back to the world is not an option, but we loose our joy of living by faith. Has this happened to you? Maybe we think that we can never tasted the joy, love and peace of the Kingdom of God again. But the truth is, experiencing the kingdom of God can be as new and fresh an experience to us as it is to new believers.
How do we dwell in the kingdom of God? We need to repent and believe the Gospel. Think about Nicodemis. Nicodenus had everything, the highest education, the respect of his peers, a high position in society. He had it all by this world’s standard, but he was not happy. He came to Jesus at night and asked him many spiritual questions. He was missing something. There was a “God sized hole in his heart”. Jesus saw pasts his words to see the true problem in his heart. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (Jn 3:3) According to the spiritual doctor, Jesus, the cure to Nicodmuses’ problem is that he needed to see and experience and live in the kingdom of God. Then the emptiness and meaningless of life he was feeling would be eradicated and he would find new joy, new life and salvation. We all need to repent and believe and have the Kingdom of God come into our hearts.
There are several other reasons why we must pray, “Your Kingdom Come?” First, The task is too big for us to accomplish. We try, but we are helpless. We fail to create an environment where we can reveal the kingdom of God. Our hearts may also be in such turmoil that we feel far from the kingdom of God. We need God’s help. Second, we need to pray because people really need the kingdom of God. They need heavenly citizenship fast! We try our best, but we will reach our limits. Praying is all we can do sometimes. But it is the best and most important thing to do. Third, God wants to work through us and co-work with us. This requires communication and collaboration with God through prayer. Can you think of any other reasons to pray?
God’s kingdom is spreading in many hearts and among us. We heard Matt’s message yesterday. It was delivered with spirit, power and personal conviction. We heard the personal testimonies of Sarah and Hope. That was there own testimonies born out of their living faith. We see all the humble co-working between all of us to make this Bible school possible. We experienced the joyful snack time with Subway sandwiches. The willing, open hearts of so many children of God, is proof that the kingdom of God is growing. May God’s kingdom advance in our campus’ until Jesus comes.
Part lV: Other Things To Pray For In God’s Kingdom (11-15)
Children of God, who pray for the advancement of the Father’s Kingdom, also pray for their daily bread, forgiveness and protection from sin. First, “Give us today our daily bread.” (11) Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily bread. Through prayer, we learn to depend on God and realize that God is the giver of our daily bead. And he does provide. He doesn’t always give us what we want, but he surely gives us what we need. People are so afraid of not having their daily needs met. But worrying never helped anyone. We need to stop worrying, and ignoring Jesus in our quest to “survive”. Rather we need to pray for our daily bread knowing that we are children of our Father God and he will supply our needs. We may pray for delicious steak but God knows what’s best because sometimes, whole wheat bread, and a simple diet is healthier for you.
Second, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (12) Here, the word "debt" has the same meaning as "sin." Living in this world, we need the forgiveness of our sins every day. Why? Because we sin everyday. Our sin problem is very serious. It is keeping our eyes blinded to the reality of the Kingdom of God. That is why Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “The time has come,’ he said, ‘The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Therefore, we must repent and ask God's forgiveness of our sin. Next, we must forgive others who have sinned against us. Then our spiritual eyes will be open and we can enter the kingdom of God. Forgiving others is so important that Jesus emphasizes it again. Look at verses 14 and 15. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." This is a serious matter. Is there anyone in your life whom you need to forgive? Do it now…don’t wait.
Sixth, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (13) Here, "the evil one" is the devil. There are many who say, "I don’t believe in the devil.” They these, Christianity faith is all about psychology and the power of positive thinking only. The battle is in your own thoughts. But I say, the evil one is a real enemy and the devil’s greatest weapon is making people believe he doesn’t exist. (Then he can do what ever he wants to.) Some say that they are not afraid of the evil one. Such people don’t know themselves and they surely don’t know that consequences of falling into the evil one’s grip. The devil's temptation is like sugared poison. No one can run away from the devil's pursuit. We must acknowledge that we are completely helpless, and pray earnestly to our Father in heaven to protect us from the devil and keep us then near him. "Lord, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
Today Jesus teaches us that, as Jesus’ disciples, we must build up a secret prayer life, calling God, “Father”. We must hallow his holy name and promote the reverence and worship of God around us. When we do, God’s kingdom will come into our hearts, grow among us, on our campus’, across our nation and the world. A genuine motivation to glorify God in all that we do will grows in us. As we pray for God’s kingdom to come, he will provide for our physical and spiritual needs. We will be free from anxieties and insecurities. There will be an abundance of grace, love and forgiveness. There will be protection from sin and temptation when we dwell in the Kingdom of our heavenly Father. The Kingdom of God sounds pretty good. Let’s pray earnestly for its advancement.
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