KINGDOM PRAYING

October 8, 2008
Mike Blume




  Scripture Text:

 
Matt 6:9-13  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

  Message:

 

Matthew 5 through 7 is the Sermon on the Mount, as we have been hearing about lately.  It is the KINGDOM.
  • And speaking this sermon from a mountain about the Kingdom is very significant, because mountains represent kingdoms throughout the word of God.
  • Moses gave ten commandments from Mount Sinai and Jesus gives 9 beattitudes from this unnamed mountain.

The prayer listed in chapter 6 stresses the kingdom.
  • It starts with the Kingdom coming and God's will being done, and it ends with saying the Kingdom is God's kingdom forever and ever.
  • And the words that end the sermon on the mount concern entering into the Kingdom.

I found one day while praying and having the Lord bring to my mind this prayer and the sermon on the mount, that after the prayer is written, if you keep reading through to almost the end of chapter 7, that Jesus actually speaks of each part of the prayer and explains what He spoke about and what He mean t in that prayer!
  • People have analyzed that prayer for centuries, but I have never heard nor read of anyone realizing that Jesus, Himself, explains that prayer after He gave it!

1. IN HEAVEN  "who art in heaven".  Matt 6:9a After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven


Matthew 5:3 KJV  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2 Chronicles 20:6 KJV  And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

The idea conveys the KINGDOM and power of God.

Matthew 6:19-23 gives commentary for this part.


Heaven is the abode of the Father

Matthew 6:19-24 KJV  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (21)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  (22)  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (24)  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The EYE is the MIND because verse 25 says to not take THOUGHT for clothing and food after saying your EYE must be single.

He speaks of the Father dwelling "in heaven" and then speaks of laying up treasures "in heaven".
  • The KINGDOM is called the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN in chapter 5 and 7.
  • So Jesus is speaking of the KINGDOM when He says HEAVEN.
  • And the KINGDOM and things of the Kingdom are where our hearts need to be.

Just as Israel was on their way to the Promised land, and Moses gave God's law from Mount Sinai for them to live by in the promised land, Jesus gave this sermon on the mount about God's Kingdom.
  • They were to live by these things in order to live in the Kingdom.
  • So their hearts had to be towards things in the Kingdom of Heaven.

We need to ensure our hearts are directed to getting into the Kingdom of Heaven and living the way God desires us to live.

You are praying to your Father who is in Heaven, and Jesus wants us to get our hearts focused on the kingdom of Heaven when we pray.
  • Do not split your eye, or your heart and mind between heaven and earth - desiring things in earth instead of Heaven.
  • Before you pray, if you really want prayers answered, you need to really desire the things of Heaven IN YOUR HEART.
  • Notice he speaks about getting your desires properly focused upon things in the kingdom of Heaven before he tells us how to pray!
  • And all the things he tells us to pray for are THINGS of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN !


2. OUR FATHER
 
Matthew 6:25-32 KJV   (25)  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  (26)  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  (27)  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?  (28)  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  (29)  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  (30)  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  (31)  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Jesus deals with FAITH when we pray now.
  • First to get your prayers answered, you have to truly desire those requests with all your heart.
  • And he tells us to seek KINGDOM OF HEAVEN requests and how we are praying to our Father.
  • He loves us tremendously.
  • Before he tells you to seek these things in prayer, he gets us to focus on the things in heaven and want them with all our hearts and then he shows how to have faith when you pray for these things.
  • We need to realize our Father is the greatest supplier of our needs we could have.
  • HE ALREADY GAVE US LIFE AND A BODY without us even asking.
  • So why worry about the things life needs to continue and the body needs to be clothed?

V. 26 - Not only that but God feeds and clothes lesser loved creatures in the animal world, and he is not really their Father like He is our's.
  • Would our earthly fathers feed and take care of birds and leave us lacking?

V. 27 - We worry too much.
  • Worrying cannot make you grow an inch any more than provide your needs.

V, 28 goes into clothing after talking about food.

Jesus explains here that when you begin to pray, understand that your FATHER knows that you have need.
  • Jesus encourages us that God loves us so much, because He is our Father, that we ought to pray in faith, believing that He will give us what we need.
  • In fact, Jesus said in verses 25 and 28, why do we take thought for raiment and food? - we need to seek spiritual things of the kingdom of Heaven.
  • The things of the Kingdom are spiritual and not things like food and clothing.

God is going to take care of our clothing and food without us having to tell Him.
  • How many of you, when you were kids, said, “Dad, I think you ought to buy me some new pants.  These ones have about 15 patches on them now.”
  • Your parents knew you had need of those things.
  • How many of you had to tell your parents, “Dad, I know you enjoy a good steak, but we’ve been standing here for seven days without a bite to eat and would like you to buy us some food, too”?
  • So Jesus is saying have some faith that He is our Father who will take care of the carnal things we need, and PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL NEEDS.

But more importantly, He is teaching us to have faith!

3. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

Commentary: Read Verses 33-34.
  • Just like the first request in the prayer is this one, about the kingdom and righteousness, look what Jesus said after his words about not what to pray for...

Matthew 6:33-34 KJV  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  (34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

This is the first request we pray for.
  • Instead of food and clothes, necessities of the flesh, there are necessities that are above all that.
  • So, Jesus said SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD and his righteousness.
  • This ties in with the former thought.
  • These other things will automatically be added to you.

What is the Kingdom of God?

Romans 14:17 KJV  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Righteousness, joy and peace amongst one another in the Holy Ghost.
  • SPIRITUAL NEEDS.
  • KINGDOM issues.
  • And if you study Romans 14 it is speaking about getting alone with each other.
  • You might be right in eating meat offered to idols, since idols are nothing and it is only meat, but not offending your brother is more important.

While Matt 6 says do not concern your prayers over clothing and food but seek the kingdom and righteousness, Roman 14 says do not seek to be technically right meats and drinks, but get concerned over the BIGGER THINGS like ensuring you treat people righteously and have peace amongst each other and cause joy in people's lives instead of offending them all the time.

1 Corinthians 8:1 KJV  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

You might be right in what you know, but when you offend people because they do not understand what you do, you can send someone to hell because of what you know.

1 Corinthians 8:4 KJV  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

1 Corinthians 8:7 KJV  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

1 Corinthians 8:11 KJV  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?


JESUS GETS INTO RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE AS WELL.

Matthew 7:1-6 KJV  Judge not, that ye be not judged.  (2)  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  (3)  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  (4)  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  (5)  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.  (6)  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Whenever the will of God is referred to without explaining exactly what that will is, generally speaking, it is the following:
  • Matthew 22:37-40
  • Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself.
  • So next you must begin to pray that God’s will be done in you, (Adam was made of earth), in earth.
  • And that is the reason Jesus speaks of judging not and not giving holy things to dogs, or people who will only mock you.
  • If you love God then you will love people.
  • If you cannot hate people, you cannot say you love God.
  • 1John 4:7-8.

1 John 4:7-8 KJV  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  (8)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:20 KJV  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1 Thessalonians 4:1-9 KJV  (1)  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  (2)  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.  (3)  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:  (4)  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;  (5)  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:  (6)  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  (7)  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  (8)  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.  (9)  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

A STRANGE VERSE sticks out as though it does not fit:

Matthew 7:6 KJV  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

What Jesus is saying is that we need to treat each other right, because WE ARE NOT FIT for the precious holy things of God if we are treating people wickedly.
  • We're like swine who return again and again to self-gratification and filthy things.
  • The precious things of the Kingdom are too good for people who abuse others.


5. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
 
The very next thing in the prayer is asking for daily bread.

Jesus explains what this means in Matthew 7:7-11

The very next thing Jesus says is concerning asking for bread.

Matthew 7:7-11 KJV  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  (8)  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  (9)  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  (10)  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  (11)  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Notice that Jesus distinctly mentions that when we ask we shall receive.
  • He increases our faith at this point, to again receive what we pray for.
  • He previously said that we do not have to pray for clothes and food, but here He says there is something we must pray for.
  • It is not speaking about natural food, since He just finished saying we do not take thought for that.
  • Mark 11:24.

Mark 11:24 KJV  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

He really wants you to have these things of the Kingdom.
  • He encourages our faith so that we know when we ask for these things we will receive them.
  • If you pray you will receive.
Since we are praying to OUR FATHER, Jesus said that which one of those fathers would give a stone to his son who asked FOR BREAD?
  • This shows that if we -- people like us - human fathers - would give bread, then how much more will our Father give us bread?
  • Compared to God, our love for our children is a shadow.
  • ASK FOR THINGS BELIEVING THAT YOU WILL GET THEM.

WORD OF GOD.

Matthew 4:4 KJV  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.


6. FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS

Jesus explained this in Matthew 7:12.

Matthew 7:12 KJV  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

The prayer tells us that we can only pray to be forgiven if we will forgive others.
  • And this is exactly what Jesus says here.
  • Whatever you want men to do to you, whatever you want GOD to do to you, then you do to men.
  • THE GOLDEN RULE.
  • If you want God to forgive you, then you must forgive people.
  • If you want to be treated mercifully by God, then you better treat people mercifully.
  • If you’re mistaken and want people to understand you did not mean to do a wrong, then you better have understanding and realize that perhaps people did not mean to do you wrong when they did you wrong.
  • This is the only part of the Lord’s prayer mentioned THREE TIMES.
  • 6:12; 6:14-15; 7:12.

Matthew 6:12 KJV  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:14-15 KJV  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  (15)  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 7:12 KJV  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.


THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!

7. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

  • Jesus explained this in 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13-14 KJV  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

  • "Leading" speaks of walking after.
  • So Jesus speaks of the narrow road and the broad road in his explanation.
  • Pray that God keep you on the narrow road and not be tempted to go the broad road.
  • Pray you live right and that God strongly urge you to repent when you do wrong.
  • Ask God to let you know beyond the shadow of doubt that you are in error if you are.
  • GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYER!

Many people have fallen into false doctrine.
  • Pray that God not allow that to happen to you!
  • Pray for God to correct you any time you are wrong, because you will think you're right and only God can let you know differently.


8. BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

  • Jesus explained this in 7:15-19.

After Jesus speaks of entering the way of life to explain what he meant by lead us not into temptation, the prayers says to deliver us from evil, and so Jesus mentions evil.

Matthew 7:15-19 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

  • Verse 17 mentions good fruit and evil fruit.
  • Evil fruit is false teachings of false prophets.
  • Deliver us from evil is speaking about Praying that God let you recognize false doctrine when it comes your way and let you know what EVIL FRUIT is so you are not fooled by it, but delivered from it.
  • So many have been led astray by deception in false prophets.
  • Eve was deceived and ate EVIL FRUIT.
  • Pray that God teach you to discern error.

9. FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM...

  • Jesus explained this in 7:21-29

Matthew 7:21-29 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  (25)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  (26)  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:  (27)  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.  (28)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  (29)  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

  • It began with praying for the Kingdom to come, and it ends with proclaiming that the Kingdom is God’s kingdom, AND NOT OUR’S.
  • We prayed in this manner, as Jesus taught, because the Kingdom is His, and if we are involved in His kingdom, then we should think to do things HIS WAY.
  • Jesus ends His commentary by discussing HIS  Kingdom and obeying HIS WORDS.

Why say FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM at the end of our prayers?
  • We pray like HIS WAY because we want to enter His eternal Kingdom

2 Peter 1:4-17 KJV  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  (5)  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  (6)  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  (7)  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  (8)  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (9)  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.  (10)  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:  (11)  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  (12)  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  (13)  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;  (14)  Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.  (15)  Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.  (16)  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  (17)  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

2 Peter 1:10-11 KJV  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:  (11)  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The very two things Jesus mentioned at the end of his explanations of the elements of His prayer, (entering the Kingdom -- being a house on the rock that does not fall) - are mentioned in Peter in dealing with ATTITUDE and the way we are with people.

CALLING AND ELECTION is what the HOUSE represents.
  • Make it sure.

Jesus discusses people who will not enter.
  • He speaks of those who did many wonderful works in His name and does not deny they were genuine miracles.
  • Many think these were false miracles.
  • Jesus did not say that.
  • He simply said He never knew these people.
  • He called them workers of iniquity.
  • They treated people awfully.
  • They judged each other and picked motes out of people's eyes when they had beams in their own.
  • They were like swine to whom the precious pearls of God's Kingdom would never be given.

That is why Jesus then says that the one who hears THESE SAYINGS of His and DOES THEM, is like a wise man building a house on a rock.
  • WHAT SAYINGS??
  • The very explanation of what He said as to how to pray.
  • Having the beattitudes.
  • Mat 5 not hating someone without a cause
  • Lusting after women in your heart.
  • Putting away wife but not for cause of fornication.
  • Swearing instead of letting yea be yea.
  • Turning other cheek
  • Love enemies

Pray the way Jesus prescribes, then you cover all the bases.
  • You prayed (1) with Heaven as your priority, (2) In Faith to God as your Father who WILL give you your necessities, (3) Seeking spiritual things of God above all other things, (4) Seeking to love God and your neighbour as yourself, (5) Having faith in what you ask for, (6) Forgiving others so you can be forgiven, (7) Staying on the narrow road, (8) Recognizing false doctrine so as not to be deceived.
 
YOU CANNOT FALL IF YOU PRAY FOR THESE THINGS.
  • You are like a man building your house on a rock that stands against storms.
  • You are not like those who think they are saved just because they pray for healings but never think to have a relationship with God and do things His way.

Jesus said that people who do not these sayings of His may indeed perform miracles, but THEY ARE WORKERS OF INIQUITY.
They see healing and then go out and lust and lie and hate enemies, and render evil for evil.

THEY WILL FALL!

As the prayer started with THY KINGDOM COME THY WILL BE DONE, Jesus says not just saying LORD LORD gets you into the kingdom.
  • DOING THE WILL OF MY FATHER.

Matthew 7:21 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

ACTING RIGHTEOUS.

Before chapter 6 and the prayer, we read of the KINGDOM associated with RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Matthew 5:19-20 KJV  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  (20)  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

How can we have more righteousness than Pharisees?
  • SEEK GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Romans 5:19 KJV  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Philippians 3:9 KJV  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

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