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.
Matthew 5 through 7 is the Sermon on the Mount, as we have been hearing about lately. It is the KINGDOM.
The prayer listed in chapter 6 stresses 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!
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
V. 27 - We worry too much.
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.
God is going to take care of our clothing and food without us having to tell Him.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Jesus discusses people who will not enter.
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.
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?
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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