Having a Chat with Your Father Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer, Ph.D. Family Worship Center

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published a clinical report sharing… “The evidence suggests that the way fathers speak and interact with their children can result in improved health outcomes for the children.” I add to it saying the way you speak and interact with your heavenly Father can result in improved health in every area of your life. Medscape Medical News “Fathers Have an Impressive Effect on Children's Health” Lara C. Pullen, PhD June 16, 2016

Matthew 6: “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 6: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Matthew 6: “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 “In this manner, therefore, pray:

Matthew 6:6-15 Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6: Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts As we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6: And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Part One: Relating to God as Father

God as “Father” In the 4000 year span of the Old Testament, only 7 times is God called “Father”. In the 4000 year span of the Old Testament, only 7 times is God called “Father”. Jesus introduces God as “Father” in using the expression more than 150 times. Jesus introduces God as “Father” in using the expression more than 150 times. He calls us to “pray” or as I am phrasing today “chat” with Father. He calls us to “pray” or as I am phrasing today “chat” with Father.

Relating to God as “Father” Jesus is destroying the sterotypes and negative concepts of “Father”. Jesus is destroying the sterotypes and negative concepts of “Father”. Some struggle with baggage from an absentee, distant or abusive earthly father that distorts their concept of God. Some struggle with baggage from an absentee, distant or abusive earthly father that distorts their concept of God. Jesus is calling you to drop your baggage and get to know your Heavenly Father. Jesus is calling you to drop your baggage and get to know your Heavenly Father.

When God Steps in as Father Psalm 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.

When God Steps in as Father 2 Corinthians 6:18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

When God Steps in as Father Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.

When God Steps in as Father God has and is still fulfilling the role of Father. Bring your baggage or come empty handed. Father is ready to adopt you.

Part Two: The Difference Matthew 6:6-15 vs. Luke 11:1-7

Matthew 6:6-15 vs. Luke 11:1-7 The mistake of assuming these are the same accounts. The mistake of assuming these are the same accounts. They are similar because Jesus would have often taught on prayer. They are similar because Jesus would have often taught on prayer. In Matthew we are near Capernaum during the early days of ministry. In Matthew we are near Capernaum during the early days of ministry. Luke records in Jerusalem about 6 months before the crucifixion. Luke records in Jerusalem about 6 months before the crucifixion.

The accounts appropriately differ in their content, which reinforces that Jesus did not share these verses in order for us to vainly repeat them.

Part Three: The Message

Vs 9 we start out very personally by talking to “Our Father in Heaven Hallowed be your name.” Relate to Him as the “Good” Father, the Holy one, the perfect Father.

10 “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We are called to pray for His will to be done in our lives here on earth just as it would be if we were already in heaven. Pray… I want Your good plans in my life right here and now.

11 “Give us this day our daily bread,” We are encouraged to share our needs. We are encouraged to share our needs. In Luke, Jesus later said “day by day.” In Luke, Jesus later said “day by day.” Chat with Father about the daily. and real needs in your life, every day.

12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Making sure our relationships are blessed and not broken or in bondage. Making sure our relationships are blessed and not broken or in bondage. In Luke, Jesus uses the general Greek word for “sin”  (hamartias) meaning “missing the mark.” In Luke, Jesus uses the general Greek word for “sin”  (hamartias) meaning “missing the mark.” Matthew records the Greek word  (opheilemata), which metaphorically pictures sin as a debt. Matthew records the Greek word  (opheilemata), which metaphorically pictures sin as a debt.

Jesus’ teaching here was very contrary to the famous prayer of Apollonius of Tyana, which said, “O ye gods, give me the things which are owing to me.”

Let go of entitlement and arrogance, embracing a right heart and forgiveness.

13 “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” God will not lead you into temptation if you don’t pray. God will not lead you into temptation if you don’t pray. Rather, the force in the Greek is seeking God to lead us so that we will not enter temptation. Rather, the force in the Greek is seeking God to lead us so that we will not enter temptation. God does not tempt (James 1:13.) God does not tempt (James 1:13.) Admit your need & invite Father to guide you. Admit your need & invite Father to guide you. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

The call to chat with Father daily is a discipline we desperately need