Sermon Matthew 6:5-13 Thine is the Kingdom Introduction

It is impossible to understand what God is doing or to biblically respond to the trials and joys of life when eternity is not a part of the equation. We must keep in mind God’s eternal kingdom, power, and glory or else the rest of the prayer won’t make sense.

The center of me is always and eternally a terrible pain—a curious wild pain—a searching for something beyond what the world contains, something transfigured and infinite—the beatific vision—God—I do not find it, I do not think it is to be found—but the love of it is my life. - Bertrand Russell

C.S. Lewis names this longing  sehnsucht.  He calls it “the inconsolable longing in the heart for we know not what.” 

5“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites 5“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread,

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:5-13 ESV)

So the more you praise, the more vigor you will have for prayer; and the more you pray, the more matter you will have for praise. J.I. Packer

Kingdom and power GLORY His moral character is the essential glory of God. “Greater knowledge of God is useless if it is not for the greater worship of God.” Matt Papa

The test is to ask yourself how pleased, or how displeased, you become if God is praised while you are not, and equally if you are praised while God is not. The mature Christian is content not to have glory given to him, but it troubles him if men are not glorifying God. J.I. Packer

WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF OUR Kingdom, POWER AND GLORY?   The pursuit of our own glory. It is the default mode of the human heart to seek our own glory, and that is poison to a life of faith. John 5:44

Whether we eat or drink, we can do so to the glory of God God doesn’t come into our lives to be a helper or an accessory, or an addition to our portfolio. Whether we eat or drink, we can do so to the glory of God

Glorify God through thanksgiving The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies God (Ps 50:23). Thankfulness shows we appreciate God’s costly mercy in saving us.

Thankfulness shows we appreciate God’s abundant goodness and generosity. Thankfulness shows what a wonderful Master we serve.

THE KING, POWER, AND GLORY are someone you meet before they are something you pray.

Heidelberg #128 Q. WHAT DOES YOUR CONCLUSION TO THIS PRAYER MEAN? A. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever means, We have made all these requests of you because, as our all-powerful king, you not only want to, but are able to give us all that is good;

BEHOLD HIM TO BECOME LIKE HIM and because your holy name, and not we ourselves, should receive all the praise, forever. BEHOLD HIM TO BECOME LIKE HIM 2 Cor 3:18

The ABC’s of coming to faith – A - Admit that you’re weak and need grace and strength – That means there is GOOD NEWS FOR YOU   B- Believe that Jesus is the only savior who can heal your heart. C- confess to God that you want to trust Jesus as your savior and Lord.  

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth,  As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread 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,  The power, and the glory,  For ever and ever.  Amen.