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July 11, 2016 6:17 pm
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Let's grab our Bibles and turn to Matthew chapter 6, wherein a new series on the Lord's prayer now or in part two, the title of my messages how to and how not to pray.
I was gone my message on not to break but I thought no one would ever listen to a message like that; how to and how not to pray.
In a world looking for certain things in life. So like when I go to the market with my wife. My wife looks for certain things in the market and I look for other things.
My wife looks for practical things like eggs and milk in butter and seasonings in the Staples and I look for what things that are important to me like chips maybe pretzels and fruit men. I love summer fruit DO many of you love summer fruit. It's the best fruit. I mean, we've got peaches, we've got nectarines, we've got great. We've got cherries and watermelon.
I love all the fruit of summer so you know will meet at the check stand sometimes are texting back and forth in, and then we get there and my wife will tell me you don't need any of these things right now so brilliant will of the things are important was things that were looking for will listen to this God is looking for some things to what is God looking for will number one God is seeking lost people in dilute 19 Jesus said the Son of Man is come to seek and save that which was lost and Jesus told the story of a shepherd. What up hundred sheep in one of the sheep. One is great and he searched until he found it means you have the market have ever been shopping and lost sight of one of your children. That's a terrifying thought that you say. Well I got three other goods and got out to forget immuno some kids, maybe not. I really never know you search you search frantically obsessively until you find the child. That's how God feels he loves all people. He wants all people to believe in him he's seeking people to believe and we share our faith will reflect in the heart of God.
Number two God is seeking true worshipers. Jesus said in John four God is a spirit and those that worship him must do so in spirit and truth is in this. The father is seeking such to worship him. So as we were just thinking God is looking for someone whose heart is turned toward him. Someone who really understands what worship is per set this all and God is looking for us to be a true worshiper not only of what we thing, but in how we live.
Number three God is seeking spiritual fruit in Luke 13 seven we read of a farmer looking for fruit on a street and Jesus is looking for spiritual fruit or another way to put it results in our life tangible results that would show that were really growing in our faith is one of his followers. Number four.
God is looking for someone to stand in the gap is me in Ezekiel 2230 God says I look for someone among them who would make up a wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land that I should not destroy it that I found no one. God is looking for people that care enough to pray people that would pray for, will our nation that God would send an awakening to America people that would pray for others. He's looking for people who will stand in the gap.
And lastly, God is looking for intercessors in Isaiah 5916 we read, he saw there was no man and wondered why there were no intercessors. God is looking for people to pray and it's interesting nor that is you there in Isaiah 59 for he wondered, could be translated astonished. In other words, God is astonished that people are not praying, why would we not take advantage of this incredible privilege we call prayer. Why would we neglected knowledge to save this a Cuban illustration that praying was hard.
Let's say that every time you uttered a prayer.
It was like having a root canal. While you could see how that would cut you do not want to pray is often but personal awesome. You would still pray you would just say well it's gonna hurt but it's worth it but prayer is not like a root canal. Prayer is not painful but yet many of us do not pray. Why is it we don't pray, let me offer some possibilities or what I should really say excuses number one, we don't pray more, because we say well I don't have the time right well I'm so busy I just don't have the time to use my question to you how much time you spent on social media latest research says people in the United States check their Facebook twitter and other social media accounts 17 times per day. Basically once every waking hour teenagers spend nine hours every day consuming media and it's so true. I mean if you see someone driving a radically they're not drunk there texting while they're looking at their Facebook page of their Instagram page and we will just walk around staring at their phones.
I'm amazed when I'm sitting at an intersection and I see someone crossing like five lanes and maybe insert turn. But there's like this whole time just give up the book. I'm thinking, what if someone ran the red light you get hit. People are crazy about the social media you stand in line to get a couple copy everyone just staring at the phone the old days the old days we used to talk to each other high house gone now were just like this the whole time.
You know, so don't tell me you don't have time to pray hey listen, what if you prayed as often as you check your Instagram your Facebook page, like 17 times a day so import it this way, quote one of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove that the last day that prayerless. This was not from a lack of time so don't tell me you don't have time to pray. You do have time to pray. Number two, we don't pray more, because what we don't think prayer is all that important. Now we probably would never admit that, but it's a true, but if that is true if prayer is not important and why would Jesus Christ have spent so much time in prayer effectiveness is fertilized because the disciples to come to him and say Lord, would you teach us how to pray no lives a lot easier when you're pray about things because not only are you asking God to help you, but you're asking God for wisdom. The Bible says if any man like wisdom, let him ask of God, who will give it generously and not hold it back. Listen, I need wisdom, don't you, there's a story in the Old Testament of the book of the story. Jericho falling.
Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land. In this massive city of Jericho. I stood before them in God's battle plan was amazing. He's okay just march around a march around the ball your trumpets and then on the last day give a shout on the walls will fall.
There were no swords. There were no spirits or were those shields.
The weapons used and they did what God said in the walls of Jericho fell within. After that there was a much, much smaller city called AI Joshua within pray about that one.
All this is a PCK. Let's go take it and they were soundly defeated if they would've prayed about it, they would've seen it differently, so prayer really does matter number three we think prayer sometimes doesn't really work the I don't know for really works will say well maybe that's because were not praying God's way.
That's over looking at the Lord's prayer. It shows us how to pray how to bring your needs are for God and you have beads I have need. We have problems we have questions. This is why we need to pray because prayer, among other things, is God's appointed way for us to obtain thing. There are things you need in life and God will provide them for you through prayer teams for two says you have not because you us not maybe wonder why no one wander through life never knowing the will of God question. Have you prayed about it, you have not because you ask not say why is it that I have this illness and I gone the doctors and no one's been able to help me.
Hey have you prayed about it, maybe you have not because you ask not wide-awake of this financial problem, and I can't seem to get on top of it. I've tried everything. Have you actually prayed about it, you have not because you ask.I think you know me well enough to realize that I'm nuts and God will always heal your God will always give you all the money you think you need, but I am saying that there's a place for asking the Lord to provide for our needs and so pray about it.
So let's talk about how to pray.
But before then let's talk about how not to pray.
That's what Jesus addresses in the verses that precede what we call the Lord's prayer. Look at Matthew six. Starting in verse five and our Lord says this when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you pray going to your room when you will shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place in your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly when you pray, don't use vain repetitions, as the heathen do were the nonbelievers, for they think will be heard for their many words. Therefore, don't be like them, for your Father knows the things you amenable for you. Ask him stop there noticed Jesus did not say if you pray, or if you have time in your busy schedule and pray.
No, he says when you pray he's assuming we understand the importance of prayer.
But here's insight that might surprise us that sin knows no boundaries. You know, I think I get it that the I can send when I go to this place or hang out with these people but whatever think that one could sin when they're coming into God's presence to pray.
But Jesus is showing you can still be guilty of hypocrisy and self centeredness. See the primary problem of the Pharisees and used with the religious elite, the leaders of the day is them. Prayer was theater. It was a performance.
You know they would stand on the street corner. Sometimes someone would sound the trumpet benefited and they would prayer their great, beautiful, eloquent prayers and Jesus said you know what God doesn't care about stuff like that you're putting on a show you're praying to be seen by men. You're so worried about impressing people. God is not impressed heard about a young lawyer that was opening up his brand-new office and his desk.
It just arrived in his cherry come as well so he sitting in his chair behind his executive desk and waiting for his first client to come in and amend comes up the stairs, a lawyer's easement picks up the phone and in talks to his imaginary secretary eyes, a judge says I'm so busy right now telling the call back later have so many clients I just don't have time and he hangs up the phone for this would impress this guy and then another guy walks up in the executive says of the lawyers is okay. How can I help you in the Mensa run from the phone company and your to hook up your phone not so impressed. That's how it is for us and were trying to impress God with the things that we say and do think it was a problem with the Pharisees.
They had ritualized memorized prayers that they would pray over and over. I'm not a big fan of memorized prayers and sometimes parents will say to their children okay rumor say your prayers before you go to bed. No better yet teach them how to pray. I was with my grandchildren the other day and we were getting ready to eat. We decided every kid should price is beautiful.
You know, for every one of them have their own way to approach the Lord and of the older ones are little more perceptive and little Christopher is just a little guy. He actually said I don't know how to pray is so cute get out so were started teaching them how to pray these figuring it out and were like that. You know I don't really know how to pray, but you know some of the prayers we teach our kids. I mean really think about this prayer that has been prayed by children for so many years.
Is this a good prayer to pray now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep if I should die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take really.
So basically you're saying your child. You know you might die the night in bed and if you should die before you wake. Just pray God take care, Saul go to sleep.
Sleep time.
Don't let the bedbugs bite all that's great for traumatizing our children who write some of these things for kids rock-a-bye baby in the treetops when the wind blows the cradle will rock what you put a cradle about baby on the top of the trees US psycho when the bow breaks the cradle will fall down will come baby cradle and all all your brilliant you put your baby in a cradle in the top of the trees and he's fallen to the ground. All here's another one.
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling. So basically Jack is at a serious head injury that's on enough about this one. Sing a song of sixpence a pocket full of wry four and 20 blackbirds baked in the park who wants a pipe filled with perks. Were they alive when you put them in the oven or were they dead either way.
I don't want to pipe full of perching up with these crazy ritualized repeated prayers.
Listen, God doesn't hear prayers like that it's possible to pray with no thought of God whatsoever.
Jesus told the story of two men that went up into the temple to pray, one was a Pharisee and he actually pray this prayer. It's unbelievable.
He's a God. I thank you. I'm not like other men. He said I don't commit adultery.
I don't cheat I don't sin and I'm not nearly as bad as that tax collector over there for tax collector.
Jesus said you want to know who got hurt. You heard that other guy who simply said God be merciful to me a sinner.
Listen, you can pray without thinking of God, and you can worship without thinking of God. We've all done it. You know you've your hands lifted your worshiping and your thinking.
Why would she wear that the church Lord I just present wind. Would she wear that and you're just Lord your subcode and go to in and out Burger after this I'm in a get a burger animal style with chopped jalapenos CVs are probably my thoughts more than yours, but other way since I on that subject when you go to in and out try the burger animal style with chopped jalapenos.
You're thinking for this. And sadly, this is all you remember from the sermon as well. Sometimes people use prayer as an opportunity to both seen it you know you have a little group of people praying in the pray Lord I thank you for all they've been able to do for you as I was reading your word for two hours this morning on my knees I just rejoice in the eight people I lead to you and your stoppage are just bragging in prayer. Sometimes people use prayer as an opportunity to gossip Lord, we pray for Jim, who is having an affair and his wife. Oh Lord, I just realized his wife's ear and the little prayer circle. Oh Lord, comfort her, gossiping in prayer. Sometimes we pray to impress divert addressing nor brushing a braid or breast think the great and wonderful God for that.
I was blessed as we were you doing that you trying to presently.
What about people like pray you know when you're out in public and summonses goes. Pray for the food and in the infinitely good show to perform. They pray really loud and in law how long.
Stop with the long prayers. When the food is, okay you know what, let's pray for everybody everywhere alleges Lord, thank you for the food.
Let's eat our food. But you know prayer to be a strange thing for a lot of people. But here's something you need to understand why do we pray will. Jesus says in verse eight. Your father knows what you need before you ask all of that's the case, and why pray I have I can change my why pray I've heard people say here. I've been wrestling with God in prayer and I hope you lost. I'd hate to see what would happen if God did what you want him to do. So here's the thing we need to know about prayer. God knows what you need before you pray.
So the objective prayer is not to change God.
It's to change you, and repeat that the object of her prayer is not to change God. It's a change you you're not telling God something he's not aware of prayer is not to inform God. Rather, it's to invite God.
I'm inviting them in the my life.
I'm inviting them in the my challenges I'm inviting them into the things that I am dealing with. Think of prayer as a conversation between a father and a child. The value of prayer is it keeps me in touch with God. Prayer is getting closer to God. That's why you should pray for coming back to the Lord's prayer. He says in verse nine.
Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread.
Now we know that this prayer can be divided into two sections. I pointed out the first three statements your kingdom come, your will be done deal with the glory of God. The final statements deal with the need of man and that's, or focusing on now our needs. We've already discovered that we should pray our father who art in heaven. Jesus did not teach us to pray our deity, who art in heaven, or our God, who art in heaven, or a creator, who art in heaven, though he is all those things. He's your father. It speaks of intimacy.
It speaks of closeness now.
Don't base your view of God on your earthly father. You may have had an awesome debtor still have one or may have had the worst dad ever that your heavenly father is different in every way as Jesus pointed out the story of the prodigal son knees, a father who Mrs. Nussbaumer gone a father who longs for communication with us a father who will throw his arms around us and kiss us even when we've gone astray. Our father who art in heaven hollow would be your name. What is that even mean that means honored beer name set apart is your name. It's acknowledging the greatness of God to pray hollow would be your name is to say, Lord, I want to send you a part of my life in character. I want to live a life that honors you. So periodically I need to ask myself as I look at my interests my ambitions my pursuits. Is this for the glory of God. Can I write how would be your name over this over your career. Whatever it is you do can you write how it would be his name over it. Or maybe the friends you hang out with Jenny right hollow would be his name over your close circle of friends about the TV programs you watch of the movies you see or the music you listen to Jenny right hollow would be his name over and listen if you can ask the Lord to blessed the don't do it you should be able to ask the blessing of God what you're about to do. So you're getting up today to go to church. Could you ask the Lord to bless you as you went to church. Sure Lord bless us as we go to church and now afterwards if you got any can US the Lord to bless the food that you're about to have. Sure you can do that to. And then when you go to work on the next day Jenny was the Lord to bless you as you go to work absolutely okay about this. Lord bless me as I go out tonight and party and get drunk and have sex with my girlfriend and he was not about Greg. You shouldn't even say that I'm asking you questions can US talk about some of course I would even say it, the more you doing it are you doing Lord bless me know as I rip this guy off and lighting him and tell them this completely worthless object. Just bless Lord know know you you can. You would never pray something like that.
If you can ask God to blessed don't do it if you can see how it would be your name over it, then don't engage in it so he says we should pray your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This reminds us that the primary objective of prayer is the first line of my will with the will of God to pray and is not overcoming God's reluctance is taking hold of his willingness listen. Prayer is not about getting my will in heaven.
It's about getting God's will on earth. If you want to see your prayers answered in the affirmative. That's a secret. That's the key.
Find out with the will of God is and start praying that way you say how do you know the will of God right here in this book. It's right here in the Scripture, the more you read it, the more you understand it, the more you'll discover what God's will is for you. Listen to this amazing promise of Jesus in John 15.
He says if you abide in me and my words abide in you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you a better translation would put it this way, Jesus speaking.
If you maintain a living communion with me. My words are at home with you. You can ask at once for yourself. Whatever your heart desires and it's yours.
Whatever my heart desires something one of those genie jokes right all master I'll give you whatever you want.
Yeah, that's what I want God to do what I want this and I want that hold on now go back to the conditions Jesus is that you maintain the living communion with me and my word is at home in you see that's going to pray, you think change the way that you pray to God wants us to discover his will.
Sort of like I'm in a boat.
I want to get to the document though my little boat cook toward the document pulling the dog toward me or my pulling myself toward the dock when pulling myself toward the dock in the same way for my pulling God my way here God do what I want you to do knowing pulling myself God's way.
So, we should pray by kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. What is it mean when we pray your kingdom come. Little multilevel request with different shades of meaning, first and foremost, what I pray for the kingdom of God. I'm simply praying. I want the rule and reign of Jesus Christ of my life.
What is the kingdom of God. It's it's a relationship with God. When Jesus walked this earth. On one occasion, he said the kingdom of God is in the midst of you in the speaking of himself. He was there. And this is also translated the kingdom of God is within you and some of falsely understood it to say we all of God's kingdom living in us and we have the Christ consciousness inside and kingdom of God is with you know let's go get loaded. No, that's not what it means he was saying I'm here and wherever I am. That's for the kingdom is so the kingdom of God is here, so I'm say Lord I want this relationship with you. I want your kingdom.
But Jesus also says my kingdom is not of this world. Sometimes we confuse man's kingdom with God's kingdom. I don't know if you noticed but were about to elect a new president.
Were you aware of that and he talked about being on the news. It is my firm conviction that every Christian should register and vote absolutely get out there and let your voice be heard is a will you know I'm not into the things of this world look this is not God's kingdom on earth, but we have a great privilege.
We founded this country so we would have the freedom to be represented of freedom to speak out for what we believe many countries do not have that freedom that we have in the United States. We wanted to be free from the tyranny of England and the king telling us what we could or could not do or how we can worship so get out and register and vote say well while good, why vote for. Look, it's not rocket science.
Okay, vote for the person that is as close to a biblical worldview. As you can find will overload problems with both okay listen here's something to think about our Supreme Court right now is starting to tilt the wrong direction.
They make decisions that affect us as a nation and so new Supreme Court justices are going to be put into place by the next president of the United States. I'm looking for a presidential candidate that stands for the life of the unborn. I'm looking for a candidate that believes in the family of a man and a woman. So get out there and register and vote, but having said that, let me also say this even if your candidate does not win the kingdom of God marches on, no matter what his kingdom is more powerful than the Democratic kingdom. It's more powerful than the Republican kingdom is more powerful than any kingdom, and then begin he will reign. He rules over all your kingdom come.
That's where, pray we were praying for revival were praying Lord.
We need your kingdom again. So really, here's an interesting thing when I pray, thy kingdom come, thy will be done. I'm really praying for the immediate return of Jesus Christ. Because the word that Jesus uses it for kingdom is not from Merck are primarily referred to a geographical territory but rather to sovereignty and dominion. Therefore, when I pray your kingdom come. I pray for God's will on earth that is coming. Revelation 1115 says the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, there were loud voices in heaven, which said the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of the Messiah and he will reign forever and ever.
That is going to come God's funeral. Everything.
But until that there was a Lord come soon come quickly. The word that is user for come speaks of the sudden, instantaneous coming Lord I'm not just praying you come back bring to come back soon. Is that your prayer.
How many of you want Jesus to come back soon razor.
The idea do by the way, if you didn't raise your hand, maybe that's an indication of where you're at spiritually because I think when you're truly walking with the Lord you long for his return. But if you're not as strong in your faith that you want to be. You may be a bit concerned about this.
That's why second Peter 314 says dear friends, while you're waiting for these things to happen make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. So were praying for the Lord to return number two. This is a personal request by kingdom come in praying for the kingdom of God and the rule of Christ in my own life and I think I'm seeing Jesus I give you the master key to every door in my life, or maybe a more current illustration would be.
I'm giving you my password all I hate passwords there so many we have to remember that any and all the time I'm clicking. Forget your password right under the word moron. Yeah, that's me because you know you have to have so many numbers in them and in uppercase and lowercase and and so I can remember what that password isn't, but here's something you know my wife as my parents worked everything.
If she can remember, but she can access my emails. She can look at anything that I write that mentor.
My grandchildren have my password because those a public can we download a game on iTunes now say okay so have all these games on my phone.
My wife wisely took all the games off of her phone. So when they want to play with her own.
It's my phone.
So now get updates in the middle of the night pet hotel has a new update had a hotel, you will be able to in the morning to tell me this, but here's my point word say Lord you can have my password not by the way God already knows your password even if you have a secure server somewhere. You think you know God can get to any firewall anywhere he doesn't even have to hack it.
He just looks at it and but the point is you give it to him, Lord, I want you to rule over this. I want general over my social media. I want you to rule over my friendships. I want you to rule over my marriage.
I want you to rule over my career, I want you to rule over my thought life.
I want you to rule over everything. Your kingdom come, your will be done this and you can pray, thy kingdom come to you first pray my kingdom go. So Lord I pray for your kingdom to come. Also, this is a request for the salvation of those that don't will the Lord you know is his kingdom is rolling and raining on our lives we can play a part of bringing it to others as well. God's kingdom is brought to this earth. Every time a new person is introduced to Jesus's cousin kingdom of God just started in their life as well. So really when I pray, thy kingdom come. It's an evangelistic prayer. I'm free for the rule and reign of Christ in the life of others.
God wants everyone to believe in Jesus. The Bible says God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance is a will.
Greg does not mean that in the end everyone will believe in everyone will go to heaven.
Sadly, no sadly no.
Because Jesus said brought as a way that leads to destruction, and many there are that go that way, but narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there are that find it.
So what I'm praying thy kingdom come.
I'm praying for my nonbelieving friend or relative. And I'm saying, Lord, open their hearts open their spiritual eyes and show them their need for Jesus.
Listen, they can escape your presence but they can never escape your prayers.
By the way, there comes a point when you need to stop preaching and start praying. You know, when you share the gospel with someone over and over and over again come a point where your sermonizing can start driving them away. I was in a restaurant a while back and I wanted order hamburger but I got some lame sandwich instead and I wanted to get a napkin and I noticed some guy ordered the burger and it looked amazing. I said Sir tell me is that burger good. He said this burgers fantastic. I said, in order that burger next time I come as when she was staring at me really strangely that she says she is me yes are you, Greg Laurie, the pastor yeah all I am a Christian I said will that's fantastic.
She says my husband.
He's not a Christian I was talking to him about Jesus for years. Just send it with his hamburger dear they have lab set up for God wondering is not a Christian. She said say something to my husband. I looked at this poor guy and I said, enjoy your burger. Greg you didn't preach a sermon in and of the harvest to say pulpit want to know. You know the poor guys heard enough sermons comes up when women we need to just shut up and stop preaching and start praying for the person that God will help them to see it.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven were told in Scripture to pray for nonbelievers.
Remember, it says over in Isaiah 5312 that Jesus interceded for the transgressors interceded for them. When did he do that. Remember his first word from the cross. He said father forgive them for they know not what they do and that the crucified next to them. Believe. So we should pray for folks to come to the Lord that they would come to their senses shifting gears now there's a personal petition verse three. Give us this day our daily bread. It's an amazing thing.
But God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth cares about you and he cares about me Job rights in Job 717. Why do you make so much of man and give them so much attention, why would God care about me nobody does. He loves me he loves you and so when you come to him with the need. He's interested even earthly parents do that.
Jesus said you parents of your childhood us for a loaf of bread. It'll give them a stone instead of the us for a piece of fish. It'll give them a snake if you sinful parents know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
This is showing that God wants to give you this day. Your daily bread they'll only talk about bread in the first century.
It was a staple of the diet of an average person then read with all of their meals, they would have read morning noon and night and the remember many occasions were Jesus broke bread with people. Jesus would multiply the bread.
The loaves and the fishes and then Jesus broke bread in the upper room with his disciples and use the bread as a symbol of his body.
After he was resurrected again from the dead. Jesus sat down. He had bread with everyone so clearly no one was on the Atkins diet in the first century know if you have your company and you've gone on the Atkins diet will be bears. I have the best day of the Atkins diet is day one the worst day is day two day one is like, what can I eat you don't need any carbs, no bread, no bread, but you can eat steak and chicken mission. You can have cheese and you can add eggs and you can taken and when you get you locked in the morning. You don't get a low-fat milk you get it with half-and-half. It's called rev a latte. When I gone that the effort says that this is the greatest Diana earth. This is a man's diet day number two. I am dying for carbs right now. I want pizza so that I would be happy for wanted a piece of Wonder Bread right now. I'll take anything. I don't know about you but if you were in a restaurant and they are for dessert I can say no to dessert, but I cannot say no to freshly baked bread.
I love it. I've talked a lot about food in this message. Him and I almost pathetic really, really, what we think it is this day our daily bread were not just talking about bread or talk about everything back in the 60s. We used to call money bread.
How many of you remember that payment. Good knee bread yeah lemon can I have money from you so were saying God provide everything here's a loose paraphrase. Lord Jimmy three square meals a day. Lord put a roof over my head, a provide the needs and I have a like to be this day.
My daily bread. By the way, it's interesting that phrasing.
Give us this day when he was someone to give you something you're acknowledging they own it.
You're also acknowledging you need it. They don't owe it to you and you don't deserve it.
This verse is not saying pay us says give us pay me my daily bread but doesn't know you any money. It is know you anything. So Lord give me it's a different position High demand payment. Now it's more like you have it in another. Could you give it to me. I'm dependent your independent but I need this from you so father in heaven who loves me. Would you give me this day my daily bread. So this prayer not only tells us to ask God for our daily needs.
It's an affirmation that everything I have ultimately comes from him James chapter 1 verse 17 says every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and come from the father of light everything you have been given you by God: no Greg were very hard to buy this shirt. I worked very hard to amass the fortune. I have been the great things I've accomplished. I've done that all we know. Maybe you worked hard. Maybe you were very clever in the way you invested your money and that's fantastic, but just remember it still came from God. Deuteronomy 18 818 says remember the Lord your God, for it is he that gives you the ability to produce well so I'm thanking him for his provision in the past that I'm asking for his provision in the future.
Listen to this, God promises to provide your needs not necessarily your ingredients. Give us this day our daily pie or cake or whatever it is you know just Lord give me what I need know God often gives us above and beyond that which we could ask or think he's very generous. Your father in heaven, but my point is we need to ask him. Now that doesn't mean you sit around like a lazy bum.
That's a Lord provide Lord I'm just going to sit down in my big fat lazy boy my big fat cushion would you think is essay pressure in church. Please. I just pray will provide for me, Lord, I just read the story of Elijah and the ravens in how they brought food to him or just have the ravens cruised through In-N-Out Burger give me that burger. Greg was talking about animal style with chopped jalapenos if they have time they could go through Krispy Kreme that would be nice to make sure the sign is on. I like them hot.
Make the birds hurry, please, and I'll just be waiting here, you can wait all you want. Burger, buddy is you need to get up and go get a job looks good. Spurring sensitive toxic biblical. The Bible says a man doesn't work, he shouldn't eat. Second Thessalonians 310 look if you're able to work, go work was not the job I want will do something else until you find the job that you want to be responsible really resourceful and don't be lazy. That doesn't honor the Lord then be a good steward that means take the resources God has given you, and invest them back into his kingdom for his use for his glory. So more people can hear the gospel. Notice it says give me this day my daily bread he didn't teach us to pray, give me this year my yearly bread or give me this month my monthly bread, or even give me this week my weekly bread. Give me this day my daily bread. You know why God provided everything you need all in one fell swoop once a year just so often, you would pray nearly it was all just sitting in a room all the food you would need all the money you would be all the everything you would need to walk and got it. Would you think the Lord every time I doubt it.
So he keeps us dependent upon them.
He gives us what we need when we need it not usually before, never after but he product provides grace to help in time of need. So give me this day my daily bread's amazing relationship that I could: God and that God would listen that God wants to be my father know when we come back to one final thought before we close you know some of you may say well I don't know God. This way I do say my prayers but I don't really feel as though God is listening listen he's listening. But if you want God to answer your prayer. You need to get rid of a problem that's hanging things up.
The problem is called sin and were all born with that we all do it some more than others. Granted, but one sin is enough to keep you out of heaven. This big giant wall that I cannot scale called sin. As I and while I'm a good person. Greg, I'm sure you are but you know what you're actually not good enough to get to heaven because all of us in the Bible says and fallen short of the glory of God.
That's where Jesus comes in because there was no way to get rid of this barrier that separates me from God.
Jesus came and died on the cross for our sin. The Bible says that some of the gods. Here is heavy worry can't hear you where his arm is too short, we can save you, but your sins that separated you from him, but because Jesus died and paid the price for my sin if I will turn from that sin. I believe in Jesus. Communication is open to your father and have only the Christian can call him father, a nonbeliever can call them deputies, not the father. So how does God become your father when you become a son or daughter will. How does that happen you have to be born again. Jesus said you must be born again, born spiritually. The Bible says, for as many as received him, he gave them the power to become children of God, so you might say Lord I I've been I'm a sinner and I receive you, I ask you to forgive me and Christ will come and live inside of you in. You can start this wonderful relationship with God.
I talked about those two guys went to pray. One guy had all of this eloquence, all of his boasting and talk about how wonderful he was. Jesus said God didn't hear his prayer within the other guy would even lift his eyes. The company was so embarrassed by the wrongs he had done and he just prayed this God be merciful to me a sinner. Jesus and got her temper see if you'll just come and see God I'm sorry I have no excuses, but have mercy on me, forgive me, a sinner. God will hear their prayer and you could go from being a sinner to being a saint by the way I'm up total saint probably didn't know that about me Greg how many miracles of you perform general never perform miracles to be a saint saint is just another word for a believer when you become a believer in Jesus you're a saint. That doesn't mean you're perfect.
We still sin. That's all we always need Jesus but you are forgiven, and right before God and before we close. I want to just extend this invitation. If you've never believed in Jesus wanted to do it right now so you can walk out of here a saint instead of a sinner, a believer, instead of a nonbeliever, headed to heaven instead of to hell like to say that because it's real and God doesn't want you to go there and we don't want you to go there but ultimately it's up to you. We pray that you will believe in Jesus but you have to say I want this for myself. Do you work in a closing prayer right now. I'm going to extend an invitation to any of you here that have never believed in Jesus you're not sure that he's your father in heaven but you want them to be. You're not sure you go to heaven when you die, but you want to be sure you don't know if you're ready for the Lord's return what you want to be ready if so respond to this invitation as we pray together. Let's all pray father our father in heaven. Thank you that you hear us right now and now we pray for friends and loved ones and others that are listening and watching who don't know you yet. Lord, we pray right now with them actually open their spiritual eyes and help them to see their need for Jesus. There's no words or we can say to make them believe, but you can touch them. Help them see our heads about her eyes are closed, pray, how many of you would say today.
Greg II want to know Jesus Christ in a personal way.
I want my sin forgiven. I want to know for sure that when I die I will go to heaven. I'm ready to say yes to Jesus.
I want to become a child of God, pray for me about your desire. If you want Christ to come in your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want to go to heaven when you die, would you just lift your hand up whatever you're sitting while pray for you.
Lift your hand up and approve your whole bunch of your you're raising your again.
God bless you up in the balcony. God bless wherever you are razor again. You guys watching the screen.
I can see you there.
Doesn't matter.
God sees you, which you raise your hand wherever you're watching this thing. Yes, Lord, I want you I need you calling out to you wherever you are razor hand and I want Jesus I want to go to heaven when I die I want to be ready for his return.
I want my sin forgiven wherever you are razor and God bless all of you raising your hand were everywhere away one more moment anybody else.
You want Christ today, raise your hand upon me. Pray for you � God bless all of you nominally ask if you would please everyone.
That is, razor hand, want to understand your feet nominally lead you in a prayer right here right now all of you that razor hand saying you wanted Jesus stand up, extend your feet, you heard me right.
Stand up. By the way, you're not the only one standing, others are standing the stand up even if you did not raise your hand but you want Jesus Christ to come in your life today, stand up and let me lead you in this prayer, stand up. God bless you that are sending you guys watching the screen stand up right there where you are a lead you in this prayer rep you can hear me or see me just stand up saying I want Jesus today and will get a praying God will hear your prayer away one more moment anybody else stand now, let's pray together publish, bless you all you that are sending a want you to pray this prayer out loud after me again as I pray pray this out loud after me right where you stand. Pray this prayer Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you're the Savior, God be merciful to me a sinner. I turn from my sin.
Now I choose to follow Jesus from this moment forward. I want to call you father I want this relationship with you. Thank you for calling me and accepting me and for giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen. Hey God bless all of you that pray for