The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (40)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on August 25, 2010
Topic: The Believer’s Responsibilities (2): Prayer (7)
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week we focused on “Our Father which art in heaven …”. Though it seems like just a few insignificant words; yet it is a highly significant and important aspect of the Lord’s pattern for praying. One of the significant aspects of these few words is that we are not just praying to a distant God, but to a dear Father. The other is that He resides not only in heaven where His throne room is, but also on earth in the hearts of men.
We saw that God is our Source (our beginning), which is what a father is. We also saw that like an earthly father, God loves and cares for us, and is compassionate toward us. We saw further, that God as our Father, is a disciplinarian, who chastises those He loves, when they act contrary to His word. This He does so that those who adhere to the discipline will not miss being with Him in heaven ultimately. We noted our responsibilities towards God as our Father, which include, trusting Him absolutely and honouring Him.
Far above an earthly father, we saw that God, our Father is an everlasting Father, which means His love, care, and compassion is not seasonal, but eternal! This also implies that our trust in and honour for God, should not be seasonal, but eternal!
We noted that the place of residence and presiding over the affairs of men, by God, our Father, is in His throne in heaven, as well as in the hearts of His children here on earth. This implies that we talk less, and even keep silent in some instances. But more than these, we should walk with the knowledge that our Father is nearer than we can imagine; and as such all our requests are within an earshot. Furthermore, our honour for God should not be just with our lips only, but more importantly from our hearts also.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 6:10
In tonight’s scripture text the Lord places two things as uppermost and immediately following our honour of God. These are the establishment of His kingdom, and the execution of His will on earth. May the Holy Spirit teach us tonight, as always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
We note from the scripture text for tonight that even before we get to make our own petition, the Lord is telling us to give priority to His kingdom being established in our hearts, and His will being executed here on earth. Tonight, we shall be focusing on “Thy Kingdom come.”
Romans 14:17; 2 Peter 1:2; 1 Peter 1:8; Matthew 13:44-46; 6:33; Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 13:31-33; Luke 12:16-34; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Mark 5:1-15; Matthew 11:11-12; Luke 16:16; Matthew 13:19; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Matthew 19:16-30; 7:13-14; Mark 5:25-34; Matthew 26:36-44.
Conclusion
“Thy Kingdom come” is a prayer that requires the dethronement of every other kingdom before the establishment of the kingdom of God can take place in a person’s heart and life. It means the arrival, and enthronement, of God’s righteousness (standards), peace, and joy into our hearts, lives, and environment. This aspect of prayer enables us to appreciate the reign of God, along with His justice, fairness and equity. It is so important, that it is placed before our petitions in the Lord’s pattern for prayer.
The kingdom of God is more than the things that the people of the world, and sadly, many Christians are scrambling for today. It is a kingdom that keeps expanding once it is enthroned. It is far more precious than crude oil, Dollars and Pounds Sterling, silver, gold, rubies, diamonds, and all other precious metals and gems, put together! It is so precious that it requires giving up everything, great effort, forcefulness, zeal, and endurance, to enter in. There are many things that we would like to take along with us into the kingdom of God, but these same things will not allow us get in. The Devil and his agents (demons and humans), know how important the kingdom of God is, so they are working extra hard to prevent men from entering in; but those who appreciate the worth of the kingdom are pressing in, and refusing discouragement, disparaging remarks about Christianity, comfort, wealth, and other distractions from preventing them. For, the moment the kingdom of God comes into a person’s life and is enthroned, he will eternally be the beneficiary of God’s righteousness, peace and joy.
May the Lord establish His kingdom in our hearts and homes today, as we desire to know Him more, in Jesus’ name, Amen (John 17:3).
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