...Have you noticed how absolutely and __totally__ dependent you are
upon the Lord? You and I need so many things just to live in this world. We
must recognize that it is God who supplies __all__ of our needs.
…As a Christian, your total dependence is on the Lord. The good news here is
that God as our wonderful Heavenly Father has promised to care for your __every__
need.
…Last time we saw the need to begin our prayers putting God’s interest __first__.
It is only after this, Jesus tells, that our interests and concerns are to be
mentioned. Do not rush your __needs__ to the forefront of your
prayers.
THREE PETITIONS DIRECTING YOU TO GOD FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS
I. Pray
To God The Father To Meet All Your Daily
__Physical__
Needs. (v.11) “today”
…”give us this day our daily bread.”
A. This
petition means: “give me, Father, today, what is necessary for me.” It is not
__greed__, but needs. There is a difference between the two.
1.
It
involves food, but it also includes all of the physical necessities of life.
2. It
refers to the __body__ and all its needs.
3. Even
more, it is a prayer for food, __clothing__, home, a good job and more.
B. God
Himself is the __sole__ source of all our physical needs! The Creator
__stoops__ to meet my needs!
…it is a sin of indifference and ingratitude not to see this and give thanks
to Him! Our lives, breath, possessions and __health__ all come from
Him. He is the source of everything!
C. The
petition here: “give,” recognizes our __great__ need. It recognizes
our total and utter dependence upon God. Every day!
1.
God could __stop__ it all…no
more sun, no more rain, etc.
2. The
truth, we could not live one day without Him. (Col 1)
D.
Who should pray this petition? Only God’s
children. Only those who have already said, “Our Father.” This is __not__
for all people everywhere.
E. Jesus
tells us to pray daily for all our physical needs. He __delights__ in
answering our requests.
II. Pray
To God The Father To Forgive You Of Yesterday’s Sins. (vv 12, 14-15)
…”forgive us our debts…” This occupies the __major__ theme of this
section. Our great need!!!
A. Our
biggest problem is __sin__. It separates us from God. Our greatest
need, even more than __food__, is to find the forgiveness and cleansing
of God.
B. At
your salvation, God forgave you of every sin…past, present and __future__.
This was all based on the finished work of Jesus on the cross. He
remembers your sin __no__ more!
C. Jesus
is __not__ talking here about the forgiveness we received when first
saved. Here He is telling of our need as believers to daily look __back__
and confess our sins. We are to ask for forgiveness based on 1 John 1:9. As
a believer, sin breaks our __fellowship__ with the Father. This must
be restored for us to have the blessing and joy of the Lord. (Psalm 32:1)
D.
Jesus tells us of one __condition__: we
must __release__ all of those who have sinned against us. “just as.”
The __proof__ that you are a true believer is that you forgive others.
If you don’t, then you have reason to doubt your own salvation. You cannot
walk in fellowship with God while refusing to __forgive__ others.
III. Pray
To God The Father To Protect You In The Future From Evil. (v 13)
…”lead us not into temptation.” We realize that we are __weak__ and
vulnerable. We need protection.
A. We
live in an evil and __dangerous__ world. It is a fallen world.
1.
We still have a sin-bent __within__ us…
2. The
spirit of the __world__ is godless…and it is pervasive.
3. We
have a personal __enemy__, Satan, who is against us. He is a devouring
lion. (Peter 5)
B. This
petition means: Please Father, don’t lead us into a __situation__
where we might be easily tempted and sin. It is a matter of self-distrust.
We are so __weak__, He is strong!
1.
We pray this so that our fellowship with God may
__never__ be broken.
2. This
request guards us from a __false__ sense of self-sufficiency…
3. 1
Cor. 10:13 tells us that God will __not__ allow us to be tempted
beyond…praise Him!
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
-
After you have worshipped God, you are invited to ask the Lord for your
daily physical needs.
-
Daily examine your own heart – confess your sin. Keep your sin list short!!
-
You cannot pray this prayer until God is your father…you must be saved!
Come today.
-
If you are in a tempting situation, “Submit and Resist”. God expects you to
do the right thing.
-
Finally you must release and forgive all who sin against you….
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