Prayer Series 4.Our Father

Prayer Series

Pastor E. Keith Hassell

“Our Father”

Matthew 6:9 KJV “Our Father which art in heaven…”

I.              “Our Father” is the key to the Model Prayer

A.               Prayer begins with a right relationship with God as Father

II.           “Our Father” takes us within the veil into the secret place

A.               The Father meets with us in the secret place of prayer

B.                Matthew 6:6 (NKJV) “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.”

III.        “Our Father” speaks of our relationship to God as sons and daughters

A.               We become children of God not by reason of our first birth but of our second birth (John 3:3, 5)

B.                1 John 3:1 (NKJV) “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

C.               Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7 tells us that God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts whereby we cry out “Abba, Father”

D.               Jesus didn’t die just so that you could have a relationship with God. He died so that you could have a relationship with the Father.

E.                God will deal with us as with sons and daughters in correction

1.          Hebrews 12:7-9 The Father will correct and discipline us

2.          John 15:1  The Father will prune unfruitful things in our lives

IV.       “Our Father” reminds us that God has a family (Ephesians 3:14-15)

A.               God’s family is the bigger picture beyond ourselves

B.                We need others, they need us, and we all need God

V.          “Our Father” speaks of God’s Fatherly care toward us His children

A.               Luke 12:32 (NKJV) “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

B.                Matthew 6:31-32 (NKJV) “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

VI.       “Our Father” speaks of embracing a new identity with the Father

A.               2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (NKJV) “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ 17 Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ 18 ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’  7     Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

VII.    Do you know God as your Father?

A.               Have you been born again?

B.                Have you embraced God as your Father?

C.               Are you living like God is your Father?