Your Kingdom Come, your will be done

ME: ORIENTATION: FIND COMMON GROUND WITH THE AUDIENCE

ME: ORIENTATION: FIND COMMON GROUND WITH THE AUDIENCE

I hope that during this past week you focused on the names of God.

That the names of God, God who provides, The Lord is my banner, The lord is my shepherd, The lord who heals and the Lord is there, have helped you notice God in your life.

That the names of God, God who provides, The Lord is my banner, The lord is my shepherd, The lord who heals and the Lord is there, have helped you notice God in your life.

Where do you see God today?

WE: IDENTIFICATION (MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU STRUGGLE)

Our journey with God is not a straight line.

Faith, obedience, and love are important.

GOD: ILLUMINATION (THE GOAL IS TO RESOLVE THE TENSION

I. Your Kingdom come

A. Jesus has much to say about the kingdom of God

 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (ESV)

English Standard Version Chapter 10

8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you

(ESV)

Your kingdom Come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (ESV)

II. Your will be done

We find the key in this double petition of the Lord’s Prayer. One of the most common characteristics of Hebrew style is what is technically known as parallelism. The Hebrew language tends to say everything twice. A thing is said in one way, and then in another way which repeats or amplifies or explains the first way. Almost any verse of the Psalms will show this parallelism in action. Almost every verse of the Psalms divides in two in the middle, and the second half repeats or amplifies or explains the first half.

The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 God’s Kingdom and God’s Will (Matthew 6:10)

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

(Psalm 46:1)

The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 God’s Kingdom and God’s Will (Matthew 6:10)

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our refuge.

(Psalm 46:7)

The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 God’s Kingdom and God’s Will (Matthew 6:10)

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters.

(Psalm 23:1–2)

We find the key in this double petition of the Lord’s Prayer. One of the most common characteristics of Hebrew style is what is technically known as parallelism. The Hebrew language tends to say everything twice. A thing is said in one way, and then in another way which repeats or amplifies or explains the first way. Almost any verse of the Psalms will show this parallelism in action. Almost every verse of the Psalms divides in two in the middle, and the second half repeats or amplifies or explains the first half.

B. This passage in the Lord’s prayer defines the Kingdom of God

The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 God’s Kingdom and God’s Will (Matthew 6:10)

The kingdom of God is a society upon earth where God’s will is as perfectly done as it is in heaven.

The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 God’s Kingdom and God’s Will (Matthew 6:10)

The kingdom demands the submission of my will, my heart, my life. It is only when each one of us makes a personal decision and submission that the kingdom comes.

II. Your will be done

A. The most important thing we can do?

1. Your will be done: defeated resignation

The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 God’s Kingdom and God’s Will (Matthew 6:10 Contd)

Some people may say: ‘Your will be done’ in a tone of defeated resignation. They may say it not because they wish to say it, but because they have accepted the fact that they cannot possibly say anything else; they may say it because they have accepted the fact that God is too strong for them, and that it is useless to batter their heads against the walls of the universe. They may say it thinking only of the inescapable power of God which has them in its grip.

Nothing more we can do.

resignation: I give up

defeated: loose

Both of these words express a battle your will your way over God’s possibly.

2. bitter resentment

bitter:angry, hurt, or resentful because of one bad experience

resentment: bitter indignation of have been treated unfairly

3. Your will be done in perfect love and trust

The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 God’s Kingdom and God’s Will (Matthew 6:10 Contd)

They may say it gladly and willingly, no matter what that will may be. It should be easy for Christians to say: ‘Your will be done’ like that; for Christians can be very sure of two things about God.

The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1 God’s Kingdom and God’s Will (Matthew 6:10 Contd)

(a) They can be sure of the wisdom of God. Sometimes when we want something built or constructed, or altered or repaired, we take it to the craftsman and consult him about it. He makes some suggestion, and we often end up by saying: ‘Well, do what you think best. You are the expert.’ God is the expert in life, and his guidance can never lead anyone astray.

b. We can be sure of the Love of God.

I know not what the future hath

“I know not where his islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond his love and care.”

― John Greenleaf Whittier 1807-1892, quaker, anti slavery

III. on earth as it is in heaven

A. God already rules the heavens

B. Saving grace is offered to all.

a. God’s grace drawing us to Christ.

b. Many moments of God’s grace draw you toward faith.

C. Salvation

C. discipleship

YOU: APPLICATION (TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO AND WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD)

Conclusion:

God has a plan, a way, and a place we will be.