RUN THE RACE – “DON’T LOOSE YOUR DIRECTION!”

 Galatians 5:7

The Galatians had started the race well. They had done what was necessary (obeyed the truth), but somewhere along the line, something or someone hindered them and they were in danger of dropping out of the race.

In our race toward heaven, we must keep running and keep saying “Yes to Jesus” (obeying the truth), no matter what obstacles the devil tries to throw our way. 

 I. The Beginning of the Race:

A) Decision to run the race – a choice must be made: They met the qualifications to run the race – they were saved and determined to go all the way – to finish the race!  The Galatians started out sprinting towards the finish line – “Ye did run well” They were excited about running the race – “They were doing well” – the were laying aside “every weight that could beset them.” They were “obeying the truth” at the beginning of the race – keeping the rules (obeying the gospel, the commandments, the leadings of the Holy Spirit).

 B) Staying Focused – the challenge of the race: In the midst of the race a runner must maintain, his/her stamina- pacing themselves to win the race.  1 Corinthians 9:24 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.”

C) The Cause of the Race – why do we run the race? We run so that we may win – that is the only reason to run a race. We aren’t running this race for our “heavenly victor’s crown” to place 2nd or 3rd or 4th – we are running to take first prize. We are to run with determination, excitement, and joy of the prize that is set before us.

II. In the Midst of the Race: Paul is saying: “Their beginning was so good, that something caused them to come to a direct stop.”

A) There is a danger of becoming weary/tired: Galatians 6:9 “Let us not grow weary in well doing: for un due season we shall reap if we faint not.” How do you become weary? Think that you aren’t accomplishing anything; feel like everyone else is doing so much better than you are; feeling like a failure, etc.

B) There is a danger of becoming dehydrated (thirsty): Keep satisfying yourself with “living water” – don’t sacrifice it for the “energy sublimates of this world.” Keep reading your Bible, praying, witnessing, attending public worship.

C) There is a danger of feeling like “just giving up” We get looking at others – those who aren’t running the race and they seem to be doing so much better. We get looking at those who are running the race – “I can’t do as good as they can!” 2 Cor. 10:12 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend (lift up) themselves: but they measure themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” Joshua 1:5 “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

D) There is a danger of loosing sight of the finishing line: (4:11) – “I am afraid for you” Their first contact with the Gospel (4:13) Their reception and care of Paul (4:14) Their love for Paul (4:15) – they were so eager for the gospel and to hear it from Paul that they would have plucked out their eyes for him. “How have I become your enemy? Because I tell you the truth?” (4:16) Their former obedience to the truth (3:1) (5:8) “This belief was not what you were taught” – who is hindering you?

E) What was hindering the Galatians? The Hindrance of False teachings – works good get them to heaven instead of salvation. The Hindrance of Fighting Christians: (Gal 5:15) “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Biting and devouring one another. 1. What an awful picture. 2. Visualize what Paul is saying here. 3. Not just biting…but devouring. 4. Christians portrayed as wild animals destroying one another.  The Hindrance of yielding to the flesh (worldliness) – v. 16-17

III. The Ending the Race “well”

A) Paul’s Confidence in Them (v.9-10)

B) Paul wanted them to Concentrating on the Fruits of the Spirit (v.22-23)

C) Concluding the race (2 Timothy 4:6-8) “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…”

THE RACE MANY SOULS HAVE STARTED OUT TO RUN THIS RACE BUT MANY FEET HAVE STUMBLED TRYING HARD TO KEEP THE PACE AT TIMES MY STEPS HAVE GOWN SO WEARY AS I WATCH OTHERS PASS ME BY IT MAKES ME WONDER WHO WILL MAKE IT IS THERE HOPE FOR SUCH AS I.

( CHORUS)  NOT THE ONE WHO RUNS THE SWIFTEST NOR THE ONE WHO SHINED FOR A DAY BUT THE ONE WHO ENDURETH TO THE END HE, HE SHALL BE SAVED

A CROWN OF LIFE IS WAITING FOR THOSE WHO MAKE IT IN THOSE WHO’VE RUN THE RACE WITH PATIENCE CASTING OFF THE WEIGHTS OF SIN IT DOESN’T MATTER WHEN WE STARTED OR HOW LONG THE RACE HAS BEEN IT’S THE END THAT’S SO IMPORTANT

Do you want to see Jesus? – Hebrews 12:14-17

As Christians, we observe that it is God’s will for us to live at peace with all men, which is an indication of whether or not we are at peace with God.

 

I. Our Pursuit: “Follow Peace”

 

A) Definition of Peace:

1. Peace is never a negative word; it always is an intensely positive word.
2. It is more than just freedom from trouble or adversity.
   1. It contains everything which makes for man’s highest good – highest welfare that a man could enjoy or a statement of contentment.
   2. It also means a right relationship (this is for a Christian) – it is a state in which hatred is banished and when each person seeks nothing but his neighbour’s highest good – it means the bond of love, forgiveness and service which ought to bind men together.

 B) The Affects of Peace:

1. Peace is more than just the absence of dissension and quarrelling in the body of Christ or amongst other people.
2. Peace involves the security of the dedicated and cleansed life.
3. Peace involves surrendering of the heart to God.
4. Peace affects the world in which it rests in.
5. Peace filters down throughout society and changes the world in which we live.
6. Peace involves loving God and loving your neighbour (seeking the other person’s highest good).
7. Peace involves living above sin
8. Peace involves keeping God’s commandments

C) A Desire for Peace:

1. “Follow” – literally to “pursue”; “to make every effort”
2. This pursuit of peace also indicates that a person will go far to obtain it.
3.  “Follow” – (present active imperative, pl) this is not a suggestion that God is giving, but a command to presently follow peace with all men.

D) Peace with “all men”

1. Anything should be sacrificed for peace! è The Christian seeks peace with all alike, but he seeks holiness also, and this cannot be sacrificed.
2. With your enemies:
   1. The context of the call to “follow peace” is specifically referring to our enemies.
   2. Historical Note: During this time, the Jewish Christians were suffering heavily from persecutions.  It is from this that we see that the command to “follow or pursue peace” is primarily dealing with our relationships with our enemies.
   3. Illustration: Joram sent a rider ahead to meet Jehu with a question “Is it peace.”  The rider approached and asked the question, but was told simply to join the army.  Then the king rode out and asked the question again and got his reply: “How can we be at peace when you are ruling” and he died.
   4. Illustration: Peace is better than war, because in peace the sons bury their fathers, but in war the fathers bury their sons.
   5. Our enemies today – we are not being persecuted like the Hebrews were – but are we “pursuing peace with those people who do not like us?”  God didn’t just say “pursue peace with those who like you,” but with all men.
3. With your Family:
   1. Illustration: Joseph and His brothers
   2. God commands peace in the families – He urges wives to be submissive their husbands; husbands to love their wives; children to obey their parents.
4. With your Friends/Church
   1. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
   2. “lest any fail from the grace of God” (v.15)
5. With God

 

E) Things that hamper peace:

1. Often the little things in life cause a great hindrance to peace.
2. Illustration: “In matters of taste swim with the current; in matters of principle stand like a rock” (Thomas Jefferson)
3. Unconfessed Sin prevents peace – a disruption in a relationship can be because there is unconfessed sin in one of the individual’s hearts.
4. Hatred hampers peace – Matthew 5:22
5. Unforgiveness prevents peace – Jacob and Esau – all over some soup

 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God!”

 

II. Our Pursuit: “and holiness”

 

A) The Object of our Pursuit:

1.      Instead of seeking revenge on someone – our aim should be to be holy (to be at peace with men and God)

2.      The greatest purpose in a believer’s life should be to be holy.

3.      Holiness is the means by which we can live at peace with “all men” è Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

4.      Holiness is that life of purity and detachment from the world and all its lusts, without “which no man shall see the Lord.”

5.      What are some elements that are involved in holiness?

a.    Living above sin – no sin will enter heaven! = Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

b.    Walking in the light – if we are refusing to obey God and his word we will not enter heaven! = 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

c.    Surrender – we must allow God to guide us and respond to His course corrections in our lives.

 

B) The Reason for our Pursuit:

1. “To see the Lord” – is to enjoy Him – and without holiness this is impossible.
2. To see the Lord has been interpreted in three ways:
   1. To see God now (to experience His fullness and nearness)
   2. To worship God acceptably  (to experience His smile of approval)
   3. To stand uncondemned at the Second Coming
   4. In a real sense all three can be applied in the Christian’s life pursuit of holiness and peace.
3. We are pursing peace with all men and holiness because we have the goal of heaven in view.
4. Illustration: In the east, none but favourites are admitted in to see the King (2 Samuel 14:24 – Absalom) – Remember Queen Esther!
5. Application: Just as the kings of old, required that no filth should contaminate their throne room, so God has requirements of His followers – Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

 C) The Accomplishment of this Pursuit: (Hebrews 12:1-13)

1. Laying aside hindrances – “especially the sin which so easily ensnares us.” (v.1)
   1. Some of these things that hamper us may be legitimate practices, but if the hamper our Christian race – we must cast them off.
   2. In order to pursue holiness (and peace) – we must be living a careful Christian life (there is no such thing as a careless Christian – or at least their shouldn’t be!)
2. Allowing God to chasten us – “for whom the Lord loveth, he chaseneth” (corrects)

 “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God!”

 

III. Our Purpose: “For peace and Holiness”

 

A) The Manner of our Peace and Holiness:

1. “Looking diligently” – lit. watching carefully; looking over and over again, being constantly on your guard.
2. This phrase also suggests that it is not just an individual’s response, but a community endeavour to “look diligently” – looking out for each other.
3. The reason for looking diligently is that we live in a fallen world.

 

B) The Reason for following peace and Holiness:

1. Three reasons are given in v.15-17 for making every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy.
2. “Lest any man fail of the grace of God” –We follow peace with all men and holiness – so that we don’t miss the grace of God or fail in our relationship with Him.
3. “Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you”
   1. Bitterness – the origin of this word is associated with poison. (Deut. 29:18)
   2. This warning about why we should follow peace with all men and holiness – is important because if we stumble and allow bitterness to get a hold of us – it will affect those around us – “lest many be defiled.”
   3. “Springing up” – suggests quick germination – bitterness destroys lives.
   4. Bitterness results when we are not following peace with all men (and obviously not holiness either).
4. Lest there be any fornicator or profane person”
   1. “Fornication” – religious infidelity; a spiritual lapse from the truth of God.
   2. “Profane” – godless – the opposite of being holy.
   3. Illustration: Esau should this lack in treating so lightly his birth right with its religious importance and disregarding his parents.
   4. “Rejected” – he was disqualified
   5. We are urged to follow peace with all men and holiness, lest we become indifferent to the Gospel, after which we would be rejected by God.

 

Let’s be determined to “follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

PHILIP FACTOR: How do I Have a Christian Influence in the Modern World?

Text: Matthew 5:13-16

 

A Salt and Light Christian

 

Background Scripture: Philip and the Eunuch (Acts 8:26-39)

 

I.  The Environment:

 

A.     THE EARTH: “Ye are the salt of the earth.”  The earth is the place where the curse is and this earth may be the representation of the heart of man, lost and corrupted.  But Jesus said in the Lord’s Prayer “Thy will be done in earth…” (Matthew 6:10).  Illustration: Elisha healing the spring of water (2 Kings 2:21).

 

B.     THE WORLD: “Ye are the light of the world.”  You can take the world here to mean the area of man’s intellect.  Without God’s light from His revelation, this world is a world of spiritual darkness.  Illustration: “Driven into darkness” (Isaiah 8:20) Isaiah is writing about Israel how they have turned after witchcraft and idols and have “no light left in them.”  He writes as a result the are driven around and stumble in darkness.

 

C.     PHILIP’S WORLD: He was Committed!

 

1.      He was a man to be trusted: (Acts 6:3) He was one of the seven men appointed over the business. (Honest Report – good reputation).

2.      He experienced the Holiness: (Acts 6:5) Full of the H.S.

3.      He accepted responsibility: (Acts 6:6) Laying on of hands

4.      He faced a time of difficult persecution: (Acts 6-8) Stephen was stoned and many followers of Christ were imprisoned.  The Church was scattered over Judah and Samaria; “Saul made havoc of the Church… therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word (8:3)

 

II. The Action:

 

A.     IT PERMEATES LIKE SALT:  (lit. filters through) Salt is almost invisible, but is effective in its working.  Salt must first get into touch with the corruption (of ungodliness) before it can heal.  It represents the unconscious influence a Christian can have in the world.  Illustration: “Preach the gospel and if you must, use words.”  The Gospel message is not used alone in the winning of a heart to the kingdom.  But somewhere alone the road of life, that person met an individual whose life radiated Jesus.  People often say “If I ever get religion, I want the kind that they have.”  I want to be that type of Christian!

 

B.     IT ILLUMINATES LIKE LIGHT: There is something to be seen.  The light is not something that is just put on.  The Christian Life is the light.  Illustration: John the Baptist “to bear witness of the light; that all men through Him, might believe” (John 1:7).    Having Christ inside our hearts, means a steady light shining from us.  A Christian is like a lamp with a candle inside.  Alone it is dark, but with the light inside of it, it radiates true beauty.

 

C.     PHILIP’S FAITHFULNESS: He was faithful in sharing the Gospel!

 

1.      Scattered abroad (Acts 8:4): This means lit. to scattered the seed.  God spread His people across the Middle East (Judah and Samaria).

2.      Samaria: Was a wicked city (false gods; demonic worship; diseases); the most wicked city in Palestine. 

3.      Miracle Performed: Acts 8:6 “The people with one accord gave heed unto those things… hearing and seeing the miracles that he did.”

4.      The Great Joy: Acts 8:7-8 – demons were cast out and the sick were healed.  “There was great joy in the city.”

  

III. The Nature:

 

A.     THE SALT MUST HAVE SAVOUR: Salt is good, but savourless salt is good for nothing.  You can have the shape and the same texture, but without its taste it is “good for nothing.”  It is not enough for us to hold the banner up and say “I am a Christian.”  We must also live the life of holiness and godliness.  Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we are “good for nothing.”  We must be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

 

B.     THE CANDLE MUST HAVE LIGHT: A candle is just a ball of wax if it does not have light.  Without a living flame it is worthless and it cannot light itself.  Illustration: The Church sign’s light.

 

C.     SIMON THE SORCERER: A Savourless Person (Acts 8:9-24)

 

1.      He believed and followed Philip’s miracles.

2.      He witnessed Peter and John praying for others to receive the Holy Ghost (He wanted that power and also the power to give it).

3.      He offered to buy the gift.

4.      Peter recognized his thought (lit. plot or scheme)

5.      Peter told him to: 1) Repent – He was not right with God v.21); 2) Full of bitterness and held captive by sin (v.23).

6.      Simon feared the curse (v.20).  He prayed for mercy (v.24), because he feared the loss of his wealth.

7.      Simon desired power.  He wanted what Peter and John had, but was not willing to serve God to experience the same thing.  Instead he wanted it and he also wanted the things of the world.

 

IV. The Purpose:

 

A.     TO SALT THE EARTH: “If Christians lose their savour, wherewith shall it be salted?”  If the world around us does not see Christ in us, where will the see Him?  We want the world to stop and say “He/She is a Christian!”

 

B.     TO GLORIFY THE FATHER: (v.16)

 

C.     PHILIP’S PURPOSE: He was obedient in following God and sharing the Gospel!

 

1.      He left a thriving revival in Samaria to follow God (Acts 8:26-27 “the angel of the Lord spake… and he arose and went.”

2.      The road to Gaza: This was a well fortified city, three miles from the coast and the last city in Palestine, before the desert. (Genesis 10:19 – and old city)

3.      The traveler that he met: An Ethiopian, who was Minister of Finance for Queen Candace’s kingdom.  He was that feared God and went to Jerusalem to worship (probably a proselyte – Deuteronomy 23:1).

4.      Philip and the Chariot: the driver was going the speed that aloud the Eunuch to read aloud.  Philip was easily able to reach him and ask “do you understand what you are reading?”

5.      Invitation for Philip to teach him: (Isaiah 53:7-8)

6.      Philip preached Jesus to him.

7.      The Baptismal (Acts 8:37) “if you believe with all your heart you may…”

8.      The Confession: “I believe that Jesus is the son of God!”

9.      Philip called away to Azotus: whether bodily rapture (Ezekiel 8:3) or he immediately left.  The Eunuch continued southward rejoicing and Philip northward preaching.

 

V. The Hindrance:

 

A.     IN LOSING THE SAVOUR: “Good for nothing.”  Illustration: Samson (Judges 16:20) “The Spirit, departed from him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit” – don’t put out the flame).

 

B.     IN HIDING THE LIGHT: Don’t hide the light!  2 Corinthians 4:6 says that the very purpose of the light is to get ride of darkness.  Illustration: What happens when you cover up a flame?  It dies from lack of oxygen.  Don’t let Satan blow it out!

 

C.     PHILIP’S EVER BURNING LIGHT:

 

Philip the Evangelist: Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

 

 Conclusion:

 

Though Satan now maketh the nations his prey,

The dominion of darkness shall soon pass away;

Exalting, we join heaven’s rapturous strains;

Alleluia, the Lord God omnipotent[1] reigns!

 

Commitment: Lets covenant together to be Christians that are salty and ones that our Saviour’s light shines through!

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[1] All-powerful; invincibleè Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Personal Finances

I.      Keep God First – Honor God out of what He has given you! a.       Give to God first: Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce. (3:9)b.      Giving to God first is rewarded: So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. (3:10); Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. (13:21)II.      Wisdom is more important than money – Ask God for wisdom before doing anything!a.       Wisdom brings wealth: Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. (8:18); to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries. (8:21)b.       Wisdom yields better fruit than money: I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice (8:20)c.       Wisdom helps us to correctly use money: Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense? (17:16)d.      Wisdom gives one guards in the pursuit after money: Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. (23:4) 

III.      Righteousness – More Important than Wealth or Money!a.       Righteous people got their money honestly: Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked. (15:6)b.      A Poor, blameless man is better of than a rich man: Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich. (28:6)c.      The Righteous are sometimes rewarded by God with financial success: Adversity pursues sinners, but the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. (13:21)d.      Righteousness vs. Injustice: Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. (16:8)

IV.      Fearing God – Remember who will give an Account to someday!a.       Fear God: Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it. (15:16) b.      Humility and fear: The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life. (22:4)

V.      Diligence is Required for Excelling Financially – Plan for your Future!a.       Hard Workers vs. Lazy People: Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. (10:4)b.      Action vs. Talk: In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty. (14:23)c.      Planning: The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. (21:5)d.      Overspending: The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice. (21:7)

VI.      Limitations of Money – Keep it in the proper perspective!a.       Wrath of God – there is punishment for sin: Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. (11:4)b.      Money doesn’t last: When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. (23:5); for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations. (27:24) c.      Trust in God, not money: An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. (28:25); He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.  (11:28)

VII.      Using Money for the right reasons:a.       Helping out with problems: The rich man’s wealth is his fortress, the ruin of the poor is their poverty. (10:15)b.      Leaving an Inheritance behind: A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. (13:22)c.      A Wife’s labors: She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night. (31:18)

VIII.      Money can cause bad feelings – God made us all, no matter what our pay-stub says! a.       Favoritism of the Rich: The poor is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love the rich are many. (14:20) b.      Friendship: Wealth adds many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend.  (19:4); all the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone. (19:7) c.       The problem with Thieves: The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, But the poor hears no rebuke. (13:8)  d.      A Good Reputation: A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.  (22:1)  e.      Braggingly Rich: The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. (22:7)

IX.      Generous Giving – Give generously to God and to others! a.       Generosity leads to more money: There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. (11:24)  b.      Generosity leads to spiritual refreshment: The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.  (11:25)c.      The Greedy end up with nothing: A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him. (28:22)

X.      Honest Living – Earn your money honestly!  a.       Dishonest money: Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.  (13:11)  b.      Dishonesty leads to poverty: He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.  (22:16) 

XI.      Greed – Don’t be a miser! a.       Family problems: He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. (15:27)b.      Prevailing Justice: He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. (28:8)c.      Asking God: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion (30:8) 

Paul: The Teaching Pastor

A Biblical Understanding of Teaching/Preaching according to Pauline Literature 

            Teaching is one of the most important elements that a Christian can utilize in the reaching the degenerated world and discipling the regenerate.  Teaching can take many forms, from a formal classroom means of delivery, to home studies and then even behind the pulpit, which has become the clergies primary method of instruction.   

I. MOTIVATION of Biblical Pastoral Teaching – The Great Commission: 

            A. Command to make disciples of all nations 

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus’ last message to His disciples and indeed to all Christians was to give them their obligation and duty to accomplish.  In the Great Commission, Christ issued an edict to all Christians to “make disciples.”  In making disciples, it doesn’t just mean sharing the Gospel message and leaving it at that, but sharing the Gospel and then training/teaching that disciple (which literally means follower) in the way that he should take.  True discipleship therefore, involves an intensive exercise of Biblical teaching. 

            B. Command to make disciples by means of teaching 

Matthew 28: 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  To make followers of Himself, Jesus was admonishing His disciples to accomplish this task by means of teaching.  The Greek word poreuqe,ntej is a participle of means.  We are to make disciples of all nations, by means of teaching them. 

            C. The power of the Gospel 

Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  The power of the Gospel is one of the motivations for teaching and preaching.  It is through this that Paul is proclaiming his dedication to the message of salvation and declaring that it is for “the Jew first and also for Greek.” 

            D. The body of Christ has many members, with unique abilities 

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. ²⁸ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  The church is made up of many different skilled people.  They are all skilled in different things.  This passage advocates the Christian using his area of strength for the glory of God.  Everyone does not have he gift of teaching, but everyone does have a specific area of excellence that they can use to strengthen the church. 

            E. A true servant of God must teach others            2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.  One of the primary responsibilities of the pastor is to teach.  Paul is writing to his beloved son in the faith and admonishing him on pastoral skills, that all ministers need to sharpen and implement in their ministry.  There are different types of teaching.  Some involve small groups, house visitation and the most used today, preaching. 

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  One key aspect of the pastor is to be such a true servant of God and able to teach, that he can convince those who wouldn’t hearken.   

II. METHODOLOGY of Biblical Pastoral Teaching: 

            A. The House Church 

In Acts 20 the Apostle Paul, stated that in Ephesus he taught in public and from house to house.            B. The Open Air Services 

In Acts 16 Paul taught Lydia the seller of purple in a part of Macedonia.  Also in Acts 17 Paul taught on Mars Hill, expounding to the people.  He sought out something that they had that he could connect with them.  They had an alter to the unknown God, so he began to teach them about one that they did not know.   

            C. The Jail Ministry  

In Acts 16 Paul and Silas began their jail ministry.  Their method of teaching was to sing the majesty of God.  They sang so well, that they brought the house down. 

            D. The Extended Ministry  

Paul also stayed for extended periods of teaching at certain times.  In Acts 18, he stayed at Corinth for six months, teaching the word of God to them 

            E. Reasoning in the Synagogues  

In Acts 13:5 Paul taught in the synagogue at Salamis, he went to an established place of worship and preached Christ and the gospel to the Jews.  The end result was that the deputy believed, being astonished at the doctrine that Paul taught.  He taught them from the stories of the Old testament (Acts 13 – David, Moses, etc.). 

III. MECHANICS of Biblical Teaching: When, What 

            A. Practice what you teach/preach 

Romans 2:21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? In order to be an effective teacher/preacher, one must put into daily practice what one teaches.  Paul is proclaiming that you cannot teach one thing and do another, such actions are called hypocrisy. .   

Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, ⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.  Teacher must be of such examplatory character that someone that is trying to condemn you cannot do so, because of anything that you have done. 

            B. Preparing the foundation (Building up to more difficult subjects) 

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.  Teachers lay foundation blocks in young children’s mind.  As child developed throughout his life, he has many teachers, each taking their turn to build on that person’s life and aiding them to become the person God wants them to be. 

            C. The world is my class room 

1 Corinthians 4:15-17 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.  The responsibility of teaching is not just something that you present once to an individual but it is a process of accountability as you help that disciple of Christ grow in grace.  This gospel is not just something you preach in one church but to everyone, in every church, so that you may be His witnesses, both in your hometown, neighborhoods, nation, and world (Acts 1:8). 

            D. Comprehendible lecture 

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.  The teaching and proclaiming of the gospel message is not to be so complicated that your students cannot understand.  It is a simple clear message that is important, not the presentation of an exalted vocabulary.  

 

            E. Teach no new doctrine 

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  Avoid those who teach another doctrine than that which has been taught from the beginning.  What is essentially new is essentially false.   

Ÿ         1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.   

Ÿ         Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 

            F. Proper structure of the classroom/what to teach?            1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.  There is a proper structure to the classroom.  One must operate the classroom properly and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). 

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. ² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. ³ For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  The lesson plans of the teacher should not have to stay on basic Christian doctrine forever, but as a student walks with God, there must be a deepening in their relationship, so that they can change their diet from “milk to steak.” 

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  Teaching involves a spirit of admonition, as well as a spirit of worship to the Almighty God. 

IV. MILITANT PURPOSE of Biblical Teaching    

            A. Discipling  

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore into all the world and make disciples… 

            B. Admonishing the Brethren 

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  In teaching of the word, we must be ready and persistent and encouraging our people with good teaching. 

            C. Teaching about Christ 

The heartbeat of the Christian message.  Wherever Paul stopped he preached Christ to them. 

1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified… 

            D. Guarding the weak Believer  

Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.  The teacher also ought to protect the young disciplee until they can “get off the bottle” and start enjoying “the meat of the gospel.”  A teacher ought to place others ahead of his own interest and self-rights.  It comes down to the fact, does the teacher really love the student?  If so the student’s interests will be placed before that of the teacher. 

            E. Establish correct thinking 

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 

            F. Communicate all good things 

Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 

            G. Perfecting of the saints and edifying of the body of Christ 

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.  The primary work of the teacher is the equipping of the saints.  This equipping is for: 1) The work of the ministry; and 2) The edifying of the body of Christ. 

V. MAGNIFICENT REWARD of Biblical Teaching:                        A. The harkening pupil is no longer the servant of sin 

Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed. 

            B. Pupils that reproduce themselves (prepared for the ministry) 

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

            C. The firmly persuaded pupil 

Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.   

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

            D. The development of their individual gifts of the Spirit 

Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: ⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; ⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; ⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

Conclusion: 

If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. ~ Paul the Apostle

The Creed: The Hallmark of our Faith

Proverbs 22:28 “Remove not the ancient landmarks, which thy Fathers have set.” 

What is a creed?  It is from the Latin word credo, meaning I believe.  A creed is a statement of faith that confirms the historic doctrines of the Church.  It is what the voices of the past have echoed out with all their might and declared putting all else aside and saying “I believe!”

What is the purpose of the creed?  The purpose of the creed is to summarize the truths of scripture and to defend the Christian faith. 

Why are there a number of different creeds?  No single creed could cover all the basics of faith that needed to be defended.  Creeds were written and pronounced when needs arose to present them.

Why should we study the creeds?  The study of the creeds serves to remind us that we are not alone.  We are not the first ones to ever believe these doctrines.  They are the historic hallmarks of the Church.

 

The Apostles’ Creed: This creed was not written by the Apostles, but written in the 2^nd century, affirming what the Apostles taught. This Creed is used most often at Easter time.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of the saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting.  Amen.

Ø      This creed was intended to expose the errors of those who denied that Jesus was truly human and virgin born.  There were also some who denied that Jesus truly died, or that He physically rose again from the dead.  It also affirmed that the world is progressing towards a final judgment. 

Ø      The term “Catholic” – means universal and refers to the fact that there is only one true Christianity.

Ø      The term “Forgiveness of sins” – implies salvation by grace rather than by works. 

The Nicene Creed: This creed was established at the church council in 325 to deal with heresies that denied the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit.  This creed does not contradict anything in the Apostles’ Creed, but it deals with issues that had not yet arisen in those days.  This Creed is used most often at the time of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. 

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of light, Very God of very God, begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He arose again according to the scriptures; and ascended into heaven; and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: whose kingdom shall have no end.  And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the prophets;  And I believe in one Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead; and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

Ø      This creed includes expanded statements about all three members of the Trinity.

Ø      The full deity of Christ is emphasized.  Jesus is God, He is eternal (before all worlds), not created.

Ø      “Apostolic” – means the original church established through the teachings of the Apostles.  This is illustrating that anyone that denies what the Apostles taught, do not teach Christianity.

The Chalcedonian Creed: This creed was written in 451 to further protect the essential doctrines of the incarnation and the two natures of Christ (He was fully God and fully man – the great theanthropos).

We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in Manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in tow natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures by no means begins taken away by the union, but rather the properties of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning concerning him, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

The Athanasian Creed  Written by Athanasius a bishop of the Church in the 4^th century.  He exerted great influence, but also suffered much persecution for his stance on the Trinity and the deity of Christ. The great controversy was between two viewpoints:

1. Arius – who taught that Jesus was not fully God, but the highest of the created beings. (Jehovah Witness teaching)
2. Athanasius – taught the Jesus is God and equal with the Father. 

The Story:  The controversy grew to such lengths that those who followed Athanasius were severally persecuted.  At one time anther bishop approached Athanasius (who was Bishop of Africa) and said “The whole world is against who Athanasius!”  This was said as if to encourage Athanasius to conform and accept what was being taught.  It was then that Athanasius uttered the statement of his belief in Christ and said “Very well, then I am against the world!”

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith.  Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.  And the Catholic Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance.  For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost.  But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.  Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such in the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Ghost uncreated.  The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.  The Father eternal, the Son eternal and the Holy Ghost eternal.  And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal.  As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible.   So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty and the Holy Ghost Almighty.  And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.  So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God.  And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.  So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord and the Holy Ghost is Lord.  And yet not three Lords, but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord, So we are forbidden by the Catholic Religion to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords.  The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten.  The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten.  The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten but proceeding.  So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.  And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than another; But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal.  So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped.  He therefore that will be saved must think thus of the Trinity.  Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God, is God and Man; God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man of the substance of his Mother, born in the world; Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.  Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching his manhood; Who, although he be God and Man, yet he is not two, but one Christ; One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh but by taking of the Manhood into God; One altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person.  For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead.  He ascended into heaven, he sits at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the quick and the dead.  At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works.  And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.  This is the Catholic Faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

Why are the creeds important today?  1.      Attacks from society:

a.       Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code

                                                   i.      Denies the deity of Christ

                                                 ii.      Rejects that he rose again from the dead

                                                iii.      Teachings of evolution

b.      Media pressures to except all religions as co-equals

2.      Attacks from the cults:

a.       Jehovah Witnesses being the modern day Arians – denying that Jesus is God, the Trinity, etc.

b.      Mormonism – teaching another gospel and a different Jesus

3.      Attacks from within the Church:

a.       There are church groups today who reject the doctrines of the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the authority of God’s Word.  These are essential.  There are no means by which these issues can be compromised over.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer: A Personal Line of Communication

        The Lord’s Prayer can be heard across the centuries of time as men and women who love God echo forth the words that our Lord and Savior taught, in response to the question continually on man’s heart, “Lord Teach us to pray,”  (Luke 11:1). The Lord’s Prayer or the Disciples’ Prayer, as it is sometimes called, has sixty-six words in the King James Version and can be repeated in the span of one minute.  Regardless of the brevity in which most people recite it, it is a prayer that contains meaning and a far greater depth than most people gives it credit for.

      This prayer taught by Jesus has become the foundation for all prayer patterns and it also teaches us some formative information about God the Father.  Through this prayer we learn that, when we become Christians that God is ‘Our Father.’  In this recognition of who God is, it creates a since of belonging to the believer; because God as our Father loves us and cares for us.  The personal pronoun that is used to start the Lord’s Prayer brings the emphasis away from it just being a prayer for the Disciples, to becoming a prayer personal meant for us in our communication with God, who is our Father.

     In the context of the Lord’s Prayer there is a deep personal relationship emphasized with God.  Through this we are reminded that God as our Father loves us; as it says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world,” that He loved the individual person that He was willing to send His son to save us from sin.  In this fact the individual can say that God is our Father with confidence and a surety that He is their Father through adoption.  Through the gift of salvation we are adopted to become sons of God; which establishes the father-son relationship.

      In the establishment of God as one’s personal Father the next part of the Lord’s Prayer establishes where God’s habitation is.  God is in Heaven and because of this we need to know about the place where He resides.  In the prayer we refer to Him as ‘Our Father, which art in Heaven.’   This refers to Him as being transcended (lifted up), or uplifted as it is said in the Anglo-Saxon definition.  Through this we affirm that Heaven is God’s realm and the Earth is the orphanage where He adopts His children.  In Heaven there is a peace that is free from assault from the devil, release from separation, freedom from grief, no more death, no more regrets, and a forever worship of our Father which is in Heaven.  As a result of where the Lord’s Prayer acknowledges where God is, we are to approach the topic with reverence, humility and complete submission in clear emphasis of God’s power and majesty.  Through this definition of where God is we can emphasis that God is not only our Father in Heaven but He also abides with us here on Earth and is with us at all times in our hearts.

    The next phrase of the Lord’s Prayer is a term of reverence and respect in referring to God that His name is hallowed.  This term ‘Hallowed be thy name’ emphasizes the appreciation and filial awe we have for God’s name.  There is so much contained within the meaning of His names, such as Adonai; which means Lord or in case with Moses at the burning bush “I am that I am.  These names reveal so much about who God is and that He is not confined to one fragment of our lives, but is all through it, for His name is hallowed and respected by all.  This name implies the title that God is our King and that He is a God of authority and those beings recognize His authority before all His creation.

     The next section of the Lord’s Prayer is ‘Thy Kingdom come.’  This section refers to the reign of Jesus, that His kingdom represents the entire Christendom.  This phrase emphasizes that Jesus’ kingdom includes His people, evangelism, and the spread of His Church.  It also implies that His kingdom is made up of the Church, His messengers, Revival fires, missions and missionaries.  This phrase is calling for God’s establishment of His kingdom here on earth, in the hearts and souls of all mankind.

     Through the recognition of whom God is and that His name is to be respect the next obvious division of the Lord’s Prayer is that His will be done.  The Lord’s Prayer said ‘Thy will be done,’ it does not say our will, but the will of our Father that is in Heaven.  A Danish Christian philosopher once remarked in reference to God’s wills that “Prayer does not change God; but it changes those who offer it.” To due God’s will is the most important part of this scripture because without the clear obedience of this fragment of the prayer the others are still meaningful but without the fire of the words.  As John 6:38 says “For I come down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.”  Jesus when He came to Earth was still doing the will of His Father.  This is the perfect example of how we are supposed to follow God and do His will, even as our Lord Jesus Christ did in obeying God who sees the larger picture.  

     In this next phrase the emphasis is place on the fact that God’s will is not only done in Heaven but also on Earth, as it says ‘In Earth as it is in Heaven.’  In Jeremiah 18:2 it refers to the Potter’s Wheel and how the potter has the master control and that He knows what is best for His pottery.  The same is the case with our Lord His will is done in Heaven and also in Earth in the shaping of our daily lives.  In Psalms 40:2 it says in reference to all God has done for us, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”  If we did not have God for our Father we would be in a terrible way; where we would still be sinking in that horrible pit and in the miry clay, but He came and pulled us out and established us in His way of safety.  As Phillip Keller said, “Obey and be blessed; disobey and meet disaster.”  Mankind has two distinct choices, as presented in this quote we can obey  God and be blessed or disobey and reap eternal punishment.

     The Lord’s Prayer next seeks God through a request ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’  In this part of the Lord’s Prayer it is asking for God to bless us with the things we need and that we may do all for His glory and praise.  As Mathew 6:33 says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” Truly we can do all things for the glory of God and thank Him for all that He has given us each day.

      The Lord Jesus now tells His disciples to pray continually each day that God may forgive there debts or trespasses.  The phrase in this section is ‘And forgives us our debts.’  This illustrates to us clearly that we must remember our failures of the past so that we can forgive those who commit sin against us in the future.  Through the gift of God’s only Son to ransom us from sin, we have an eternal debt of gratitude to God.  But as truly as He forgave our debts we can pray that God will not only forgive us, but also pray ‘As we forgive our debtors.’ For even Jesus illustrated this fact in Luke 23:34 when He said “Father forgive them…” Truly Jesus is a living example of how He taught His Disciples to pray and to us in the present and to those in the future.

    ‘And lead us not into temptation’ is the phrase that means so much as we are not only asking God’s help for the past, but we are continuing to seek it for the present and the future.  The power of the tempter verses man is a spiritual struggle, but man can come out the victor through God’s help, as we pray for help in times of temptation.  As I John 4:4 “Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.”  The prayer also continues ‘Deliver us from evil.’  We pray this in I Timothy 6:11-12a “But thou O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…”  Paul is instructing Timothy that the key in life is to follow God and nothing else.  If other things get in the way flee from it and follow after God with your whole heart.

     The final part of the Lord’s Prayer is the benediction ‘For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’ We pray in this part that God’s kingdom is here even now in the hearts of man, and that we serve a God of power and majesty and that it is His glory and not that of mans.  This final phrase concludes the Lord’s Prayer with Praise, emphasizing the position of God, His power, majesty, glory, and his goodness.  This concluding sentence summarizes the definite purpose of the Lord’s Prayer which is to worship and praise Our Father in Heaven.

   The Lord’s Prayer is the most influential prayer in history because it emphasizes a clear communication with God.  Thomas Carlyle, a nineteenth century Scottish writer said “I tried to think out the Lord’s Prayer, but found it beyond my depths.”  Truly the Lord’s Prayer is an important form of communication with God as it emphasizes a personal relationship with Him and establishes a clear idea of the greatness of God.  It was once said “The Lord’s Prayer may be committed to memory quickly, but it is slowly learned by the Heart.” The Lord’s Prayer is an established communication line with Heaven for through it; Christians learn how to pray and connects us in a more deeply personal relationship with God.  As Matthew Henry said “The Lord’s Prayer is a letter from Heaven.”  Truly the Lord’s Prayer is a line of communication, by which we talk to the Father and He talks to us.