Question

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THE LORD’S PRAYER

Luke 11:1-13

Key Verse:11:2

1. Read verse 1. Why was prayer important to Jesus? What request did one disciple make of Jesus? Why were they suddenly interested in prayer? What did Jesus teach them? (Memorize verses 2-4.)

2. Read verse 2. What did it mean to Jesus to call God “Father”? What does it mean to you? (Ro 8:15; Jn 20:17) What does it mean to hallow God’s name? (Jn 17:1,4) How do people dishonor God’s name? (Ro 2:24)

3. What does it mean to pray, “your kingdom come”? (See footnote, Lk 17:21.) How is this prayer topic related to Jesus’ ministry? To the disciples’ mission?

4. Why pray for “daily” bread? (Ex 16:14-21) Why “our”? Why is forgiveness so necessary? Why pray for forgiveness every day? How can we forgive others? (Mt 18:21-35) Why do we need to pray about temptation? (1Pe 5:8)

5. Read verses 5-8. What is the main point of this parable? Read verses 9-10. How do these verses reinforce the lesson of the parable? What must we learn from this practically?

6. Read verses 11-13. In what respect are all fathers alike? How much more is our loving heavenly Father likely to give us the best gifts? What is the best gift?

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Attachment

• THE LORD'S PRAYER.doc

Message

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YOUR KINGDOM COME

Luke 11:1-13

Key Verse:11:2 “He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.”

  Today Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray and what to pray about. We call it “the Lord’s Prayer’ because the Lord Jesus himself taught us to pray. We sing “the Lord’s Prayer” at the end of our worship service. So, some may consider it as a closing song of the worship service. However, the late Dr. Samuel Lee frequently sang the Lord’s Prayer whenever he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Andrea Bocelli sang the Lord’s Prayer for the Christmas concert. Several years ago when I visited Bonn Germany, I sang the Lord’s Prayer on the Lorelei Hill in Germany, praying that God’s kingdom might come to Germany again. On Easter Sunday 2007, more than two billion Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox Christians read, recited, and sang the Lord’s Prayer in hundred different languages around the world. By singing together the prayer which the Lord Jesus taught us, we became united in Christ Jesus.

  In today’s passage we will study about the content of the Lord’s Prayer and the attitude of prayer. May God show his mercy upon us so that we may have ears to hear the Lord’s words. Amen.

Look at verse 1. “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” It is interesting that Jesus’ disciples finally realized the importance of prayer life. In the past, they did not consider the necessity and significance of prayer because they depended on themselves. So instead of praying, they slept whenever the chance was allowed. But, they learned the prayer life from Jesus, who frequently and regularly withdrew to a solitary place where he prayed.(Mk 1:35,5:16,6:12,9:18) They learned the importance of prayer. Especially, since they confronted their limitations before the boy who was possessed by evil spirits, they became all the more desperate to learn how to pray. After healing the boy, Jesus taught his disciples how to drive out demons saying, “The kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mk 9:29) The word of Jesus penetrated their souls like a sword.

The disciples knew the importance and power of the prayer, yet they did not know how to pray. They have watched the Pharisees’ long and extravagant standing prayer which had been performed in the synagogues and on the corner of the streets. The disciples also might have envied John’s disciples who had been taught how to pray. How did Jesus reply to his disciples?

Look at verses 2-4. “He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” The Lord’s Prayer appears in the Sermon on Mount in Matthew’s Gospel.(Mt 6:9-11) In the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew’s version there are six requests whereas there are five requests in Luke’s gospel. The first three requests are related to God and the last three requests to us. In other words, the first three petitions are for God’s glory, and the others for our own sake.

First, “Father” Jesus taught us to address God “Father”, which is “Abba” in Aramaic. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says, “Our Father in heaven.” It was revolutionary at Jesus’ time when the disciples called God “Father”. The Jews did not call God’s name directly because God is too holy to be called by his name. So they called God in different ways such as “Adonai”, or “El Shaddai” and so on. But, Jesus taught his disciples to call God “Father.” How come? How dare the sinful disciples to call God “Father”? It is possible because Jesus who would die in our place made us call God “Father.” In nature due to our sins we were the enemies of God. But through his atoning death on the cross, the Savior Jesus brought about reconciliation with God, making it possible for us to become his spiritual children through the new birth. 1 John 3:1 says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!...”  John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” In Romans 8:15,16 the Apostle Paul says that by him (Jesus) we cry “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Amen.

  These days the image of Father became diverse and dependent. However, when we call God “Father” we believe that our God is the only true father and we are his true children. Since our God is the true father we can ask Him with all boldness and confidence as dear children ask their dear father. Our Father God is loving and caring. He is also personal. This morning I thought about with what kind of food I can feed my two children who were still sleeping. As their responsible father, I wanted to show my best love and care for them. This is father’s heart. Our heavenly father is more than this. Heb 4:16 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Amen.

Second, hallowed be your name. What do these words mean?  It means that we must pray that God’s name may be regarded and treated holy among us. Our God is holy. We must keep his name holy in us and among us. In the Ten Commandments God said, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Ex 20:7) How is God’s name kept holy? Martin Luther’s Small Catechism answers, “God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it.” In other words, when we teach the word of God truthfully and faithfully, God’s name is kept holy and his glory is displayed among us and in us. God’s name is kept holy when we live according to his words. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Our one to one Bible study looks insignificant to the eyes of unbelievers. However, to the eyes of our God the Father, it is to display his glory and to keep his name holy among unbelievers. Our Lord Jesus lived his entire life in order to glorify the Father’s name through teaching and healing. He completed his mission through his  obedience on the cross. So, let us pray that God’s name may be hallowed through our Bible studies and obedience to His words. Amen.

Third, your kingdom come. These words must be the theme of the Lord’s Prayer. “Your Kingdom Come” What does it mean? As our God is eternally holy, so He eternally reigns in absolute sovereignty. In other words, we must pray that God may reign and rule us as our Lord and King. Jesus came to announce and to bring the Kingdom of God. His first message was “The time has come. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mt 4:17, Mk 1:15, Lk 4:43) The Kingdom of God is His ruling as king over the whole universe, the church on earth and the church and angels in heaven. Ps 103:19 says, “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.”

  How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Colossians 1:13-14 says, “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” When we repent of our sins and receive the forgiveness of sins, the kingdom of God comes into us. There was a short, but wealthy man named Zacchaeus in the city of Jericho. He was rich but not happy because his selfishness and greed for money made his life tired and lonely. He was treated as a son of beach. However, one day he happened to meet Jesus. He listened to Jesus and decided to give half of his possessions to the poor. He repented. Next, not only he invited Jesus to his house, but also he received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. For the first time of his life, Zaccaues tasted the happiness of sharing and the joy of salvation through Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God came to Zaccaeus since he received Jesus in his heart. Jesus said to Zaccaues, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.” (Lk 19:9)

God’s kingdom also comes when the Holy Spirit fills us. God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity. Romans 14:17 says, “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” We remember the Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin in Acts 7. At that time, Stephen’s life was like a smoldering wick before the Sanhedrin, who were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. However, filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Ac 7:55) God’s kingdom came to Stephen through the Holy Spirit even in the midst of death threat. The Holy Spirit drove out all evil spirits so that God’s kingdom could come into the heart of Stephen. Righteousness, peace and joy are the fruits of the Holy Spirit and those we can enjoy forever in the kingdom of God.

We must pray that God’s kingdom may come into our hearts first. Then, we must pray that God’s kingdom may come into the hearts of young people in St. Louis. We pray for this country America to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. It is the same prayer topic when we pray that God’s kingdom come into this land. Let us pray that God may rule us and reign in America. Our prayer topic seems to be small and insignificant. However, this prayer topic is the seed of life and great transforming power to change America a priestly nation and shepherd country for the whole world again.

A couple weeks ago, we had UBF 50^th Anniversary WMR in Seoul Korea with more than 5,000 people. UBF started from small Bible study groups and prayer meetings in a small college in a small country a half century ago. However, for the last 50 years God has used this ministry to expand His Kingdom not only in Korea, but also 92 to countries in the world. Shepherd Ben, his brother Luke, and I visited Yang Hwa Jin, the historical cemetery of the early American missionaries in Korea. We saw all the American missionaries tombs including a year old baby’s tomb. Grant Horace Underwood, the first Presbyterian American missionary to Korea, was buried there. To the eyes of the unbelievers, his life seemed to be not significant. However, to the eyes of God, his life became a kernel of wheat to save many lives in Korea. His life of faith became the seed of life which brought the Kingdom of God into Korea. God’s kingdom came to Korea through the sacrificial and devoted lives of the American missionaries a century ago. Now, Korea became the second missionary sending country in the world next to America. We must pray that God’s kingdom may be extended to 247 nations by 2041. Amen. Let us pray that God may make America once again a missionary sending country in this century. Amen. Let us remember that God’s kingdom starts when we repent of our sins and receive Jesus Christ through our one to one Bible study.

Fourth, give us our daily bread.(3) Here the word ‘bread’ means ‘food in general’ which we need. Of course God knows that we his dear children need foods to eat. Still, he wants us to ask to Him. Why? It is because by asking for daily bread God wants us to trust him and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving. In the desert, God asked his people the Israelites to seek manna each and every day. God provided them with daily portion of manna, not weekly or monthly, except for the Sabbath so that they might learn to trust God for manna day by day. (Exo 16:4; Deut 8:6) Jesus wants us to pray to God to give us our daily bread. Broadly speaking, daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, job, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like. How does God provide our daily bread? God makes the earth fruitful and blesses us with the ability to work for the things we need. Amen.

Fifth, forgive us our sins. (4a) Look at verse 4. “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us…” We don’t deserve to ask this prayer but to receive punishment due to our sins. But only by God’s grace we ask for the forgiveness of our sins. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(1 Jn 1:9) When our sins are forgiven, the kingdom of God enters in our hearts. As God forgives us, so we also must forgive others who sinned against us. It is not an option, but a commission. Jesus said in Matthew 6:14,15. “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Forgiveness is not only one of the most beautiful words to hear, but also one of the most difficult words to practice. King David was a great servant of God. Still he was very difficult to forgive his son Absalom who had killed his brother Amon and rebelled against him. How can we forgive others? We can forgive others when we remember God’s grace.(Mt 18:21-35)

Sixth, lead us not into temptation.(4b) What does this mean? God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

In verses 5-10, Jesus continues to teach us about the attitude of prayer. Look at verses 5-10. In this parable, Jesus wants us to pray with persistence until God answers our prayer. In the Middle East, people often travel during nighttime avoiding heat of the day. The travelers visit their friends without notice. At Jesus’ time, the Jews slept in a room with their children together. Definitely, it would not be easy to open the door without waking up their children. However, the man in the house opened the door not because the request was his friend but because he bothered him too much. We must bother God through our prayer until God opens the door. We must ask, seek, and find with persistence until God answers our prayer. One of our UBF spirits is persistent prayer. We persistently prayed until the door of CIS opened. We persistently pray until the door of N. Korea opens. Do you have anyone whom we pray for salvation? We must pray with persistence until God opens his or her heart. Amen. Let us read verses 9,10 again.

In verses 11-13 Jesus teaches us to ask the Holy Spirit from the Father God. Look at verses 11-13. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” We have many things to ask to God such as courage, wisdom, ability, and so on. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit is the best gift among all these. When the Holy Spirit fills us, the kingdom of God reigns us. When the Holy Spirit comes us, he leads us into the truth, who is Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit comes, we receive power and wisdom to carry out God’s will for world salvation.(Ac 1:8)

  In today’s passage we learned the Lord’s Prayer. We call God “Abba, Father” with our best affection and conviction. We must pray that God’s name may be praised in us, among us, and through us. Above all let us pray that God’s kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

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Attachment

• YOUR KINGDOM COME-message.doc