Dear Church Family, an update for the week of August 8, 2010…
For those who attended the Adult Sunday School, Greg Ing began his five session missions class to learn about what God is doing worldwide. Please join in for any or all of the sessions.
Pastor Rod will be leading a two week class for those who are interested in learning more about our church: its history, beliefs, mission, and vision. Pre-reading is required.
Thank you to Vernon Kam for bringing a message on “The Lord’s Prayer” from Matthew 6:9-15. A summary of highlights follows:
A. God as Father.
1. We pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus.
2. God wants us to have a close relationship with Him.
B. His name hallowed; kingdom come. Leviticus 22:23(KJ) Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you…. Is His name hallowed in us? Is He king in our lives? Do we submit to Him, obey Him?
C. Your will be done.
1. When God exercises His will, ultimately good things will happen.
2. Two ways of looking at God’s will.
a. God’s will of purpose. This is God’s foreordained plan and purpose. It will not change and cannot be thwarted. God makes sure it will happen. Example: Jesus dying for our sins. Job 42:2(NASB) “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”
b. God’s permissive will. God allows certain things to happen. He doesn’t make them happen but permits them to happen. When the Jewish leaders and the Romans crucified Christ, God permitted them to do it. God always has a reason for allowing things to happen. We see why Christ was crucified – so that we may obtain forgiveness of our sins. When God allows an earthquake or cancer to happen, often we don’t comprehend His reasons. In faith, we must believe in what He says: Romans 8:28 …in all things God works for the good …according to his purpose.
3. How do we determine what God wants us to do?
a. His general will. Revealed in Scripture – what to believe; how to behave. Examples: Believe in Christ. Don’t steal, don’t commit adultery, be loving, be patient.
b. His specific will. Examples: Who should I marry? Should I take this or that job? Pray. If your heart is set on doing God’s will, you will discern it. He will reveal His will to you.
4. The major reason for most unanswered prayers is that they are not in accordance with God’s will.
5. Although we cannot change the will of God, prayer can affect the timing of something God has willed. We see this in the following:
a. It was God’s will that Ninevah be destroyed. But because of their repentance and prayer, the timing was changed. Destruction did not occur until 100 years later. (Jonah 3)
b. It was God’s will that King Hezekiah die, but the timing was changed because of his prayer. He lived 15 more years. (Isaiah 38)
6. Don’t be afraid to ask God for things.
D. Our daily bread.
1. Bread symbolizes all that is necessary to sustain life.
2. God will provide for our needs.
E. Forgiveness.
1. When we accept Christ, all our sins are forgiven. Here we are praying for forgiveness for the sake of sanctification – of growing spiritually.
2. Matthew 6:14-15 For 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.
3. If our sins are not forgiven, then our prayers will not be effective.
4. Not easy to forgive. God will give us the power to forgive and love.
RY