ScriptureStream

The Lord's Model Prayer

Introduction Matthew 6:9-13 The point of prayer It’s not to show off (Matthew 6:5) Long prayers are not bad – Jesus Himself sometimes prayed for long amounts of time. The problem is when you are making a long prayer just to show off. It’s not to have “meaningless repetition” (Matthew 6:7) Don’t just say the phrases by rote without meaning. It’s not to provide information to God (Matthew 6:8) God already knows what we need before we ask. It’s a personal connection with God (Matthew 6:6) God is not too busy to listen to us. He ways to hear from us. “Pray then, in this way …” “Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name.” “name” can refer to more than just your literal name. Matthew 10:22; 12:21; Acts 3:6 It can also refer to a person’s power, reputation, etc. We should keep God holy and revered in our minds. “Your kingdom come.” Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17 At the time, the kingdom was imminent. Acts 2:29-36 – Jesus fulfilled the prophecy made to David a thousand years before. After Acts 2, the kingdom was already in existence. Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9 We could still pray this in the sense of God’s rule coming into people’s hearts. “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 26:39 “Give us this day our daily bread.” I Peter 5:6 God cares about things that matter to us. I Thessalonians 5:17 – We should be praying daily. “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:14 This is referring to transgressions and spiritual debts. Acts 8:13, 18-22 Christians maintain their relationship with God via prayer. I John 1:9 “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” James 1:13-14 Scriptures often references indirect action. We know that God Himself does not tempt anyone, but He allows us to be tempted through our own free will. Acts 1:18 John 4:1 Job 42:11 “[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]” This verse was not included in the most ancient manuscripts.

James 5:1-20

James 5 James 5:3 – The meaning of the end of this verse is a bit unclear. It may just mean that this problem had become especially bad recently. James 5:4 – Under the Law of Moses, workers were to be paid at the end of every day. James 5:6 – Compares James 2:6. The rich were abusing the poor. James 5:7 – Be patient! The “coming of the Lord” may mean the second coming of Christ or it may just mean God’s punishment on the unrighteous wealthy men in James 5:1-6. James 5:10 – Be patient like the prophets. Many of them were treated horribly. James 5:11 – Job is the example of patient suffering. But the Lord is full of compassion and merciful. This is the lesson we should get from Job! James 5:13-15 – Is this referring to spiritual or physical illness? The work of elders – Titus 1:9; I Timothy 5:17 Anointing with oil – Psalms 23:5; Hebrews 1:9 James 5:20 – This is a concise refutation of “once saved, always saved.”

Holiness, Part 5

Holiness: optional for Christians? Holiness is not optional because: It is given through Christ II Timothy 1:8-10 – This was the plan from the very beginning. Hebrews 10:10-14, 19-26 – By Christ’s one perfect sacrifice, we can be made holy. It is required for fellowship with God Who will see the Lord? Hebrews 12:14 Psalms 15:1-5 – Who shall sojourn in your tent? Psalms 15:2 He who walks uprightly He who works righteousness He who speaks truth in His heart Psalms 15:3 Does not slander with his tongue Does not do evil with his neighbor Does not take up reproach from his friend Psalms 15:4 Despises vile people and honors God-fearing people Who keeps an oath even when it hurts Psalms 15:5 Who is fair and honest in financial matters It is required for effective service to God II Timothy 2:19-21 – Do you have “china” (place settings) in your house? II Timothy 2:21 – Gives a description of the honorable vessel. “Set apart as holy” and therefore “useful to the master.”

James 4:1-17

James 4 James 4:1 – See James 1:14; 3:13. The source of our trouble is our own lust – not God. Other people might create problems, but we must look inward and see what problems we might be causing ourselves. James 4:2-3 – See I John 5:14. We should not think that prayer is a magic ability to satisfy our physical desires. It should not be used as an avenue for selfishness. James 4:4 – See II Corinthians 11:2. Friendship with the world: John 17:15 Ephesians 5:7 I John 2:15 I Thessalonians 5:22 Romans 12:2, 9 Romans 1:32 Galatians 6:14 James 4:5 – This is often presented as a quote in various translations, but there were no quotes in the original. There is no verse in the Old Testament or New Testament that matches this. The NIV translation has a good take on this – it is not a quote but something that Scripture says in general. James 4:6 – Pride separates us from God. James 4:7 – We don’t negotiate with God. He has already given us His offer. It is up to us to accept. We are more powerful than Satan. If we resist him, there is nothing else he can do. James 4:8 – Put the sin out of your life! James 4:10 – God is looking for humble hearts. James 4:11 – See John 7:24. Don’t let this conflict with Jesus’ commands to discern rightly. Don’t attempt to put yourself above the law. James 4:13 – It is not sinful to make a plan, but don’t leave God out of your plans. James 4:17 – The “right thing to do” is what he just said in James 4:15 – live with God in mind.

Serving Christ (when you're not a spring chicken anymore)

Introduction Proverbs 16:31 Be realistic, but optimistic Acts 1:16 Psalms 71:9, 15, 5-8 – He had learned to trust in the Lord. Philemon 1:8-9 – Paul appealed to him as an old man. Can you do this as well? II Samuel 19:39-39 – Barzillai returned home and sent his servant on to help David. He aged gracefully and wisely. Older people are often very content. This can be a great lesson to others. II Corinthians 4:16 Younger folks should honor older folks I Timothy 5:3 Philippians 3:17 Thank you to all of our older folks! You ain’t done yet! Psalms 92:12-15 Luke 1:36 – Elizabeth bore a son in her old age. Luke 2:36-38 – Anna served in the temple in her old age. Exodus 7:7 – Moses was eighty years old when he stood before God. Leviticus 19:32 – Honoring the older people was part of the Law of Moses. I Timothy 3:6 – Elders must be men with experience. Example: Dr. Chibanda trained grandmothers in Zimbabwe to help those with psychological issues. The grandmothers were more effective than the doctors! II Timothy 1:5 Titus 2:3-4