Tomorrow we continue this season of Prayer and Reflection during "Spring" which is what the word "Lent" means. We know that "The Meaning of the Word "Lent" The word Lent comes from Anglo Saxon times which means spring. In Latin, Lent is quadragesima which means forty days."
We also recognize that we give up something in Lent because we then replace that time, to prepare food or whatever we gave up, with time devoted to the Lord, Prayer and Reflection on HIS Word. I shared on Ash Wednesday that the Eucharist was stopped during the week in the Season of Lent, and still is in the Orthodox Church (http://oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the/lenten-fasting) I have been using the "Seeking God for our City" devotion during these 40 Days of Prayer. This week we looked at the Lord's desire to revive the arts in a way to honor him. I think it is so important to revive and reclaim these gifts for the Lord!
Tomorrow we will look at the second petition of the series "Lord teach us HOW to pray: The Lord's Prayer" We looked at how the disciples were asking Jesus in Luke 11:1 " 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.” We examine the desire the Disciples, and we, have to pray as well as HOW to pray modeled by our Lord and given to us as the OUR FATHER or LORD'S PRAYER in Matthew 6. We will hear about God's Kingdom from Psalm 103 where it is promised and then the fulfillment when Jesus calls his disciples in Mark 1:14-20
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” He said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.
Martin Luther explained the Second Petition in the Small Catechism as:
The Second Petition: Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we
pray in this petition that it may come to us also.
How does God's kingdom come? 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.
212. What is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is His ruling as king over the whole universe (kingdom of power), the church on earth (kingdom of grace), and the church and angels in heaven (kingdom of glory).
Psalm103:19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
(Kingdom of power) John 3:5 Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." (Kingdom of grace) 2 Tim. 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Kingdom of glory)
213. For what do we pray in the Second Petition?
We do not pray that God's kingdom of power would come, because that is already present everywhere, but we ask God to
A. give us His Holy Spirit so that we believe His Word and lead godly lives as members of His kingdom of grace; Mark 1:15 "The time has come," He said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the
good news!" Rom. 14:17 The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Col. 1:13-14 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.
B. bring many others into His kingdom of grace;
Matt. 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.
2 Thess. 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and
be honored, just as it was with you.
C. use us to extend His kingdom of grace;
Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with
great boldness. 1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
D. hasten the coming of His kingdom of glory.
Phil. 3:20 Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord
Jesus.
214. How can we be certain that the kingdom of God comes?
The Lord guarantees that His means of grace establish and sustain His kingdom.
Is. 55:11 My word ... will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Bible narrative: The parable of the growing seed (Mark 4:26-29).
Tomorrow we will celebrate the truth of KINGDOM being here and near! We will rejoice in the gift of David and Beth Marshall becoming Commissioned Family Life Ministry Workers in the LCMS! We hear Rev. Galan Walther from our Michigan District of LCMS sharing with us at both EMU Services. We will celebrate the truth of this petition being answered by our amazing LORD.
Please join us to worship and pray,
Love in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Pastor Bryan
No comments:
Post a Comment