Praying in Light of God's Priorities (Matt. 6:9-10)

Outline: Matthew 6:9-10

1. Petition #1: Hallowed by your name
2. Petition #2: Your kingdom come
3. Petition #3: Your will be done

Summary: As an introduction to the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us two basic prayer principles.  First, our prayers should be fueled by pure motives (6:5-6). Second, our prayers should be characterized by deep trust in our Father's care for us (6:7-8).  What it would look like to infuse these prayer principles into our everyday prayers? Jesus shows us by equipping us with a model prayer, which is known as the Lord's Prayer (6:9-15).  The six petitions in this model prayer give us "hooks" to hang our prayers on. This week we focus our attention on the the first three petitions in which Jesus teaches to pray in light of our Father's top priorities: His glory, His kingdom, and His will.

Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean that the Lord's Prayer is a model prayer?
• What is the basic structure of the Lord's Prayer? What significance is there to that structure? 
• What must we keep in mind when we address God in prayer? 
• What are we requesting when we pray "hallowed by your name"?
• What are we requesting when we pray "your kingdom be come"?
• What are we requesting when we pray "your will be done"?
• In what way does the phrase "on earth as it is in heaven" serve as an interpretive "key"?
• What practical steps might we take to see our motives more fully shaped by God's priorities?

Application Questions:

• To what extent are my Father's priorities shaping my prayers?
• Am I more concerned about my glory, my kingdom, and my will or vice versa? Explain.
• If my motives more fully aligned with God's priorities, what powerful effects might this have on my life and the lives of those around me? 

Prayer Points:

• Confess to God your lack of concern for His priorities.
• Praise Jesus for being the perfect model of reverence, submission, and obedience.
• Praise Jesus for dying on the cross to forgive your self-centeredness, that is, your (very human) tendency to make life about your glory, your kingdom, and your will.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you align your motives with God's priorities.

Worship:

Here are three new kingdom-focused worship songs!

Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective

Let Your Kingdom Come - Sovereign Grace 

All Glory Be To Christ - Kings Kaleidoscope 

Discipleship 101: Don’t Look Back! (Luke 9:57-62)

                                                                                                                          Visit fbcpierz.org/sermons to listen to this sermon.

Outline: “Eavesdropping” on Three Conversations (Luke 9:57-62)

1.     Conversation #1 (vv.57-58)

2.     Conversation #2 (vv.59-60)

3.     Conversation #3 (vv.61-62)

Summary: In obedience to his Father, Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem where he will take up his cross.  Along the way, Jesus calls people to follow him as his disciples. In our passage, we hear three conversations happening along the way and by “eavesdropping” we get to glean more about the nature of true discipleship. Jesus tells us about the necessity of active obedience and kingdom priorities, about mature expectations and the call to not look back. Everyday Jesus is saying, “follow me” and we have the opportunity to say, “you are my priority.”

Key points:

·      Disciples are to be mature, not naïve in their expectations

·      Disciples are to be people of active obedience not mere good intentions

·      Disciples are to recognize that delayed obedience is disobedience

·      Disciples are to set kingdom priorities above all other priorities

·      Disciples are to focus on kingdom work and not look back

Discussion Questions:

·      In the first conversation (9:57-58), Jesus seems to detect some naivety or ignorance.  What can we learn from Jesus’ response that may help us mature in our expectations of what it means to follow him?  How might your own expectations need to change in light of Jesus’ words?

·      What is the difference between good intentions and active obedience?

·      In the last two conversations (vv.59-60, 61-62) we see the word “but” show up in the responses to Jesus’ command “follow me.”  What does this word signal?  Interact with this statement: “delayed obedience is disobedience.”  Are there areas in your life where Jesus is saying, “follow me” and you are delaying? 

·      In each of the last two conversations (vv.59-60, 61-62) we see the word “first” show up.  What does this word signal?  What do Jesus’ responses teach us about the kingdom and how it should be prioritized in our lives?  Are kingdom priorities taking a “back seat” to any other priority in your life?

·      Why is it so important not to look back?  What would it look like for you to focus on kingdom work at home? In your work place? In your relationships with unbelievers?  In your relationship with fellow believers?