Matthew 6:9 (NKJV) In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
For those who struggle with prayer, especially young believers, the Lord’s Prayer provides a format to follow. Addressing our Heavenly Father at the start of the conversation gives us a sense of closeness. We live in an imperfect world, so some may not have a good relationship with or impression of their earthly fathers. Therefore, we must clearly understand that we have a good Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally.
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldy to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
One of the privileges of being a child of God is the ability to come before the Heavenly Father anytime and anywhere. We have been encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace—a place where God dispenses His grace into our hearts to sustain us in times of need. Therefore, we should take every opportunity to approach God reverentially, candidly, and casually, knowing that He loves to have fellowship with us.
We have been invited to come boldly without reservation into the presence of God. Our boldness is based on who we are in Christ, and we have the right to be a child of God after we have received Christ. We must be mindful that we have been given the robe of righteousness when we came into the family of God. We are blessed with all the spiritual blessings in Christ. Therefore, we do not approach God based on who we are or what we have done. Instead, we can come before the Father based on all that Christ has done for us. This position that Christ has obtained for us grants us direct access and boldness, though we are still imperfect in our ways until we reach heaven. Therefore, we should never allow any condemnation of things that we did in the past or recent experiences to hinder us from coming into the presence of the Father. We need to remember that even if we have stumbled, fumbled, or sinned against God, it is always between us and the Heavenly Father. Therefore, don’t allow the devil to talk you out or condemn you that you are unworthy before the Heavenly Father, because we have a Mediator who mediates for us in Heaven—Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
Jesus mediates for us because He has shed His blood to purchase our redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. Christ’s death on the cross has brought peace between God and men. Therefore, we can rightfully approach God based on Christ’s achievement and not our own works. Call out to the Heavenly Father boldly because you are a child of the living God!
Sermon Series: Lord, teach us to pray (part 2)
我们的天父
马太福音 6:9 所以,你们祷告要这样说:我们在天上的父:愿人都尊你的名为圣。
对于那些对祷告感到困难的人,尤其是年轻的信徒,主祷文提供了一个可以遵循的模式。以天父的名开始祷告能够让我们感到亲近。我们生活在一个不完美的世界里,有些人可能与他们的生父关系不好,或者对父亲的印象不佳。因此,我们必须清楚地认识到,我们有一位爱我们无条件的天父。
希伯来书 4:16 所以,我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前,为要得怜恤,蒙恩惠,作随时的帮助。
作为神的儿女,其中一个特权就是无论何时何地,我们都可以来到天父面前。我们被鼓励大胆来到施恩的宝座前——在那里,神将祂的恩典倾注到我们的心中,支撑我们度过困境。因此,我们应该珍惜每一个机会,以敬畏、坦诚且自然的态度亲近神,深知祂喜爱与我们交通。
我们被邀请毫无保留地大胆进入神的同在。我们的大胆是基于我们在基督里的身份,接受基督之后,我们有权成为神的儿女。我们必须牢记,当我们进入神的家时,祂赐给了我们义袍,并在基督里祝福我们一切属灵的福分。因此,我们来到神面前并不是基于我们的身份或行为,而是基于基督为我们所成就的一切。基督为我们取得的这个地位,使我们拥有直接的通道和勇气,尽管在到达天堂之前,我们的行为仍不完美。因此,我们绝不应让过去的错误或最近的经历所带来的谴责,阻碍我们来到天父面前。即使我们曾经跌倒、犯错或得罪了神,也要记住这始终是我们与天父之间的事。因此,不要让魔鬼欺骗你,或让你觉得自己在天父面前不配,因为我们有一位在天上为我们调解的中保——耶稣基督。
提摩太前书 2:5 因为只有一位上帝,在上帝和人中间,只有一位中保,乃是 降世 为人的基督耶稣;
耶稣为我们调解,因为祂流血为我们买赎,赦免我们的罪。基督在十字架上的死亡为天父与人带来了和平。因此,我们可以凭借基督的成就,而不是我们的行为,理直气壮地来到神面前。大胆呼求天父吧,因为你是永生神的儿女!
讲道系列:主,教我们如何祷告(第二部份)
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