SERMON INSIGHTS

Introduction: The Mission of the Church

We are living in a generation that God knew before we were born. A generation chosen to bring change to a world filled with tension, wickedness, and a lack of peace. From the falling of bridges in India to the threat of nuclear materials in the hands of “madmen,” the world is in commotion.

Yet, God has chosen the church as His voice to bring peace and to fulfill His mission. The church is not an earthly organization; it is a holy, heavenly ordained body supervised and led by God. Just as it took only a few people on the Day of Pentecost to do great things, the Lord uses a chosen few to plant “the new thing”. This mission begins with understanding how the church must pray, following the way Jesus taught in Matthew 6:9-13.

Hallowing the Name and Seeking the Kingdom

The prayer begins with “Our Father which art in heaven”. This acknowledges our source and the holiness of the church.

• Hallowed be Thy Name: God’s name must be honored, respected, and made holy. It is not a name to be called in vain; it is a name to be treasured like a special dress kept for the most important days.
• Thy Kingdom Come: The church is on a mission for the Kingdom. This is why Jesus came.
• Thy Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven: This is the pattern for our lives. The righteousness of God is not established by human thinking or polishing worldly ideas. We do not take worldly music or trends and “polish” them for worship; if it is acceptable to God, its origin must be from heaven. Worship must be done in fear, trembling, holiness, and righteousness before the Most High who is seated in the sanctuary.

The Transformation: A Quickening Spirit

Jesus came to change everything. In the Old Testament of man, we were “living souls,” but through Christ, we receive a “quickening spirit”.

• This spirit brings life back to what was dead.
• It initiates a process of transformation into the perfect image of Jesus Christ.
• Because we have this spirit, our lives and the church must operate according to the will and glory of God, not according to human convenience.

Daily Bread: The Heavenly Provision

When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we are not merely asking for physical food. While the body needs food, the soul and spirit need a daily heavenly supply to fulfill the purposes of our calling.

• Defining the “Bread”: Daily bread is identified as the spiritual supply of wisdom, knowledge, and power required to live a holy life and do things as they are done in heaven.
• Christ as the Bread: Jesus is the Bread of Life; we need a daily supply of Him. Because Jesus said, “I am the bread of life,” the prayer for daily bread is a plea for a daily supply of Christ Himself. His wisdom, His divine strength, and His authority.
• Spiritual Supply: We require a daily influx of wisdom, knowledge, divine strength, and authority from heaven.Without this daily spiritual provision, we cannot live the heavenly life on earth.
• The Spiritual Container: The soul and spirit are viewed as a container that must be filled with a daily supply from heaven rather than earthly things.
• Fulfilling the Calling: We ask for this bread specifically to fulfill the “purposes of our calling”.

The Necessity of Daily Connection

A believer cannot maintain the “integrity of their calling” or the “beauty of their stamina” without a constant link to the Holy Spirit.

• The Witness: We need a daily supply of the Holy Spirit to provide the “mind of Christ” over worldly issues, newspaper articles, and radio discussions.
• Navigating Evil: Because the world is full of temptations, the Holy Spirit acts as the helper who reminds and quickens the believer to avoid falling into helplessness.
• The Goal of Peace: Every supply we receive; remission of sins, redemption of the soul, and reconciliation is directed toward achieving the peace that Jesus came to bring to the world.

Forgiveness and the Condition of Mercy

“And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”. This is a fundamental condition for divine living.

• The Sin Factor: Sin is present everywhere; in lies, wickedness, and unrighteousness. We need the daily supply of the blood of Calvary to cleanse us.
• Reconciliation: To truly forgive others, you must first reconcile with your own soul and with God. You cannot beg God for mercy while planning retaliation or evil against others.
• Vengeance belongs to the Lord: We live by the confession that “Mercy reloads my life”.

Deliverance and the Ultimate Confession

“lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”. The world is full of temptations and evil.

• Lead us not into temptation: We need the Holy Spirit to give us the mind of Christ so we can recognize and avoid temptation. Without this, we are helpless.
• Deliver us from evil: We have no power to deliver ourselves. But Jesus came for peace—reconciliation and the remission of sins is all for the purpose of peace .

The prayer concludes with the Great Confession: “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever”.

• No matter what rises against us; Satan, darkness, or men, God controls all things.
• All power is from God. When Jesus says, “Set him free,” even Satan must release the person.

 Conclusion: Moving with the Spirit

We must not be spiritually blind to what God is doing. When the Spirit of God is moving, as it did in the recent deliverance nights, you must get into it. Do not sit and look on; call upon His name while He is near.

Approach your life and your church attendance with a commitment: “Lord, I need your direction today. Give me my spiritual supply for the week”.