The Lord’s Prayer (part 2)
Jeremy Bell
Matthew 6:5-15 (focus 11-15)
August 27, 2023
Sermon Audio
Sermon Recap PDF
Matthew 6:5–15 [5] “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [6] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. [7] “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [9] Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. [10] Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread, [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [14] For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (ESV)I. Give us this day our daily bread
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” — James 1:17
II. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9
“The man who knows he has been forgiven, only in and through the shed blood of Christ, is a man who must forgive others. He cannot help himself. If we really know Christ as our Savior our hearts are broken and cannot be hard, and we cannot refuse forgiveness…whenever I see myself before God and realize even something of what my blessed Lord has done for me, I am ready to forgive anybody anything. I cannot withhold it, I do not even want to withhold it. That is what our Lord is saying here.” — Martyn Lloyd-Jones
III. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. — 1 Cor. 10:13
Questions for Discussion/Application
- Re-read Matthew 6:5-15. Having re-read the text and listened to the sermon, what stands out to you the most about verses 9-15 of the Lord’s Prayer?
- When we pray “Give us this day our daily bread”, what are we asking our heavenly Father to do for us?
- Why is it so critical that we look to the Lord, in faith and in prayer for our daily bread? How can self-sufficiency hinder us in seeking to pray this way?
- “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” What is sobering about this part of the Lord’s prayer? Consider re-reading the Lloyd-Jones quote in the Recap under point #2. How do you personally want to grow in modeling and exemplifying this grace of forgiveness?
- How can remembering the gospel, and preaching the gospel to ourselves help us to forgive others?
- “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Why is it important that we as believers pray this daily?
- How personally are you helped in your own prayer life by considering the Lord’s prayer?
- Consider taking taking to pray through verses 11-15 of the Lord’s prayer as a group.
[11] Give us this day our daily bread, [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [14] For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.