Another Day’s Journey

Text:

Matthew 6:9-13:

 9   After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10   Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11   Give us this day our daily bread.

12   And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13   And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for     

         ever. Amen.

 

Theme:

Another Day’s Journey

 

Introduction:

• This old hymn gives the foundation for our theme:

I’m Glad About It

[It’s another day’s journey] and I’m glad

…I’m glad about it

I’m glad

… I’m glad about it

I’m glad

… I’m glad about it

[It’s another day’s journey] and I’m glad

… I’m glad about it.  I’m so glad to be alive.

(other verses as desired and/or moan)

[The road is rough and rocky]

[He saved my soul one day]

[He gave me food to eat]

• Our text has been extracted from a very commonly known scripture à The Model Prayer
• Prayer is:
  • The soul’s sincere desire for change…unspoken…unuttered.
    • –DESIRE
  • Prayer is like the dove that Noah sent forth, which blessed him not only when it returned with an olive-leaf in its mouth, but when it never returned at all.
    • —FAITH…any answer from God is the righ answer
  • How can prayer be effective?
    • James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
      • Fervent Prayer is:

Within the soul, but without wrath.

Within the mind, but without doubt.

Within the mouth, but without pride.

Within the life, but without self.       

• The Model Prayer is the Master’s attempt to provide the disciples with a model of the prayer that satisfies these criteria.
• The Model Prayer reminds us of:
  • Whose we are –> Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name
  • Why we are –> Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
  • Where we are –> On earth as it is in heaven
  • When we are –> Give us this day our daily bread
  • Who we are –> Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
  • What we are –> Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
  • How we are –> For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory. Forever, Amen!
• The theme focuses on one phrase of the model prayer:

 “Give us this day our daily bread”

Body:

• We often fail not because of our past, nor because of our future, but because of our mistakes today!
  • The past God can take care of
  • The future is not ours
  • Today is all that we have!!
    • Carpe Diem à “Seize the Day!”
    • Matthew 6:33-34 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
  • Let’s look at what can help us to make the day a good one à “The 7 Ups”
    • Wake Up!!
      • Decide to have a good day.
        • Isaiah 21:11-12, “The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
        • Psalms 118:24, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
    • Dress Up!!
      • The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
        • 1Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
      • LOOK like you are a child of the King,
    • Shut Up!!
      • Learn to listen.
      • God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
        • Proverbs 13:3, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
        • 2Timothy 2:16, “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
    • Stand Up!!
      • Stand up for what you believe in.
      • Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
        • Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
        • Ephesians 6:13, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
    • Look Up!!
      • Look to the Hills
        • Psalms 121:1, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”
        • Psalms 5:3, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
        • Luke 21:28, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
    • Reach Up!!
      • Reach for something higher.
        • Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
        • Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.“
        • Isaiah 41:13, “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”

Conclusion:

• Lift Up!!
  • Lift up your Prayers
    • Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
  • Lift up your Praises
    • 1Thessalonians 5:13, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
  • So, It’s Another Day’s Journey, and I’m gonna PRAISE HIM!!!!!

#178