094. MAT 6:9. THE LORD’S PRAYER

Mat_6:9. The Lord’s Prayer

THE INTRODUCTION

"Our Father which art in heaven."’97Mat_6:9.

Observe,

I. The Being whom we are directed to address.

The only living and true God, the Father of Jesus Christ. And he possesses all hose perfections which render him the fit object of divine worship.

1. He is the Eternal One.

2. He is infinite in power and wisdom.

Nothing too difficult or hard for him.

3. He is the only true God.

Cannot lie or deceive.

4. He is boundless in benevolence and grace.

Too good to be unkind.

5. He is omnipresent.

Ever near to hearken and to save.

6. He is omniscient’97And knows all things.

7. He is faithful to his word, and immutable in his counsels and perfections.

Observe, also,

II. His Relative Character.

"Our Father."

1. The Author of our existence.

In him we live; he fashioned us, &c.

2. The Preserver of our being.

He preserves us, keeps us alive sustains a, &c.

3. The adopted Father of believers.

"Abba, Father;" 1Pe_1:3; Gal_4:6

4. He is the universal Parent of all mankind.

"Our." "He hath made of one blood all nations of men," &c.; Act_17:26. Hence, all men are united in one fraternal bond. Notice,

III. His Imperial Habitation.

"Who art in heaven." Of this place we know but little. It is undoubtedly that glorious world, styled, "the heaven of heavens, highest heavens, the third heavens, paradise, most holy place," the sublimest part of the Divine dominions. We are not to suppose that he is there only, for "the heaven of heavens cannot contain him; he fills heaven and earth; he is everywhere present." But he is in heaven,

1. As his holy habitation.

Throne there, train of attendants there, &c.; Isaiah vi. He is there,

2. More gloriously than elsewhere.

There are the brightest communications of his glory and perfections. Richest displays of his goodness. Sweetest enjoyments, &c. Fulness of joy’97pleasures for evermore. We are directed to address God as "our Father who art in heaven." That; we may pray to him,

1. With reverence; Ecc_5:1.

2. With humility. God regardeth the humble, the lowly, and the contrite; Isa_57:14; Gen_18:27.

3 With confidence in his greatness and all-sufficiency.

4 With heavenly desires and dispositions, &c. To teach us,

5. Chiefly to seek heavenly blessings. "Those things that are above." To contemplate it,

6. As the abode of our spirits and glorified bodies forever. To dwell with God, behold his glory, worship before him, "see him as he is," &c.

Application

1. Some do not know God. How lamentable, how wretched such a state; how criminal, when he has so fully revealed himself in nature, providence, his word, and in the person of his Song of Solomon 2. Some are haters of God. Dislike his laws, yoke. &c. Who is the Almighty, &c. 3. Some entertain dishonorable views of God Never reflect upon him but as arrayed investments of terror’97as despotical, &c. Only think of his judgments, &c. "God is love." "He is good to all," &c. "Delighteth in mercy." 4 Some delight in him as their heavenly Father. Love, revere, trust in him, obey him, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS