WEBVTT 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:01.919 Welcome in everyone. 00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:04.879 My name is Jason, and I'm one of the pastors of the Highland Christian Church. 00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:09.279 On behalf of our team, I just wanted to say thanks for taking some time to journey with us through the scripture. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:16.640 Our hope is that these words would cause you to think carefully about this Jesus would proclaim and that you would choose to trust him in your day-to-day. 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:24.480 As always, if you're in the Asheville area, whether you live here or you're visiting, we'd love for you to come join us at the corner of Livingston and Depot Street in person at the Dr. 00:00:24.559 --> 00:00:26.800 Wesley Grant Senior South Side Center. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:32.399 Our prayer is that God's words would equip you for every good work that He's prepared for you to do today. 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:34.240 So Fifth Sundays. 00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:41.759 Fifth Sundays are opportunities for us to pray together, to worship a little bit longer together, and do this. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:44.479 And so if you're new, congratulations. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:45.920 Uh welcome in. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:49.600 And it's just a part of what uh followers of Jesus do. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:51.359 And so we're gonna pray together. 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:57.119 And the prayer we're actually gonna work through is the prayer Jesus told us to work through. 00:00:57.359 --> 00:00:58.799 It's the one he said to do. 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:03.520 And so I figure you can't go wrong if you're if you're praying what Jesus asks you to pray. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:06.159 This is traditionally called the Lord's Prayer. 00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:11.599 Uh, I think it's misnamed because the Lord's prayer is actually in John 15, 16, 17, and so on. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:17.439 The disciples' prayer, what we are supposed to pray, is what Jesus taught the church to pray. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:20.000 So it's what we're gonna do. 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:24.400 And so Jesus actually prefaces this prayer in Matthew chapter six with a few words. 00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:27.040 Ryan, can you throw that verse up there? 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:37.200 So if you don't know how to pray, and I know we love to use the excuse, I just don't know what to say, I don't know how to pray, and we and we kind of stop before we even start. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:38.799 Jesus gives some instructions. 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:43.760 He says, when you pray, and I love that he assumes you're gonna pray. 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:46.959 He doesn't say if you pray, he says when you pray. 00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:50.319 All right, and he says it three times, which is our emboldened for you. 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:56.079 When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. 00:01:56.239 --> 00:01:59.200 I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:04.799 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your father in private. 00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:08.639 Then your father, who sees everything, will reward you. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:12.159 When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:15.520 They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:20.800 Don't be like them, for your father knows exactly what you need, even before you ask him. 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:27.919 So he he starts with what not to do, and then he says, pray like this. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:30.560 And he intros this little prayer. 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:34.479 We're gonna go through our prayer time together based on what Jesus says to do. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:46.479 So we all kind of start with our father in heaven, but I want us to pay attention to something, two things about this phrase: our and Father in Heaven. 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:50.319 Jesus doesn't say start with my father in heaven, does he? 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:56.080 This is one of the most communal acts believers can do. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:02:57.759 Our. 00:02:58.639 --> 00:03:00.400 Jesus does not let you go. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:03.439 This is a personal, privatized, religious experience. 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:07.919 No, this is our father in heaven. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:17.759 He's changing your view of what God is like by encouraging and inviting us to call God Father. 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:22.080 Our father in heaven. 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:31.680 And I know we live in a society in a world that tries to make dads look ridiculous and men in general and all the different things, and we're trying to not have this. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:35.199 But but Jesus said, our father. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:43.280 In Jewish custom and culture, when you were to picture a father, you were to picture someone trustworthy who can provide. 00:03:43.759 --> 00:03:46.400 That's what Jesus is saying about God. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:04:03.360 And I know we all have our earthly father stories, we have all of our struggles, we have all of the images that we've seen on earth, but Jesus is inviting us to change, to have our view changed by saying, God, I trust you and you can provide. 00:04:03.919 --> 00:04:15.360 And then he moves into, may your name be kept holy, may your kingdom come soon, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:21.199 So, what we're gonna pray out of this portion of the prayer, uh, you can throw that up there real quick. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:23.120 This is just kind of a guide. 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:26.079 And so we're gonna pray in our small groups together. 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:34.160 What we're ultimately saying at this point is, God, I'm wanting to surrender my control and my ways. 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:36.959 That's what I'm saying when I pray this prayer. 00:04:37.279 --> 00:04:41.600 God, I'm inviting your kingdom to change the world and to change us. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:44.319 That's what believers prayed. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:54.319 They believed that when they were saying your kingdom come, they were saying, all the other kingdoms on the earth, they're tough, they're doing their thing, but God, we want your kingdom. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:05:03.439 To say, God, I want your kingdom is to say I want my attitudes, thoughts, words, actions to reflect your kingdom, not the kingdoms of the earth. 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:08.319 God, I want you essentially to change the world through changed people. 00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:10.959 That's what we're inviting God to do. 00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:16.160 So, however, in your groups you would like to pray, God, we're surrendering our control and our ways. 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:20.720 God, we are inviting your kingdom to change the world and to change us. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:28.399 It's such a great thing to know that Jesus said, we and our bunches of times. 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:31.519 We're gonna practice we and our right now. 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:33.920 So go ahead, turn together, turn together. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.639 And if you're new to praying, here's how we do it at Island. 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:43.439 If you don't want to pray, you just bow your head, close your eyes, don't look at anybody, and they'll assume you don't want to pray. 00:05:43.600 --> 00:05:45.120 But we also do this. 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:51.360 You can, if you agree with what somebody next to you has said in their prayer, just go, yep, I agree. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:52.399 Yes, Lord. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:53.279 Amen. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:54.319 I believe that. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:57.120 Yes, what they said, uh-huh, right? 00:05:57.279 --> 00:05:58.800 You can be vocal in your prayer. 00:05:58.879 --> 00:05:59.519 It's okay. 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:00.000 All right. 00:06:00.160 --> 00:06:02.560 But if you don't want to pray, you don't have to pray. 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:03.920 But it I'd invite you to. 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:05.920 Jesus just gave us some ways to pray. 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:12.240 Invite him, talk to him, speak to him, just as Jesus said, He is your Father in heaven. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:21.759 Good. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:44.480 You invited us to ask, you've invited us to seek you, and you have helped us in our not knowing how to pray. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:53.519 Thank you that the disciples were clueless to prayer, and I thank you that we're clueless to prayer, but you've given us ways to access and come to you. 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:56.320 So we we're doing that today. 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:58.399 Would you be honored by it? 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:02.639 So let's uh let's all say this together and it'll be on the screen. 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:05.360 Um, and so we're just gonna quote this together. 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:06.720 All right, so here we go. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:07.519 Ready? 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:19.279 Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy, may your kingdom come soon, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:21.360 So, next part. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:28.639 This is where we typically rush, and I love that Jesus instructs us don't rush past being excited about God. 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:34.559 It's really hard for a human heart to get excited about anything but ourselves. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:38.639 We live in a world that is just obsessed with us, with me. 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:43.120 And the very first thing Jesus does is go, start with God. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:44.480 Just start with him. 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:47.679 Even if you don't know what to say, start there. 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:55.360 Thank him for who he is, be excited about who he is, pray that you'll be excited about what he's doing, invite his kingdom to come. 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:57.440 Don't skip past that when you're praying. 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:02.399 It's such an incredible shift in our perspective and the way we think about things. 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:10.639 And then Jesus says, Give us today the food we need. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:13.440 We typically run to right here. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:17.919 And sometimes this is where we get hung up and we stay put here, right? 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:20.080 Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:23.279 But it is a part of the prayer. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:26.159 Jesus does say give, right? 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:28.320 Where we're saying, give us. 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:32.480 I'm acknowledging God, I'm trusting you to be the one to provide these things. 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:37.840 So when you're saying give, you're saying, God, you're big enough. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:39.440 You're powerful enough. 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:43.600 You are able to provide for the thing that I have going on. 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:46.240 But I also love that it says, give us. 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:50.799 This should cause us great compassion for other people. 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:55.840 To look around and be able to go, give us, not just me. 00:12:56.159 --> 00:13:01.440 There are people standing to my right and to my left, right here with you, that have great needs. 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:03.200 You have great need, yes. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:09.440 But to the person to the right and to the left of you, chances are there is great need in their life as well. 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:11.440 We often miss that. 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:17.919 Jesus won't let us give us today the food we need. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:22.399 That food may not be physical, could be spiritual, could be anything. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:28.320 Jesus is pointing us to the to the one who's capable of providing what we need. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:32.480 So give us today the food we need. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:38.480 Uh, and here are some kind of some prompts, I guess, if you would, if you call them that, to pray these things together. 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:42.480 Give, or God, we trust you to provide for us today. 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:44.080 God, please provide. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.440 You fill in the blank. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:47.679 God, please provide for us. 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:52.159 This is an opportunity for you to pray for one another, share your requests. 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:53.679 What do you have need for? 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:58.240 What is it that today you really need God to come through and provide for? 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.200 And I know it's hard. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.240 You may not know these people. 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:04.960 If you're like, I'd rather not say, but I do have some needs, you can do that. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:12.240 But if you'd be willing to just say to your brothers and sisters to your right and left and go, I have this need and I'd really love for God to provide it. 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:14.080 This is an opportunity to do that. 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.919 Jesus didn't say don't ask. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:17.120 No, he said ask. 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:18.799 And so we're gonna ask together. 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:19.919 It's humbling. 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:26.320 It kind of keeps you like, oh man, this is it's weird feeling to bring a need to somebody else. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:30.080 But he said, give us today the food that we need. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:32.000 So take a minute, take some time. 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:32.879 You can go around. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:37.440 And if you would like to say, this is where I'm at, and if you'd be willing to pray this for me, that'd be great. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:40.960 Or you can just pray together for the people to your right and to your left. 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:43.120 And if you if they don't say anything, it's okay. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:44.080 You can just pray. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.679 So go ahead. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.599 That you are the one who provides. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:23.759 And I thank you that you hear us when we ask. 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:32.160 And I do pray that you would change our hearts to understand that we are all needy, and there are people around us with needs as well. 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:36.799 I thank you for the us and the we of this prayer. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:41.519 So let's uh let's say this together. 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.400 You ready? 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.359 Here we go. 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:47.119 Give us today the food we need. 00:19:48.079 --> 00:20:00.000 Jesus moves on, and he says, and forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:04.640 This is the part one of my pastor friends loves to talk about. 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:11.119 Because we've just said, gimme, gimme, gimme, we get to say, take from me, take from me, take from me. 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:13.839 Now we get to say, take from me. 00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:28.240 And the forgive us is ultimately all those attitudes, actions, words, thoughts, rebellious ideas of all the kingdoms of the world that we're like, I love that. 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:34.240 I love all the hard stuff that I, you know, that comes from rebelling against you, God. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:38.160 We get to say, God, forgive us for those things. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.640 God, take from me the hardened heart. 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:43.680 God, take from me the gossiping mouth. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:47.200 God, take from me the arrogant attitude. 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.480 God, take from me. 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:51.759 This is what we this is when we get to empty ourselves out. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:57.359 But what's amazing about this portion is it's not just and forgive us our sins. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:21:04.799 I don't know how long I've been reading this prayer, but the second half kills me. 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:09.039 As we have forgiven. 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:24.240 As we have forgiven, meaning we're seeking forgiveness from the Lord because we've already been actively forgiving others. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:32.240 Like, this is a completely, totally dependent trust prayer, except for this part. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:39.759 This is an action that we should be doing in the middle of all of this. 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:42.319 Like, I think sometimes we just fly by this part. 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:48.559 If you memorize this in some uh the King James Versions of forgive us our debts as we forgive those who are our debtors, right? 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.400 We just fly by it. 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:57.920 But Jesus' words assume that forgiveness is going to be a part of our lives in a way that is radical. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.599 So much so. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:02.000 That we're like, you know what, God? 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:08.480 Because I'm forgiving people, man, I'm so glad you forgive me, right? 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:15.039 The measure in which we are forgiving, Jesus says, like, uh, it's gonna be used against you. 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:30.400 So when you're begging for God to forgive you, yet you're holding on to unforgiveness and you're holding on to hatred and anger and all of that stuff, Jesus is like, I don't know what to do with that. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:38.160 God has been so merciful to us that it inspires a strange mercy to others. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.960 This is a hard portion of the prayer. 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:46.240 And so um, this is an opportunity for you to just do business with the Lord on your own. 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:51.119 You don't actually have to turn and confess your deepest sins to each other if that's not what you're looking for today. 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.640 I understand that. 00:22:53.839 --> 00:23:00.880 But there's a there's a rule I try and help people understand with the Lord, and it's keep your list short with him. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:07.440 Meaning, don't let your sin pile up so much so that it keeps you from running to him quickly. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:11.440 If this is a daily thing for us, bring it to him. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.200 Confess, right? 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:13.920 Bring it to him. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:16.000 It says you'll be healed, right? 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:26.799 But the other side of that is there may be some people you need to forgive or you need to seek out forgiveness from. 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:31.359 And if the Lord brings those to mind, that's okay. 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:34.640 It's not for your shame, it's for your freedom. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:47.200 So let's take some time just to be silent and maybe think of the things you would like the Lord to take from you as you confess to him, as you bring these things to him. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:52.240 Know that it's not for your shame, it's for your healing and it's for your freedom. 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:58.880 But I also want to encourage you to be people who are active in going and forgiving. 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:05.200 That level of chain bondage type stuff on us is just not good. 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.759 So let's take some time. 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:13.920 And if you need to sit or if you want to get on your knees or you want to do whatever you need to in this moment, there's some prompts here. 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:20.000 But just consider, and maybe if you need to get out of phone, your phone and take notes, stay off the Instagram. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:33.119 But if you need to like write some stuff down, this is an opportunity to be silent before the Lord to let him know that he's aiming to bring freedom as we seek out forgiveness. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.279 So let's pray. 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:59.920 That daily forgiveness and offering and extending forgiveness is a daily practice. 00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:06.559 Thank you that you know there's nothing we can hide from you. 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:08.880 There's no reason to hide it from you. 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:10.799 You said to bring it to you. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:21.440 So, Father, I ask that in these times when we are focusing on seeking your forgiveness and thanking you for your forgiveness. 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.720 Like that's the cool part. 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:24.799 You you promise to forgive. 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:28.319 You promise to clean, you promise to make us new. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:32.240 Help us stand on that way more than we already do. 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:37.200 Help us to know that, Jesus, you have forgiven. 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:41.440 You've cast our sin as far as the east is from the west. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:50.240 And so make it our joy to keep surrendering the attitudes and the actions that reflect this world to you. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:52.799 Because we want your kingdom. 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:55.839 We want it more than anything else. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:29:00.000 So let's say these words together. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:11.039 Give us today the food we need and forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:22.240 The last portion of this prayer is, and don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:26.319 Again, I love us and we language. 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:29.680 It gives us compassion for other people's struggles. 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:38.480 It gives us compassion and an awareness that we all have those things that we need God to step in and deliver us from. 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:42.799 Whenever we think we're the only ones, we're in trouble, right? 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:49.440 The enemy loves to isolate, the enemy loves to make you think you're the only one going through the exact thing you're going through. 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:53.680 You're the only one who struggles with fear, you're the only one who struggles with doubt. 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:58.960 You're the only one who No, we all are in a boat of struggle. 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:04.720 But Jesus has said, and then don't let us yield to temptation. 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:07.599 Jesus didn't say, Hey, don't let me be tried. 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:09.200 Don't let me have temptation. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:11.759 He said, Don't let me yield to it. 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.359 It's coming. 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.720 Life is. 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:16.400 That's how it works. 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.920 It's all gonna be there. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:31.279 But the desire of the believer is to go, God, keep me from those kingdoms and ideas and authorities that would pit me against your kingdom for my life. 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.400 That's what we're saying. 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:36.319 We're saying, God, please step in and don't let me yield. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:38.079 Let me walk away. 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:44.559 What that's actually saying is, God, please let me see you as greater than the lust that I might chase after. 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:51.839 God, let me see you as more beautiful than the relationship I might chase after that could destroy me. 00:30:52.079 --> 00:31:00.880 God, let me see you as more glorious than that fat paycheck that I might be able to chase that could actually bind me up. 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.480 That's what this is saying. 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:05.839 God, please don't let me yield to those temptations. 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:13.680 I want to be a guy or a gal who passes these tests that you throw my way because you're glorious. 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:18.160 And then he says, but rescue us from the evil one. 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:28.400 This is Jesus acknowledging there are active forces on the earth pushing against God's kingdom, God's will, and God's ways. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:38.720 Jesus is saying there are other active forces, other active kingdoms, and there is an opposition to what we prayed together at the very beginning. 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:41.200 We want your kingdom, Lord. 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:45.920 We do not want the plans that the enemy has for this place. 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:48.480 And we know, God, that your kingdom's ultimate. 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:50.559 It's coming, it's on its way. 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:57.839 So would you be the one who delivers us, rescues us from the evil one? 00:31:58.000 --> 00:32:02.319 So uh here's some prompts that you guys can stand back up and pray together. 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.200 All right, go ahead. 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.240 I know you're up and down. 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:06.240 I thought we were just gonna sit and listen. 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:08.160 Not today, folks. 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:10.400 Getting a workout. 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.200 All right. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:14.319 So here's God help us see you are better than. 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:17.200 There are those things that are good in your life. 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.640 There are, right? 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:21.680 Education, family, all these things. 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:26.240 An idol is when we take something that's good and we make it ultimate. 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:28.000 God is to be ultimate in our lives. 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:30.000 So maybe there's some things that you can confess. 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:36.160 Man, there's some good things that I like, but they could ultimately take control of my life if I let them. 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:39.680 So God help me see you better than this, whatever it is. 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:44.319 And God keep us from running to any of the other kingdoms at work on the earth. 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:46.160 Guys, they just are. 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:48.799 There's ideas, philosophies, principalities. 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.799 Jesus, we talked about it last week. 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:58.559 There are forces at work aiming to keep you from becoming what God has called us, you, me to be. 00:32:58.880 --> 00:33:01.839 And we're just like, God, please keep us from those things. 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:03.680 So pray together on these things. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:12.400 And if you want to say, hey, I there's some good things I think that are ultimate, and these can sneaky, sneaky supersede my relationship with the Lord. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:17.119 So feel free to talk about that, pray about that, uh, and and have somebody pray for you on that. 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:18.720 So go ahead. 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:52.480 That we get to confess those things, that you are even aware of those things in our lives. 00:37:52.960 --> 00:38:01.199 And so much help comes when we confess and we recognize, Lord, we are easily swayed. 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:08.320 Our minds, our hearts are easily drawn to things that are shiny and look good, but they they trap us. 00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:28.880 So, Lord, we want to be a people who stay free for the freedom that you have brought, the freedom you have paid for through the death and burial and resurrection of your son, the victory over sin, the victory over death that we now have inherited by faith by putting our trust in the Son of God. 00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:33.280 So let's say this together. 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:34.239 Ready? 00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:35.119 Here we go. 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:44.000 Give us today the food we need and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:49.760 And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:52.159 Now we're gonna say the whole thing together. 00:38:52.320 --> 00:38:52.719 All right. 00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:58.079 So both parts included, this is how Jesus told his disciples to pray. 00:38:58.400 --> 00:39:08.960 Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy, may your kingdom come soon, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:39:09.199 --> 00:39:17.519 Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 00:39:17.679 --> 00:39:23.440 And do not let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 00:39:23.920 --> 00:39:24.559 Amen. 00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:30.079 We're gonna go into a time of communion now, and the band is gonna lead us as we close in worship. 00:39:30.239 --> 00:39:34.480 Uh, this is an opportunity for uh us and we moment. 00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:42.320 I'm thankful for us and we prayers, and I'm thankful for us and we moments around the table. 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:46.000 We get to say, God, your kingdom, every time we take this meal. 00:39:46.159 --> 00:40:02.079 We get to say, God, your kingdom every time we take the body of Christ, the bread, and we dip it in that cup, and we say, Your kingdom, when we recognize the blood of Christ, forgives us of all unrighteousness, forgives us all our sin. 00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:06.719 And it was his good plan to bring many into glory. 00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:09.760 And it's a it's a celebration and it's a reminder. 00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:14.960 So this morning, while the band is playing um and your hearts are prepared, I would say take a moment. 00:40:15.119 --> 00:40:19.599 We just prayed through some bitty, pretty big things that Jesus said. 00:40:19.760 --> 00:40:22.320 Hey, this is how disciples should pray every day. 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:25.199 When you pray, I mean, you can pray more than once a day. 00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:26.159 Did you know that? 00:40:26.400 --> 00:40:28.000 Did you know you can pray more than once a day? 00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:29.199 I had no idea. 00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:30.639 You know, it's one of those things. 00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:35.360 But Jesus was like, when you pray, he didn't say morning, evening, night, morning, whatever. 00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:37.760 When you pray, you can pray those things. 00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:42.079 You can bring those things to your Father in heaven who desires to hear from you. 00:40:42.239 --> 00:40:46.239 And so this table, he desires us to sit at. 00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:52.159 And he made it possible through the life, death, resurrection, and return of Christ. 00:40:52.320 --> 00:41:05.840 It will be a meal that we will eat at the marriage table, banquet, celebration of the groom, Christ at the table with us. 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:08.320 Crazy to think about. 00:41:08.800 --> 00:41:12.159 And he bought that for you and for me through his own life. 00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:17.920 So this is a meal that celebrates that and confesses the death of Christ until he returns every time we take it. 00:41:18.000 --> 00:41:22.239 So if you have placed your trust in Christ, you said, yeah, he's he's it. 00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:25.280 He saved me, he's rescued me, he's redeemed me. 00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:27.840 I don't feel like it all the time, but I know he did it. 00:41:27.920 --> 00:41:30.000 It's an act of faith to take this meal. 00:41:30.800 --> 00:41:32.880 God, you really have fully and completely saved me. 00:41:33.039 --> 00:41:37.039 You're transforming me, you're making me into the person you want me to become. 00:41:37.199 --> 00:41:39.199 And I'm celebrating you today. 00:41:39.360 --> 00:41:41.199 And we're celebrating you together. 00:41:41.360 --> 00:41:48.079 Because not only are you gonna take this meal, but you're gonna take that tray and that cup, and you're gonna turn and offer it to the person behind you. 00:41:48.320 --> 00:42:00.880 Even if you've never done that here, even if you've never been to Highland before, but you call yourself a follower of Jesus by faith, you put your trust in him, you are invited to not only take this meal, but to extend it to someone behind you. 00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:11.599 Father, we thank you for your love for us, we thank you for your grace, we thank you that you have transformed what life actually is because of Jesus. 00:42:12.239 --> 00:42:15.280 Like everything changes because of the sun. 00:42:16.239 --> 00:42:21.519 Put on flesh, gave up his life, and made new life possible for us. 00:42:21.679 --> 00:42:26.639 Victory over sin for us, victory over those things that want to choke us out. 00:42:26.880 --> 00:42:30.400 God, you have broken the power of the devil. 00:42:31.440 --> 00:42:33.679 And we thank you for that this morning. 00:42:34.239 --> 00:42:36.719 Be honored as we celebrate you in this place. 00:42:39.679 --> 00:42:43.440 We just wanted to say thank you for listening to the Highland Christian Church podcast today. 00:42:43.519 --> 00:42:55.599 And if you ever want to connect with us, send prayer requests, ask questions, or for any other reason, you can visit our website, www.highlandchristian.com, or you can send us an email at info at highlandchristian.com. 00:42:55.760 --> 00:42:56.880 God bless you guys.