12.17.23 - Lead Pastor Bryce Gernand
Questions for Reflection
John Ortberg, in his book Eternity Is Now in Session, points out that everyone has a kingdom—in the biblical sense. Your kingdom is that little sphere in which what you say goes. Your kingdom is the “range of your effective will”. On earth, all our little kingdoms intersect and merge to form larger kingdoms—families, corporations, nations, and economic, political, and cultural systems. We could call that whole conglomeration the “kingdom of the earth”. And that kingdom is all junked up by sin. Where is it obvious to you that “kingdoms of the earth” are junked up by sin? Does this include any of your “kingdoms”?
The Magi came asking where to find the king of the Jews. Matthew tells us, “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed (greatly troubled, alarmed, frightened, agitated, stirred)…” (Matthew 2:3) Herod was convinced, this “king of the Jews” better change course or he’d change it for him. Because one thing was for sure…he wasn’t changing his. He was the king of this kingdom! Think of a time when you’ve needed to change course, and allow Jesus to be King. Are you facing one of those times now?
When we pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” we are conceding to Christ and his kingdom. We are saying, “Let up there, come down here.” Consider using “your kingdom come” as a morning prayer where you pray boldly against things in the world that are not right: “God, change this! Bring your kingdom into this mess.” Use “your will be done” as an evening prayer where you submit yourself to the will of God and rest in his choices for your life, trusting he has given you what is best.
Key Verse
This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13