Class 2: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
“This, then, is how you should pray”
Class 2: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Introduction
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8 NIV11)
Note: This is how you should pray, not, this is what you should say.
- Your Kingdom Come
What are we praying for, when we pray asking for God’s kingdom to come?
As far as the experience of the disciples in Matthew 6 is concerned, the kingdom has come, is coming and will come
The king is here, therefore the kingdom is here
The evidence of it’s transformational power is still to come – the resurrection – “And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”” (Mark 9:1 NIV11)
The ultimate kingdom reality is still to come. “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20 NAS95)
As far as we are concerned, the kingdom has come and will come
The king reigns over us (fully) and through us the world (partially)
The king will return to reign over all things
What are we praying for?
Celebrating the current existence of the kingdom in its partial revelation through the King and his subjects
Praying for the day when the kingdom will be all in all
2. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
What are we praying for when we are asking for God’s heavenly will to be done on earth?
King Jesus – what was his life about?
“He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”” (Luke 4:16–21 NIV11)
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34 NIV11)
Courageous, loving action (grace and truth in action)
King Jesus’ followers – what are their lives to be about?
““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3–10 NIV11)
Beatitudinal living evidencing the king and his kingdom. Being salt and light so that’s God’s kingdom can become more and more a reality.
The church age – carrying forward the mission of God, to express the kingdom, reveal the kingdom and invite more and more people to enter it such that God’s mighty mission to heal the Edenic rift becomes an ever-growing reality. All that is damaged is healed. Hearts, spirits, justice, lives, relationships, environment…….
Summary:
“in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13 NIV11)
We are spurred on to evangelism because the new world will contain multitudes from all the nations.
We are spurred on to social action because the new world will be a place where righteousness dwells. Justice
We are spurred on to love life. The references in Revelation and Isaiah to the wealth and the honour of the nations, teach us to be richly involved with all that is best in the arts and sciences.
“The world has already been turned upside down – that’s what Easter is all about. It isn’t a matter of waiting until God does something different at the end of time. God has brought his future, his putting-the-world-to rights-future, into the present in Jesus of Nazareth, and he wants that future to be implicated more and more in the present. That’s what we pray for every time we say the Lord’s prayer “thy Kingdom come thy will be done on heaven on earth as it is in heaven.””
Conclusion
Questions for discussion:
What stands out to you from this verse?
How might your prayer life grow because of what this verse teaches you about God, yourself and prayer?
Suggestion: Pray this verse every day between now and the next class
Please send me your questions
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
