Embracing God's Presence: Our Father in Community

 

Summary

In today's exploration of the Lord's Prayer, we delve into the profound simplicity and depth of addressing God as "Our Father." This prayer, taught by Jesus, is nestled at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, a teaching that liberates us from the opinions of others and invites us into a secret, intimate relationship with God. The Lord's Prayer begins with a focus on God—His name, His kingdom, and His will—before moving to our needs, mirroring the structure of the Ten Commandments and the two greatest commandments: love God and love others.

We start by acknowledging God's presence, which is not just omnipresent but manifest and interactive. This presence is akin to the air we breathe, closer than we often realize. The analogy of "This is water," borrowed from David Foster Wallace, reminds us of our tendency to overlook the most foundational aspects of life, including God's presence. We often define ourselves by what others think, what we possess, or what we can do, but these pursuits can consume us. Instead, Jesus invites us to recognize the spiritual environment we live in, which is more real than the physical world.

Addressing God as "Our Father" emphasizes intimacy and community. It reminds us that God is not just my Father but our Father, highlighting the shared human experience and the divine image in each person. This perspective shifts our view from seeing others as obstacles to recognizing them as fellow bearers of God's image. The term "in heaven" is not about a distant place but about God's immediate presence, as close as the air we breathe.

Today, let us remember that we are not alone. God is with us, closer than we can imagine. As we walk through life, let us do so with the awareness of God's presence, relying on Him and recognizing that we are part of a larger community. This is the spiritual reality we live in—this is water.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Manifest Presence: While God is always present, He desires an interactive relationship with us, manifesting His presence in our lives. This presence is as close as the air we breathe, inviting us to engage with Him daily. [03:31]

2. The Illusion of Self-Centeredness: We often live as if we are the center of the universe, missing the reality of God's presence and the value of others. Recognizing God as "Our Father" shifts our focus from self to community. [07:24]

3. The Spiritual Environment: More than the physical world, we live in a spiritual environment created by God's presence. This reality is foundational to our existence and should shape our daily lives and interactions. [06:12]

4. The Danger of False Worship: Worshiping reputation, possessions, or abilities can consume us, leaving us unsatisfied. True fulfillment comes from recognizing and worshiping God, who is the source of all life. [05:26]

5. Intimacy with God: Addressing God as "Our Father" emphasizes a personal and communal relationship with Him. It reminds us of His closeness and our dependence on Him for guidance and strength. [09:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:55] - Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
- [01:24] - The Sermon on the Mount Context
- [01:51] - The Structure of the Lord's Prayer
- [02:46] - God's Omnipresence and Manifest Presence
- [03:46] - Illustration of Manifest Presence
- [04:17] - "This is Water" Analogy
- [05:07] - The Dangers of False Worship
- [06:12] - Spiritual vs. Physical Environment
- [07:11] - Understanding "Our Father"
- [08:06] - Seeing Others Through God's Eyes
- [09:02] - The Concept of Heaven
- [09:55] - God's Closeness and Our Dependence
- [10:56] - Daily Living with God's Presence
- [11:16] - Invitation to Spiritual Growth

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Lord's Prayer - "Our Father"

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer)
2. Acts 17:28 ("For in him we live and move and have our being.")
3. Exodus 4:22-23 (God refers to Israel as His firstborn son)

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of addressing God as "Our Father" in the context of the Lord's Prayer? How does this relate to the communal aspect of prayer? [07:11]

2. How does the sermon describe God's presence in our lives, and what analogy is used to illustrate this concept? [04:17]

3. What are the two main sections of the Lord's Prayer, and how do they mirror the structure of the Ten Commandments? [02:17]

4. How does the sermon explain the phrase "in heaven" in relation to God's presence? [09:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does recognizing God as "Our Father" change the way individuals perceive their relationship with God and with others? [07:24]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that people often overlook God's presence in their daily lives? How does this relate to the "This is water" analogy? [04:50]

3. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of false worship, and how does this affect one's spiritual life? [05:26]

4. How does the concept of God's manifest presence differ from His omnipresence, and why is this distinction important for believers? [03:31]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your daily routine. How often do you consciously acknowledge God's presence as being as close as the air you breathe? What practical steps can you take to increase this awareness? [09:55]

2. Consider the relationships in your life. How does viewing God as "Our Father" influence the way you interact with others, especially those you find challenging? [07:11]

3. Identify an area in your life where you might be worshiping reputation, possessions, or abilities. What changes can you make to shift your focus towards worshiping God? [05:26]

4. Think about a recent situation where you felt alone or overwhelmed. How might recognizing God's immediate presence have changed your response to that situation? [10:24]

5. How can you incorporate the practice of secret prayer, as mentioned in the sermon, into your spiritual life? What benefits might this bring to your relationship with God? [01:37]

6. Reflect on the idea of living in a spiritual environment. How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [06:12]

7. What is one specific way you can remind yourself of the communal aspect of prayer this week, perhaps by praying with or for someone else? [07:11]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Presence as Our Breath
God's presence is not just a distant theological concept but a tangible reality that surrounds us, much like the air we breathe. This presence is both omnipresent and manifest, meaning that while God is everywhere, He also desires to interact with us personally. Recognizing this presence invites us to engage with God daily, acknowledging that He is closer than we often realize. This understanding challenges us to live with an awareness of His nearness, transforming our daily routines into opportunities for divine interaction. [03:31]

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." (Proverbs 15:3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally acknowledge God's presence in your daily routine today, perhaps through a moment of prayer or reflection?


Day 2: Shifting from Self to Community
We often live as if we are the center of the universe, focusing on our desires and needs. However, recognizing God as "Our Father" shifts our perspective from self-centeredness to a communal mindset. This shift helps us see others not as obstacles but as fellow bearers of God's image, inviting us to value and love them as God does. By embracing this communal perspective, we align ourselves with the reality of God's kingdom, where love for others is paramount. [07:24]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to today to show appreciation or support, acknowledging them as a fellow bearer of God's image?


Day 3: Living in a Spiritual Environment
Beyond the physical world, we inhabit a spiritual environment created by God's presence. This spiritual reality is foundational to our existence and should shape how we live and interact with others. Recognizing this environment invites us to prioritize spiritual growth and awareness, understanding that our true identity and purpose are found in God. By living with this awareness, we can navigate life's challenges with a sense of peace and purpose, knowing that we are part of something greater than ourselves. [06:12]

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can cultivate spiritual awareness in your life today, perhaps through prayer, meditation, or reading Scripture?


Day 4: The Fulfillment of True Worship
Worshiping reputation, possessions, or abilities can leave us feeling empty and unsatisfied. True fulfillment comes from recognizing and worshiping God, who is the source of all life. By focusing our worship on God, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience the joy and peace that come from a relationship with Him. This shift in focus helps us let go of the false idols that consume us and embrace the abundant life God offers. [05:26]

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (1 John 5:21, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you may be placing too much value on worldly things. How can you redirect your focus to worship God more fully today?


Day 5: Embracing Intimacy with God
Addressing God as "Our Father" emphasizes a personal and communal relationship with Him. This intimacy reminds us of His closeness and our dependence on Him for guidance and strength. By embracing this relationship, we can experience the comfort and assurance that come from knowing we are loved and cared for by our Heavenly Father. This understanding encourages us to rely on God in all aspects of our lives, trusting in His wisdom and provision. [09:55]

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (Psalm 145:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on God's guidance and strength today? How can you invite Him into that area through prayer or action?

Quotes

"Our Father who is in heaven we start by remembering bringing before our minds the reality in the presence God is here, God is here right now you can think that thought you can invite him, now of course in one way God is always present God is omnipresent we're taught." [00:02:46]

"David Foster Waller says is with this profound capacity you and I to not be able to observe or notice or name what is most foundational and most important to life going on all around us this is water and he talks about how we miss the opportunity to declare what is most worthy to worship what matters the most." [00:04:17]

"Jesus is saying the environment in which we live far more than the physical environment is a spiritual environment it is spiritual it's not physical but it is real and more than anything else primarily it is the presence of God that has created all things and we remember that now when we say our father." [00:06:12]

"David Foster water Wallace in this very very poignant talk speaks of how uh all of our def def fault mode is to think that we're the center of the universe and we end up living in these tiny little skulls siiz kingdoms that's CU every experience we ever have I'm at the center of whatever's going on." [00:07:24]

"Now today it's not just father father it's our father and when you look at all these people um my wife recently texted me when she was in a TSA line it was like three times longer than usual and I said well then you can bring your abiant uh uh seven type personality she's a seven on the anagram uh it bring joy to everybody." [00:08:06]

"Now the invitation is to say um Our Father who is closer than the air that I breathe God you're right here you're right now this is water this is water this is water this is what we keep forgetting today let your need let your confusion let your problem let your fear or your joy or your gratitude bring that back." [00:09:55]

"Today Our Father who is All Around Me Our Father who is So Close Our Father who is in heaven which is the the air that comes right inside my lungs and I remember I am not alone I remember this is water I remember you are right here and so this can be a day when you and I are walking through it." [00:10:56]

"That's part of the idea idea that um God is always present but we want his manifest presence we want to know um CU we're capable of blindness to it one of the most famous commencement addresses in the 21st century was delivered you may know about it by a brilliant writer David Foster Wallace at Kenyon College." [00:03:46]

"Tom Wright says you could call The Sermon on the Mount uh what it means to call God your father that's another title for sermon the mount but he notes that in uh the Old Testament U the first time that this image is used in Exodus 4 when Moses goes to pharaoh and says um God says that Israel is my first born son." [00:07:11]

"God is always present but he wants to be interactively present he wants to engage with us he wants to act on your behalf he wants to have a participatory relationship together with me and with you and so he manifests his presence as you may or may not know today is take your dog to work today so I brought Baxter to work." [00:03:31]

"Jesus wants to liberate us from what people think about us and he talks about secrecy in three different acts uh you can pray in see you can you can give sorry in secret you can pray in secret and you can fast in secret and so prayer is in the middle of that section and in the middle of the section of prayer are 57 words." [00:01:51]

"One of the Greek ancient thinkers said in him we live and move and have our being and Paul actually quotes that so that's to be expected but then Dallas Willard would sometimes talk about there is the Manifest presence of God the Manifest presence of God is what's referred to for example in the Bible it talks about God being with Abraham." [00:03:31]

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Transcript
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