Embracing Unity and Prayer in Our Faith Journey

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the profound significance of unity and the power of prayer, particularly through the lens of the Lord's Prayer. We began by reflecting on the importance of caring for the orphaned and fatherless, as exemplified by our commitment to the children at Lily the Valley. This commitment is not just a duty but a reflection of the heart of Jesus, who calls us to care for those in need. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the grace upon grace that God bestows upon us, and we are invited to extend that grace to others, especially those in dire circumstances.

The Lord's Prayer serves as a model for all prayers, encapsulating the essence of our Christian doctrine. It is a tool given to us to reorient our hearts and lives towards Jesus, amidst the chaos and distractions of life. The prayer begins with "Our Father," emphasizing the communal aspect of our faith. We are reminded that we are not alone in our journey; we are part of a larger family, the church, which is essential for our spiritual growth and sanctification. The church, despite its imperfections, is a place of comfort, encouragement, and accountability.

Furthermore, the prayer invites us to see our lives from heaven's perspective. It challenges us to view our circumstances not through the lens of earthly limitations but through the boundless possibilities of God's kingdom. This perspective shift is crucial in overcoming the orphan spirit, which manifests as feelings of inadequacy, fear, and self-reliance. By embracing God as our Father, we can break free from these chains and step into our identity as His beloved children.

Lastly, the prayer calls us to revere God's holy name. It is a reminder to treat His name with the utmost respect and to live in a way that reflects His holiness. This reverence is not just about how we speak His name but how we embody His character in our daily lives. As we strive to live in unity and holiness, we become a testament to the world of God's love and grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. Communal Faith and Unity: The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father," highlighting the importance of community in our faith journey. We are called to be united as a church, supporting and encouraging one another, as this unity reflects the relationship between the Father and the Son. Our communal faith is essential for spiritual growth and sanctification. [01:13:02]

2. Breaking the Orphan Spirit: Many struggle with feelings of inadequacy, fear, and self-reliance, often referred to as the orphan spirit. By embracing God as our Father, we can break free from these chains and step into our identity as His beloved children. This transformation allows us to live with courage and confidence in His love. [01:28:48]

3. Heaven's Perspective: The phrase "who is in heaven" in the Lord's Prayer invites us to view our lives from a heavenly perspective. This shift in perspective helps us see beyond our earthly limitations and trust in God's boundless possibilities. It encourages us to align our thoughts and actions with the realities of heaven. [01:33:06]

4. Revering God's Holy Name: The call to hallow God's name is a reminder to treat His name with the utmost respect and to live in a way that reflects His holiness. This reverence is not just about how we speak His name but how we embody His character in our daily lives, becoming a testament to the world of His love and grace. [01:36:29]

5. The Power of Prayer and Sacraments: The Lord's Prayer and other sacraments are tools given to us to connect with Jesus and reorient our hearts towards Him. They are not burdens but gifts that help us navigate life's challenges and distractions, drawing us closer to God and transforming us into His likeness. [01:04:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [30:39] - Supporting Lily the Valley
- [31:39] - Challenges and Prayers for the Children's Village
- [32:43] - Grace Upon Grace
- [33:40] - Communion and Reorientation
- [34:37] - Prayers for the Children
- [35:33] - The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice
- [01:03:29] - Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
- [01:04:21] - Tools for Connection with God
- [01:05:38] - Overcoming Burdens and Distractions
- [01:07:02] - Personal Responsibility in Faith
- [01:08:13] - Significance of the Lord's Prayer
- [01:09:46] - Reciting the Lord's Prayer
- [01:11:32] - Understanding the Prayer's Depth
- [01:13:02] - Unity in Faith
- [01:14:40] - The Role of the Church
- [01:16:01] - Lessons from Church Experiences
- [01:18:49] - Personal Responsibility and Healing
- [01:20:19] - Jesus' Prayer for Unity
- [01:22:07] - Paul's Call for Harmony
- [01:23:41] - Lessons from Exodus
- [01:25:06] - Understanding God as Father
- [01:26:55] - Symptoms of the Orphan Spirit
- [01:28:48] - Embracing God as Father
- [01:30:25] - Living as Sons and Daughters
- [01:31:38] - Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth
- [01:33:06] - Seeing from Heaven's Perspective
- [01:34:37] - Colossians 3:1-3 Reflection
- [01:36:29] - Revering God's Holy Name
- [01:38:36] - Gratitude and Reverence
- [01:39:55] - Lessons from Yom Kippur
- [01:41:21] - The Holiness of God's Name
- [01:43:09] - Historical Context and Reverence
- [01:44:30] - Transition to the New Covenant
- [01:46:09] - Living in Unity and Holiness
- [01:48:08] - Closing and Prayer Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer)
2. John 17:21
3. 1 Corinthians 1:10

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the phrase "Our Father" in the Lord's Prayer signify about the communal aspect of our faith? [01:13:02]

2. How does the sermon describe the "orphan spirit," and what are some of its symptoms? [01:25:06]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of viewing our lives from "heaven's perspective"? [01:33:06]

4. How does the sermon explain the importance of revering God's holy name in our daily lives? [01:36:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the communal aspect of the Lord's Prayer challenge the idea of an individualistic faith? [01:13:02]

2. How might embracing God as our Father help us overcome feelings of inadequacy and fear associated with the orphan spirit? [01:28:48]

3. What does it mean to view our circumstances from heaven's perspective, and how can this shift impact our daily decisions? [01:33:06]

4. How can the reverence for God's holy name influence our interactions with others and our personal conduct? [01:36:29]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current faith journey. How can you actively participate in the communal aspect of faith, as emphasized in the Lord's Prayer? [01:13:02]

2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel inadequate or fearful. How can embracing God as your Father help you address these feelings? [01:28:48]

3. Think about a recent challenge you faced. How might viewing it from heaven's perspective change your approach or attitude towards it? [01:33:06]

4. Consider how you use God's name in your daily life. Are there ways you can show more reverence and respect for His holy name? [01:36:29]

5. How can you incorporate the practice of the Lord's Prayer into your daily routine to help reorient your heart towards Jesus amidst life's distractions? [01:04:21]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from the church community. What steps can you take to strengthen your connection and unity with fellow believers? [01:14:40]

7. Identify one specific way you can extend grace to someone in your life this week, reflecting the grace upon grace that God bestows upon us. [32:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Communal Faith as a Reflection of Divine Unity
The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father," emphasizing the communal nature of our faith journey. This communal aspect is not just a structural necessity but a reflection of the divine relationship between the Father and the Son. As believers, we are called to be united as a church, supporting and encouraging one another. This unity is essential for our spiritual growth and sanctification. The church, despite its imperfections, serves as a place of comfort, encouragement, and accountability. It is within this community that we find the strength to grow in our faith and become more like Christ. [01:13:02]

Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to offer support or encouragement? How can you actively contribute to the unity of your church family?

Day 2: Embracing God as Father to Overcome the Orphan Spirit
Many struggle with feelings of inadequacy, fear, and self-reliance, often referred to as the orphan spirit. This spirit can manifest as a deep-seated belief that one must fend for oneself, leading to isolation and anxiety. By embracing God as our Father, we can break free from these chains and step into our identity as His beloved children. This transformation allows us to live with courage and confidence in His love, knowing that we are not alone and that we have a Father who cares deeply for us. [01:28:48]

Romans 8:15-16 (ESV): "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you feel self-reliant or fearful? How can you invite God into these areas and embrace Him as your loving Father?

Day 3: Viewing Life from Heaven's Perspective
The phrase "who is in heaven" in the Lord's Prayer invites us to view our lives from a heavenly perspective. This shift in perspective helps us see beyond our earthly limitations and trust in God's boundless possibilities. It encourages us to align our thoughts and actions with the realities of heaven, allowing us to live with hope and purpose. By seeing our circumstances through the lens of God's kingdom, we can find peace and direction even amidst life's challenges. [01:33:06]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one situation in your life where you need to shift your perspective to see it from heaven's viewpoint? How can this change in perspective impact your actions and decisions today?

Day 4: Revering God's Holy Name in Daily Life
The call to hallow God's name is a reminder to treat His name with the utmost respect and to live in a way that reflects His holiness. This reverence is not just about how we speak His name but how we embody His character in our daily lives. As we strive to live in unity and holiness, we become a testament to the world of God's love and grace. Our actions and words should consistently reflect the holiness of God, serving as a witness to those around us. [01:36:29]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you better reflect God's holiness in your daily interactions and decisions? What specific changes can you make to ensure your life is a testament to His love and grace?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of Prayer and Sacraments
The Lord's Prayer and other sacraments are tools given to us to connect with Jesus and reorient our hearts towards Him. They are not burdens but gifts that help us navigate life's challenges and distractions, drawing us closer to God and transforming us into His likeness. Through prayer and sacraments, we are reminded of God's grace and are invited to extend that grace to others. These practices serve as anchors in our spiritual journey, helping us remain focused on Christ amidst the chaos of life. [01:04:21]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of prayer and sacraments more intentionally into your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to ensure these practices are a source of strength and transformation in your life?

Quotes

1) "And so God, right now we just pray, Lord, that as we take this cracker that not only represents your body broken for us, but actually as we take it, we spiritually bring life into our bodies. We spiritually take part in the brokenness of your body in your death. And God, as we do that, Lord, we think of these orphans who have in so many ways been broken. And Lord, we pray that your life, God, that your body that was broken but then resurrected would bring life to these children, would bring healing. God, that you, we know, you've already prepared this land. You've made it so clear." [34:37] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "What it really is, is that God has given us these incredible tools as gifts to us, and we have the choice to use them or not, because when we use them, they're basically the way that we are able to take all of the junk, and chaos, and distraction, and we're able to instead reorient, re-center our lives, and our hearts on Jesus, right? And so it's not as much about like, you know, so many of us can, and especially the world, can see God as this really demanding dictator, or like maybe even a kind dictator, but he still has a lot of power, a lot of expectations, right? He still has a lot of rules, a lot of stuff he wants us to do, but the reality is, it's not that at all. He's going, I get it. I get life. I get all the things that the enemy's trying to throw at you." [01:05:38] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "The Lord's prayer is a comprehensive, not like a simplified, a comprehensive study or summary of our Christian doctrine, meaning like God's fit all the important things in there. Augustine says that the Lord's prayer is a means to cultivate humility and dependence on God. And then Ambrose of Milan said that it's a perfect guide for Christian conduct. So just in those four, and there were dozens and dozens, but just in those four, it's the model for all prayers. It's the perfect doctrine or set of beliefs. It's our connection with God and it's our action towards us. It's pretty profound." [01:08:13] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "There's so many people out there, and you're not them because you're here, but there's so many people out there who are like, I love Jesus, but I can't stand the church. You know, that's actually the reason that Gandhi chose not to follow Jesus. Gandhi was looking, and he went to churches, and he was so enthralled by Jesus, the man and the teachings, but he chose to actually walk away from the Christian faith because he said, I love Jesus, but I don't like the church. And what a sad misunderstanding that is. Because yeah, we're not perfect as the church, but that's kind of the point, right? It's kind of the point. We're not perfect, and so we need him." [01:14:40] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "What happened in your life is not your fault. And even the things, the choices that you made, the reason you made them, it's because probably there is pain, there is lies, there is things you were believing about yourself or others that led you to make these decisions. What happened in your life to break you was not your fault, but what you do to try to fix it is everything. What you do with Jesus to actually allow you into this process is everything." [01:18:49] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "I believe that the person that we become that stands before God has so much to do with the church that we're surrounded by. Does that make sense? Like we will stand there ourselves, but how strong we are, what we know, what we actually have done with this faith that we've been given, this gift that we've been given has so much to do with the church, because it's the church that brings us through the sanctification process as we rub each other, and encourage each other, and build each other up." [01:17:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "I want to say the main thing that stopped them was a lack of unity. And you might go, I thought it was complaining. Yeah, it was complaining because they were so focused on themselves that they weren't able to come together under the leadership and the way that God had showed himself. And God was leading them literally by pillar of fire and a pillar of cloud, but they weren't able to come together and follow that because they were so focused on themselves. And I believe it's that lack of unity that caused them to then complain and get stuck out in the wilderness for 40 years. Our is really important." [01:23:41] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "I want to just read to you guys some of the things that I prayed about and looked up and to see what are some of the symptoms of an orphan spirit. If you have a feeling that you need to prove yourself to God or work for his love. If you strive for acceptance, not only with God, but also with other people. If you live with a deep sense of inadequacy or insecurity. If you're plagued by fear or you make decisions that are not out of fear instead of out of love. If you have a sense of rejection or abandonment. If you're extremely self-reliant. If you find that you're naturally jealous or envious of others. If you have a difficult time receiving love. Or if you have a difficult time receiving correction. If you tend to isolate. If you lack identity or belonging. If you struggle sometimes with unforgiveness or bitterness." [01:26:55] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "How are you looking at your life lately? How are you looking at your bank account lately? How are you looking at your relationship or your connection with your kids? How are you looking at whatever it is that you're struggling with? Are you looking from within the challenge where you're just overwhelmed by it? Or are you stepping into the reality of heaven and going, how does God see this? Because the hardest of situations here are like nothing for him. And I think that's part of the process that he's taking us in is helping us to go, okay, I'm going to stop. I'm going to stop. I'm going to stop. I'm going to see who art in heaven." [01:34:37] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10) "We need to honor, we need to revere, consecrate, make holy his name, not only in the way we speak it, but in the way we live. That we would be a people who are worthy to be called Christians, Christ's people. We would be a people who are worthy to be called the family of Adonai God. Our disciples. Jesus. You are holy. You are holy. God no matter what we're going through in this life, will you help us to see that you are holy? Will you help us to see everything in our lives from your perspective, from heaven's perspective, not just with our earthly eyes, not just with our, our minds, not just with our viewpoints, not with what society says, not even with what the church says, because nobody has anything that can do良 says, but the way we would see you and our lives and everything about all that you have given us from heaven's perspective." [01:46:09] (79 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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