TWO OF THE SWEETEST WORDS IN THE BIBLE

MATTHEW 6:7-9

 

Pastor Rick Jackson*

 

There are many sweet words found in the blessed Word of God. Words like: love, joy, peace, grace, mercy, salvation, forgiveness, Heaven come to mind quickly and or course there are many others. Two of the sweetest words in the Bible are found in our text, the words, “Our Father.” This simple powerful phrase is made sweeter still in that the words are a reference to Almighty God. You might think this phrase appears all through the Bible but in reality, it is found less than 25 times in the Bible. Only twice in the Old Testament, in one book, Isaiah. Twice in the Gospels, and almost 20 times in the epistles of Paul.

 

This phrase, when applied to God and used correctly designates certain truths, it demands certain actions, and it delivers in certain ways. Let us explore this.

 

I. IT DESIGNATES CERTAIN TRUTHS

 

1. “Our Father” Designates the Truth of Relationship [Matthew 6:9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

 

2. “Our Father” Designates the Truth of Companionship [2 Thessalonians 2:16] Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

 

3. “Our Father” Designates the Truth of Ownership [Isaiah 63:16]

Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

 

4. “Our Father” Designates the Truth of Stewardship (or responsibility) [Isaiah 64:8]

But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

 

II. IT DEMANDS CERTAIN ACTIONS

 

1. “Our Father” Demands We Know Him [1 Thessalonians 1:1]

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know THE Way to God [Jn. 14:6] without God, without Christ- man is lost

We Know the Love of God [Heb. 12:5-10] chastening us, guiding us

We Know the Power of God [2 Tm. 1:2, 12] Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

2. “Our Father” Demands We Talk to Him [Luke 11:2]

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Rest on His Promises- 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Meet His Requirements- Jn. 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

 

3. “Our Father” Demands We Walk with Him [1 Thessalonians 3:11-13]

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

 

We Walk to Him – Salvation – John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

We Walk With Him – Separation - 2 Cor. 6:17-18  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We Walk For Him – Expectation – 1 Jn. 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

III. IT DELIVERS IN CERTAIN WAYS

 

1. “Our Father” Delivers Power [Romans 1:7, 16]

 

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

Jn. 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Mt. 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Acts 1:7-8 - And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

2. “Our Father” Delivers Peace [1 Corinthians 1:3]

 

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

3. “Our Father” Delivers with Prayer [Matthew 6:6-13, Luke 11:1-4]

 

2 Cor. 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: