“Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6.9.)
Introduction. I doubt that our Saviour intended this prayer just to be repeated each day as a religious exercise. And I believe this prayer was never intended for everyone. Jesus taught this prayer to his disciples. It is for those who are truly converted. In the lips of the ungodly it is entirely out of place. I earnestly ask you to never pray Our Father which art in heaven unless you can say it in honesty and in truth. Do not offer God the language of the hypocrite. This prayer is a model by which disciples may fashion their prayers. Let it be our chief prayer, but let us also cry to God in whatever way we can.
(1) The Double Relationship Implied in the Text. Here is sonship. Some say that God is man’s Father through creation. But being created by God does not argue that he is your Father. The angels were made by him, but we read, “Unto which of the angels said he at any time, thou art my son?” No, God is man’s Father through adoption and the new birth. Now, this relationship involves love. God loves his children as a father pities his child on a sickbed. He does not discipline except by his great love and deep wisdom. And, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” And we, the chosen favorites of Heaven, shall we not love him back? If he is our Father, let us note his commands that we should obey. But the child of God never obeys to get to heaven or to avoid hell. He has been accepted to God by Jesus Christ, apart from works. He acts out of pure love and gratitude. Now, is a father no longer a father to a son who becomes a lunatic? And was not the prodigal still a son when he was among the harlots? Nothing can divide us from the Father’s heart. David was the son of God, but not more the son of God than you. Consider your privileges then, “This world is ours, and worlds to come/Earth is our lodge, and heaven our home.” Next, besides our sonship, we have brotherhood. It does not say my Father, but our Father. Then it seems there are a great many in the family! When you pray, remember God’s elect ones, paid for by Christ, but not yet called from the caves and dens of Satan. And those who differ with us in doctrine, put them in your prayer too, and also the poor who are rich in faith, and your brethren across the sea. Then be on your feet what you are on your knees. Help the needy; cheer up the sick; and comfort the sad ones.
(2) The Spirit of Adoption. The Fatherhood is recognized by the childship of the child. Unless you are a child, you cannot know what the spirit of adoption is like. You don’t know what it’s like to have the Father steer your ship across the waves of the world. May God himself bring you to know him! May he lead you to the cross of Christ!
(3) A Double Argument. First, I do not come to pray to God as my Judge, or my King, or even my Preserver—because then God may reply, “You are a lawbreaker,” or “you are a rebellious subject,” or “I have preserved you, but still you rebelled against me.” But if I come to God our Father, he will regard me. No matter how childish my language, he will get the meaning. He will not despise my prayer, then. Second, I do not come as a beggar to a stranger when I come to God. Do I not, almost without asking, sit down and eat all I desire? A Father must relieve his children! Has your father treated you badly lately? Give me a father that is angry with my sins!
Selection from Conclusion. “Go away with that upon your mind, and rejoice. But if you love not God and fear him not, go home, I beseech you, to confess your sins, and to seek mercy through the blood of Christ; and may this sermon be made useful in bringing you into the family of Christ.”
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