Matthew 6:14–15 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiveness isn't optional for Christians. It's essential.

I. JESUS'S TEACHING ON FORGIVENESS WAS UNIQUE (v. 12)

The Daily Prayers in Jesus's Time “Forgive us, our Father, for we have sinned; pardon us, our King, for we have transgressed; for You are a pardoner and a forgiver. Blessed are You, O Lord, the gracious One who abundantly forgives.”

Why Does This Matter? You can't compartmentalize your relationship with God from your relationships with others. The two are inseparable.

II. DEBTS, TRESPASSES, AND SINS (v. 12)

"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

The Language of Forgiveness The Aramaic Word Khoba khoba meant both sin and debt.

"The faithful need to remember they are asking for forgiveness for failing to forgive what God requires of them (debts) and for their failure to do the right thing when they did act (trespass)." Ken Bailey

What We're Confessing

• We have sinned against his holiness
• We have failed in what he requires of us
• We need mercy, not justice

III. FORGIVENESS IS ESSENTIAL TO LIFE (v. 12)

"Forgive us our debts..."

Food for the Soul John Stott writes:"Forgiveness is as indispensable to the life and health of the soul as food is for the body."

Make It A Regular Practice Notice Jesus teaches his disciples to pray for forgiveness regularly. This isn't a one-time prayer. It's a daily prayer.

IV. THE TERRIFYING CONNECTION (vv. 12, 14-15)

As We Have Forgiven

Matthew 6:14–15 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Let's be clear about what Jesus is saying:

• Your forgiveness from God is connected to your forgiveness of others
• If you refuse to forgive, you demonstrate you don't understand forgiveness

An unforgiving heart reveals an unforgiven heart

Why Is This So Serious? Because forgiveness is the very essence of the gospel.

Romans 5:10 NIV

Romans 6:23 NIV

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

Colossians 2:13–14 NIV

The Demonstration of Repentance

Luke 7:47 NIV

Romans 5:6 NLT

PRACTICAL APPLICATION Is Your Prayer Life Marked by Forgiveness or Vengeance? Who Do You Need to Forgive?

Forgiveness is NOT:

• Saying what they did was okay (it wasn't)
• Excusing their behavior (it's inexcusable)
• Pretending it didn't hurt (it did)
• Putting yourself back in harm's way (boundaries are healthy)
• Reconciliation without repentance (forgiveness is one-sided; reconciliation requires both parties)

Forgiveness IS:

• Releasing your right to revenge
• Entrusting judgment to God
• Refusing to let bitterness poison your soul
• Choosing mercy over vindictiveness
• Extending the grace you've received

The Hard Work of Forgiving

Let me be honest: Forgiveness is hard. But Jesus is saying: For your sake, for the health of your soul, you must forgive.

The Challenge

1. Make a list of people you need to forgive

2. Pray for them by name every day

3. Ask God to help you forgive from your heart

4. If possible and appropriate, take a step toward reconciliation

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Central Idea: The Lord provides exactly what you need.

Application Question: Instead of praying for what you want, have you ever thought about praying for God to change your desires?

I. THE ORDER OF PRAYER MATTERS (v. 11) God First, Then Us 1. Praise God for who he is

2. Pray for his kingdom to be enacted on earth

3. Then, finally, move on to what you need

Need Over Want Jesus is teaching the disciples the proper focus of our lives:

• Our relationship with God first

• Our care for the world second

• An expression of what we need (over what we want) third

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

II. DAILY DEPENDENCE ON GOD (v. 11) Day by Day Faith Exodus 16:2–5 NIV

In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV

For we live by faith, not by sight.

Building Strong Faith This daily practice can become the basis for a strong faith that can look back and see multiple days when God provided in ample measure.

III. DELIVERANCE FROM THE FEAR OF NOT HAVING (v. 11) The Aramaic/Syriac Translation The Syriac word for amen means "never ceasing, never ending." Thus, Jesus is teaching the disciples to pray for deliverance from the fear of not having what is needed.

The Anxiety of Scarcity Jesus is teaching us to pray: "God, give us never-ending, never-ceasing provision of what we need."

IV. CONTENTMENT WITH BREAD (v. 11) Why Bread? Philippians 4:11–13 NIV

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The Rich Who Have Everything But Fulfillment “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” C.S. Lewis

Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

What Are You Actually Asking For? Are You Approaching God Daily? Have You Considered Praying for Changed Desires? "God, help me be content where I am" Philippians 4:11

“God, help me be generous with what I have" 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

"God, help me be grateful for shelter" Psalm 5:11

"God, align my wants with what you know I need" 1 John 5:14-15

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV 1900

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 6:10 (NIV) “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

I. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD (v. 10a)

A. Hebrew Parallelism

- The kingdom of God = the manifestation of the will of God

- The will of God = the reign of the kingdom of God

B. Kingdom Means "Reign"

C. Already and Not Yet We live in the tension—the kingdom is here, but not fully here. It's present, but not complete. And Jesus teaches us to pray for its full arrival.

II. WHAT IS GOD'S WILL? (v. 10b)

A. The Range of God's Effective Will "The kingdom of God is the range of his effective will: that is, it is the domain where what he prefers is actually what happens." Dallas Willard

B. Alignment with God's Design

III. IT'S NOT ABOUT US (v. 10)

A. The Focus of Our Lives

B. Transformation Through Prayer

C. Our Lives Characterized by Devotion

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

So what does this mean for you personally? How do we pray "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" in a way that actually changes our lives?

A. In Your Relationships

B. In Your Work

C. In Your Community

D. In Your Heart Matthew 6:9–13 NIV

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from the evil one.”

The name of God deserves your attention and respect.

P.R.A.Y. Spiritual Exercise

Philippians 4:4–9 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

P - Pause Before God Be still in His presence

R - Rejoice in the Lord and Reflect "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!" (v.4)

A - Ask God "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (v.6)

Y - Yield and Trust "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand." (v.7)

Throughout your day, when anxiety rises, return to this rhythm:

• (take one deep breath) Pause 

• (name one truth about God) Rejoice 

• (turn the worry into a request) Ask 

• (open your hands and receive peace) Yield 

Sermon Notes: Central Idea: The name of God deserves your attention and respect.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." These opening words set the tone for everything that follows. Before we ask for anything, before we confess anything, before we bring our needs before God—Jesus teaches us to begin by recognizing who God is.

I. GOD IS "OUR" FATHER

A. Prayer Begins with Community

Ephesians 4:6 NLT

... one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

B. God as Father and Creator

C. The Revolutionary Nature of "Father"

II. GOD IS IN HEAVEN

"Our Father in heaven..."

This phrase holds two truths in tension:

- Intimacy: He's our Father—personal, caring, accessible

- Transcendence: He's in heaven—sovereign, holy, glorious

III. HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME

"Hallowed be your name."

B. God's Name Above Our Own - God's holiness comes first

C. The Mystery That Sparks Faith Matthew 6:9–13 NIV

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Slowing down and ensure the quality of our practices rather than the quantity

Something is better than nothing but an over saturation of poor practices distracts us

1. Prayer is not a formula with set scripts that we must follow
2. Prayer is not a performance awarding the most passionate and zealous actors
3. Quality in prayer is a matter of heart and Spirit not words and action

Scripture is a mirror for the human condition

We come face to face with truth Jesus and see ourselves fully by the Spirit

Matthew 6:5-8

• Dont be a goofus praying in public to be witnessed by people
• Dont be a goofus praying in meaningless words and repetition like you're supposed to

Matthew 6:9

Praise comes after a recognition of relationship Our Father

• Culture understood sonship as a right Jesus adopts us as a gift
• Culture understood sonship as a legal status Jesus brings us into right relationship with a loving Father
• Culture understood worship as obligation Jesus shows us worship is a delight

It is this loving and gracious adoption into Gods family the brings us into reverent and joyous praise

Quantity vs Quality of Praying Praise

Do I worship in hopes of experiencing God Or do I worship because I already live in and through Him

Do I worship out of habit Or do I worship because I am in awe of who He is and what Hes done

When our connection to God is the source of our praise our prayerful worship moves from quantity to quality

Matthew 6:10

This is intercession in the most foundational sense: Gods will here and now

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

In intercession we must submit fully to His will

Rather than a halftruth that makes sense to us This is spiritual rooted in our relationship to Him and trusting what He reveals to us.

Romans 12:2

Quality vs Quantity for Intercession

Do I strive in prayer for a certain outcome Or do I pray to connect with the heart of the Father

Do I pray from my own thoughts and will Or do I listen to God so my mind may be renewed

Matthew 6:11

Deuteronomy 8:3

Quality vs Quantity in Petition

• Am I striving in petition out of worry or do I trust God provides me with all I need
• Am I striving for more than what I need or seeking God for my daily bread

Matthew 6:12

A key component of prayer is repentance and forgiveness

Romans 8:34

• One way to perfectly align with Gods will is to repent

• Obedience is more than avoiding the bad its living to the fulness of His call

• We need renewed minds to understand the fulness of Gods call in our lives

Mark 11:25

Romans 12:18

Ephesians 4:32

Forgiveness and asking Gods help to do it is guaranteed alignment with His heart

Quantity vs Quality in Repentance and Forgiveness

• Do I pray often but remain untransformed by the Holy Spirit or do I pray often and consistently even incrementally grow closer to Jesus example?
• Do I pray to forgive but keep my heart cold to those who have wronged me Or do I pray to forgive and cancel debts as Jesus has for me

• 
  

Pray in alignment with His work

Psalm 139:22-23

Titus 3:4-7

Hebrews 9:13-15

Walk in accordance with His work

Romans 12:2

Philippians 1:27

3 John 1:11

Matthew 6:13

Luke 22:41-43

Proverbs 169 The mind of man plans his way But the Lord directs his steps

Quantity vs quality

• Quantity is informing God of our struggles and asking Him to provide our answers

• Quality is being real before God to receive His deliverance

• 
  

Hebrews 4:15-16

Sermon notes coming soon!

Today's journey is six miles — the distance between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It's the same path Mary and Joseph walked in obedience. The same road the wise men traveled, leaving Herod's deception for Christ's truth. The same distance that separated religious performance from God's presence.

As we walk these six mile markers together, you'll discover this isn't about trying harder to be generous. It's about letting God's generosity at Christmas transform how you see everything else.Some of you feel exhausted by the demands of this season. Others feel guilty that your giving doesn't match your gratitude. Many of you wonder if your faith is real when your heart feels cold toward others' needs.

This message is for you.

The journey from Jerusalem's religion to Bethlehem's relationship isn't about manufacturing feelings or forcing behavior. It's about discovering that when we truly grasp what God gave at Christmas, we can't help but be changed.

The birth of Jesus shows us that God keeps His promises and nothing is impossible for Him.

1. Luke gives us the story through Mary’s eyes

2. Matthew gives us the story through Joseph’s eyes

ANGLE #1 THE PROBLEM

Matthew 1:18–19 NLT

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

“Christmas is not sentimental. It is the story of God breaking in where the world is breaking apart. -Tim Keller

ANGLE #2 THE REVELATION

Matthew 1:20 NLT

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

“Joseph, this is not your crisis — it’s My calling.”“This is not a scandal — it’s a sign.”“This is not chaos — it’s fulfillment.”

ANGLE #3 THE PROPHECY

Matthew 1:22–23 NLT

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ ”

Isaiah 7:14 NLT

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Christmas is God proving He is faithful even when it feels like everything is falling apart.

ANGLE #4 THE SIGNIFICANCE

Matthew 1:21 NLT

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Christmas is not good advice; it is good news. It is not about what we do; it is about what God has done.

ANGLE #5 THE IMPOSSIBLE

Luke 1:37 NLT

“…For the word of God will never fail.”

Matthew 1:20–21 NLT

“…the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife…’”

Isaiah 7:14 NLT

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

Isaiah 9:6–7 NLT

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Luke 2:11 NLT

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

“Where you see barriers, God sees beginnings.”“Where you see endings, God sees new creation.”“Where you see impossible, God sees Immanuel.”

Angle #6 JOSEPH’S RESPONSE

Matthew 1:24–25 NLT

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Angle #7 OUR LIFE APPLICATION

1. Trust God when life doesn’t make sense.

2. Believe that God’s timing is perfect.

3. Surrender to God’s call even when you don’t have all the details.

4. Remember that God is with you.

ANGLE #8 GOSPEL INVITATION

The heart of Christmas is that God didn’t wait for us to come to Him —He came to us.