2014.8.31 礼拝

Kids Message: How did Jesus begin His prayer to God in The Lord’s Prayer? “Our Father.”
It is important to know who we are praying to. It is also important to know what the person we are praying to is like. Is He nice? Mean?
Jesus referred to Him as “Father”. Not teacher. He also referred to Him as “OUR” Father. Not just his Father.
As we go throughout today let’s remember that God is “our” Father. We can talk to Him. He is not some super elite person that we can’t approach. He is our “Father”.
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This time Prime Minister Abe did not visit the Yasukuni Shine for the war dead.
He received so much bashing from so many directions before this time. People thought he would visit.
The reason for the protest is that Yasukuni Shrine is a religious entity and it is not run by the government. Also, it is where many of the war criminals are buried and worshipped. People think that there should be a difference between a religion and the government.
What does “Our Father in heaven” mean?
1. Through this phrase we get a look at who God really is.
Acts 17:23 – For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
Through this phrase we realize that God is a loving Father not a scary distant god.
2. We also realize that He is our God.
Matthew 5:43-45 – Love Your Enemies – “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Because He is “our” God and not just the God of the Jews or just a select few people.
3. Our Heavenly Father is calling us.
Matthew 9:13 – Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
The story of the Prodigal Son –gives a practical example of our Heavenly Father
Luke 15:11-24 – The Parable of the Prodigal Son – And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Our Father is the God of patience. He does not give up on us and does not force to return to Him but patiently waits for us to return to Him. We are His children once He has called us His children. Let us deepen our relationship with our Father in heaven.