Keep Your Name Holy

Good Shepherd Community Church

Jesus teaches his disciples to pray what we term "the Lord's Prayer," but is better named, "the Disciples Model Prayer."The prayer consists of 7 petitions which are easily divided into two sections. 1. That which concerns God's interest.2. That which concerns our needs as God's dependent children. Jesus teaches us first to be concerned about God's concerns. We ask the Father to do what only he can truly do. Sometimes we interpret these petitions as if they are commands for us to follow. They are not. Only God can truly make his name great, only he is the Holy One. The petition centers on two key words: "holy" and "name"The sermon today looks at both terms with special reference to God's revelation of his Name to Moses in Exodus chapter 3 and 34.The 3 petitions of the first section of the prayer are interconnected • Father, hallowed be your name.• Your kingdom come.• Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.These three sections all involve God's doing. He makes his name holy; he will bring about his kingdom and he will do his will on earth. "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." Revelation 15:4