Connecting – Part 4
This newest series of messages on Internet Pastor is called “Connecting”.
We are in this series called connecting and we are talking about the importance of connecting with God and others. We talked about four important word pictures in the first week, you are welded into the building (support), joined into the body (talents and gifts), grafted into the vine (productive lives) and born and adopted into the family.
Then we talked about what kind of father God is. He loves us, keeps his promises, and He is involved and capable. Then we talked about surrender in order to know God’s peace. Today we are going to talk about depending on God as we look at the third phrase in the Lord’s prayer:
Matthew 6:11 (NIV)
11 Give us today our daily bread.
Daily bread. Bread is more than just what we make sandwiches out of. It is certainly a staple in every culture of the world, a necessity of life and it provides for our physical needs for food. But bread also represents some important concepts in the Bible.
1. Bread is used to represent the Word of God
The Bible is spiritual bread.
Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
We have more than physical needs, we also have spiritual needs, we need food for our souls, which is the Word of God.
2. Bread is used to represent fellowship
Not only do we have spiritual needs and physical needs – we also have relational needs. You need people in your life.
Acts 2:42 (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The breaking of bread represents fellowship.
3. Bread is used to represent salvation
Matthew 26:26 (NIV)
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of what Jesus has done for us. Each time we celebrate communion we are remembering the lengths He went to so that we could be together.
Our daily bread is a picture of our need to be connected to God and others for physical, spiritual, relational and emotional wholeness. Our need for these things is met in Christ. Give us this day our daily bread, we are depending on you God because we can’t be whole without you.
How do we depend on God to meet all of our needs?
1. Remember that God is your source.
We learn to depend on Him as we realize that He is the source of everything. He is the One who meets my needs.
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
2. Trust Him for today
Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
We learn to depend on Him for today. Learning to live in the present instead of stuck in the past(regret) or in the future (worry). Living one day at a time. God has broken life down for us into 24 hour chunks that He wants us to live in. We learn to trust Him for today!
The verse doesn’t say, “Give us this day our monthly bread.”
Live for today. Don’t worry about tomorrow. What should you do instead of worry? We have talked about this a lot. Instead of worrying, PRAY! Worry is a waste of your life, prayer redeems time!
3. Share whatever he supplies.
We learn to depend on God by breaking free from our selfishness, by sharing what He gives us with others. Notice, it doesn’t say, “Give me this day my daily bread.” It says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We’re to share it.
Why does God want you to share it? He wants you to learn to be like him. God shares everything he’s got with you.
John 3:16 (NIV)
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Real life is found by being connected to God and to others. You are welded into the building, joined into the body, grafted into the vine, and born and adopted into the family. God is your father who loves you, keeps His promises, and is involved in your life. He provides the peace that passes understanding as we learn to trust in Him, and He provides our daily physical, spiritual, relational and emotional needs.
Come back often to see the latest sermons or bible studies on your Online Pastor site. We are blessed to be your Pastor Online!
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