Do You Know Who You Are Talking To?

Learning To Pray Like Jesus

Do You Know Who You Are Talking To?

Luke 15:11-32

Goal of this series:  That we, like the disciples, would learn how to pray from Jesus. 

Who we’re talking to matters!

Any meaningful conversation (including prayer) involves both talking and listening to someone. 

Key Question:  Who are you talking to….and more importantly, who are you listening to?

What Did Jesus Mean by “Our Father, who is in heaven?” Matthew 6:9

"Our Father” reflects the goodness of God.

“Who is in heaven” reflects the greatness of God. 

How Did Jesus Describe “Our Father?”

1. Our Father Loves Us

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

“I don’t think anyone can grow unless he is loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be.”  Fred Rogers

2. Our Father Cares for Us

Matthew 6:31-32 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” 

3. Our Father Knows Us

Matthew 10:29-30 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”

4. Our Father Sees and Hears Us

Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

5. Our Father Forgives Us

Luke 23:34 “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

6. Our Father is Greater Than All

John 10:29  “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

Matthew 26:52-53 “Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Great power is always available at His disposal.

7. Our Father is With Us in Desperate Times

Matthew 26:39 & 42 “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

8. Our Father Is True and Reveals Hidden Truth to Us

Luke 10:21 “In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”

A Good Picture of “Our Father”  

Luke 15:17-24  “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.”

The Father loved each son enough….

1. To Let Him Go
2. To Look for His Return
3. To Listen to His Frustrations
4. To Let Him Know the Truth

The prodigal son had to come to himself.  It was at that moment that he changed who he listened to.  That change of thinking was based on remembering the truth about his father.

But the wayward son had one thing wrong about his father.  His Father didn’t want another servant, He wanted a son. 

Galatians 4:6-7 “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Servants and sons/daughters have very different mindsets.

What we believe about ourselves comes from someone’s voice. 

Do you really know who you are listening to? 

Making it Personal:

• Do you know God as your Father?  Have you ever been adopted by Him into His family?
• What do you “really” believe about the nature of God?  Is He good and great to you?
• As you consider your frustrations and worries, who’s voice do you hear?
• Like the sons in the story, you may have believed the wrong voice for some time.  What next steps can you take to listen to hear the voice of God?
• Who can I share these truths with?