Monday, March 25, 2013

The Lord's Prayer Part II - Talking to the Father about the Family, Part 59 of 61

TEXT: "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen" (Matthew 6:9-12).

IDEA: “Amen” is a vital word of faith that we sometimes use without thinking of its meaning.

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate the power of an “Amen.”

A pastor says “Amen” at the end of his sermon.

A church member says “Amen” in the middle of a sermon.

A choir sings “Amen” at the end of a prayer.

What does “Amen” mean?

I. The word is used about 75 times in the Bible. It is used 50 times in the New Testament.

“Amen” is spelled the same way in Hebrew and Greek as it is in English and many other languages.

Christians speak or sing this universally known word at the conclusion of most prayers and at the end of many hymns.

II. What does “Amen” mean?

Jesus said to the dying thief that He rescued on the cross, “Amen, I say to you today that you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42). It is God’s great word of certainty.

When we say “Amen” at the close of a prayer, we mean “so may it be.” It is a desire.

When we say “Amen” at the end of the Lord’s Prayer, we may be saying, “So shall it be.” All that we have prayed will certainly come to pass.

Listen to the "Amen Chorus" from Handel's "The Messiah."