EXPOSITIONS OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
XXII – “THY KINGDOM COME”
Matthew 6:5-15 November 11, 2007

INTRODUCTION
Our greatest desire should be that we would see the Lord Jesus reigning as King in His Kingdom. We need to be praying to that end. Too often our prayer life focuses on self. We need to pray for others: elected officials, national leaders, the police and fire fighters, clergy and missionaries. But, in every case, we should pray that God’s Will be done in and through those people and causes. The Greek word translated KINGDOM = God’s sovereignty and dominion.

I. BOWING TO GOD’S SOVEREIGN PURPOSES
By going to the Cross, the Lord Jesus teaches us the heart of this petition. God’s Kingdom is established through the Cross: first by Christ’s death on it; and, secondly by His followers taking up their crosses daily to follow Him. To pray for God’s Kingdom to come, is to commit yourself to the Way of the Cross. Obedience brings the blessings of God into our lives.

II. THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL
God’s Kingdom comes to the hearts of people through the work of the Holy Spirit. This petition is evangelistic and missions oriented, making missions and evangelism a priority for believers. John 17. Romans 10:14-15. We have an obligation to pray for and give to those who have been called to preach the Gospel both here and abroad. We pray for missions, missionaries, preachers, seminarians, as we pray for the growth of God’s Kingdom on earth. Pray that the Lord of the harvest would call many to Himself.

III. THY WILL BE DONE
This is not some fatalistic prayer. Rather, we are telling the Lord that we will seek out and so the will of God. We will search the Scriptures so that we might know and do the will of God. Matthew 4. The Lord Jesus knew and applied Scripture. Psalm 103:20. Our prayer should be that everything on earth be brought into conformity to God’s Will.

IV. PRAYING FOR CHRIST’S RETURN
Praying for His Kingdom to come is praying that He would bring history to its intended climax, the second coming of Christ. Revelation 5.