Fairview Baptist Church - Grand Prairie, TX
Hallowed Be Thy Name (FVBC - PM Services)
Locations & Times
Fairview Baptist Church
1202 Small St, Grand Prairie, TX 75050, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Introduction
The title of tonight’s sermon is the first petition in the model prayer that Jesus, gave to His disciples. It is popularly called the Lord’s Prayer. It is not the Lord’s Prayer in the sense that he would pray it. Some of the petitions in this prayer, as, for example, the petition for forgiveness, would not be appropriate for our Lord, for he was without sin. It is the Lord’s Prayer in the sense that he has given to his disciples a marvelously comprehensive, concise model for their praying.
Because giving the model of correct practice, Jesus warned of the hypocrisy of those who pray to be seen of men and of the error of the heathen who think they will be heard for their big words. “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed by Your name’” (Matt. 6:8-9). The fatherly nature of God is ground for confidence so that we come to him with boldness. Since he is the heavenly Father of all who love him in sincerity, so that we address him as “Our Father” rather than “My Father.” Especially when we come to pray are we conscious that we are brothers to those of whom God is Father.
The title of tonight’s sermon is the first petition in the model prayer that Jesus, gave to His disciples. It is popularly called the Lord’s Prayer. It is not the Lord’s Prayer in the sense that he would pray it. Some of the petitions in this prayer, as, for example, the petition for forgiveness, would not be appropriate for our Lord, for he was without sin. It is the Lord’s Prayer in the sense that he has given to his disciples a marvelously comprehensive, concise model for their praying.
Because giving the model of correct practice, Jesus warned of the hypocrisy of those who pray to be seen of men and of the error of the heathen who think they will be heard for their big words. “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed by Your name’” (Matt. 6:8-9). The fatherly nature of God is ground for confidence so that we come to him with boldness. Since he is the heavenly Father of all who love him in sincerity, so that we address him as “Our Father” rather than “My Father.” Especially when we come to pray are we conscious that we are brothers to those of whom God is Father.
The first petition is “Hallowed be Your name.”
A. The true prayer starts here.
i. It is a petition not for self nor for others but for God to be glorified.
ii. “Let your name be glorified.”
B. What is the primary meaning of this petition?
i. The meaning of “name.”
a. Among ancient people a name was not a mere appellation but was expressive of the character of the person so named.
b. When one’s character changed, that person often was given a new name, as for example, Abram, “father,” became Abraham, “father of people”; and Jacob, “supplanter,” became Israel, “prince of God.”
ii. The name Jehovah as revealed in Exodus 3:13-15 characterizes God as the great, eternal, covenant-keeping God, the great “I Am.”
a. It means “I am that I am” or “I will be that I will be.”
b. It names God as the one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.’
iii. The name stands for the person.
a. When we sign a check, our name stands for our person, so to pray in the name of Jesus is to pray a prayer to which he could sign his name.
b. When in 3 John 7 we read of the missionaries that “for his name’s sake…went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles,” it is the same as saying, “for Jesus sake,” for the name stands for the person.
iv. In Philippians 2:9-11 Paul wrote of Jesus, “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him, the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
a. The name Jesus expresses our Lord’s true character as Savior.
b. When we pray, “Hallowed by thy name,” we are praying that God himself shall be hallowed.
C. The meaning of hallowed.
i. It is the word often translated “sanctified,’ which means “set apart,” “dedicated,” “holy.”
ii. God’s name – that is, his true character, his person – is to be hallowed – that is set apart, revered above all others.
iii. What can we do to make God any more or less holy than he by nature already is and always will be?
D. How do persons hallow God’s name?
i. Negatively it means, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7).
ii. The primary reference is not to swear to a falsehood and use the name of God to bolster a false oath.
iii. Hallowing God’s name would also forbid the evil, senseless sin of profanity – a sin that is most foolish and useless.
a. One may as well say, “I can’t quit murder, or adultery, or theft,” as to say, “I can’t quit profanity.”
iv. When a man curses in the presence of Woodrow Wilson’s father, he asked the elder Wilson’s apology when he heard that he was a minister. Mr. Wilson replied, “Sir, it is not to me but to God you owe your apology.”
E. God’s name is dishonored by vain worship.
i. Through the prophet Malachi, he spoke to the priests: “A son honors his father and a servant his master: if then I be a Father, where is my honor? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Says the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests that despise my name. And you say, when have we despised your name? You offer polluted bread upon my altar, and you say, where have we polluted you? In that you say, the table of the Lord is contemptible. And if you offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto the governor; will he be pleased with you, or accept the person? Says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 1:6-8).
a. God’s name is dishonored when we give him less than the best.
ii. Lip worship without heart content dishonors God.
a. Later in this sermon, Jesus solemnly warns some who called him Lord and preached in his name yet had no relationship with him.
b. “Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of the Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name cast out demons” and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto you, I never know you: depart from me, you that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23).
iii. Positively, “Hallowed by thy name” is a great missionary petition that god may have his rightful place, the first and highest place, in the hearts of all the peoples of the earth.
a. It is to pray with the psalmist, “Oh that man would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Ps. 107:8).
b. The missionary enterprise is, “to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6).
A. The true prayer starts here.
i. It is a petition not for self nor for others but for God to be glorified.
ii. “Let your name be glorified.”
B. What is the primary meaning of this petition?
i. The meaning of “name.”
a. Among ancient people a name was not a mere appellation but was expressive of the character of the person so named.
b. When one’s character changed, that person often was given a new name, as for example, Abram, “father,” became Abraham, “father of people”; and Jacob, “supplanter,” became Israel, “prince of God.”
ii. The name Jehovah as revealed in Exodus 3:13-15 characterizes God as the great, eternal, covenant-keeping God, the great “I Am.”
a. It means “I am that I am” or “I will be that I will be.”
b. It names God as the one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.’
iii. The name stands for the person.
a. When we sign a check, our name stands for our person, so to pray in the name of Jesus is to pray a prayer to which he could sign his name.
b. When in 3 John 7 we read of the missionaries that “for his name’s sake…went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles,” it is the same as saying, “for Jesus sake,” for the name stands for the person.
iv. In Philippians 2:9-11 Paul wrote of Jesus, “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him, the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
a. The name Jesus expresses our Lord’s true character as Savior.
b. When we pray, “Hallowed by thy name,” we are praying that God himself shall be hallowed.
C. The meaning of hallowed.
i. It is the word often translated “sanctified,’ which means “set apart,” “dedicated,” “holy.”
ii. God’s name – that is, his true character, his person – is to be hallowed – that is set apart, revered above all others.
iii. What can we do to make God any more or less holy than he by nature already is and always will be?
D. How do persons hallow God’s name?
i. Negatively it means, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7).
ii. The primary reference is not to swear to a falsehood and use the name of God to bolster a false oath.
iii. Hallowing God’s name would also forbid the evil, senseless sin of profanity – a sin that is most foolish and useless.
a. One may as well say, “I can’t quit murder, or adultery, or theft,” as to say, “I can’t quit profanity.”
iv. When a man curses in the presence of Woodrow Wilson’s father, he asked the elder Wilson’s apology when he heard that he was a minister. Mr. Wilson replied, “Sir, it is not to me but to God you owe your apology.”
E. God’s name is dishonored by vain worship.
i. Through the prophet Malachi, he spoke to the priests: “A son honors his father and a servant his master: if then I be a Father, where is my honor? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Says the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests that despise my name. And you say, when have we despised your name? You offer polluted bread upon my altar, and you say, where have we polluted you? In that you say, the table of the Lord is contemptible. And if you offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto the governor; will he be pleased with you, or accept the person? Says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 1:6-8).
a. God’s name is dishonored when we give him less than the best.
ii. Lip worship without heart content dishonors God.
a. Later in this sermon, Jesus solemnly warns some who called him Lord and preached in his name yet had no relationship with him.
b. “Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of the Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name cast out demons” and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto you, I never know you: depart from me, you that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23).
iii. Positively, “Hallowed by thy name” is a great missionary petition that god may have his rightful place, the first and highest place, in the hearts of all the peoples of the earth.
a. It is to pray with the psalmist, “Oh that man would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Ps. 107:8).
b. The missionary enterprise is, “to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6).
Jesus prays this petition.
A. Jesus does not pray with us every petition of the model prayer, but this first petition is certainly one he does pray.
B. His word is glorify.
i. John 12:20-32 is a very significant portion of Scripture.
ii. The Greeks seeking Jesus had caused him to see them as the vanguard of that great group of all nations who would come to God by him.
iii. But Jesus must be lifted up on the cross if sinners are to be saved.
iv. The temptation to avoid the cross was renewed.
v. Hear Jesus: “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, same me form this hour?” (John 12:27).
vi. Would this be his prayer?
vii. No, rather, “but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name” (John 12:27-28).
viii. Jesus prayed this knowing that the means of such glorification would be the cross.
A. Jesus does not pray with us every petition of the model prayer, but this first petition is certainly one he does pray.
B. His word is glorify.
i. John 12:20-32 is a very significant portion of Scripture.
ii. The Greeks seeking Jesus had caused him to see them as the vanguard of that great group of all nations who would come to God by him.
iii. But Jesus must be lifted up on the cross if sinners are to be saved.
iv. The temptation to avoid the cross was renewed.
v. Hear Jesus: “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, same me form this hour?” (John 12:27).
vi. Would this be his prayer?
vii. No, rather, “but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name” (John 12:27-28).
viii. Jesus prayed this knowing that the means of such glorification would be the cross.
Closing
It is not light matter to pray, “Hallowed be thy name.” When we pray, “Hallowed be thy name,” we are praying, “By life or by death, by sickness or by health, now and always, let your will be done. All that is false and dishonoring to God take away; all that honors God let me be and do.”
Do we dare to pray this first petition of the model prayer? Is our faith sufficient to let God be all and in all? My prayer tonight and always is for the heavenly Father to help us pray, “Hallowed be they name.”
It is not light matter to pray, “Hallowed be thy name.” When we pray, “Hallowed be thy name,” we are praying, “By life or by death, by sickness or by health, now and always, let your will be done. All that is false and dishonoring to God take away; all that honors God let me be and do.”
Do we dare to pray this first petition of the model prayer? Is our faith sufficient to let God be all and in all? My prayer tonight and always is for the heavenly Father to help us pray, “Hallowed be they name.”