Civil Government: Power, Nations, and Constitutional Order: Where We Are & How We Got Here

The Rebel's Prayer

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Civil Government

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2011-03-13

Synopsis: John Weaver expounds the petition 'Thy kingdom come' from the Lord's Prayer, showing it is personal, practical, providential, and political. He argues that praying for God's kingdom means desiring Christ's rule over every area of life, the defeat of all opposition, and the advance of the gospel. The message culminates in the provocative claim that this is a rebel's prayer against ungodly authorities and systems, calling believers to resist evil and long for Christ's ultimate victory.

[John Weaver] The title of the message today is The Rebel's Prayer. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Matthew 6. And Luke 11. Notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. Matthew 6, verse 10, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Now, if you look in Luke 11 and verse two. And he said unto them, when you pray, say. Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done as in heaven, so in earth. Years ago, I preached a brief series on this prayer. And naturally, this passage is referred to most often as the Lord's Prayer or the Disciples Prayer. This prayer could also be called the Kingdom's or the Kingdom Prayer, but it could also be called the Rebel's Prayer, which I will explain a little later. Actually, this is not the Lord's Prayer. Our Lord's Prayer is recorded in John 17. This is where the Lord is teaching his disciples to pray.

[John Weaver] He not only teaches them. In thoughts, but in words as well, for instance, in Matthew six and verse nine, he states after this manner, therefore, pray ye. And since we're in Luke 11, if you look in verse two and he said to them, when you pray, say. So obviously he's giving us words that we are to say. You must understand that words have meanings and it is the meanings of the word that is most important. You may repeat these words without understanding their meaning and receive little encouragement and little help and little understanding. However, when you understand the meaning of the words and the implications of the words, then there's a vast, great benefit that is derived therefrom. So there are major implications of each of these petitions, each of these adorations.

[John Weaver] I'm not going to be dealing with all of these petitions, but I am going to try to single out just one, and that is the petition, Thy Kingdom Come. In order to single out that petition, I'm going to have to make some cursory remarks concerning some of the petitions, adorations that surround that one particular. Petition, but notice, if you would, in verse two of Luke 11, and he said to them, when you pray, say. Our father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. So notice he begins by saying that when we begin to pray, we are to address the one through the living God as our father.

[John Weaver] Now, the term father emphasizes not only a relationship. But it should also emphasize our devotion to him as well, because the term father reveals an intimate, loving, gracious fellowship that we enjoy as we pray and as we worship before him. Let me give you a quote. from Arthur W. Pink, and I want you to listen as he speaks about this phrase, Our Father. He said, These words, Our Father, not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation. They teach us both how we ought to dispose ourselves toward God when we pray to Him, and the conduct that is becoming to us by virtue of this relationship.

[John Weaver] As His children, we must honor Him even more than our human parents, be in subjection to Him, delight in Him, and strive in all things to please Him. Again, the phrase, Our Father, not only teaches us our personal interest in God Himself, who by grace is our Father, but it also instructs us as our interest in our fellow Christians, who in Christ are our brethren. It is not merely my father to whom we pray, but to our father. We must express our love to our brethren by praying for them.

[John Weaver] We're to be as much concerned about their needs as we are over our own. How much is included in these two words? Our father. Just stop and think, our father. Because obviously, the implication is if he is my father, there are other children there as well, and we should be remembering their needs as well. So he is our father by election, by regeneration, by conversion and by faith. Moreover, he is the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 20 and verse 17, Jesus Christ said to Mary, Touch me not. For I am not yet ascended unto my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and to your God." So God the Father is also known as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why in Ephesians 1 and verse 3 we read this. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

[John Weaver] So when we understand then that God the Father is the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it gives us some other implications. And the fact is this, that we have been adopted into the family of God that our God is indeed the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which means then that he is not only our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, he is also our elder brother. And therefore, we have an inheritance in him. So our Lord said, when you pray, you say our father, which art in heaven. When you use the expression which art in heaven, That indicates the sovereignty, the majesty, the greatness and the glory of God. We know and we understand that God is omnipresent. That means that he is everywhere at once in the totality of his being.

[John Weaver] Psalm 139 makes that exceedingly clear. Let me let me explain it again like this. It's not that part of God is in China and part is in America and part is in Russia and part is in Mongolia and you take all these parts and put them together and you have one God. No, no, no, that's not it. That's that's heresy. The omnipresence of God means that God is everywhere at once in the totality of his being. There is no place in which God is not.

[John Weaver] Do you remember when Solomon dedicated the temple? In 1 Kings 8 and verse 27, he said this, but will God indeed dwell on earth? Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, much less this house that I have built it. So obviously, God is omnipresent. So when he says our father who are in heaven, we're talking about the greatness, the majesty and the superiority of God. And the very fact when we say our father, which are in heaven, indicates that is the place where His Majesty and His glory are preeminently manifested. In Isaiah 66 verse 1, and we're going to look at a lot of scriptures just momentarily, but in Isaiah 66 verse 1, he said, Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. So if heaven is his throne, that's where his majesty and his glory are particularly and peculiarly manifested. So just stop and think our father. Who are in heaven, the realization of this truth should feel us or should fill us with the deepest awe and reverence because our father who's in heaven, that means he is sovereign.

[John Weaver] He's an absolute and total control of everything. Psalm 115 in verse three says this. But our God is in the heavens, he has done whatsoever he is pleased. So he is not only listen now, he is not only the sovereign God of heaven and earth. He is also our father. Can you imagine for one moment the implications of knowing and understanding a relationship that you have with a divine being who not only happens to be your father, but happens to have absolute and total control over everything?

[John Weaver] That surely ought to encourage you to pray. That surely ought to encourage you to carry every problem and every burden to him. Because he is divinely sovereign. So he said, our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. When we. Say, hallowed be thy name, we're asking that God, who is the most holy and most glorious, might enable us not only to acknowledge His holiness and His honor, but to make us and to enable us to be in a position to continue to hallow and honor His name. Thomas Manton, an old Puritan, said it like this, talking about hallowed be thy name. He said, in this petition, the glory of God is both desired and promised on our part.

[John Weaver] For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an explicit vow of our solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask. Now, let me just stop there. Listen to what he just said. For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask. So if we're saying, how would be thy name? We're expressing not only a desire for God to be honored and glorified. We are expressing also a solemn obligation that we're going to take on our part to make sure that we honor and glorify his name. Matten goes on, he says, prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for his information, but for our edification.

[John Weaver] And that certainly is true. So our primary duty in prayer basically, then, is to disregard ourselves and to give God the preeminence in our thoughts, desires and supplications. So this petition, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, necessarily comes first. Why? Because the glory of God is the end of all things. All other requests in this prayer are subordinate to this one. We are to sanctify And we're to honor God's name above everything in our lives.

[John Weaver] That's why Matthew 6 and verse 33 said what? But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And then all these other things shall be added unto you.

[John Weaver] Now, the message today is not dealing with the Lord's prayer in general, but specifically this petition by kingdom come. When we pray thy kingdom come, There are several very obvious implications, and the first one is simple. God does have a kingdom. Thy kingdom come. The second obvious implication is we want that kingdom to come in its fullness. Now, again, I'm not going to be going into a detailed exposition of the kingdom of God. But let me just tell you three things about the kingdom of God very quickly. First of all, we can say it like this. Listen carefully. The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming. What the kingdom has come, the kingdom is here and the kingdom Is coming. Well, how can we say the kingdom has come? Well, we can say the kingdom has come because the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come. And what did our Lord say in Matthew 11 or Matthew 12?

[John Weaver] It is in verse 28. He said to the scribes and the Pharisees, but if I cast out devils by the spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is coming to you. So the kingdom of God was here when Christ was here. He said the kingdom of God has come unto you. Look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter one to show you not only that the kingdom of God has come, but it is here. Look what he says in the book of Colossians chapter one at verses 12 and 13. Colossians chapter 1, look if you would please at verse 12.

[John Weaver] Giving thanks unto the Father which made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light who have delivered us from the power of darkness and have translated us, where? Where did he translate us to? Into the kingdom of his dear son. So the kingdom has come because Christ has come. The kingdom is here because we are now in the kingdom and the kingdom is still coming. That is, it is going to come in its fullness and fruition. And the Bible tells us in Revelation 11, in verse 15, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. When we're talking about the kingdom, when we're talking about the kingdom, we know that the kingdom has come. The kingdom is here and the kingdom is coming now, so. We're going to be looking then particularly at this one simple petition, thy kingdom come.

[John Weaver] So I want you to go back to Luke chapter 11, if you would, please. Luke chapter 11. And look, if you would again, please, at verse 2. Luke 11, verse 2. And he said to them, when you pray, say, Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy kingdom come. Have you ever really genuinely thought of the implications of this petition by Kingdom Come. I want to give you four things very quickly this morning. The first three are very interconnected. Actually, all four are interconnected, but you may not see the impact of the fourth one until I get to it. But first of all, let me point out it is a personal petition. is a personal petition. So our Lord is teaching us to pray. And Luke 11 in verse 2, after he teaches us to say, our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, he gives us this petition, thy kingdom come. So it is a personal petition. It is personal in the sense that you are asking for the kingdom of God to come in its fullness.

[John Weaver] And at the same time, you are asking that you might be submissive and obedient in that kingdom yourself. Why in the world would you seek for the Kingdom of God to come if you did not want to be a part of it and participate in it? You're asking, in this petition, Christ to reign everywhere, and that would certainly include your heart, your soul, your life. When you say, Thy kingdom come, you are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords and God of gods, and that He deserves to be honored and worshipped. So very obviously, this petition, Thy kingdom come, is a personal petition. I want you to look in your Bibles, hold in Luke 11, but go in your Bibles to 1 Chronicles 29, and look, if you would please, at verse 11. I want you to see what King Asa said, 1 Chronicles 29 and verse 11. This is a summation of the Kingdom of God. 1 Chronicles 29 verse 11. Look at what he said.

[John Weaver] Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all." When we say, Thy kingdom come, that is exactly what we're saying. We're saying that God is the greatest. His power, His majesty, His glory, His victory, that He is King of all of the earth. So, thy kingdom come is a personal petition, and what you're asking is that Jesus Christ would be exalted in your life in every area and every sphere. You're acknowledging him as your king, your sovereign, your head, your guide, and your Lord. No one would pray this petition if they did not personally desire the kingdom of God on earth.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to show you that what Asa said in 1 Chronicles 29, what our Lord taught us to pray in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11, is the same as what the prophets prophesied. For instance, turn in your Bibles to Isaiah chapter 11, and look if you would please at verse 9. Isaiah 11 and verse 9. We're talking about praying, Thy kingdom come. It's a personal petition. In Isaiah 11 in verse 9, look what God says. Here is what we're referring to. God says, They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. As the waters cover the sea. How much of the sea is covered by water? All of it. So when we pray thy kingdom come, what are we asking? We're asking for God's kingdom to extend totally and completely and absolutely in every area, every corner and every sphere of life. If you would look in your Bibles to the little book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk chapter 2 and verse 14.

[John Weaver] One of the minor prophets. Habakkuk chapter 2. At verse 14, right before the little book of Zephaniah. Right after the little book of Nahum, you will find Habakkuk. Habakkuk chapter 2 and look in verse 14. For he says it like this. For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." So when we are taught to pray, Thy Kingdom Come, it's a personal petition.

[John Weaver] We are personally seeking God's glory, grace, majesty, superiority, sovereignty over every area and over every sphere of our life and the lives of the others and of the world. We're asking for the time appointed for the fullness of the Lord's kingdom to arrive. So it's only a personal petition. Secondly, it is a practical petition. Remember, he said in Luke 11 in verse two, when you pray, say. Our father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come. So you are practically petitioning the father then. Not only to prepare your heart, but the hearts of others as well. You're asking Jesus Christ to go forth as conqueror.

[John Weaver] John Calvin said it like this, he is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires. Such is the corruption of the nature that all of our affections are so many soldiers of Satan who oppose the justice of God and consequently obstruct or disturb his reign. By this prayer we ask that he may remove all hindrances and bring all men under his dominion and may lead them to meditate on the heavenly life." So this is done partly by preaching of the Word of God and partly by the secret power of the Holy Spirit. It's God's will to govern men by his word, by his voice. But the Holy Spirit must make that word effectual. If the Holy Spirit does not apply the word of God.

[John Weaver] Then no one really hears. It's kind of like Augustine. Who said it like this, I heard the gospel all of my life. And then one day I heard it. Yeah, that's the way it is. If God does not make it effectual. I remember years ago, I had a preacher come to our church in Jessup and he preached all week long on the doctrine of election. It was a wonderful, wonderful week. And I never will forget one of our men who had been so faithful came to me, said, Pastor, he said, this is so great. This is so wonderful. But I have one question.

[John Weaver] He said, Why haven't you been preaching this? And I said, brother, I have one question for you. He said, what is it? I said, why have you not been listening? Well, I had been preaching it. He just had not heard it. But then that week he heard it. The kingdom of God. Is opposed to all disorder and confusion. Do you not remember the passage where it says that God is not the author of confusion? How much confusion exists in this world? Just in civil government. How much confusion exists in the churches? How much confusion exists in the homes and in the families? How much confusion exists in our own individual lives?

[John Weaver] You think of all the vain thoughts. wrong desires, impure motives, bad attitudes, wicked dispositions, pride, arrogance, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, disobedience that remain in each one of us, that creates nothing but confusion in our lives. Do we want those sins conquered? Do we want those sins defeated? Do we want our sins controlled? Do we want the totality of our lives to be brought in conformity to the Word of God and in submission to Jesus Christ?

[John Weaver] Well, we need to learn to pray this prayer because it's a very practical petition. Thy kingdom come. Your kingdom come in my life. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33. So, let me put it to you very plainly. Where confusion exists, So does sin, strife and wickedness. Look in your Bibles to the book of James, James chapter 3 and notice verse 16. Hebrews, James, James chapter 3. And notice, if you would please, verse 16, look what he says. James 3 verse 16. For where? Envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

[John Weaver] You can knock her down, folks. Wherever there's envying, wherever there's strife, wherever there's confusion, there's every evil work. So when we pray then, Thy kingdom come, We're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us, submit us, surrender us, control us in every aspect of our lives.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter three, because I believe the Apostle Paul understood this. And I think this is exactly partly what he had in mind when he prayed this prayer. Look in the book of Philippians. Chapter 3, beginning there in verse 12. Philippians 3, verse 12. I don't suppose any of us could ever come close to the depth of knowledge and spirituality of the Apostle Paul.

[John Weaver] We always hold him up on a pedestal. But yet he says very clearly in Philippians chapter 3, notice verse 12, not as though I had already attained Either were already perfect. Paul said, I hadn't arrived. I'm not perfect, but I follow after. If that I may apprehend, for that which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus, brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended or attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. And what did the Apostle Paul say? Forgetting those things which are behind.

[John Weaver] How many of us can go back? And undo things that we did in our previous years, not one. We can't. But by God's grace, we can repent. And then go forward. You can't do anything else, that's what the Apostle Paul says. He can't go back and unlive what he lived or undo what he did. But he can repent and he can go forward, and that's exactly what he's saying.

[John Weaver] So when we're praying this petition, thy kingdom come, it's not only a personal petition. It's a very practical petition because Paul desired to have his life totally conquered by Jesus Christ. He said, therefore, I press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Thirdly. This petition, Thy Kingdom Come, is a providential petition. Let me explain what I mean by that. Our Lord is teaching us to pray. And this petition is Thy Kingdom Come. I point out it's a personal petition, it's a practical petition, not a providential petition. By that, when we pray thy kingdom come, we understand that the kingdom is brought into fullness and fruition by God's grace, power, and mercy, and in His time.

[John Weaver] We may long for it, we may want it, We may work for it. We may pray for it. We may seek it. We may desire it. But the truth is. It is only going to come in its fullness in the time that he ordained. But in this petition, we are praying. For the success of the gospel. Thy kingdom come. We're praying for the conversion of God's elect. We're praying that Christ would indeed save his people.

[John Weaver] Matthew Henry said it like this. Let my kingdom come. Let the gospel be preached to all and embraced by all. Let it be brought to subscribe to the record God has given in his word concerning his son and to embrace him as their savior and sovereign. Let the bounds of the gospel church be enlarged. The kingdom of the world be made Christ's kingdom and all men become subjects to it and live as becomes their character.

[John Weaver] I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Second Timothy and let me show you something. Second Timothy, chapter two. And let me ask a leading question. Have you ever thought about all the things that the Apostle Paul went through and suffered? Why he went through and suffered them. You remember he gives there in 2nd Corinthians how that he was beaten with rods, received 40 lashes a number of times.

[John Weaver] Died in day in the deep. Suffered all of these things. Why? Well, look, Second Timothy, chapter two, verse 10, he says this. Therefore, I do all things for the elect sake. That they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with the eternal glory. You see, Paul understood. That our Lord has the people. And he said, I'm going to do all of these things. I will keep going, that I may reach them. So this petition, Thy Kingdom Come, teaches us to pray for, to witness, and to seek, and to reach all those for whom our reward is a sacrifice and a substitute. We know that Christ has a sheep. He has His sheep. What did he say in John 10 and verse 14?

[John Weaver] Let me just quote it. He said, I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and am not of mine. In John 10 and verse 27, he says this, my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. You cannot deny the fact that God does indeed have a sheep. He has his sheep wherever they are, whoever they are. One of the things that I know is this when I preach and teach. I know not everyone's going to be saved. But I know some are. I know that not everybody's going to be blessed. But I know that some are. Because he has his sheep and they hear his voice. And they follow him.

[John Weaver] When we pray, thy kingdom come, we're asking Christ to gather his sheep from all the nations wherever they are scattered and bring them safely into his fold. There's the passage in John 11 in verse 52. Where the high priest prophesied that Christ should die. Not for that nation only, but also that he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Moreover, God the Father has declared that the gathering together of all things in Christ is an aspect of his eternal purpose. In Ephesians 1 in verse 10, the Bible says this, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together and want all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in him.

[John Weaver] Let me tell you something, folks. I can say this unequivocally. I can say this dogmatically. In God's ordained time. Everything will work perfectly according to God's eternal purpose. All of his sheep, all of his people will be gathered in. I don't know when that would be. I would love to see it in my time. I may not. I have no idea, but I know it's going to come to pass.

[John Weaver] So what I have to do is this. I have to keep praying thy kingdom come. So it's a personal petition. It's a practical petition. It is a providential petition. And lastly, it is a political petition. How in the world can I say that? How can I say the petition, Thy Kingdom Come, is a political petition? Because you have been taught, and you have heard all of your life, politics and religions do not mix. Two things you never talk about, politics and religion. And if you talk about it, you just simply don't mix them because they don't mix. Well, who said they don't mix? When people say that you cannot mix politics and religions, they do not understand the concept of the kingdom of God, nor do they understand the concept of politics.

[John Weaver] First, let me point out that all government is religious. All government is religious. It may be the Christian religion, or it may be a pagan religion, but it is still religious. All law is religious. It may be the Christian law, or it may be a pagan law, but it is still religious. Because behind every law is a determination of good and evil, right and wrong. And it is someone's religion that determines good and evil, right and wrong. Each of those concepts is guided by an understanding of religion. It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be? Will it be God's religion or will it be man's religion?

[John Weaver] You've got to understand that even if someone says, well, I'm an atheist. Therefore, my law is not religious. That's hogwash. You know what atheism is? Theism means God. Put an A on it. Atheism, no God. And so when you say my religion is atheism or I don't have religion, I'm an atheist, what you're saying is I'm a secularist humanist with a religious secularist humanist worldview. It's still religious. Because you don't believe in the living God, you have established yourself as God. It's man's religion. It's autonomy. You cannot have government and you cannot have law without religion, period.

[John Weaver] Secondly, let me cover the word politics. It's from the Greek word. Which literally means. Of a citizen, politics. Of a citizen. Well, you say, what's that got to do with thy kingdom come? Well, I want you to look in your Bibles. First of all, through the Book of Acts chapter 21. And verse 39. The Apostle Paul was going to address the people who were trying to kill him. Look at Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. Acts 21 verse 39. Paul is speaking to the centurion who rescued him before he gives his testimony in chapter 22. And Paul says this in verse 39, but Paul said, I'm a man which I'm a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. Now, he said, I'm a citizen of no mean city, the word citizen is politas. So Paul said, I'm a citizen of no mean city, in other words, I'm a citizen of a very great city. You say, what's that got to do with thy kingdom come?

[John Weaver] Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter three. Philippians chapter three. Notice, if you would please, in verse 20. OK. Paul said this, Philippians three in verse 20. For our conversation is in heaven. From whence also we look for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, the word conversation is a very interesting word. It is in the Greek word polytouma. Ah, polytouma, polyteikos. The word actually refers, now listen, here's what the Greek word actually refers to.

[John Weaver] The administration of civil affairs of a commonwealth. the constitution of a commonwealth, a form of government and laws by which it is administered, a state, a commonwealth, a commonwealth of citizens. Paul could have literally said in verse 20, for our citizenship is in heaven. From which also we look for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We have a citizenship We have a political view, a worldview, a Christian view that is biblical and scriptural.

[John Weaver] Yes, politics and religion do mix. Because if you are a citizen of heaven, you have a political view, a political understanding, a biblical law of a Christian worldview, and you express it. So when I pray thy kingdom come, it is a political petition. Let me try to explain it like this. I'm a southerner and a citizen of the state of Georgia. Those of you who know me understand this, I do not care one thing for any game that has a ball in it. Period. I don't care football, baseball, I just I don't care for it. But I'll tell you one thing. Although I care nothing for a game of the ball in it, if I hear that Georgia is playing Kentucky, I automatically want Georgia to win. You know why? I'm a citizen of Georgia. I don't want Auburn to win.

[John Weaver] I didn't use that doc. But now, for instance, if I hear Kentucky is playing New York, I want Kentucky to win. I'm a southerner. If I hear America is playing Russia, I want America to win. Why? I'm an American. Do you see what I'm trying to say? If I want Georgia to win, although I don't care anything about ball. If I want the South to win, although I don't care anything about ball. If I want America to win, although I don't care anything about ball. Don't you understand that as a Christian, I automatically want King Jesus to win. I want his kingdom. I want his will. I want his word. In other words, when you stop and think the kingdoms of sin and Satan and man are all opposed and contrary to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, all of those other kingdoms are darkness and disorder and confusion and consternation. Jesus Christ has the kingdom of life and truth. And so when I pray, Thy kingdom come, it is a political petition, it is a political prayer that the kingdom of Jesus Christ would be advanced and that the kingdom of sin, Satan and man, would be destroyed and that Jesus Christ would rule and reign supreme.

[John Weaver] Yes, that's a political statement. The Westminster Shore Catechism puts it like this, listen carefully, in the second petition we pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it and be kept in it and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened. So when we pray, Thy kingdom come, we are asking, Lord, hasten the day that you defeat Satan and his host and let them be completely and totally vanquished. Let Thy people be done with sinning forever.

[John Weaver] Let Christ see the travail of His soul and be satisfied and let King Jesus triumph over everything. Oh yes, it is a political petition. The petition is an expression of a prayer that God may reign everywhere, that His laws may be obeyed, and especially that the gospel of Christ would be advanced everywhere, till the world shall be filled with the glory and the fullness of God as the waters cover the sea. Thy Kingdom Come is a prayer and a petition for the defeat of Christ's enemies. It is a prayer for the overthrow, defeat, and spoil of all of those who oppose Him and hate Him.

[John Weaver] David recorded a conversation between the father and his son in Psalm 110 in verse 1. Let me just read it. And the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand. Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. Did you know that that verse is repeated several times in the New Testament? One of which is Matthew 22, verse 44, And the Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool. In Hebrews 10 and verse 13, the Bible says that Christ sat down on the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. In other words, our Lord shall subdue all of his enemies. Do you not remember that passage in Philippians 2, 10 through 11, where the Bible says that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, of things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[John Weaver] Oh yes, he will conquer and his enemies will fall. If you will turn very quickly in your Bibles, To the book of Psalms, look at Psalm 2. Psalm 2. And notice, if you would, beginning there with verse 8. Psalm 2, verse 8. Look what our Lord says. To his son. Psalm 2, verse 8, God the Father says to God the Son. In fact, let's read verse 7. I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. In other words, I have established thee, have set up thy kingdom. Look what the Father says to the Son, verse 8, Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron. Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessels." Now look what God says to the kings of the earth. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

[John Weaver] Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the sun. lest he be angry and you perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." So when we pray this petition, my kingdom come, we're asking that the earth may become obedient to the will of God and be in subjection to Jesus Christ. We're asking that God the Father will subdue all the wicked, all the reprobate, all the ungodly. He would bring down those that oppose King Jesus. Wow! When we pray, Thy Kingdom Come, we're declaring, we're acknowledging that we hate and regret whatever we perceive to be contrary to the will of God, and we long for its utter destruction.

[John Weaver] Not only that He may rule all of our affections, but we may yield ourselves to Him without reserve. but with all cheerfulness and gladness. And we learn to pray with David in Psalm 7 and verse 9. Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the just. I want you to turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 9. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Look at Isaiah 9 and verses 6 and 7. You know this passage. Isaiah 9. Look at verse 6. I love it.

[John Weaver] For unless a child is born, unless a son is given, And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom be ordered him to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth forever.

[John Weaver] The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this." What will God the Father do? He will establish His Son, Jesus Christ, and of the increase of His government, there shall be no end.

[John Weaver] Now, I titled this message, The Rebel's Prayer, for a reason. The truth of the matter is this. As God's people, we are not rebels. In reality, the rebels are those who oppose our Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. However, down through history, all of those who have ever resisted tyranny and despotism through the ages have been labeled rebels. George Washington was a rebel. Thomas Jefferson was a rebel. Even in the war of northern aggression, the southern people were called Rebs or rebels.

[John Weaver] And it was not the South who was in rebellion to the law. It was the North that was in rebellion to the law. If you resist the New World Order or fight against tyranny, you are not only called a rebel, you are now labeled a terrorist. Isn't it amazing? that only those who seek to stand for what is right and true and biblical and constitutional are now called rebels and terrorists? We must remember that rebellion can only be the lawful authority. Are you listening? If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.

[John Weaver] If I came by and say, I just passed a law that everyone has to turn in their weapons by tomorrow at two o'clock, and if you don't do it, you're rebellious. What? And you don't turn them in? Are you a rebel? Are you rebellious? No. Because I have no authority to ask you to turn in your weapons. Neither does the federal government. Neither does the state government. And if you resisted, you would not be rebellious. You would just be resisting evil and tyranny and wickedness. Rebellion can only be to lawful authority. So if there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion.

[John Weaver] The truth of the matter is this, folks. The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels. Although they're. Listed as rebels. I want to read something to you. The impetus of this message came from a friend of mine, Dr. Brooke Stockton. Now, I don't know if what Dr. Stockton wrote was original with him. Or he just sent it around, I don't know, but since it came from him, I'm going to give him credit. But here is the one brief paragraph that really got me to thinking about this message. Here's what he wrote.

[John Weaver] Our precious Lord taught us to pray. Thy kingdom come. It is part of the Lord's prayer, a.k.a. the disciples prayer. Positively, it is a plea that all men and all man's institutions would surrender to be ruled by God's law. Negatively, it is the coup d'etat against ungodless authorities and de facto officials. This is the rebel's prayer, a revolutionary's cry against the immorality of this age and the promotion of wickedness by men in rebellion against their creator. The prayer is God's permission to resist evil, to take the high road and to swim against the stream. It allows men to shout, no king but King Jesus. It is permission to adopt the motto, one nation under God and one absolute law. It is a prayer against the belief that man is God, that government is God, that man's laws or their constitutions are absolute. It is a prayer against the status quo where ambitious men seek to advance the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed.

[John Weaver] It is a prayer against secularism, atheism, humanism, socialism, Marxism, and every other ism wherein secularists seek to build a city where man is the measure of all things. It is a prayer against rulers and rebellion against the Lord and His anointed, against governments who seek to enslave and control men through coercion, intimidation and fear. It is a prayer against governments hostile to the maxim that the Bible is the source of all law. It is a prayer against governments that break their own laws. It's a prayer against unjust laws and legislators who do mischief through law by creating a system of man-made statutes and codes that enslave their citizenry, who seek to create a new world order through law, who promote alien laws and undermine the Ten Commandments and the virtues they advance, faithfulness, justice, and mercy. It is a prayer against those who defraud others, against rulers that steal from their people through the color of law, against unlawful taxation, the transfer of power from the family to the state. If you are angry at the godless politicians, this prayer and this petition is for you.

[John Weaver] Thy kingdom come. Because when his kingdom comes. All of that will vanish.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn to 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 1. 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 1. I want to show you the implication If you are really, genuinely and truly tired of the corruption, fraud, tyranny, despotism, abuse of authority Then you need to learn to pray daily, yea, even hourly, this petition thy kingdom come. You say, what good will that do? Well, let me just show you. Second Thessalonians chapter one, beginning with verse seven.

[John Weaver] And you who are troubled rest with us. For the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He shall come to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all them that believe, because our testimony among you was believed in that day. One day, Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Every enemy of the kingdom shall be cast out, and God shall reign supremely, sovereignly, and absolutely, and by His grace and by His mercy, we will be subjects in that eternal kingdom.

[John Weaver] He is on the throne. And our Lord taught us to pray, our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. And when it comes, all of man's kingdoms will vanish and disappear. And Jesus Christ alone will be magnified in that day. Father, in Thy name we bow to Thee. We ask You for Your mercy, for Your grace, for Your strength. And we ask You, Lord, to teach us to understand the implications of Thy Kingdom come. Help us to seek it, to pray for it, to long for it, to desire it. And, Lord, to live as we are in it now in obedience to Thee in every area of our life. In Thy name we pray. Amen. Amen.

[John Weaver] You may contact Dominion Ministry by mail at 7400 Abercorn, that's A-B-E-R-C-O-R-N Street, Suite 705, P-M-B 175, Savannah, Georgia, 31406. Or give us a call at 912-925-7000.

[John Weaver] You can also visit our website at www.dominionministry.com

The Rebel's Prayer

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	422111736350
Subject	Civil Government
Course	Civil Government: Power, Nations, and Constitutional Order: Where We Are & How We Got Here
Genre	Sermon
Date	2011-03-13
Dictation Name
Book	Book 009: Civil Government: Power, Nations, and Constitutional Order — Chapter 11
Source Timed Segments	68

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Lord's Prayer and the Kingdom Petition

Weaver introduces the message, noting the prayer is often called the Lord's Prayer but is actually the Disciples' Prayer. He focuses on 'Thy kingdom come' and explains the importance of understanding the words.

The title of the message today is "The Rebel's Prayer." Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. Matthew 6, verse 10:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:10

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Now, if you look in Luke 11 and verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,

as in heaven, so in earth." Years ago, I preached a brief series on this prayer. And naturally, this passage is referred to most often as the Lord's Prayer or the Disciples' Prayer. This prayer could also be called the Kingdom Prayer, but it could also be called the Rebel's Prayer, which I will explain a little later. Actually, this is not the Lord's Prayer. Our Lord's Prayer is recorded in John 17. This is where the Lord is teaching His disciples to pray.

He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well. For instance, in Matthew 6 and verse 9, He states,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:9

"After this manner therefore pray ye."

And since we're in Luke 11, if you look in verse 2, "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say..." So obviously He's giving us words that we are to say. You must understand that words have meanings, and it is the meanings of the words that are most important. You may repeat these words without understanding their meaning and receive little encouragement and little help and little understanding. However, when you understand the meaning of the words and the implications of the words, then there's a vast, great benefit that is derived therefrom. So there are major implications of each of these petitions, each of these adorations. I'm not going to be dealing with all of these petitions, but I am going to try to single out just one, and that is the petition, "Thy kingdom come." In order to single out that petition, I'm going to have to make some cursory remarks concerning some of the petitions and adorations that surround that one particular petition. But notice, if you would, in verse 2 of Luke 11: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." So notice He begins by saying that when we begin to pray, we are to address the one true living God as our Father.

Addressing God as 'Our Father'

The term 'Father' emphasizes relationship, devotion, and our obligation to honor God and pray for fellow believers. It also points to adoption and Christ as our elder brother.

Now, the term "Father" emphasizes not only a relationship, but it should also emphasize our devotion to Him as well, because the term "Father" reveals an intimate, loving, gracious fellowship that we enjoy as we pray and as we worship before Him. Let me give you a quote from Arthur W. Pink, and I want you to listen as he speaks about this phrase, "Our Father." He said, "These words, 'Our Father,' not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation. They teach us both how we ought to dispose ourselves toward God when we pray to Him, and the conduct that is becoming to us by virtue of this relationship." "As His children, we must honor Him even more than our human parents, be in subjection to Him, delight in Him, and strive in all things to please Him. Again, the phrase 'Our Father' not only teaches us our personal interest in God Himself, who by grace is our Father, but it also instructs us as to our interest in our fellow Christians, who in Christ are our brethren. It is not merely 'my Father' to whom we pray, but 'our Father.' We must express our love to our brethren by praying for them."

We're to be as much concerned about their needs as we are over our own. How much is included in these two words, "Our Father"? Just stop and think: "Our Father." Because obviously, the implication is if He is my Father, there are other children there as well, and we should be remembering their needs as well. So He is our Father by election, by regeneration, by conversion, and by faith. Moreover, He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 20 and verse 17, Jesus Christ said to Mary, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." So God the Father is also known as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why in Ephesians 1 and verse 3 we read this: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

So when we understand then that God the Father is the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it gives us some other implications. And the fact is this, that we have been adopted into the family of God, that our God is indeed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which means then that He is not only our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, He is also our elder brother. And therefore, we have an inheritance in Him. So our Lord said, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven." When you use the expression "which art in heaven," that indicates the sovereignty, the majesty, the greatness, and the glory of God. We know and we understand that God is omnipresent. That means that He is everywhere at once in the totality of His being.

The Majesty of 'Which Art in Heaven'

This phrase highlights God's sovereignty, omnipresence, and preeminent glory. It should fill us with awe and encourage us to bring every burden to our sovereign Father.

Psalm 139 makes that exceedingly clear. Let me explain it again like this: It's not that part of God is in China and part is in America and part is in Russia and part is in Mongolia, and you take all these parts and put them together and you have one God. No, no, no, that's not it. That's heresy. The omnipresence of God means that God is everywhere at once in the totality of His being. There is no place in which God is not. Do you remember when Solomon dedicated the temple? In 1 Kings 8 and verse 27, he said this:

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 8:27

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?"

So obviously, God is omnipresent. So when He says "Our Father which art in heaven," we're talking about the greatness, the majesty, and the superiority of God. And the very fact when we say "Our Father which art in heaven" indicates that is the place where His majesty and His glory are preeminently manifested. In Isaiah 66 verse 1—and we're going to look at a lot of scriptures just momentarily—but in Isaiah 66 verse 1, He said, "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." So if heaven is His throne, that's where His majesty and His glory are particularly and peculiarly manifested. So just stop and think: "Our Father which art in heaven." The realization of this truth should fill us with the deepest awe and reverence, because our Father who's in heaven—that means He is sovereign.

He's in absolute and total control of everything. Psalm 115 and verse 3 says this:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

So He is not only—listen now—He is not only the sovereign God of heaven and earth, He is also our Father. Can you imagine for one moment the implications of knowing and understanding a relationship that you have with a divine being who not only happens to be your Father, but happens to have absolute and total control over everything? That surely ought to encourage you to pray. That surely ought to encourage you to carry every problem and every burden to Him, because He is divinely sovereign. So He said, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." When we say "Hallowed be thy name," we're asking that God, who is the most holy and most glorious, might enable us not only to acknowledge His holiness and His honor, but to make us and to enable us to be in a position to continue to hallow and honor His name. Thomas Manton, an old Puritan, said it like this, talking about "Hallowed be thy name." He said, "In this petition, the glory of God is both desired and promised on our part."

Hallowed Be Thy Name: A Solemn Obligation

Praying 'Hallowed be thy name' is both a desire for God's glory and a vow to honor Him. Prayer preaches to ourselves, and God's glory must be preeminent.

"For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask." Now, let me just stop there. Listen to what he just said: "For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask." So if we're saying "Hallowed be thy name," we're expressing not only a desire for God to be honored and glorified, we are expressing also a solemn obligation that we're going to take on our part to make sure that we honor and glorify His name. Manton goes on, he says, "Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for His information, but for our edification."

And that certainly is true. So our primary duty in prayer basically, then, is to disregard ourselves and to give God the preeminence in our thoughts, desires, and supplications. So this petition, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," necessarily comes first. Why? Because the glory of God is the end of all things. All other requests in this prayer are subordinate to this one. We are to sanctify and we're to honor God's name above everything in our lives.

That's why Matthew 6 and verse 33 said what?

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:33

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The Kingdom Has Come, Is Here, and Is Coming

Weaver explains three aspects of the kingdom: it came with Christ, believers are translated into it now, and it will come in fullness when Christ reigns forever.

Now, the message today is not dealing with the Lord's Prayer in general, but specifically this petition: "Thy kingdom come." When we pray "Thy kingdom come," there are several very obvious implications, and the first one is simple: God does have a kingdom. "Thy kingdom come." The second obvious implication is we want that kingdom to come in its fullness. Now, again, I'm not going to be going into a detailed exposition of the kingdom of God, but let me just tell you three things about the kingdom of God very quickly. First of all, we can say it like this—listen carefully: The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming. The kingdom has come, the kingdom is here, and the kingdom is coming. Well, how can we say the kingdom has come? Well, we can say the kingdom has come because the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come. And what did our Lord say in Matthew 12?

It is in verse 28. He said to the scribes and the Pharisees, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." So the kingdom of God was here when Christ was here. He said the kingdom of God has come unto you. Look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter 1 to show you not only that the kingdom of God has come, but it is here. Look what he says in the book of Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 and 13. Colossians chapter 1, look if you would please at verse 12.

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-13

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us"

—where? Where did He translate us to?—

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-13

"into the kingdom of his dear Son."

So the kingdom has come because Christ has come. The kingdom is here because we are now in the kingdom, and the kingdom is still coming. That is, it is going to come in its fullness and fruition. And the Bible tells us in Revelation 11, in verse 15, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." When we're talking about the kingdom, we know that the kingdom has come, the kingdom is here, and the kingdom is coming. Now, so we're going to be looking then particularly at this one simple petition: "Thy kingdom come."

A Personal Petition: Desiring Christ's Reign in Us

Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is personal, asking for Christ to reign in our hearts and acknowledging Him as King. It echoes David's praise and prophetic promises of the earth filled with God's knowledge.

So I want you to go back to Luke chapter 11, if you would, please. Luke chapter 11. And look, if you would again, please, at verse 2. Luke 11, verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." "Thy kingdom come." Have you ever really genuinely thought of the implications of this petition, "Thy kingdom come"? I want to give you four things very quickly this morning. The first three are very interconnected. Actually, all four are interconnected, but you may not see the impact of the fourth one until I get to it. But first of all, let me point out it is a personal petition. It is a personal petition. So our Lord is teaching us to pray. And Luke 11 in verse 2, after He teaches us to say, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," He gives us this petition: "Thy kingdom come." So it is a personal petition. It is personal in the sense that you are asking for the kingdom of God to come in its fullness.

And at the same time, you are asking that you might be submissive and obedient in that kingdom yourself. Why in the world would you seek for the kingdom of God to come if you did not want to be a part of it and participate in it? You're asking, in this petition, Christ to reign everywhere, and that would certainly include your heart, your soul, your life. When you say, "Thy kingdom come," you are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords and God of gods, and that He deserves to be honored and worshipped. So very obviously, this petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a personal petition. I want you to look in your Bibles—hold in Luke 11, but go in your Bibles to 1 Chronicles 29, and look, if you would please, at verse 11. I want you to see what King David said. 1 Chronicles 29 and verse 11. This is a summation of the kingdom of God. 1 Chronicles 29 verse 11. Look at what he said.

"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all." When we say, "Thy kingdom come," that is exactly what we're saying. We're saying that God is the greatest—His power, His majesty, His glory, His victory—that He is King of all of the earth. So, "Thy kingdom come" is a personal petition, and what you're asking is that Jesus Christ would be exalted in your life in every area and every sphere. You're acknowledging Him as your King, your Sovereign, your Head, your Guide, and your Lord. No one would pray this petition if they did not personally desire the kingdom of God on earth.

Now, I want to show you that what David said in 1 Chronicles 29, what our Lord taught us to pray in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11, is the same as what the prophets prophesied. For instance, turn in your Bibles to Isaiah chapter 11, and look if you would please at verse 9. Isaiah 11 and verse 9. We're talking about praying, "Thy kingdom come." It's a personal petition. In Isaiah 11 in verse 9, look what God says. Here is what we're referring to. God says, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 11:9

" As the waters cover the sea. How much of the sea is covered by water? All of it. So when we pray "

Thy kingdom come," what are we asking? We're asking for God's kingdom to extend totally and completely and absolutely in every area, every corner, and every sphere of life. If you would look in your Bibles to the little book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk chapter 2 and verse 14.

One of the minor prophets. Habakkuk chapter 2, at verse 14, right before the little book of Zephaniah, right after the little book of Nahum, you will find Habakkuk. Habakkuk chapter 2 and look in verse 14. For he says it like this:

Scripture Reading — Habakkuk 2:14

"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

So when we are taught to pray, "Thy kingdom come," it's a personal petition. We are personally seeking God's glory, grace, majesty, superiority, sovereignty over every area and over every sphere of our life and the lives of others and of the world. We're asking for the time appointed for the fullness of the Lord's kingdom to arrive. So it's not only a personal petition. Secondly, it is a practical petition. Remember, he said in Luke 11 in verse 2, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." So you are practically petitioning the Father then, not only to prepare your heart, but the hearts of others as well. You're asking Jesus Christ to go forth as conqueror.

A Practical Petition: Conquering Sin and Confusion

This petition is practical, asking God to subdue our sinful affections and bring order. Where confusion exists, sin and evil thrive; we need Christ to conquer us.

John Calvin said it like this: "He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires. Such is the corruption of the nature that all of our affections are so many soldiers of Satan who oppose the justice of God and consequently obstruct or disturb his reign. By this prayer we ask that he may remove all hindrances and bring all men under his dominion and may lead them to meditate on the heavenly life." So this is done partly by preaching of the Word of God and partly by the secret power of the Holy Spirit. It's God's will to govern men by His Word, by His voice. But the Holy Spirit must make that Word effectual. If the Holy Spirit does not apply the Word of God,

then no one really hears. It's kind of like Augustine, who said it like this: "I heard the gospel all of my life. And then one day I heard it." Yeah, that's the way it is. If God does not make it effectual. I remember years ago, I had a preacher come to our church in Jessup and he preached all week long on the doctrine of election. It was a wonderful, wonderful week. And I never will forget one of our men who had been so faithful came to me, said, "Pastor," he said, "this is so great. This is so wonderful. But I have one question."

He said, "Why haven't you been preaching this?" And I said, "Brother, I have one question for you." He said, "What is it?" I said, "Why have you not been listening?" Well, I had been preaching it. He just had not heard it. But then that week he heard it. The kingdom of God is opposed to all disorder and confusion. Do you not remember the passage where it says that God is not the author of confusion? How much confusion exists in this world? Just in civil government. How much confusion exists in the churches? How much confusion exists in the homes and in the families? How much confusion exists in our own individual lives?

You think of all the vain thoughts, wrong desires, impure motives, bad attitudes, wicked dispositions, pride, arrogance, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, disobedience that remain in each one of us—that creates nothing but confusion in our lives. Do we want those sins conquered? Do we want those sins defeated? Do we want our sins controlled? Do we want the totality of our lives to be brought in conformity to the Word of God and in submission to Jesus Christ? Well, we need to learn to pray this prayer because it's a very practical petition. "Thy kingdom come.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 14:33

" Your kingdom come in my life. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33. So, let me put it to you very plainly: Where confusion exists, so does sin, strife, and wickedness. Look in your Bibles to the book of James, James chapter 3 and notice verse 16. Hebrews, James, James chapter 3. And notice, if you would please, verse 16, look what he says. James 3 verse 16: "

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Scripture Reading — James 3:16

You can knock her down, folks. Wherever there's envying, wherever there's strife, wherever there's confusion, there's every evil work. So when we pray then, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us, submit us, surrender us, control us in every aspect of our lives. Now, I want you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter 3, because I believe the Apostle Paul understood this. And I think this is exactly partly what he had in mind when he prayed this prayer. Look in the book of Philippians, chapter 3, beginning there in verse 12. Philippians 3, verse 12. I don't suppose any of us could ever come close to the depth of knowledge and spirituality of the Apostle Paul.

We always hold him up on a pedestal. But yet he says very clearly in Philippians chapter 3, notice verse 12:

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect."

Paul said,

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"I hadn't arrived. I'm not perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

And what did the Apostle Paul say?

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"Forgetting those things which are behind."

How many of us can go back and undo things that we did in our previous years? Not one. We can't. But by God's grace, we can repent and then go forward. You can't do anything else. That's what the Apostle Paul says. He can't go back and unlive what he lived or undo what he did. But he can repent and he can go forward, and that's exactly what he's saying.

So when we're praying this petition, "Thy kingdom come," it's not only a personal petition, it's a very practical petition because Paul desired to have his life totally conquered by Jesus Christ. He said, "Therefore, I press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Thirdly, this petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a providential petition. Let me explain what I mean by that. Our Lord is teaching us to pray. And this petition is "Thy kingdom come." I point out it's a personal petition, it's a practical petition, now a providential petition. By that, when we pray "Thy kingdom come," we understand that the kingdom is brought into fullness and fruition by God's grace, power, and mercy, and in His time.

A Providential Petition: Praying for the Elect and Gospel Success

The kingdom comes in God's timing. We pray for the conversion of the elect, the success of the gospel, and the gathering of Christ's sheep from all nations.

We may long for it, we may want it, we may work for it, we may pray for it, we may seek it, we may desire it. But the truth is, it is only going to come in its fullness in the time that He ordained. But in this petition, we are praying for the success of the gospel. "Thy kingdom come." We're praying for the conversion of God's elect. We're praying that Christ would indeed save His people. Matthew Henry said it like this: "Let my kingdom come. Let the gospel be preached to all and embraced by all. Let it be brought to subscribe to the record God has given in his word concerning his Son and to embrace him as their Saviour and Sovereign. Let the bounds of the gospel church be enlarged, the kingdom of the world be made Christ's kingdom, and all men become subjects to it and live as becomes their character."

I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of 2 Timothy and let me show you something. 2 Timothy, chapter 2. And let me ask a leading question: Have you ever thought about all the things that the Apostle Paul went through and suffered? Why he went through and suffered them. You remember he gives there in 2 Corinthians how that he was beaten with rods, received 40 lashes a number of times. Died in the deep, suffered all of these things. Why? Well, look, 2 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 10, he says this: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." You see, Paul understood that our Lord has a people. And he said, "I'm going to do all of these things. I will keep going, that I may reach them." So this petition, "Thy kingdom come," teaches us to pray for, to witness, and to seek, and to reach all those for whom our Lord is a sacrifice and a substitute. We know that Christ has a sheep. He has His sheep. What did He say in John 10 and verse 14?

Let me just quote it. He said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." In John 10 and verse 27, He says this: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." You cannot deny the fact that God does indeed have a sheep. He has His sheep wherever they are, whoever they are. One of the things that I know is this: when I preach and teach, I know not everyone's going to be saved. But I know some are. I know that not everybody's going to be blessed. But I know that some are. Because He has His sheep and they hear His voice, and they follow Him.

When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking Christ to gather His sheep from all the nations wherever they are scattered and bring them safely into His fold. There's the passage in John 11 in verse 52, where the high priest prophesied that Christ should die, not for that nation only, but also that He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Moreover, God the Father has declared that the gathering together of all things in Christ is an aspect of His eternal purpose. In Ephesians 1 in verse 10, the Bible says this: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." Let me tell you something, folks. I can say this unequivocally. I can say this dogmatically. In God's ordained time, everything will work perfectly according to God's eternal purpose. All of His sheep, all of His people will be gathered in. I don't know when that will be. I would love to see it in my time. I may not. I have no idea, but I know it's going to come to pass.

So what I have to do is this: I have to keep praying "Thy kingdom come." So it's a personal petition. It's a practical petition. It is a providential petition. And lastly, it is a political petition. How in the world can I say that? How can I say the petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a political petition? Because you have been taught, and you have heard all of your life, politics and religion do not mix. Two things you never talk about: politics and religion. And if you talk about it, you just simply don't mix them because they don't mix. Well, who said they don't mix? When people say that you cannot mix politics and religion, they do not understand the concept of the kingdom of God, nor do they understand the concept of politics.

A Political Petition: Christ's Rule Over All Authorities

All government and law are religious. As citizens of heaven, we have a political worldview. Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is a political act, asking for the defeat of Christ's enemies and the advance of His rule.

First, let me point out that all government is religious. All government is religious. It may be the Christian religion, or it may be a pagan religion, but it is still religious. All law is religious. It may be the Christian law, or it may be a pagan law, but it is still religious. Because behind every law is a determination of good and evil, right and wrong. And it is someone's religion that determines good and evil, right and wrong. Each of those concepts is guided by an understanding of religion. It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be? Will it be God's religion or will it be man's religion?

You've got to understand that even if someone says, "Well, I'm an atheist. Therefore, my law is not religious." That's hogwash. You know what atheism is? Theism means God. Put an "A" on it: atheism, no God. And so when you say my religion is atheism or I don't have religion, I'm an atheist, what you're saying is I'm a secularist humanist with a religious secularist humanist worldview. It's still religious. Because you don't believe in the living God, you have established yourself as God. It's man's religion. It's autonomy. You cannot have government and you cannot have law without religion, period.

Secondly, let me cover the word "politics." It's from the Greek word which literally means "of a citizen." Politics: of a citizen. Well, you say, what's that got to do with "Thy kingdom come"? Well, I want you to look in your Bibles. First of all, to the book of Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. The Apostle Paul was going to address the people who were trying to kill him. Look at Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. Acts 21 verse 39. Paul is speaking to the centurion who rescued him before he gives his testimony in chapter 22. And Paul says this in verse 39: "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people." Now, he said, "I'm a citizen of no mean city." The word "citizen" is politēs. So Paul said, "I'm a citizen of no mean city," in other words, I'm a citizen of a very great city. You say, what's that got to do with "Thy kingdom come"?

Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3. Notice, if you would please, in verse 20. OK. Paul said this, Philippians 3 in verse 20: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Now, the word "conversation" is a very interesting word. It is the Greek word politeuma. Ah, politeuma, politikos. The word actually refers—now listen, here's what the Greek word actually refers to.

The administration of civil affairs of a commonwealth, the constitution of a commonwealth, a form of government and laws by which it is administered, a state, a commonwealth, a commonwealth of citizens. Paul could have literally said in verse 20, "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." We have a citizenship. We have a political view, a worldview, a Christian view that is biblical and scriptural. Yes, politics and religion do mix. Because if you are a citizen of heaven, you have a political view, a political understanding, a biblical law of a Christian worldview, and you express it. So when I pray "Thy kingdom come," it is a political petition. Let me try to explain it like this. I'm a Southerner and a citizen of the state of Georgia. Those of you who know me understand this: I do not care one thing for any game that has a ball in it. Period. I don't care football, baseball, I just—I don't care for it. But I'll tell you one thing: although I care nothing for a game with a ball in it, if I hear that Georgia is playing Kentucky, I automatically want Georgia to win. You know why? I'm a citizen of Georgia. I don't want Auburn to win.

I didn't use that dog. But now, for instance, if I hear Kentucky is playing New York, I want Kentucky to win. I'm a Southerner. If I hear America is playing Russia, I want America to win. Why? I'm an American. Do you see what I'm trying to say? If I want Georgia to win, although I don't care anything about ball; if I want the South to win, although I don't care anything about ball; if I want America to win, although I don't care anything about ball—don't you understand that as a Christian, I automatically want King Jesus to win? I want His kingdom. I want His will. I want His Word. In other words, when you stop and think, the kingdoms of sin and Satan and man are all opposed and contrary to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of those other kingdoms are darkness and disorder and confusion and consternation. Jesus Christ has the kingdom of life and truth. And so when I pray, "Thy kingdom come," it is a political petition. It is a political prayer that the kingdom of Jesus Christ would be advanced and that the kingdom of sin, Satan, and man would be destroyed and that Jesus Christ would rule and reign supreme.

The Rebel's Prayer: Resisting Tyranny and Longing for Victory

True rebels are those opposing Christ. This prayer is a revolutionary cry against ungodly authorities, a plea for God's law to rule, and a declaration of 'No king but King Jesus.' It is a prayer against all forms of wickedness and tyranny.

Yes, that's a political statement. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it like this—listen carefully: "In the second petition we pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened." So when we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we are asking, "Lord, hasten the day that You defeat Satan and his host and let them be completely and totally vanquished. Let Thy people be done with sinning forever." "Let Christ see the travail of His soul and be satisfied, and let King Jesus triumph over everything." Oh yes, it is a political petition. The petition is an expression of a prayer that God may reign everywhere, that His laws may be obeyed, and especially that the gospel of Christ would be advanced everywhere, till the world shall be filled with the glory and the fullness of God as the waters cover the sea. "Thy kingdom come" is a prayer and a petition for the defeat of Christ's enemies. It is a prayer for the overthrow, defeat, and spoil of all of those who oppose Him and hate Him.

David recorded a conversation between the Father and His Son in Psalm 110 in verse 1. Let me just read it: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Did you know that that verse is repeated several times in the New Testament? One of which is Matthew 22, verse 44: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." In Hebrews 10 and verse 13, the Bible says that Christ sat down on the right hand of God, "from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." In other words, our Lord shall subdue all of His enemies. Do you not remember that passage in Philippians 2, 10 through 11, where the Bible says that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"?

Oh yes, He will conquer and His enemies will fall. If you will turn very quickly in your Bibles to the book of Psalms, look at Psalm 2. Psalm 2. And notice, if you would, beginning there with verse 8. Psalm 2, verse 8. Look what our Lord says to His Son. Psalm 2, verse 8, God the Father says to God the Son. In fact, let's read verse 7: "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." In other words, I have established Thee, have set up Thy kingdom. Look what the Father says to the Son, verse 8: "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now look what God says to the kings of the earth: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth."

"Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." So when we pray this petition, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that the earth may become obedient to the will of God and be in subjection to Jesus Christ. We're asking that God the Father will subdue all the wicked, all the reprobate, all the ungodly. He would bring down those that oppose King Jesus. Wow! When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're declaring, we're acknowledging that we hate and regret whatever we perceive to be contrary to the will of God, and we long for its utter destruction.

Not only that He may rule all of our affections, but we may yield ourselves to Him without reserve, but with all cheerfulness and gladness. And we learn to pray with David in Psalm 7 and verse 9: "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just." I want you to turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 9. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Look at Isaiah 9 and verses 6 and 7. You know this passage. Isaiah 9. Look at verse 6. I love it.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever." "The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." What will God the Father do? He will establish His Son, Jesus Christ, and of the increase of His government, there shall be no end.

Now, I titled this message "The Rebel's Prayer" for a reason. The truth of the matter is this: As God's people, we are not rebels. In reality, the rebels are those who oppose our Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. However, down through history, all of those who have ever resisted tyranny and despotism through the ages have been labeled rebels. George Washington was a rebel. Thomas Jefferson was a rebel. Even in the War of Northern Aggression, the Southern people were called Rebs or rebels.

And it was not the South who was in rebellion to the law. It was the North that was in rebellion to the law. If you resist the New World Order or fight against tyranny, you are not only called a rebel, you are now labeled a terrorist. Isn't it amazing that only those who seek to stand for what is right and true and biblical and constitutional are now called rebels and terrorists? We must remember that rebellion can only be against lawful authority. Are you listening? If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.

If I came by and said, "I just passed a law that everyone has to turn in their weapons by tomorrow at two o'clock, and if you don't do it, you're rebellious." What? And you don't turn them in? Are you a rebel? Are you rebellious? No. Because I have no authority to ask you to turn in your weapons. Neither does the federal government. Neither does the state government. And if you resisted, you would not be rebellious. You would just be resisting evil and tyranny and wickedness. Rebellion can only be to lawful authority. So if there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion.

The truth of the matter is this, folks. The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels, although they're listed as rebels. I want to read something to you. The impetus of this message came from a friend of mine, Dr. Brooke Stockton. Now, I don't know if what Dr. Stockton wrote was original with him or he just sent it around, I don't know, but since it came from him, I'm going to give him credit. But here is the one brief paragraph that really got me to thinking about this message. Here's what he wrote.

"Our precious Lord taught us to pray, 'Thy kingdom come.' It is part of the Lord's Prayer, a.k.a. the Disciples' Prayer. Positively, it is a plea that all men and all man's institutions would surrender to be ruled by God's law. Negatively, it is the coup d'état against ungodly authorities and de facto officials. This is the rebel's prayer, a revolutionary's cry against the immorality of this age and the promotion of wickedness by men in rebellion against their Creator. The prayer is God's permission to resist evil, to take the high road and to swim against the stream. It allows men to shout, 'No king but King Jesus.' It is permission to adopt the motto, 'One nation under God and one absolute law.' It is a prayer against the belief that man is God, that government is God, that man's laws or their constitutions are absolute. It is a prayer against the status quo where ambitious men seek to advance the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed."

"It is a prayer against secularism, atheism, humanism, socialism, Marxism, and every other 'ism' wherein secularists seek to build a city where man is the measure of all things. It is a prayer against rulers in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed, against governments who seek to enslave and control men through coercion, intimidation, and fear. It is a prayer against governments hostile to the maxim that the Bible is the source of all law. It is a prayer against governments that break their own laws. It's a prayer against unjust laws and legislators who do mischief through law by creating a system of man-made statutes and codes that enslave their citizenry, who seek to create a new world order through law, who promote alien laws and undermine the Ten Commandments and the virtues they advance: faithfulness, justice, and mercy. It is a prayer against those who defraud others, against rulers that steal from their people through the color of law, against unlawful taxation, the transfer of power from the family to the state. If you are angry at the godless politicians, this prayer and this petition is for you."

"Thy kingdom come." Because when His kingdom comes, all of that will vanish.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Triumph of Christ's Kingdom

Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1, reminding that Christ will return in flaming fire to judge His enemies and be glorified in His saints. We should pray daily for His kingdom to come.

Now, I want you to turn to 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1. 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1. I want to show you the implication. If you are really, genuinely, and truly tired of the corruption, fraud, tyranny, despotism, abuse of authority, then you need to learn to pray daily, yea, even hourly, this petition: "Thy kingdom come." You say, what good will that do? Well, let me just show you. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, beginning with verse 7. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." One day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Every enemy of the kingdom shall be cast out, and God shall reign supremely, sovereignly, and absolutely, and by His grace and by His mercy, we will be subjects in that eternal kingdom.

He is on the throne. And our Lord taught us to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." And when it comes, all of man's kingdoms will vanish and disappear. And Jesus Christ alone will be magnified in that day. Father, in Thy name we bow to Thee. We ask You for Your mercy, for Your grace, for Your strength. And we ask You, Lord, to teach us to understand the implications of "Thy kingdom come." Help us to seek it, to pray for it, to long for it, to desire it. And, Lord, to live as we are in it now in obedience to Thee in every area of our life. In Thy name we pray. Amen. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Nature of the Kingdom of God

Summary: The kingdom has come in Christ, is present in believers, and will come in fullness at Christ's return. It involves God's sovereign rule over all creation.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming.' He cites Matthew 12:28, Colossians 1:12-13, and Revelation 11:15.

Prayer as Personal Submission to Christ's Reign

Summary: Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is a personal petition asking for Christ to reign in one's own heart and life, acknowledging Him as King.

Evidence: Weaver says: 'When you say, "Thy kingdom come," you are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is King of kings... and that He deserves to be honored and worshipped.'

The Practical Defeat of Sin and Confusion

Summary: The petition is practical, seeking God's conquest over sinful affections and the confusion they cause, bringing order through submission to Christ.

Evidence: Weaver explains: 'Where confusion exists, so does sin, strife, and wickedness... we're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us.'

God's Sovereignty in the Kingdom's Coming

Summary: The kingdom advances by God's grace and in His timing. We pray for the conversion of the elect and the success of the gospel.

Evidence: Weaver says: 'It is only going to come in its fullness in the time that He ordained... we are praying for the conversion of God's elect.'

The Inseparability of Religion and Politics

Summary: All government and law are inherently religious. Christians, as citizens of heaven, have a political duty to pray and work for Christ's rule over all earthly authorities.

Evidence: Weaver argues: 'All government is religious... It is impossible to have government without religion.' He cites Philippians 3:20 on heavenly citizenship.

The Believer as a 'Rebel' Against Ungodly Authority

Summary: True rebels are those who oppose Christ. Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is a revolutionary act against tyranny, wicked laws, and all systems that reject God's rule.

Evidence: Weaver reads a quote: 'This is the rebel's prayer, a revolutionary's cry against the immorality of this age... It is a prayer against rulers in rebellion against the Lord.'

Key Arguments

The Lord's Prayer is a model for both thought and words

Summary: Jesus gave specific words to pray, and understanding their meaning is essential for spiritual benefit.

Evidence: Weaver says: 'He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well... you must understand that words have meanings.'

Addressing God as Father implies obligation and brotherly love

Summary: Calling God 'Our Father' obligates us to honor Him and pray for fellow believers, not just ourselves.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Pink: 'These words... clearly imply our obligation... We must express our love to our brethren by praying for them.'

God's heavenly throne emphasizes His sovereignty

Summary: The phrase 'which art in heaven' highlights God's majesty and absolute control, encouraging bold prayer.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'Our Father who's in heaven—that means He is sovereign. He's in absolute and total control of everything.'

Prayer is a self-preaching vow

Summary: Every prayer expresses a desire and a solemn obligation to pursue what we ask, especially regarding God's glory.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Manton: 'Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing... an implicit vow or solemn obligation.'

The kingdom petition is a prayer for Christ's enemies to be subdued

Summary: Praying 'Thy kingdom come' asks God to defeat all opposition to Christ, including sin, Satan, and rebellious rulers.

Evidence: Weaver cites Psalm 110:1 and Philippians 2:10-11, saying: 'Our Lord shall subdue all of His enemies.'

Resistance to tyranny is not rebellion if authority is unlawful

Summary: Rebellion can only be against lawful authority. Resisting evil, unconstitutional commands is not rebellion but righteousness.

Evidence: Weaver explains: 'If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.'

The 'Rebel's Prayer' is a comprehensive cry against all ungodliness

Summary: This petition is a prayer against abortion, oppression, secularism, unjust laws, and every system that exalts man above God.

Evidence: Weaver reads: 'It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed... against secularism, atheism, humanism.'

Scripture References

Matthew 6:10

Context: Quoted as the primary text: 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.'

Luke 11:2

Context: Quoted as the parallel passage: 'Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.'

Matthew 6:9

Context: Cited to show Jesus gave specific words: 'After this manner therefore pray ye.'

John 17

Context: Mentioned as the true Lord's Prayer, distinguishing it from the Disciples' Prayer.

John 20:17

Context: Quoted to show God is the Father of Jesus and believers: 'I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.'

Ephesians 1:3

Context: Cited: 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.'

Psalm 139

Context: Referenced to support God's omnipresence.

1 Kings 8:27

Context: Quoted: 'But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee.'

Isaiah 66:1

Context: Quoted: 'Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.'

Psalm 115:3

Context: Quoted: 'But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.'

Matthew 6:33

Context: Quoted: 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.'

Matthew 12:28

Context: Quoted: 'But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.'

Colossians 1:12-13

Context: Quoted: 'Giving thanks unto the Father... who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.'

Revelation 11:15

Context: Quoted: 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.'

1 Chronicles 29:11

Context: Quoted: 'Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty... thine is the kingdom, O LORD.'

Isaiah 11:9

Context: Quoted: 'They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.'

Habakkuk 2:14

Context: Quoted: 'For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.'

1 Corinthians 14:33

Context: Referenced: 'God is not the author of confusion.'

James 3:16

Context: Quoted: 'For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.'

Philippians 3:12-14

Context: Quoted to illustrate Paul's pursuit of being conquered by Christ: 'I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'

Historical References

Arthur W. Pink

Context: Quoted on the meaning of 'Our Father,' emphasizing obligation and brotherly love.

Thomas Manton (Puritan)

Context: Quoted on prayer as a desire and a vow, and as preaching to ourselves.

John Calvin

Context: Quoted on Christ reigning when men voluntarily submit, and the role of Word and Spirit.

Augustine

Context: Referenced: 'I heard the gospel all of my life. And then one day I heard it,' illustrating the Spirit's work.

Matthew Henry

Context: Quoted on 'Thy kingdom come' as a prayer for gospel preaching and embracing Christ as Saviour and Sovereign.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Context: Quoted on the second petition: 'that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed... and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.'

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

Context: Mentioned as historical 'rebels' who resisted tyranny, illustrating the label given to those who oppose ungodly authority.

Dr. Brooke Stockton

Context: Credited as the source of the 'rebel's prayer' concept, providing the impetus for the message.

Important Quotes

These words, 'Our Father,' not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation.

Significance: Highlights that addressing God as Father carries duties of honor and brotherly prayer, not just privilege.

Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for His information, but for our edification.

Significance: Emphasizes that prayer shapes the pray-er, reinforcing the solemn obligation of our petitions.

He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires.

Significance: Defines Christ's reign in practical terms of personal submission and self-denial.

Where confusion exists, so does sin, strife, and wickedness.

Significance: Connects disorder to sin, underscoring the need for Christ's kingdom to bring order.

This is the rebel's prayer, a revolutionary's cry against the immorality of this age and the promotion of wickedness by men in rebellion against their Creator.

Significance: Capsule summary of the message's provocative thesis that praying for God's kingdom is an act of resistance.

It is a prayer against rulers in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed, against governments who seek to enslave and control men through coercion, intimidation, and fear.

Significance: Explicitly applies the petition to opposition against tyrannical governments.

If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.

Significance: Distinguishes between rebellion against God and righteous resistance to unlawful human commands.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to pray 'Thy kingdom come' as a personal petition, and how should that affect our daily lives?

Context: Weaver emphasizes that this petition asks for Christ to reign in our hearts and lives.

How does the concept of God as 'Our Father' shape our prayers for others and our sense of obligation?

Context: The message stresses that 'Our Father' implies we must pray for fellow believers and honor God.

In what ways is the petition 'Thy kingdom come' practical in dealing with personal sin and confusion?

Context: Weaver links confusion to sin and says this prayer asks Christ to subdue our sinful affections.

How should the belief that all government is religious influence a Christian's political engagement?

Context: Weaver argues that law and government are inherently religious, so Christians must bring a biblical worldview.

What is the difference between rebellion and righteous resistance according to the sermon?

Context: Weaver states rebellion can only be against lawful authority; resisting tyranny is not rebellion.

How can praying 'Thy kingdom come' be a form of spiritual warfare against cultural evils?

Context: The 'rebel's prayer' quote lists specific sins and systems that this petition opposes.

What comfort does the promise of Christ's ultimate victory over His enemies provide in times of political or social turmoil?

Context: Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1, assuring that Christ will return to judge and reign.

Applications

Pray with understanding and personal commitment

Summary: When praying the Lord's Prayer, meditate on the meaning of each phrase and take it as a personal vow to honor God and seek His kingdom.

Evidence: Weaver says: 'When you understand the meaning of the words and the implications of the words, then there's a vast, great benefit.'

Submit every area of life to Christ's reign

Summary: Ask God to conquer specific sins and bring order to areas of confusion, yielding cheerfully to His rule.

Evidence: Weaver urges: 'We're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us, submit us, surrender us, control us in every aspect of our lives.'

Pray for the conversion of the elect and gospel advance

Summary: Regularly intercede for the salvation of God's people and the success of gospel preaching worldwide.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'We are praying for the conversion of God's elect. We're praying that Christ would indeed save His people.'

Engage politically with a kingdom perspective

Summary: Recognize that all laws reflect someone's religion; work and vote to align civil law with God's law, and oppose ungodly legislation.

Evidence: Weaver argues: 'If you are a citizen of heaven, you have a political view... and you express it.'

Resist evil and tyranny as an act of faithfulness

Summary: Do not comply with commands that violate God's law; understand that resisting unlawful authority is not rebellion but righteousness.

Evidence: Weaver explains: 'If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.'

Make 'Thy kingdom come' a daily, even hourly, prayer

Summary: In response to corruption and wickedness, persistently pray for Christ's kingdom to come and His enemies to be vanquished.

Evidence: Weaver exhorts: 'If you are really, genuinely, and truly tired of the corruption... then you need to learn to pray daily, yea, even hourly, this petition.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T17:42:31Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T08:58:10Z

Clean Transcript

The Rebel's Prayer

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

The title of the message today is "The Rebel's Prayer." Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. Matthew 6, verse 10: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Now, if you look in Luke 11 and verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." Years ago, I preached a brief series on this prayer. And naturally, this passage is referred to most often as the Lord's Prayer or the Disciples' Prayer. This prayer could also be called the Kingdom Prayer, but it could also be called the Rebel's Prayer, which I will explain a little later. Actually, this is not the Lord's Prayer. Our Lord's Prayer is recorded in John 17. This is where the Lord is teaching His disciples to pray.
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He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well. For instance, in Matthew 6 and verse 9, He states, "After this manner therefore pray ye." And since we're in Luke 11, if you look in verse 2, "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say..." So obviously He's giving us words that we are to say. You must understand that words have meanings, and it is the meanings of the words that are most important. You may repeat these words without understanding their meaning and receive little encouragement and little help and little understanding. However, when you understand the meaning of the words and the implications of the words, then there's a vast, great benefit that is derived therefrom. So there are major implications of each of these petitions, each of these adorations.
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I'm not going to be dealing with all of these petitions, but I am going to try to single out just one, and that is the petition, "Thy kingdom come." In order to single out that petition, I'm going to have to make some cursory remarks concerning some of the petitions and adorations that surround that one particular petition. But notice, if you would, in verse 2 of Luke 11: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." So notice He begins by saying that when we begin to pray, we are to address the one true living God as our Father.
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Now, the term "Father" emphasizes not only a relationship, but it should also emphasize our devotion to Him as well, because the term "Father" reveals an intimate, loving, gracious fellowship that we enjoy as we pray and as we worship before Him. Let me give you a quote from Arthur W. Pink, and I want you to listen as he speaks about this phrase, "Our Father." He said, "These words, 'Our Father,' not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation. They teach us both how we ought to dispose ourselves toward God when we pray to Him, and the conduct that is becoming to us by virtue of this relationship."
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"As His children, we must honor Him even more than our human parents, be in subjection to Him, delight in Him, and strive in all things to please Him. Again, the phrase 'Our Father' not only teaches us our personal interest in God Himself, who by grace is our Father, but it also instructs us as to our interest in our fellow Christians, who in Christ are our brethren. It is not merely 'my Father' to whom we pray, but 'our Father.' We must express our love to our brethren by praying for them."
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We're to be as much concerned about their needs as we are over our own. How much is included in these two words, "Our Father"? Just stop and think: "Our Father." Because obviously, the implication is if He is my Father, there are other children there as well, and we should be remembering their needs as well. So He is our Father by election, by regeneration, by conversion, and by faith. Moreover, He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 20 and verse 17, Jesus Christ said to Mary, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." So God the Father is also known as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why in Ephesians 1 and verse 3 we read this: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
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So when we understand then that God the Father is the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it gives us some other implications. And the fact is this, that we have been adopted into the family of God, that our God is indeed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which means then that He is not only our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, He is also our elder brother. And therefore, we have an inheritance in Him. So our Lord said, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven." When you use the expression "which art in heaven," that indicates the sovereignty, the majesty, the greatness, and the glory of God. We know and we understand that God is omnipresent. That means that He is everywhere at once in the totality of His being.
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Psalm 139 makes that exceedingly clear. Let me explain it again like this: It's not that part of God is in China and part is in America and part is in Russia and part is in Mongolia, and you take all these parts and put them together and you have one God. No, no, no, that's not it. That's heresy. The omnipresence of God means that God is everywhere at once in the totality of His being. There is no place in which God is not.
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Do you remember when Solomon dedicated the temple? In 1 Kings 8 and verse 27, he said this: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" So obviously, God is omnipresent. So when He says "Our Father which art in heaven," we're talking about the greatness, the majesty, and the superiority of God. And the very fact when we say "Our Father which art in heaven" indicates that is the place where His majesty and His glory are preeminently manifested. In Isaiah 66 verse 1—and we're going to look at a lot of scriptures just momentarily—but in Isaiah 66 verse 1, He said, "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." So if heaven is His throne, that's where His majesty and His glory are particularly and peculiarly manifested. So just stop and think: "Our Father which art in heaven." The realization of this truth should fill us with the deepest awe and reverence, because our Father who's in heaven—that means He is sovereign.
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He's in absolute and total control of everything. Psalm 115 and verse 3 says this: "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." So He is not only—listen now—He is not only the sovereign God of heaven and earth, He is also our Father. Can you imagine for one moment the implications of knowing and understanding a relationship that you have with a divine being who not only happens to be your Father, but happens to have absolute and total control over everything?
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That surely ought to encourage you to pray. That surely ought to encourage you to carry every problem and every burden to Him, because He is divinely sovereign. So He said, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." When we say "Hallowed be thy name," we're asking that God, who is the most holy and most glorious, might enable us not only to acknowledge His holiness and His honor, but to make us and to enable us to be in a position to continue to hallow and honor His name. Thomas Manton, an old Puritan, said it like this, talking about "Hallowed be thy name." He said, "In this petition, the glory of God is both desired and promised on our part."
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"For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask." Now, let me just stop there. Listen to what he just said: "For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask." So if we're saying "Hallowed be thy name," we're expressing not only a desire for God to be honored and glorified, we are expressing also a solemn obligation that we're going to take on our part to make sure that we honor and glorify His name. Manton goes on, he says, "Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for His information, but for our edification."
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And that certainly is true. So our primary duty in prayer basically, then, is to disregard ourselves and to give God the preeminence in our thoughts, desires, and supplications. So this petition, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," necessarily comes first. Why? Because the glory of God is the end of all things. All other requests in this prayer are subordinate to this one. We are to sanctify and we're to honor God's name above everything in our lives.
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That's why Matthew 6 and verse 33 said what? "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
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Now, the message today is not dealing with the Lord's Prayer in general, but specifically this petition: "Thy kingdom come." When we pray "Thy kingdom come," there are several very obvious implications, and the first one is simple: God does have a kingdom. "Thy kingdom come." The second obvious implication is we want that kingdom to come in its fullness. Now, again, I'm not going to be going into a detailed exposition of the kingdom of God, but let me just tell you three things about the kingdom of God very quickly. First of all, we can say it like this—listen carefully: The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming. The kingdom has come, the kingdom is here, and the kingdom is coming. Well, how can we say the kingdom has come? Well, we can say the kingdom has come because the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come. And what did our Lord say in Matthew 12?
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It is in verse 28. He said to the scribes and the Pharisees, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." So the kingdom of God was here when Christ was here. He said the kingdom of God has come unto you. Look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter 1 to show you not only that the kingdom of God has come, but it is here. Look what he says in the book of Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 and 13. Colossians chapter 1, look if you would please at verse 12.
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"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us"—where? Where did He translate us to?—"into the kingdom of his dear Son." So the kingdom has come because Christ has come. The kingdom is here because we are now in the kingdom, and the kingdom is still coming. That is, it is going to come in its fullness and fruition. And the Bible tells us in Revelation 11, in verse 15, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." When we're talking about the kingdom, we know that the kingdom has come, the kingdom is here, and the kingdom is coming. Now, so we're going to be looking then particularly at this one simple petition: "Thy kingdom come."
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So I want you to go back to Luke chapter 11, if you would, please. Luke chapter 11. And look, if you would again, please, at verse 2. Luke 11, verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." "Thy kingdom come." Have you ever really genuinely thought of the implications of this petition, "Thy kingdom come"? I want to give you four things very quickly this morning. The first three are very interconnected. Actually, all four are interconnected, but you may not see the impact of the fourth one until I get to it. But first of all, let me point out it is a personal petition. It is a personal petition. So our Lord is teaching us to pray. And Luke 11 in verse 2, after He teaches us to say, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," He gives us this petition: "Thy kingdom come." So it is a personal petition. It is personal in the sense that you are asking for the kingdom of God to come in its fullness.
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And at the same time, you are asking that you might be submissive and obedient in that kingdom yourself. Why in the world would you seek for the kingdom of God to come if you did not want to be a part of it and participate in it? You're asking, in this petition, Christ to reign everywhere, and that would certainly include your heart, your soul, your life. When you say, "Thy kingdom come," you are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords and God of gods, and that He deserves to be honored and worshipped. So very obviously, this petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a personal petition. I want you to look in your Bibles—hold in Luke 11, but go in your Bibles to 1 Chronicles 29, and look, if you would please, at verse 11. I want you to see what King David said. 1 Chronicles 29 and verse 11. This is a summation of the kingdom of God. 1 Chronicles 29 verse 11. Look at what he said.
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"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all." When we say, "Thy kingdom come," that is exactly what we're saying. We're saying that God is the greatest—His power, His majesty, His glory, His victory—that He is King of all of the earth. So, "Thy kingdom come" is a personal petition, and what you're asking is that Jesus Christ would be exalted in your life in every area and every sphere. You're acknowledging Him as your King, your Sovereign, your Head, your Guide, and your Lord. No one would pray this petition if they did not personally desire the kingdom of God on earth.
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Now, I want to show you that what David said in 1 Chronicles 29, what our Lord taught us to pray in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11, is the same as what the prophets prophesied. For instance, turn in your Bibles to Isaiah chapter 11, and look if you would please at verse 9. Isaiah 11 and verse 9. We're talking about praying, "Thy kingdom come." It's a personal petition. In Isaiah 11 in verse 9, look what God says. Here is what we're referring to. God says, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." As the waters cover the sea. How much of the sea is covered by water? All of it. So when we pray "Thy kingdom come," what are we asking? We're asking for God's kingdom to extend totally and completely and absolutely in every area, every corner, and every sphere of life. If you would look in your Bibles to the little book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk chapter 2 and verse 14.
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One of the minor prophets. Habakkuk chapter 2, at verse 14, right before the little book of Zephaniah, right after the little book of Nahum, you will find Habakkuk. Habakkuk chapter 2 and look in verse 14. For he says it like this: "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." So when we are taught to pray, "Thy kingdom come," it's a personal petition.
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We are personally seeking God's glory, grace, majesty, superiority, sovereignty over every area and over every sphere of our life and the lives of others and of the world. We're asking for the time appointed for the fullness of the Lord's kingdom to arrive. So it's not only a personal petition. Secondly, it is a practical petition. Remember, he said in Luke 11 in verse 2, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." So you are practically petitioning the Father then, not only to prepare your heart, but the hearts of others as well. You're asking Jesus Christ to go forth as conqueror.
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John Calvin said it like this: "He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires. Such is the corruption of the nature that all of our affections are so many soldiers of Satan who oppose the justice of God and consequently obstruct or disturb his reign. By this prayer we ask that he may remove all hindrances and bring all men under his dominion and may lead them to meditate on the heavenly life." So this is done partly by preaching of the Word of God and partly by the secret power of the Holy Spirit. It's God's will to govern men by His Word, by His voice. But the Holy Spirit must make that Word effectual. If the Holy Spirit does not apply the Word of God,
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then no one really hears. It's kind of like Augustine, who said it like this: "I heard the gospel all of my life. And then one day I heard it." Yeah, that's the way it is. If God does not make it effectual. I remember years ago, I had a preacher come to our church in Jessup and he preached all week long on the doctrine of election. It was a wonderful, wonderful week. And I never will forget one of our men who had been so faithful came to me, said, "Pastor," he said, "this is so great. This is so wonderful. But I have one question."
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He said, "Why haven't you been preaching this?" And I said, "Brother, I have one question for you." He said, "What is it?" I said, "Why have you not been listening?" Well, I had been preaching it. He just had not heard it. But then that week he heard it. The kingdom of God is opposed to all disorder and confusion. Do you not remember the passage where it says that God is not the author of confusion? How much confusion exists in this world? Just in civil government. How much confusion exists in the churches? How much confusion exists in the homes and in the families? How much confusion exists in our own individual lives?
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You think of all the vain thoughts, wrong desires, impure motives, bad attitudes, wicked dispositions, pride, arrogance, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, disobedience that remain in each one of us—that creates nothing but confusion in our lives. Do we want those sins conquered? Do we want those sins defeated? Do we want our sins controlled? Do we want the totality of our lives to be brought in conformity to the Word of God and in submission to Jesus Christ?
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Well, we need to learn to pray this prayer because it's a very practical petition. "Thy kingdom come." Your kingdom come in my life. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33. So, let me put it to you very plainly: Where confusion exists, so does sin, strife, and wickedness. Look in your Bibles to the book of James, James chapter 3 and notice verse 16. Hebrews, James, James chapter 3. And notice, if you would please, verse 16, look what he says. James 3 verse 16: "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
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You can knock her down, folks. Wherever there's envying, wherever there's strife, wherever there's confusion, there's every evil work. So when we pray then, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us, submit us, surrender us, control us in every aspect of our lives.
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Now, I want you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter 3, because I believe the Apostle Paul understood this. And I think this is exactly partly what he had in mind when he prayed this prayer. Look in the book of Philippians, chapter 3, beginning there in verse 12. Philippians 3, verse 12. I don't suppose any of us could ever come close to the depth of knowledge and spirituality of the Apostle Paul.
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We always hold him up on a pedestal. But yet he says very clearly in Philippians chapter 3, notice verse 12: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect." Paul said, "I hadn't arrived. I'm not perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." And what did the Apostle Paul say? "Forgetting those things which are behind."
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How many of us can go back and undo things that we did in our previous years? Not one. We can't. But by God's grace, we can repent and then go forward. You can't do anything else. That's what the Apostle Paul says. He can't go back and unlive what he lived or undo what he did. But he can repent and he can go forward, and that's exactly what he's saying.
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So when we're praying this petition, "Thy kingdom come," it's not only a personal petition, it's a very practical petition because Paul desired to have his life totally conquered by Jesus Christ. He said, "Therefore, I press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Thirdly, this petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a providential petition. Let me explain what I mean by that. Our Lord is teaching us to pray. And this petition is "Thy kingdom come." I point out it's a personal petition, it's a practical petition, now a providential petition. By that, when we pray "Thy kingdom come," we understand that the kingdom is brought into fullness and fruition by God's grace, power, and mercy, and in His time.
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We may long for it, we may want it, we may work for it, we may pray for it, we may seek it, we may desire it. But the truth is, it is only going to come in its fullness in the time that He ordained. But in this petition, we are praying for the success of the gospel. "Thy kingdom come." We're praying for the conversion of God's elect. We're praying that Christ would indeed save His people.
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Matthew Henry said it like this: "Let my kingdom come. Let the gospel be preached to all and embraced by all. Let it be brought to subscribe to the record God has given in his word concerning his Son and to embrace him as their Saviour and Sovereign. Let the bounds of the gospel church be enlarged, the kingdom of the world be made Christ's kingdom, and all men become subjects to it and live as becomes their character."
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I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of 2 Timothy and let me show you something. 2 Timothy, chapter 2. And let me ask a leading question: Have you ever thought about all the things that the Apostle Paul went through and suffered? Why he went through and suffered them. You remember he gives there in 2 Corinthians how that he was beaten with rods, received 40 lashes a number of times.
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Died in the deep, suffered all of these things. Why? Well, look, 2 Timothy, chapter 2, verse 10, he says this: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." You see, Paul understood that our Lord has a people. And he said, "I'm going to do all of these things. I will keep going, that I may reach them." So this petition, "Thy kingdom come," teaches us to pray for, to witness, and to seek, and to reach all those for whom our Lord is a sacrifice and a substitute. We know that Christ has a sheep. He has His sheep. What did He say in John 10 and verse 14?
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Let me just quote it. He said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." In John 10 and verse 27, He says this: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." You cannot deny the fact that God does indeed have a sheep. He has His sheep wherever they are, whoever they are. One of the things that I know is this: when I preach and teach, I know not everyone's going to be saved. But I know some are. I know that not everybody's going to be blessed. But I know that some are. Because He has His sheep and they hear His voice, and they follow Him.
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When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking Christ to gather His sheep from all the nations wherever they are scattered and bring them safely into His fold. There's the passage in John 11 in verse 52, where the high priest prophesied that Christ should die, not for that nation only, but also that He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Moreover, God the Father has declared that the gathering together of all things in Christ is an aspect of His eternal purpose. In Ephesians 1 in verse 10, the Bible says this: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him."
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Let me tell you something, folks. I can say this unequivocally. I can say this dogmatically. In God's ordained time, everything will work perfectly according to God's eternal purpose. All of His sheep, all of His people will be gathered in. I don't know when that will be. I would love to see it in my time. I may not. I have no idea, but I know it's going to come to pass.
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So what I have to do is this: I have to keep praying "Thy kingdom come." So it's a personal petition. It's a practical petition. It is a providential petition. And lastly, it is a political petition. How in the world can I say that? How can I say the petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a political petition? Because you have been taught, and you have heard all of your life, politics and religion do not mix. Two things you never talk about: politics and religion. And if you talk about it, you just simply don't mix them because they don't mix. Well, who said they don't mix? When people say that you cannot mix politics and religion, they do not understand the concept of the kingdom of God, nor do they understand the concept of politics.
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First, let me point out that all government is religious. All government is religious. It may be the Christian religion, or it may be a pagan religion, but it is still religious. All law is religious. It may be the Christian law, or it may be a pagan law, but it is still religious. Because behind every law is a determination of good and evil, right and wrong. And it is someone's religion that determines good and evil, right and wrong. Each of those concepts is guided by an understanding of religion. It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be? Will it be God's religion or will it be man's religion?
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You've got to understand that even if someone says, "Well, I'm an atheist. Therefore, my law is not religious." That's hogwash. You know what atheism is? Theism means God. Put an "A" on it: atheism, no God. And so when you say my religion is atheism or I don't have religion, I'm an atheist, what you're saying is I'm a secularist humanist with a religious secularist humanist worldview. It's still religious. Because you don't believe in the living God, you have established yourself as God. It's man's religion. It's autonomy. You cannot have government and you cannot have law without religion, period.
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Secondly, let me cover the word "politics." It's from the Greek word which literally means "of a citizen." Politics: of a citizen. Well, you say, what's that got to do with "Thy kingdom come"? Well, I want you to look in your Bibles. First of all, to the book of Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. The Apostle Paul was going to address the people who were trying to kill him. Look at Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. Acts 21 verse 39. Paul is speaking to the centurion who rescued him before he gives his testimony in chapter 22. And Paul says this in verse 39: "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people." Now, he said, "I'm a citizen of no mean city." The word "citizen" is politēs. So Paul said, "I'm a citizen of no mean city," in other words, I'm a citizen of a very great city. You say, what's that got to do with "Thy kingdom come"?
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Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3. Notice, if you would please, in verse 20. OK. Paul said this, Philippians 3 in verse 20: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Now, the word "conversation" is a very interesting word. It is the Greek word politeuma. Ah, politeuma, politikos. The word actually refers—now listen, here's what the Greek word actually refers to.
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The administration of civil affairs of a commonwealth, the constitution of a commonwealth, a form of government and laws by which it is administered, a state, a commonwealth, a commonwealth of citizens. Paul could have literally said in verse 20, "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." We have a citizenship. We have a political view, a worldview, a Christian view that is biblical and scriptural.
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Yes, politics and religion do mix. Because if you are a citizen of heaven, you have a political view, a political understanding, a biblical law of a Christian worldview, and you express it. So when I pray "Thy kingdom come," it is a political petition. Let me try to explain it like this. I'm a Southerner and a citizen of the state of Georgia. Those of you who know me understand this: I do not care one thing for any game that has a ball in it. Period. I don't care football, baseball, I just—I don't care for it. But I'll tell you one thing: although I care nothing for a game with a ball in it, if I hear that Georgia is playing Kentucky, I automatically want Georgia to win. You know why? I'm a citizen of Georgia. I don't want Auburn to win.
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I didn't use that dog. But now, for instance, if I hear Kentucky is playing New York, I want Kentucky to win. I'm a Southerner. If I hear America is playing Russia, I want America to win. Why? I'm an American. Do you see what I'm trying to say? If I want Georgia to win, although I don't care anything about ball; if I want the South to win, although I don't care anything about ball; if I want America to win, although I don't care anything about ball—don't you understand that as a Christian, I automatically want King Jesus to win? I want His kingdom. I want His will. I want His Word. In other words, when you stop and think, the kingdoms of sin and Satan and man are all opposed and contrary to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of those other kingdoms are darkness and disorder and confusion and consternation. Jesus Christ has the kingdom of life and truth. And so when I pray, "Thy kingdom come," it is a political petition. It is a political prayer that the kingdom of Jesus Christ would be advanced and that the kingdom of sin, Satan, and man would be destroyed and that Jesus Christ would rule and reign supreme.
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Yes, that's a political statement. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it like this—listen carefully: "In the second petition we pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened." So when we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we are asking, "Lord, hasten the day that You defeat Satan and his host and let them be completely and totally vanquished. Let Thy people be done with sinning forever."
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"Let Christ see the travail of His soul and be satisfied, and let King Jesus triumph over everything." Oh yes, it is a political petition. The petition is an expression of a prayer that God may reign everywhere, that His laws may be obeyed, and especially that the gospel of Christ would be advanced everywhere, till the world shall be filled with the glory and the fullness of God as the waters cover the sea. "Thy kingdom come" is a prayer and a petition for the defeat of Christ's enemies. It is a prayer for the overthrow, defeat, and spoil of all of those who oppose Him and hate Him.
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David recorded a conversation between the Father and His Son in Psalm 110 in verse 1. Let me just read it: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Did you know that that verse is repeated several times in the New Testament? One of which is Matthew 22, verse 44: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." In Hebrews 10 and verse 13, the Bible says that Christ sat down on the right hand of God, "from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." In other words, our Lord shall subdue all of His enemies. Do you not remember that passage in Philippians 2, 10 through 11, where the Bible says that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"?
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Oh yes, He will conquer and His enemies will fall. If you will turn very quickly in your Bibles to the book of Psalms, look at Psalm 2. Psalm 2. And notice, if you would, beginning there with verse 8. Psalm 2, verse 8. Look what our Lord says to His Son. Psalm 2, verse 8, God the Father says to God the Son. In fact, let's read verse 7: "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." In other words, I have established Thee, have set up Thy kingdom. Look what the Father says to the Son, verse 8: "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now look what God says to the kings of the earth: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth."
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"Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." So when we pray this petition, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that the earth may become obedient to the will of God and be in subjection to Jesus Christ. We're asking that God the Father will subdue all the wicked, all the reprobate, all the ungodly. He would bring down those that oppose King Jesus. Wow! When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're declaring, we're acknowledging that we hate and regret whatever we perceive to be contrary to the will of God, and we long for its utter destruction.
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Not only that He may rule all of our affections, but we may yield ourselves to Him without reserve, but with all cheerfulness and gladness. And we learn to pray with David in Psalm 7 and verse 9: "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just." I want you to turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 9. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Look at Isaiah 9 and verses 6 and 7. You know this passage. Isaiah 9. Look at verse 6. I love it.
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"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever."
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"The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." What will God the Father do? He will establish His Son, Jesus Christ, and of the increase of His government, there shall be no end.
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Now, I titled this message "The Rebel's Prayer" for a reason. The truth of the matter is this: As God's people, we are not rebels. In reality, the rebels are those who oppose our Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. However, down through history, all of those who have ever resisted tyranny and despotism through the ages have been labeled rebels. George Washington was a rebel. Thomas Jefferson was a rebel. Even in the War of Northern Aggression, the Southern people were called Rebs or rebels.
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And it was not the South who was in rebellion to the law. It was the North that was in rebellion to the law. If you resist the New World Order or fight against tyranny, you are not only called a rebel, you are now labeled a terrorist. Isn't it amazing that only those who seek to stand for what is right and true and biblical and constitutional are now called rebels and terrorists? We must remember that rebellion can only be against lawful authority. Are you listening? If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.
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If I came by and said, "I just passed a law that everyone has to turn in their weapons by tomorrow at two o'clock, and if you don't do it, you're rebellious." What? And you don't turn them in? Are you a rebel? Are you rebellious? No. Because I have no authority to ask you to turn in your weapons. Neither does the federal government. Neither does the state government. And if you resisted, you would not be rebellious. You would just be resisting evil and tyranny and wickedness. Rebellion can only be to lawful authority. So if there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion.
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The truth of the matter is this, folks. The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels, although they're listed as rebels. I want to read something to you. The impetus of this message came from a friend of mine, Dr. Brooke Stockton. Now, I don't know if what Dr. Stockton wrote was original with him or he just sent it around, I don't know, but since it came from him, I'm going to give him credit. But here is the one brief paragraph that really got me to thinking about this message. Here's what he wrote.
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"Our precious Lord taught us to pray, 'Thy kingdom come.' It is part of the Lord's Prayer, a.k.a. the Disciples' Prayer. Positively, it is a plea that all men and all man's institutions would surrender to be ruled by God's law. Negatively, it is the coup d'état against ungodly authorities and de facto officials. This is the rebel's prayer, a revolutionary's cry against the immorality of this age and the promotion of wickedness by men in rebellion against their Creator. The prayer is God's permission to resist evil, to take the high road and to swim against the stream. It allows men to shout, 'No king but King Jesus.' It is permission to adopt the motto, 'One nation under God and one absolute law.' It is a prayer against the belief that man is God, that government is God, that man's laws or their constitutions are absolute. It is a prayer against the status quo where ambitious men seek to advance the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed."
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"It is a prayer against secularism, atheism, humanism, socialism, Marxism, and every other 'ism' wherein secularists seek to build a city where man is the measure of all things. It is a prayer against rulers in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed, against governments who seek to enslave and control men through coercion, intimidation, and fear. It is a prayer against governments hostile to the maxim that the Bible is the source of all law. It is a prayer against governments that break their own laws. It's a prayer against unjust laws and legislators who do mischief through law by creating a system of man-made statutes and codes that enslave their citizenry, who seek to create a new world order through law, who promote alien laws and undermine the Ten Commandments and the virtues they advance: faithfulness, justice, and mercy. It is a prayer against those who defraud others, against rulers that steal from their people through the color of law, against unlawful taxation, the transfer of power from the family to the state. If you are angry at the godless politicians, this prayer and this petition is for you."
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"Thy kingdom come." Because when His kingdom comes, all of that will vanish.
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Now, I want you to turn to 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1. 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1. I want to show you the implication. If you are really, genuinely, and truly tired of the corruption, fraud, tyranny, despotism, abuse of authority, then you need to learn to pray daily, yea, even hourly, this petition: "Thy kingdom come." You say, what good will that do? Well, let me just show you. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, beginning with verse 7.
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"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." One day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Every enemy of the kingdom shall be cast out, and God shall reign supremely, sovereignly, and absolutely, and by His grace and by His mercy, we will be subjects in that eternal kingdom.
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He is on the throne. And our Lord taught us to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." And when it comes, all of man's kingdoms will vanish and disappear. And Jesus Christ alone will be magnified in that day. Father, in Thy name we bow to Thee. We ask You for Your mercy, for Your grace, for Your strength. And we ask You, Lord, to teach us to understand the implications of "Thy kingdom come." Help us to seek it, to pray for it, to long for it, to desire it. And, Lord, to live as we are in it now in obedience to Thee in every area of our life. In Thy name we pray. Amen. Amen.
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You may contact Dominion Ministry by mail at 7400 Abercorn, that's A-B-E-R-C-O-R-N Street, Suite 705, P-M-B 175, Savannah, Georgia, 31406. Or give us a call at 912-925-7000.
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You can also visit our website at www.dominionministry.com.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T17:42:31Z

The Rebel's Prayer

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver expounds the petition 'Thy kingdom come' from the Lord's Prayer, showing it is personal, practical, providential, and political. He argues that praying for God's kingdom means desiring Christ's rule over every area of life, the defeat of all opposition, and the advance of the gospel. The message culminates in the provocative claim that this is a rebel's prayer against ungodly authorities and systems, calling believers to resist evil and long for Christ's ultimate victory.

Introduction: The Lord's Prayer and the Kingdom Petition

The title of the message today is "The Rebel's Prayer." Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. Matthew 6, verse 10:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:10

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Now, if you look in Luke 11 and verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,

He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well. For instance, in Matthew 6 and verse 9, He states,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:9

"After this manner therefore pray ye."

Addressing God as 'Our Father'

The term 'Father' emphasizes relationship, devotion, and our obligation to honor God and pray for fellow believers. It also points to adoption and Christ as our elder brother.

The Majesty of 'Which Art in Heaven'

This phrase highlights God's sovereignty, omnipresence, and preeminent glory. It should fill us with awe and encourage us to bring every burden to our sovereign Father.

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 8:27

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?"

He's in absolute and total control of everything. Psalm 115 and verse 3 says this:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

Hallowed Be Thy Name: A Solemn Obligation

Praying 'Hallowed be thy name' is both a desire for God's glory and a vow to honor Him. Prayer preaches to ourselves, and God's glory must be preeminent.

That's why Matthew 6 and verse 33 said what?

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:33

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The Kingdom Has Come, Is Here, and Is Coming

Weaver explains three aspects of the kingdom: it came with Christ, believers are translated into it now, and it will come in fullness when Christ reigns forever.

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-13

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us"

—where? Where did He translate us to?—

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-13

"into the kingdom of his dear Son."

A Personal Petition: Desiring Christ's Reign in Us

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 11:9

" As the waters cover the sea. How much of the sea is covered by water? All of it. So when we pray "

Scripture Reading — Habakkuk 2:14

"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

A Practical Petition: Conquering Sin and Confusion

This petition is practical, asking God to subdue our sinful affections and bring order. Where confusion exists, sin and evil thrive; we need Christ to conquer us.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 14:33

" Your kingdom come in my life. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33. So, let me put it to you very plainly: Where confusion exists, so does sin, strife, and wickedness. Look in your Bibles to the book of James, James chapter 3 and notice verse 16. Hebrews, James, James chapter 3. And notice, if you would please, verse 16, look what he says. James 3 verse 16: "

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Scripture Reading — James 3:16

You can knock her down, folks. Wherever there's envying, wherever there's strife, wherever there's confusion, there's every evil work. So when we pray then, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us, submit us, surrender us, control us in every aspect of our lives. Now, I want you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter 3, because I believe the Apostle Paul understood this. And I think this is exactly partly what he had in mind when he prayed this prayer. Look in the book of Philippians, chapter 3, beginning there in verse 12. Philippians 3, verse 12. I don't suppose any of us could ever come close to the depth of knowledge and spirituality of the Apostle Paul.

We always hold him up on a pedestal. But yet he says very clearly in Philippians chapter 3, notice verse 12:

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect."

Paul said,

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"I hadn't arrived. I'm not perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

And what did the Apostle Paul say?

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"Forgetting those things which are behind."

A Providential Petition: Praying for the Elect and Gospel Success

The kingdom comes in God's timing. We pray for the conversion of the elect, the success of the gospel, and the gathering of Christ's sheep from all nations.

A Political Petition: Christ's Rule Over All Authorities

The Rebel's Prayer: Resisting Tyranny and Longing for Victory

"Thy kingdom come." Because when His kingdom comes, all of that will vanish.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Triumph of Christ's Kingdom

Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1, reminding that Christ will return in flaming fire to judge His enemies and be glorified in His saints. We should pray daily for His kingdom to come.

The Rebel's Prayer

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	422111736350
Subject	Civil Government
Course	Civil Government: Power, Nations, and Constitutional Order: Where We Are & How We Got Here
Genre	Sermon
Date	2011-03-13
Dictation Name
Book	Book 009: Civil Government: Power, Nations, and Constitutional Order — Chapter 11
Source Timed Segments	68

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Lord's Prayer and the Kingdom Petition: Weaver introduces the message, noting the prayer is often called the Lord's Prayer but is actually the Disciples' Prayer. He focuses on 'Thy kingdom come' and explains the importance of understanding the words.
Addressing God as 'Our Father': The term 'Father' emphasizes relationship, devotion, and our obligation to honor God and pray for fellow believers. It also points to adoption and Christ as our elder brother.
The Majesty of 'Which Art in Heaven': This phrase highlights God's sovereignty, omnipresence, and preeminent glory. It should fill us with awe and encourage us to bring every burden to our sovereign Father.
Hallowed Be Thy Name: A Solemn Obligation: Praying 'Hallowed be thy name' is both a desire for God's glory and a vow to honor Him. Prayer preaches to ourselves, and God's glory must be preeminent.
The Kingdom Has Come, Is Here, and Is Coming: Weaver explains three aspects of the kingdom: it came with Christ, believers are translated into it now, and it will come in fullness when Christ reigns forever.
A Personal Petition: Desiring Christ's Reign in Us: Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is personal, asking for Christ to reign in our hearts and acknowledging Him as King. It echoes David's praise and prophetic promises of the earth filled with God's knowledge.
A Practical Petition: Conquering Sin and Confusion: This petition is practical, asking God to subdue our sinful affections and bring order. Where confusion exists, sin and evil thrive; we need Christ to conquer us.
A Providential Petition: Praying for the Elect and Gospel Success: The kingdom comes in God's timing. We pray for the conversion of the elect, the success of the gospel, and the gathering of Christ's sheep from all nations.
A Political Petition: Christ's Rule Over All Authorities: All government and law are religious. As citizens of heaven, we have a political worldview. Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is a political act, asking for the defeat of Christ's enemies and the advance of His rule.
The Rebel's Prayer: Resisting Tyranny and Longing for Victory: True rebels are those opposing Christ. This prayer is a revolutionary cry against ungodly authorities, a plea for God's law to rule, and a declaration of 'No king but King Jesus.' It is a prayer against all forms of wickedness and tyranny.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Triumph of Christ's Kingdom: Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1, reminding that Christ will return in flaming fire to judge His enemies and be glorified in His saints. We should pray daily for His kingdom to come.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

The Lord's Prayer is a model for both thought and words

Jesus gave specific words to pray, and understanding their meaning is essential for spiritual benefit.

Weaver says: 'He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well... you must understand that words have meanings.'

Addressing God as Father implies obligation and brotherly love

Calling God 'Our Father' obligates us to honor Him and pray for fellow believers, not just ourselves.

Weaver quotes Pink: 'These words... clearly imply our obligation... We must express our love to our brethren by praying for them.'

God's heavenly throne emphasizes His sovereignty

The phrase 'which art in heaven' highlights God's majesty and absolute control, encouraging bold prayer.

Weaver states: 'Our Father who's in heaven—that means He is sovereign. He's in absolute and total control of everything.'

Prayer is a self-preaching vow

Every prayer expresses a desire and a solemn obligation to pursue what we ask, especially regarding God's glory.

Weaver quotes Manton: 'Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing... an implicit vow or solemn obligation.'

The kingdom petition is a prayer for Christ's enemies to be subdued

Praying 'Thy kingdom come' asks God to defeat all opposition to Christ, including sin, Satan, and rebellious rulers.

Weaver cites Psalm 110:1 and Philippians 2:10-11, saying: 'Our Lord shall subdue all of His enemies.'

Resistance to tyranny is not rebellion if authority is unlawful

Rebellion can only be against lawful authority. Resisting evil, unconstitutional commands is not rebellion but righteousness.

Weaver explains: 'If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.'

The 'Rebel's Prayer' is a comprehensive cry against all ungodliness

This petition is a prayer against abortion, oppression, secularism, unjust laws, and every system that exalts man above God.

Weaver reads: 'It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed... against secularism, atheism, humanism.'

Scripture References

Matthew 6:10: Quoted as the primary text: 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.'
Luke 11:2: Quoted as the parallel passage: 'Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.'
Matthew 6:9: Cited to show Jesus gave specific words: 'After this manner therefore pray ye.'
John 17: Mentioned as the true Lord's Prayer, distinguishing it from the Disciples' Prayer.
John 20:17: Quoted to show God is the Father of Jesus and believers: 'I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.'
Ephesians 1:3: Cited: 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.'
Psalm 139: Referenced to support God's omnipresence.
1 Kings 8:27: Quoted: 'But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee.'
Isaiah 66:1: Quoted: 'Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.'
Psalm 115:3: Quoted: 'But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.'
Matthew 6:33: Quoted: 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.'
Matthew 12:28: Quoted: 'But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.'
Colossians 1:12-13: Quoted: 'Giving thanks unto the Father... who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.'
Revelation 11:15: Quoted: 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.'
1 Chronicles 29:11: Quoted: 'Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty... thine is the kingdom, O LORD.'
Isaiah 11:9: Quoted: 'They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.'
Habakkuk 2:14: Quoted: 'For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.'
1 Corinthians 14:33: Referenced: 'God is not the author of confusion.'
James 3:16: Quoted: 'For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.'
Philippians 3:12-14: Quoted to illustrate Paul's pursuit of being conquered by Christ: 'I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'

Historical References

Arthur W. Pink: Quoted on the meaning of 'Our Father,' emphasizing obligation and brotherly love.
Thomas Manton (Puritan): Quoted on prayer as a desire and a vow, and as preaching to ourselves.
John Calvin: Quoted on Christ reigning when men voluntarily submit, and the role of Word and Spirit.
Augustine: Referenced: 'I heard the gospel all of my life. And then one day I heard it,' illustrating the Spirit's work.
Matthew Henry: Quoted on 'Thy kingdom come' as a prayer for gospel preaching and embracing Christ as Saviour and Sovereign.
Westminster Shorter Catechism: Quoted on the second petition: 'that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed... and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.'
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson: Mentioned as historical 'rebels' who resisted tyranny, illustrating the label given to those who oppose ungodly authority.
Dr. Brooke Stockton: Credited as the source of the 'rebel's prayer' concept, providing the impetus for the message.

Important Quotes

These words, 'Our Father,' not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation.

Highlights that addressing God as Father carries duties of honor and brotherly prayer, not just privilege.

Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for His information, but for our edification.

Emphasizes that prayer shapes the pray-er, reinforcing the solemn obligation of our petitions.

He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires.

Defines Christ's reign in practical terms of personal submission and self-denial.

Where confusion exists, so does sin, strife, and wickedness.

Connects disorder to sin, underscoring the need for Christ's kingdom to bring order.

This is the rebel's prayer, a revolutionary's cry against the immorality of this age and the promotion of wickedness by men in rebellion against their Creator.

Capsule summary of the message's provocative thesis that praying for God's kingdom is an act of resistance.

It is a prayer against rulers in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed, against governments who seek to enslave and control men through coercion, intimidation, and fear.

Explicitly applies the petition to opposition against tyrannical governments.

If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.

Distinguishes between rebellion against God and righteous resistance to unlawful human commands.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What does it mean to pray 'Thy kingdom come' as a personal petition, and how should that affect our daily lives?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes that this petition asks for Christ to reign in our hearts and lives.

[Question]

How does the concept of God as 'Our Father' shape our prayers for others and our sense of obligation?

[Context]

The message stresses that 'Our Father' implies we must pray for fellow believers and honor God.

[Question]

In what ways is the petition 'Thy kingdom come' practical in dealing with personal sin and confusion?

[Context]

Weaver links confusion to sin and says this prayer asks Christ to subdue our sinful affections.

[Question]

How should the belief that all government is religious influence a Christian's political engagement?

[Context]

Weaver argues that law and government are inherently religious, so Christians must bring a biblical worldview.

[Question]

What is the difference between rebellion and righteous resistance according to the sermon?

[Context]

Weaver states rebellion can only be against lawful authority; resisting tyranny is not rebellion.

[Question]

How can praying 'Thy kingdom come' be a form of spiritual warfare against cultural evils?

[Context]

The 'rebel's prayer' quote lists specific sins and systems that this petition opposes.

[Question]

What comfort does the promise of Christ's ultimate victory over His enemies provide in times of political or social turmoil?

[Context]

Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1, assuring that Christ will return to judge and reign.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T08:58:10Z