The Lord's Prayer
Lesson Two
  1. Martin Chemnitz
    1. The "second Martin"
    2. Born November 9, 1522 (MC 5)
    3. Studied church fathers and Ducal Librarian in Koenigsberg (id)
    4. Studied Scriptures, then commentaries (MC 6)
    5. "But for Chemnitz, theology existed to serve the church" (id)
    6. Never a university professor.
    7. Ordained in church at Braunschweig in 1547.
    8. Parish pastor.
    9. "He knew that theological exercises were of no avail unless they affected the lives and spirituality of the children of God." (MC 7)
    10. "he wrote for the instruction of the common people of God" (id)
  2. MC's book (MC 8)
    1. One of 65 of his works.
    2. Latin original does not exist.
    3. First known English copy published in 1598.
    4. Translator unknown.
    5. Williams used existent photocopy.
  3. MC's Introduction: some key points only (MC 13)
    1. Discusses necessity of prayer.
    2. Two reasons to pray.
      1. God ready to help, knows our wants, and what He will do, all of His own will.
      2. His will and command to pray.
    3. Mt. 6:9.
      1. Not a binding set of words.
      2. Not "codifying a good work" (MC 16)
      3. Strongest proof for not a binding set is Mt. and Lk. do not record it in same words.
    4. Jesus' purpose: to show:
      1. "[H]ow small a number of words we can use" (id)
      2. Upon whom do we call.
      3. "[W]ith what confidence we must pray" (MC 17)
      4. "[H]ow and for what reasons" (id)
      5. What are the things for which we should ask.
      6. "[I]n what order" (id)
      7. "[B]y what means" (id)
      8. "[F]or what end" (id)
    5. Augustine:
      1. "We have not the liberty to say other, differing, or contrary things." (quoted MC 17)
      2. "If we must not use many words in prayer because our heavenly Father knows our wants, by the same reason and for the same cause, we should not use few words, no, not even those words which are here appointed by our Savior Christ." (id)
    6. What is important?
      1. Attentive mind.
      2. Devotion.
      3. Asking for what heart truly desires before God.
      4. "mind" and devout inward heart, prayer, even without words.
      5. Ps. 38:9.
      6. Ps. 10:17.
      7. Ro. 8:26.
    7. Why did He say "When you pray, say...": Lk. 11:2.
      1. We might learn to use vocal prayer properly and profitably (MC 18)
      2. That we might consider things rightly.
      3. "Therefore, the words we use in prayer are an advertisement that directs us to consider those things so that the desire of our heart may be rightly directed." (id)
        1. Heart: penitent and humble.
        2. Not rushed into without due consideration of our sins and condition.
        3. 1Co 14:15.
      4. "Thus this meditation prepares the heart for serious repentance and true humility." (id)
      5. Diligent mediation stirs "our numb and frozen heart to a love of prayer." (MC 19)
      6. These are words of Christ, used by Spirit in His power as Spirit of Christ.
      7. We always desire to pray:
        1. In faith.
        2. In hope.
        3. In love.
    8. 1Th. 5:17 (Gk: adialeipt?s proseuchesthe: "pray without ceasing/unceasingly")
      1. A continuous desire "for a blessed life" (MC 20)
      2. We knock on the door (Lk. 11:9)
        1. Of Him who we give continual and godly attention of the heart.
        2. For most part, better performed in sighs and groans than with words.
        3. Better by weeping than speaking.
      3. But we must use words:
        1. To remind us to be "respectful for what we ask" (id)
        2. We must not think we can "teach or move the Lord" (id)
        3. Why public recitations of prayers are to be in church.
        4. Col. 3:16.
        5. 1Co. 14:26.

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