The Posture of the Disciples

Jesus answers "Lord, teach us to pray" by calling his disciples out of independence and into radical dependence on God as Father.

Speakers

Matt opened by reading a rewritten Declaration of Independence: "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that we belong to ourselves… absolved from all allegiance to our Creator."
Independence from God is not an American thing, it is an Adam thing.
The essence of sin is not dark arts or black magic. It is casting off God's rule and crowning ourselves king.
Following Jesus is relearning how to live life all over again — dependently, as God made us to live.
Main idea: Jesus calls his disciples to live lives of radical dependence.
Luke keeps showing Jesus praying — at his baptism, his healings, his transfiguration, before the crucifixion, on the cross. The most perfect man was also the most dependent.
The disciples' request, "Lord, teach us to pray," shows prayer is not natural or intuitive.

Five things Jesus models: my good and his glory; today and tomorrow; my body and my soul; forgiveness received and given; provision and protection.
Start with God's glory, not your list. Hallowing his name means causing everyone — Afghanistan, Iran, our government, our county, our children, our own hearts — to see it as holy.
"Daily bread" covers all material needs. Jesus' first hearers lived one day's provision at a time; we stock a month of food and save three to six months of income.
Saving is not bad, but declare your dependence daily anyway — and repent if fear is what drives your saving.
Your greatest needs are spiritual, not material, and the greatest is forgiveness of sins.
Positional forgiveness is final the moment you believe; relational forgiveness we pursue daily, because our sins still grieve our Father.
Readiness to forgive others is evidence you have received God's forgiveness. Who has sinned against you?

A neighbor bangs on your door at midnight needing three loaves for a traveler who has just arrived.
In the first-century Mediterranean world, hospitality was a serious social obligation, not a private choice. Refusing brought public shame.
The sleeper gets up not out of friendship but to save his own reputation.
God is not like that man. You never have to twist God's arm or wear him down.
Matt's own illustration: preparing to buy a house last year, he asked his three brothers and his dad for a specific, large amount — and they gave it, because they wanted him to ask.
Ask boldly. Do not skip the first word Jesus teaches: Father.

A child asks his dad for fish; the dad promises to catch it himself. The covered plate is lifted and a live serpent is coiled inside.
No sinful earthly father would ever do that — so what will your perfect heavenly Father's gifts be like?
God answers every prayer: yes, no, or wait. Sometimes what he gives seems in the moment like serpents or scorpions.
Every gift here is either a foretaste of the eternal inheritance or a chisel scraping off impurities.
Matt quoted a pastor on walking with the dying: growing old brings "the dimming of our vision, the slowing of our bodies… the diminishing of our appetites… It's a path that requires us to loosen our grip on this world." Is this not mercy?

Sin at its root is independence; discipleship is relearning dependence.
Pray up (God's glory), down (daily needs), in (forgiveness), out (forgiving others), forward (protection).
Ask boldly — God is never inconvenienced or annoyed by you.
Trust whatever he gives, including the delays and the no's.