Sermon
Sermon Outline
ME
The older I get, the less I like sleeping in.
It has nothing to do with being a morning person. Personally, I think we give morning people too much power.
The real reason I don’t like sleeping in is because at the stage I’m at with kids, when I wake up if I have slept in, it feels like everything is happening NOW!
- We’re packing up for the day to go wherever.
- One child is chasing another with a paper airplane I know is going to hit them in the eye.
- The baby needs a diaper change.
- The morning breakfast dishes need cleaning.
It’s just overwhelming!
Because of all that, there is a sacred time between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.
- A time of quiet, coffee, and Jeremy things.
The fact is, for all of us, the days are demanding in their own ways.
Every day brings with it a set of expectations and requirements on your time and my time.
Transition
So how do we live our days?
WE
We have several choices in “how” we live our days.
Over the past two weeks, we have studied the Lord's prayer. It’s a prayer Jesus taught the disciples.
- We’ve seen how Jesus taught us to pray to Our Father. He’s not just mine, but we all have equal authority to speak to him and to hallow his name.
- We’ve prayed about his Kingdom and his will.
Today, Jesus guides our focus to continue with the prayer concerning the day.
All of us have a need, whether we recognize it or not, for God to supply what we need each day. Jesus knows this and highlights it. Let’s read the prayer up to where we are.
“And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”” Luke 11:2-4 ESV
Most of us hear daily bread and think, “just enough to survive.”
We picture scarcity, barely getting by, or God simply keeping us afloat.
But bread isn't just for satisfaction. Sustenance is meant to lead somewhere. Accomplish something.
I believe we eat to live. We rest so that we can work. We receive strength so that we can carry out the purpose of the day.
The key question we have to ask when we pray for our daily bread is whether our days are meant to be consumed or meant to be lived?
If our goal is to hallow God’s name, if our life's mission is to see his kingdom come and his will be done, then what is the purpose of our daily bread and why would we pray for it?
GOD
Every Day Counts
“Give us each day…”
Jesus teaches us to live with a daily dependence on the Father.
- The phrase carries the sense of day-by-day provision.
- We are not being taught to control every unknown in front of us; we are being taught to trust God with the day He has placed in our hands.
For the disciples hearing Jesus teach this, they would have thought back to manna in the wilderness.
“Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day…” — Exodus 16:4 ESV
God could have supplied a year’s worth of manna all at once. Instead, he supplied a day’s portion. Why?
Because daily provision is also daily formation. The daily bread brought them daily trust.
Every day counts because every day is an opportunity to trust God and build something that lasts.
This is why Jesus says:
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” — Luke 9:23 NLT
We receive today’s strength so that we can take up today’s cross. God provides what is necessary for the assignment He gives us today.
Transition
Not only does every day count, but…
Every Body Builds
“Give us…”
This prayer is personal, but it is not private or selfish.
Does Jesus teach us to pray, “Give me my daily bread?”
He teaches, “give us.”
I believe Jesus never intended for us to live isolated lives, self-sufficient lives.
We need God, and we need the people of God.
- It’s not what God wants from us; it’s what he wants for us.
Sometimes that prayer for daily bread is answered in creative ways.
Maybe it comes through a job, meal, wisdom, or an open door. But maybe it comes through the generosity of another believer, the encouragement of a friend, or someone willing to carry a burden with us.
The Father provides for his people, and then He often makes His people part of that provision for one another.
This is why the Kingdom of God is more than a better version of the world; it is a complete alternative.
Likewise, the church is the body of Christ, and everybody can help build it when every believer recognizes what God has placed in their hands may be part of someone else’s daily bread.
The New Testament calls believers to carry one another’s burdens, share generously, and meet practical needs. This is part of what it means for the kingdom of God to come among us.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 ESV
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18 ESV
Transition
Every day counts because every day is an opportunity to trust.
Everybody builds because you and I are a part of God’s provision from him and for him.
Finally, we believe in…
Every Prayer Answered
Jesus says, “Give us each day our daily bread…”
Daily is a difficult word to translate precisely.
It can carry the idea of bread needed for today, bread for the coming day, or bread necessary for life.
But the central meaning of this line is clear:
“Father, give us what we need to faithfully live the life You have given us.”
Look at the balance of this.
This is not a prayer for luxury, nor is it a prayer to barely survive. It is a prayer of surrendered trust.
Proverbs puts it this way:
“Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me.” Proverbs 30:8 ESV
The writer does not want so much he forgets God, nor so little he is tempted to dishonor God. He wants enough to live a life to honor God.
Simply stated, we believe that every prayer for daily bread is answered by a wise and loving Father, though not always in the way or at the time we expect.
When we pray this part of the prayer, what we’re really doing is placing our confidence in God that he hears us, knows our needs, and remains faithful in His care.
To be exceedingly clear, we believe fundamentally that Jesus is the bread of life.
So when we pray, we’re praying, “Father, sustain me.” Sustain my body, my mind, faith, family. Sustain me for the purpose you have given me.
YOU
So what do we do with this?
Start the Day With The Father
We don’t have to carry today alone.
Before reaching for the phone, checking the calendar, or trying to solve the day’s problems, begin by praying: “Father, give us each day our daily bread.”
- This is not passive; it’s trust.
- We bring God our needs and trust him to supply what is necessary for the day ahead.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Simply stated, we enter into peace by starting with prayer.
See What God Has Already Placed In Your Hands
Daily bread may look different from day to day.
So ask, “God, what have you given me today, and what do You want me to do with it?”
What is in your hands—your time, encouragement, experience—may be part of someone else’s daily bread.
Nobody I’ve ever known embodies this more than Dr. David Watson.
If you knew him, then you know that he lived for what he calls Divine Appointments.
These are moments he prays for where God will bring someone across his path that he can encourage.
God gave him a heart for this, and so he uses it for God’s purpose.
You too have something to give.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” — 1 Peter 4:10 ESV
Example:
This past week we had VBS, and we had many people with many gifts come together!
From the kitchen crew, security, Pastor Callie and her teaching team, a worship band, and then me!
God even used me!
Spend God’s Provision on God’s Purpose
The bread is enjoyable, but the bread is not the destination.
God gives us strength for action.
He gives us provision for purpose.
He feeds us so that we can be about our Father’s business.
Don’t wait for a more convenient day, a more money day, or a less chaotic day. Today is the day to follow Jesus.
He leads, he feeds, he meets my needs!
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 ESV
Too many people pray, “God, give me my daily bread,” and then attempt to use a holy blessing for carnal pursuits.
WE
Here’s the good news.
We have received the greatest gift of all: Jesus.
Before Jesus ever asks us to use our bread for His purpose, He gives himself as the bread of Life.
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 NLT
Maybe today you came in hungry.
Not physically hungry—but hungry for peace, direction, strength, hope, forgiveness, or a fresh start.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
If you have never put your faith in Jesus, today you can receive the life only He can give. You do not have to clean yourself up first or figure everything out. Come to Him. Trust Him. Let Him forgive you, save you, and make you new.
And for those who already follow Jesus: do not merely consume the bread God gives you. Receive it with gratitude, then use it for the purpose He has placed in front of you today.
Every day counts. Everybody builds. Every prayer for daily bread is heard by a faithful Father.
So tomorrow morning—and every morning after—begin here:
“Father, give us each day our daily bread.”