The Key to “The Secret Place”

“But you, when you pray, go into your [hidden] room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”  Matthew 6:6

How many do you carry?  I have too many!  Look at my key ring and you’ll find a key to get inside our building, two keys to get inside our apartment door, a key to open our mail box, one key to get me into the “Keller”, then one key to get me into our “Keller.”  On the same key ring is a key to get into any of the outside doors at the church building, a key to get into the offices at the church, one to get into the equipment room, and a key to get into the church mail box.  Then, there are two keys to unlock my bicycle locks….  You get the picture.  Lots of keys.  You probably have more!

Did you see the common thread running through the previous paragraph:  key, door, place.  The “key” opens a “door” into a “place.”  Using that same analogy, let’s look at today’s verse and apply it to our theme of putting God first.

Place—The “secret place”…wherever it is…is where the Father is.  On Sunday we looked at Psalm 91:1 that speaks of this “secret place” as the place of “the hidden” or “concealed” God implying that God is “holy other” and beyond our comprehension.

Door—The “door” to the “secret place” is Jesus Christ.  He says, “I am the door” (  ) or the gateway into the presence of the Father.  Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have been forgiven and cleansed of our sin.  Therefore, we can enter into the presence of our holy God who is no longer “hidden” or “concealed” because he has been made accessible through Jesus Christ.

Key—The key to the door into the secret place is prayer!  God invites us into his home…his dwelling place…through prayer.  We are ushered into God’s presence by the Holy Spirit when we in humble surrender turn to God in faith and pray.

So, think about it:  When you enter into God’s “secret place” through heart-felt prayer, you are entering the “hidden room” of your heart…God’s “secret place” because he has taken up residence and has made his home in our lives through his Holy Spirit.  In prayer, God takes you on a tour of his “home”—your heart—and invites you into the living room of his presence to enjoy his friendship.  Join him in the kitchen to be a part of his work then take your place at the table in his dining room to be nourished by the feast.  Take time to study his truth in his office, then enjoy the peace and rest of his bedroom.  The key is prayer!

Meditate prayerfully on the following Scriptures and quotes and enjoy the time visiting with the Father in his home…your heart.  After reading these “with the heart” ask yourself:  What “affections” and “actions” God requires of you?

So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life. Look around you: Everything you see is God’s—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. But it was your ancestors that God fell in love with; he picked their children—that’s you!—out of all the other peoples. That’s where we are right now. Deuteronomy 10:12-15 (MSG)

Jonathan Edwards :  “The kind of religion that God requires, and will accept, does not consist in weak, dull, and lifeless [intentions]—those weak inclinations that lack convictions—that raise us but a little above indifference.  God, in his word, greatly insists that we be in good earnest, fervent in spirit, and that our hearts be engaged vigorously in our religion.”

Jonathan Edwards:  “A person who has a knowledge of doctrine and theology only—without religious affection—has never engaged in true religion.  Nothing is more apparent than this:  our religion takes root within us only as deep as our affections attract it.  There are thousands who hear the Word of God, who hear great and exceedingly important truths about themselves and their lives, and yet all they hear has no effect upon them, makes no change in the way they live.”

Heading to the secret place,

Scott Corwin, Pastor

Sunday’s Sermon Slides:  The Secret of First

2 Comments to The Key to “The Secret Place”

1. 

   Hits home with me.
Tracy Asbury on February 11th, 2010
2. 

   Hey, Tracy! Was it Marten telling the story about leaving the house for a ride? He always thinks…helmet, water bottle, shoes…and then Patrick added “HEART.” For me, that’s the way it is with faith…without “HEART” you’re just going through the motions! May you ride…and pursue your faith…with “HEART”!
Scott on February 11th, 2010

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