Seek God
Luke 11:5-13 Sermon Outline
Introduction: Growing up in Indiana -- a Hoosier -- I grew up loving basketball -- Played it even in the snow! Went to b-ball camps. Tried out for Jr. High & Freshmen teams and made it. Sophomore year, got a new coach, played lousy, got cut. I cried and thought it was the end of world.
You may have been involved in sports and got cut; or rejected to join a fraternity or sorority. -- Lost the vote to be school president. -- Passed over for a job promotion -- Even rejected by a spouse.
Transitional Sentence: It is probably safe to say that all of us have been rejected in some way or another by family, friends, work, etc.; and it hurts. However, when we come to God, He never rejects us -- He responds to us!
Objective Sentence: A look at God's invitation to seek Him in Luke 11:5-13 will reveal His willingness to respond to us.
(Context): Luke 5:11-13 follows the model prayer -- the Lord's prayer, which teaches the disciples how to pray. Luke11:5-13 was written to help the disciples to see the value in prayer, and to encourage them (and the general audience) to pray.
Read Passage: Luke 11:5-13: From The "The Message" Translation
5 Then he said, "Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. 6 An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don't have a thing on hand.'
7 The friend answers from his bed, 'Don't bother me. The door's locked ; my children are all down for the night. I can't get up to give you anything.'
8 "But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he's a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
9 "Here's what I'm saying: Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open. 10 Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. 11 If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? 12 If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? 13 As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing -- you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
Transition Sentence: Jesus begins this section by telling a parable (story).
I. THE REQUEST IS RESISTED BY THE FRIEND. (vrs. 7)
A. The man has a need. (vrs. 6)
1. Thailand: All sleep together in Lisu village on a platform.
2. Eastern culture: Responsible to care for guests
3. Loss of face that man had no food for friend
B. The man is initially refused by his friend. (vrs. 7)
1. Typical family slept in same room to share body warmth.
2. Door bolted, late at night, didn't want to be bothered. (vrs. 8)
C. The man's persistence pays off -- his friend helps him.
1. If you have a friend who is at first unwilling to help you, keep after him. He’ll finally come down and help just to be rid of you!
Illustration: Widow lady came every Sunday after church and would hang out until we gave her medicine, rice, etc. Sometimes I'd wait just to see if she'd ask -- if I was busy, I'd go ahead and give it to her to get on with what I was doing. She was persistent!
v. 8 "boldness" = Importunity: anaidia: denotes "shamelessness, importunity" (a, negative, n, euphonic, and aidos, "shame, modesty"), …
Idea is: If shameless persistence can obtain a boon from a neighbor, then certainly earnest prayer will receive our Father's answer.
Transition Sentence: People may help us for the wrong motivations, or resist, refuse or reject us, but God is always willing to receive us.
II. THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY GOD. (vrs. 9-10)
A. Ask God (vrs. 10)
1. Be aware of your need -- We are sinners!
2. Be aware God can help you -- God is able to forgive you through Jesus. Jesus died on the cross to take away your sins.
B. Seek God (vrs. 10)
1. Read your Bible -- This will help you to know God better and His plan for Mankind, and you, specifically.
2. Pray -- God answers prayer. 2 Cor 1:10b-11: … "On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." (NIV)
3. Go to church/Bible Study -- Helps us to gain wisdom & knowledge, mature and remain strong in the Lord.
C. Knock at God's door (vrs. 10)
1. God wants to let you in -- He created you to Fellowship with Him.
2. Enter in!
Illustration: In Thailand rural areas, often you don't knock. Mom: "Joel, there's a Thai man laying on your couch -- smiling at me! -- Jun, our co-worker. Several times a week, people would eat with us -- always had food on hand to prepare for them.
3. Like ancient Israel, the door is always open. You just go in and you are welcome -- even a stranger: Eat & Sleep. God is like that! (at a much deeper level)
Would try to meet your request if at all possible.
Transition Sentence: Likewise, God wants to meet our requests. He wants what is best for us.
III. THE REQUEST IS RESPONDED TO WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (vrs. 13)
A. God will not reject us (vrs 13)
Illustration: John (4), scratched our van with a rock. - I disciplined him, but I didn't reject him. I said, honey, I'm so glad I have a son God gave me, so that we have the opportunity to have these type of experiences.
1. God loves us deeply and when we come to Him in faith, never rejects us.
2. John 14:21"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (NIV)
B. A father knows how to give good gifts to his children
1. My son asks for something to eat and I pull out a poisonous snake?!! (vrs. 11)
2. My other son wants an egg, and I bring him a scorpion?!! (vrs. 12)
Illustration: In Thailand, we had cobras & scorpions -- taught my boys to keep away.
C. How much more does God give to us who ask!
1. Throughout Bible, God teaches us how to stay away from cobras & scorpions.
2. God wants to bring peace, joy and eternal fulfillment into our lives.
D. God responds to our deepest needs by giving us His Holy Spirit to resides in our lives.
1. Holy Spirit intercedes for us in prayer; guides us; convicts us; illuminates our mind; provides giftings to build up the church and extend God's kingdom.
2. Holy Spirit is a deposit of our eternal salvation to come.
3. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22: "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (NIV)
Transition Sentence: God has put a deposit in the bank -- His Holy Spirit -- and desires you to seek Him and come to Him, so that you may spend eternity with Him. He says, "Enter in."
Conclusion (Invitation):
Have you been rejected? Do you yet have a personal relationship with Jesus?
If Christ is not your Lord and Savior, you need to come to Him. Come to him now!
¨ You will only find fulfillment in Christ Jesus.
¨ This world, at best will only bring you temporary pleasure.
¨ Jesus loves you so much that He made it possible for you to spend eternity with God by dying for your sins. -- Resurrected 3 days later.
¨ I encourage you to ask, seek and knock. -- Respond to Christ! Do not reject Christ.
¨ For God is waiting for you to enter in.