21 Always Pray, Don't Give Up

Did God tweak your spiritual lenses this week? We talked about upside-down vision and how we see the Kingdom as upside-down until Jesus corrects our lenses. You’re going to get another tweak today, just to give you fair warning…

Do you believe the Spirit of God is here today? Do you believe Jesus is guiding this church family? I like to plan ahead as much as possible, but God’s timing is far above anything I could do.

Today is the start of the Fresh Encounters Prayer Focus. The message today is on prayer. I did not plan that except in prayer asking God to lead us and to give me the messages to preach and when does He want to start the prayer focus. I didn’t even see it until this week that all those had lined up to today.

And it has been working that way over the past six months. Yes – we have been here for six months.

This passage is only in Luke, but fits in the same series of parables and teachings as our other recent messages on unworthy servant, faith like a child, and the rich man whose wealth was an idol.

Talking to the disciples, Jesus concludes with warnings about the end times. Jesus then gives encouragement to not give up in their prayers.

Studying

Two stories on prayer. First, faith and persistence. Second, humility and confession.

Persistent Prayer

Read

Luke 18:1 CSB

Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up.

v.1 them = likely disciples from c.17

them = likely disciples from c.17

Purpose of parable stated clearly – pray always, never give up

Judge and widow. Widow had no representation before judge.

Seeking justice (something to be made right)

vv.4-5 judge not willing but gives in after her persistence

Jesus goes to extremes – poor widow pestering godless/unjust judge, elect/chosen petitioning the faithful/just God.

Luke 18:7 CSB

Will not God grant justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay helping them?

luke 18:If the unjust judge will answer the least, how much more our Father with His children.

If the unjust judge will answer the least, how much more our Father with His children.

Elect = chosen, children

v.7. cry out to God day and night – not pestering but persistent in bringing a concern to God

delay? Swiftly grant them justice = make the situation right

Luke 18:8 CSB

I tell you that he will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

luke 18:v.8 Nevertheless = however = even so…

v.8 Nevertheless = however = even so…

Will Jesus find faith when He returns? Faith, persistence.

Point of first story – here is the character of God, what is your character? God is faithful, do you also have faith?

Pray always, don’t give up. Like the widow, stay faithful until Jesus returns. (previous chapter)

Humble Prayer

Read

Luke 18:9 CSB

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else:

v.9 Jesus changes his focus – directs this parable to the self-righteous (usually Pharisees)

v.10 praying in the temple

again with contrast of extremes – Pharisee and tax collector

v.11 So glad I’m not like that scum

Luke 18:12 CSB

I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

v.12 Does he really need to remind God how good he has been?

Who is the focus of the Pharisee’s prayer??? Boasting on himself

Pharisee went beyond normal requirement of fasting and tithing, so he considered himself to be better than good.

Comparison to others less spiritual – is that healthy or helpful? We do this often, as individuals, as groups, as churches… Political comparison = democrat vs. republican. Polar stance on any issue, theme, cause, position.

With the Pharisee, there is no sense of sin, or need, or humble dependence on God.

v.13 But the Tax collector

humble posture – standing far off, wouldn’t look up, mourning

– humbled at the recognition of his sin.

(divide the slide into two at ;)

Luke 18:14 CSB

I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

v.14 result? Humble sinner justified. Proud bragger not.

result? Humble sinner justified. Proud bragger not.

Another upside-down moment – role reversal = self-righteous religious leader rejected, sinner accepted.

Exalt, be humbled. Humble, be exalted.

vv.15-17 Jesus goes on to say be humble like this child.

When we recognize our true standing in the face of our Father, admit failure and confess our sin, He lifts us up and makes us right (justified).

What To Pray

Begin with Have mercy on me a sinner

Luke 18:13 CSB

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

james 5:13-18

James 5:13–18 CSB

13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. 17 Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.

healing, forgiveness, praises, end suffering

Ephesians 5:13–18 CSB

Everything exposed by the light is made visible, for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Pay careful attention, then, to how you live—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:

(highlight words in verses)

healing, forgiveness, praises, end suffering

wisdom, in faith, otherwise double-minded and don’t receive anything

James 1:5–8 CSB

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.

(combine 7-8)

wisdom, in faith, otherwise double-minded and don’t receive anything

unity with Jesus and each other, as the Father and Son are one.

John 17:20–23 CSB

20 “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. 21 May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. 22 I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.

unity with Jesus and each other, as the Father and Son are one.

workers in the harvest, now go.

Luke 10:2–3 CSB

2 He told them, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. 3 Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves.

(just 3a Go Now)

workers in the harvest, now go.

Pray for the souls of men, women, and children around us.

Another example – The Lord’s prayer.

Conclusion

In both stories – humility, faith, faithfulness. Seeking justice, seeking forgiveness.

Prayer – communication with God through Jesus.

"Every mighty move of the Spirit of God has had its source in the prayer chamber." - E.M. Bounds

Big Idea: True disciples pray humbly and faithfully

True disciples pray humbly and faithfully

Come before the righteous Judge in humility, and with faith that He will respond justly.

This evening we have an opportunity to put a few of these ideas into practice.

What About You?

Do you make time daily for focused prayer?

Do you pray always – throughout the day, every day

Do you come in humility and respond in faith?

Movie War Room.

Book - Cavetime

Come this evening and join us not only in petitioning God, but celebrating the answers.

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