Necessary Exercise

Necessary Exercise Necessary Exercise Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Prayer; Perseverance; Persistent / Luke 11:1-13 In CrossFit there are certain exercises that are necessary - they are considered fundamental movements. Without them you will not become crossfit. In spiritual crossfitness there is necessary exercise to be done as well in order build our spiritual muscle of faith. One of the most necessary, fundamental exercise for spiritual crossfitness is prayer. Introduction 1. There is no shortage of foundation movements or exercises for crossfitness a. The moves are considered foundational because everything builds off of them i. Experts differ on what they are, some list 7 or 9, and some as many as 16 or 25 ii. They all agree though that without fundamentals you will have difficulty trying to move on or progress b. They have classes specified for those who want to learn the fundamentals i. The classes are not mandatory - so its up to you to decide if you want learn them - despite them being believed to be necessary 2. Luke chapter 11 brings us to a point in which Jesus disciples realize that they are missing a necessary exercise in their spiritual life. a. They see this exercise modeled by Jesus and over and over again - usually before something big happens or something challenging b. This passage shows us who desire to be disciples of Jesus and seek to be spirtually crossfit - that there is a fundamental - a NECESSARY EXERCISE - that His disciples must learn i. Lets follow along and see what this is › SLIDE Luke 11:1-3 CSB 1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples." 2 He said to them, "Whenever you pray, say, Father, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. › SLIDE Luke 11:4-5 CSB 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation." 5 He also said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, › SLIDE Luke 11:6-7 CSB 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don't have anything to offer him.' 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, 'Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can't get up to give you anything.' › SLIDE Luke 11:8-9 CSB 8 I tell you, even though he won't get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend's shameless boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. › SLIDE Luke 11:10-11 CSB 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? › SLIDE Luke 11:12-13 CSB 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" › SLIDE The Desire to Pray › SLIDE Luke 11:1 CSB 1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples." 1. Jesus again is pictured as praying a. Luke's Gospel more than any other Gospel focuses in on prayer and the need and the frequency of Jesus as Son of Man ever dependant upon God His Father. i. Though He was Christ, Son of God, He is also Son of Man - in that He took on human flesh and became like one of us ii. In doing so He humbled Himself and submitted Himself to complete dependence upon God the Father b. This was not the first time that Jesus had been recorded as praying and being seen by His disciples i. Jesus has prayed, up to this point and will continue beyond this point, at every major crisis point in His life 1. His baptism 2. When choosing the 12 3. At the Mount of Transfiguration 4. Feeding the 5000 5. Soon in the Garden of Gethsemane 6. He will even pray while on the cross ii. Jesus lived His life of devotion to the Father in front of His disciples - which is why it can be recorded that Jesus prayed - because He prayed openly c. The example is to live your faith and practice your faith in front of those whom you are discipling › SLIDE You cannot properly disciple without exemplifying your faith for them - it is demonstrated so it can be caught as opposed to taught i. Both as disciples of Jesus and those who are called to disciple for Jesus (remember the great commission?) we must boldly follow the example of Jesus while in front of those whom we disciple ii. They will see and when they see they will ask questions - important ones to learn how to practice - Just like you do 1. This should be an encouragement and a warning 2. The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray a. Notice they desire TO PRAY - Not HOW TO - but that they would pray i. No one learns how to pray by reading books - we learn by hearing others pray ii. The Bible doesnt teach us to desire prayer either - the desire comes from within ourselves › SLIDE Our desire for prayer comes from seeing prayer as a necessary exercise of our spiritual life 1. The disciples saw Jesus do wondrous things and face crazy opposition - and the one thing they knew and saw was that prayer came before all of it 2. When people see a genuine heart for God praying and hear the prayer of a righteous man - they too want to pray powerfully and openly to God a. They will either say - teach me to pray like that - or they may just model how they hear you pray b. Teach us TO pray - not how to but to be consistent, habitual and constant in our prayer life i. Their request will be answered by Jesus giving them both the Way and the Results of prayer ii. The truth of the matter is they need Jesus to teach them to pray and we do today as well! › SLIDE Prayer is so simple that the smallest child can pray, but it is so great that the mightiest man of God cannot be said to truly have mastered prayer. › SLIDE Our greatest difficulty with prayer lies not with mastering technique or approach but in seeing the necessity 1. Learning to simply pray more and more › SLIDE The Way of Prayer Luke 11:2-4 CSB 2 He said to them, "Whenever you pray, say, Father, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation." 1. In answering their request Jesus begins with giving a model or WAY of praying a. Jesus says whenever you pray say - He doesnt mean say this exactly every time but rather every prayer should be shaped like this - every prayer should include this i. He was not giving a prayer verbatim - but rather a structure, form or heart within it ii. On a previous occasion Jesus gave a model prayer as well - known as the Lord's prayer (this one in Luke is sometimes referred to as the disciple's prayer) 1. Matthew 6:9-13 b. A couple of things I want us to consider 1. The fact that this prayer is repeated here in Luke - shows the importance of prayer 2. It being repeated but not word for word the exact same shows it is not a special incantation or magic formula 3. The prayer Jesus models - is simple and brief a. A marvelously powerful and deep prayer but in simple terms i. Rabbis of the day had sayings like the following - "Whoever is long in prayer is heard" or "Whenever the righteous make their prayer long, their prayer is heard." ii. One famous Jewish prayer went like this "Blessed, praised, and glorified, exalted, and honored, magnified and lauded be the name of the Holy One..." › SLIDE Matthew 6:7 CSB 7 When you pray, don't babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they'll be heard for their many words. › SLIDE Ecclesiastes 5:2 CSB 2 Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 2. The WAY of prayer a. Intimate relationship i. The privilege of prayer comes from intimate relationship and so Jesus says to begin with prayer to the Father ii. we come to God with the privilege of relationship b. Glorify i. Your name be honored as holy ii. In those days a name was everything a person was - God's name would encompass all of God and so this is recognizing that God by name is to be honored as holy 1. Honored Holy - sanctified - set apart c. Submitting i. The idea of Your kingdom come - is a place of submission 1. When we pray in submission to God's kingdom - we align our prayer with the message of Jesus › SLIDE John 14:13 CSB 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. a. Again name encompasses the whole person of Jesus - so to pray in His name is to pray as Jesus would pray 2. We pray in submission sacrificing our prayers in order for His will and His kingdom to come and be done ii. True submission depends upon our heart when we say "Your will be done" or Your kingdom come" a. We can submit with resentment "You will do what your will is anyways, nothing I can do to change it - I really dont like it" b. We can submit with a heart of love and trust in a perfect and holy Good God "Do you will, because I trust you that it is best and good. Change my heart where I dont understand Your will" › SLIDE Luke 22:42 CSB 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me-nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." d. Requests i. Give us each our DAILY bread 1. We come to you in recognition that you sustain us daily in life 2. Constant understanding that we depend on God daily to live and move and breathe e. Forgiveness i. We need constant forgiveness for sins - not for salvation but to maintain communion with God 1. Just as much as we need daily bread we need daily forgiveness 2. Asking forgiveness is an exercise of our faith that God forgives › SLIDE 1 John 1:9 CSB 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 3. The evidence of our faith of being forgiven is shown by forgiving others - which we must also be doing f. Deliverance i. Not deliverance from judgment but from temptation and the evil one 1. We must prayer for deliverance from situations which would tempt us to sin 2. This requires us to admit our fleshly weakness and admit we are easily drawn away by our own desires and our own sinfulness ii. This is recognition that we depend upon God to live holy and righteous lives › SLIDE The Why of Prayer › SLIDE Luke 11:5-6 CSB 5 He also said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don't have anything to offer him.' › SLIDE Luke 11:7-8 CSB 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, 'Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can't get up to give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he won't get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend's shameless boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 1. After the model prayer Jesus gives the why for prayer a. Luke writes Jesus also said to them - because this is also in reference to their request to teach them to pray i. He takes them to a deeper understanding - the WHY of prayer 1. Perhaps you can relate to what Jesus is touching on - have you ever wondered why we bother praying? 2. This is an honest question - and might have a lot to with cultural influence a. Comedians have used prayer for their punchlines - George Carlin being one says prayer is answered 50/50 b. Others have begun attacking even the idea of someone praying for another in a time of need, trouble or pain as being worthless ii. Jesus wants us to know that praying is necessary and does accomplish much b. Jesus chooses to use a parable to help bring this heavenly truth and promise to our understanding i. Suppose you have a friend and you go to him at midnight and ask for 3 loaves - because you have an unexpected visitor and yet have nothing to offer 1. The situation is that it is late way past normal hours - you have an unexpected guest and no bread to offer a. We might wonder what the big deal is - but in context of the times and places here i. Ancient Israel - no Walmart, and the marketplace was shutdown ii. Eastern culture with a huge emphasis on hospitality - if you couldnt be hospitable you lost all social status and wouldnt be included with any social gatherings b. It was a major social faux pa 2. The man answers from inside and says dont bother me - the door is locked and my children and I have gone to bed. I cannot get up to give you anything. a. The answer is dont bother me or stop troubling me i. The door being locked - is no big deal right? well ancient eastern door locks were not an easy thing to unlock ii. I cannot get up - literally I am unwilling to get up b. This man could provide what was needed to keep from failing to be hospitable and to solve the problem and trouble that you have 3. Jesus then says I tell you this - even though he says he wont get up and give him anything, because he is his friend and his friends shameless boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs a. Because of relationship and because of persistence an unwilling man can be made willing b. Your trouble would be answered - and if that was you and your only option you would be bold and persistent to get what you needed. 2. God is willing and prepared for our requests and needs a. Jesus uses parables to teach kingdom truths - usually through similarities or contrast and comparison i. Here the parable makes an argument from the lesser to the greater by contrast 1. The parable has you in need, a man unwilling to help, but because of relationship and bold persistence becomes willing - you receive what you need 2. God in stark contrast to this man stands willing and wants us to come and pray to Him › SLIDE God wants us to come and pray to Him, knowing His door is never locked and He is never in bed for the night and we can receive our needs at any time ii. We must be careful to avoid false applications here 1. God is not annoyed with our persistent requests, and it is not saying the only way to get our prayers answered is to be persistent 2. It does teach however if a man is willing to help a friend because of his insistence God is much more willing to hear the cries of His children b. Jesus says - God stands ready and willing - and so I say to you if God stands ready and willing i. Ask and it will be given to you ii. Seek and you will find iii. Knock and the door will be opened to you iv. This makes a nice acronym and reminder for why we pray › SLIDE • Ask and it will be given • Seek and you will find • Knock and the door will be opened v. The language is the language is keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, continue to do this 1. Do not grow weary or discouraged in your prayer life 2. Sometimes God answers at the first request and other times after prolonged requests a. PUSH - pray until something happens God answers prayers: Sometimes, when hearts are weak, He gives the very gifts believers seek; But often faith must learn a deeper rest, And trust God's silence when He does not speak; For He whose name is love will send the best, Stars may burn out, nor mountain walls endure, But God is true; His promises are sure. He is our strength. -Myra Goodwin Plantz › SLIDE The Result of Prayer › SLIDE Luke 11:9-10 CSB 9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. › SLIDE Luke 11:11-13 CSB 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" 1. Jesus then gives the result of prayer a. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and the one who knocks the door will be opened i. The idea here is not that you must ask to receive - it is 'if you ask, you will indeed receive' ii. To pray is to seek God's face iii. To knock at the gates of mercy and they will be opened b. The promise is that when we pray, God always answers our prayers and He gives us what we ask or He gives us something better. i. A "no" is still an answer and means that He knows our request would not be the best for us 1. We must trust and believe - His goodness - submit to His will › SLIDE When we trust God's goodness over our own we will see two things - a "no" is still an answer to prayer and we will see His denial is better than our request I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed. -Attributed to an unknown Confederate soldier 2. Jesus again uses an illustration to reveal the heart of God when it comes to answering our prayers as our heavenly Father. a. Jesus uses a philosophical device known as a rhetorical question i. What father if his son asks for a fish will give him a snake? ii. Or if he ask for an egg will give him a scorpion iii. Omitted from this text - due to manuscript differences - if a son asks for bread would give him a stone? iv. None of us would do that- no earthly father would do that b. Here is Jesus' point again arguing from the lesser to the greater i. If you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father - give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? 1. God is not looking to have fun at our expense or to deceive us, mock us, destroy us or harm us. 2. God is ready and willing - waiting even to bestow good upon His children a. Jesus is emphatic in that even as we are ready and waiting to bestow good on our kids how much more so God is than we are b. Holy Spirit is given at salvation - this isnt saying we need to pray or ask God for the Holy Spirit for He already indwells us but we can ask for the power of the Holy Spirit or the gifts of the Holy Spirit › SLIDE God gives us both heavenly and earthly gifts ii. How much more would we pray if we truly believed this - that God gives better than us and is more willing and ready than we are Conclusion It is on prayer that promises wait their fulfillment - the kingdom for its coming, the glory of God for its revelation It is interesting to note things that Jesus taught and did not teach the disciples - one example Jesus never taught the disciples to preach, only how to pray He did not speak of what was needed to preach well, but much of praying well. To know how to speak to God is more than knowing how to speak to man. Not power with men but power with God is the first thing." Murray 1. Power with God is the necessary exercise Jesus did not say that God is like a grouchy neighbor - He said exactly the opposite. If a tired and selfish neighbor will finally arise to meet the needs of an intruding friend, how much more will our loving Heavenly father answer the needs of us - His own children? Pray with expectation. We should pray expecting answers and miracles and also allowing for there to be a no. If your earthly father wants to give you whatever you ask for , how much more your Heavenly father want to give you the desires of your heart that are good for you? Jesus understood this and that was why prayer was a necessary exercise for Him and if we properly understand prayer will become a necessary exercise for us too. Communion Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:20 PM August 1, 2020.