The Threefold Practice of Prayer
Prayer • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsA message using the Acronym A.S.K. to learn the threefold practice of prayer.
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Transcript
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker
An old preacher was getting ready to die, so he called two of his church members to come and be with him. One was a lawyer and the other was an IRS agent. The members felt quite privileged to be called to the Preacher’s side at this time. One of them asked, “Preacher of all the people you could have asked to be here with you, why did you choose us?” He quickly replied, “In Scripture it says Jesus died between two thieves, and I wanted to die just like Jesus.”
Introduction
Introduction
Our theme for 2022 has been Pray First. On the first Sunday of each month I have preached a message on Prayer. We are exploring what the Bible has to say about prayer. We have looked in 1st Timothy, 1 John, Matthew and Acts in our quest to better understand prayer. Today our Journey takes us to the gospel of Luke.
Luke’s gospel was written around AD 63 for a non-Jewish audience. The author is Luke, a doctor, and a highly educated man. Luke has begun to describe and record Jesus miracles and healings, in the form of many stories and parables. Today Jesus answers a disciples question regarding prayer. Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Jesus begins with what many refer to as the “Lord’s Prayer” or the “Our Father” then proceeds to discuss the importance of persistence in prayer. He uses two parables to illustrate these concepts to his disciples.
We will focus on Jesus words between to two parables found in Luke 11:9-10
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
In these verses Jesus gives believers the most wonderful invitation we could ever be given. I believe it is so wonderful, that - just to make sure we get it - Jesus says it twice.
Some people have asked me, “Pastor, what preachers do you like to listen to or read?" I am old-fashioned I guess, I enjoy, when I can, listening to and reading the sermons of older preachers. D. L. Moody, J. Wilbur Chapman, Billy Sunday, Jack Hyles and maybe my favorite is John R. Rice. Dr. Rice is simple, plain, sometimes blunt, and very matter of fact. Dr. Rice writes, “So prayer is asking, and answer to prayer is receiving.”
Jesus says ask = receiving, seek = finding, knocking = opening.
The Greek the language used is Present Participle. Literally Jesus says we should be always asking, always seeking, always knocking.
In this teaching on Prayer Jesus proclaims one simple theme - Ask. This simple word is an Acronym for the 3 Fold Practice of Prayer
A - Ask
S - Seek
K - Knock
Let’s look at these SIMPLE truths together this morning.
Body
Body
A - Ask
A - Ask
Asking reveals an attitude of Dependence. Asking is the key to salvation. The most universal need of humanity is salvation
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Transition
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
S - Seek
S - Seek
Seeking reveals an attitude of earnestness. Earnestness is defined as a sincere and intense conviction. Seeking is the key to sanctification. Sanctification involves living like we are saved.
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
I love them that love me; And those that seek me early shall find me.
He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
K - Knock
K - Knock
Knocking reveals an attitude of Perseverance.
Look at Luke 11:5-8
And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Word Studies in the New Testament (Chapter 11)
8. Importunity (ἀναίδειαν). Only here in New Testament. A very striking word to describe persistence. Lit., shamelessness.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Conclusion
Conclusion
If you are lost you need to ask Christ into your heart, come ans ask Jesus to forgive your sin and be your savior.
If you are backslidden come and seek your sanctification as you rededicate your life to Christ.
If you need prayer today for healing, finances, a job, a relationship come and knock at the door of God. Don’t wait, don’t tarry, come. You come.