Why Pray? Luke 18:1-8

Transcription

1 Why Pray? Luke 18:1-8 Introduction 1. Unique to Lukes Gospel 2. Ch.10-18:14 of Lukes Gospel with few exceptions are unique not in other gospels 3. Jesus 3 rd year of ministry Year of Opposition 4. Called Parable of unjust judge but actually not about judge at all - about prayer 5. Because about prayer NOT take too much detail of other points raised. 1. V1 Reason for parable stated Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Key phrase always pray and not give up 2. Answer to question Why Pray? simple - commanded to do so 3. Scripture illustrates this many times Mt 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Mt 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Ro 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 1Th 5:17 pray continually; Finally NT reference related to our topic today 1Ti 5:5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.

2 4. Many more scriptures highlight need for prayer 5. Of course prayer is a dialogue not a monologue How can we claim relationship with God if we don t speak to Him - cannot! Academic learning of no value unless we know God Likewise theology Knowing about Him insufficient / Know all Bible / understand teaching / doctrine Unless we know Him of no value How can we know Him unless we talk to Him? 6 Talking to God is prayer - 2 way conversation No special language / dress /code / ritual I Suggest : Prayer is essential more important than Bible knowledge / Bible reading 7 This parable isn t just about praying it is about persevering and not giving up about praying without ceasing In Thessalonians - idea of military campaign / regroup / attack again until victorious and win battle So our prayers should be 8 Back to Parable Jesus shocks disciples with this corrupt Judge 9 Why? a) Every city had a judicial court or Sanhedrin b) In Jerusalem great Sanhedrin of around 70 men ( probably from Moses 70 elders) c) In every city of >120 men lesser Sanhedrin of 23 men d) In every city of <120 men never less than 3 judges

3 e) But occasionally 1 could judge alone f) Had to be God fearing and known for impartiality g) Le 19:15 " Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly. 10 This Judge was not good Proud of being Ungodly and uncaring of others v2 11 This judge only helps those who he gains by helping Position / status / wealth / power 7 Helping a widow gained him nothing so he wouldn t Yet widow should have been protected in Jewish society (Jer 2:13 Is1:17) 8 Didn t matter whether case just / right / weak / strong Wouldn t grant her hearing Turned a deaf ear to her 9 Widow nobody else to turn to no choice but judge 10 Undeterred she persists her endeavours to get him to hear her case 11 How? every means Clerk at court interrupts coffee break in a meeting Lunchbreak on steps even at door of his house / car park In supermarket queue Floods of tears in the street Embarrasses / nags / irritates / stalks / no escape 12 So judge decide he must hear her as she is making life miserable / unbearable 13 Fed up with her / worn down by her 14 Got the picture?????

4 15 In Fact v5 because this widow keeps bothering me Word bothering is idea of a boxer in ring causing / bruises / pain / hurt Black eye. 16 No wonder he gave in and hears her case he wants peace Not decided by justice or sense of right or compassion He just wants peace 17 How much more then God of Justice and compassion respond God NOT like this judge but one who cares deeply Upholder of poor and needy / widows / lost / defenceless / Whose love cries out from heaven 18 Is not this God going to be more ready to answer prayer and respond to His people - even a widow! 19 Judge gives in for selfish reasons God out of compassion and willing heart - to relieve distress 20 Challenge do we believe God is not like this judge? Deep down do we think God is like this - Fear of judgement / punishment for actions still a part of our feeling despite being in Christ If not in Christ YES fear judgement + punishment Accept Gods grace in salvation Show lack of trust? lack of faith on our part! God loves you as you are NOW faults and all not as you will be

5 21 Coming back to parable if a cruel judge can be persuaded How much more should we pray to a compassionate and loving God A God who delights in doing good and answering prayer 22 Jesus is saying here be encouraged to keep on praying Easy to pray once Da 9:23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, If God answered all prayers immediately we d all pray all the time Exercise faith persistent prayer / great determination / discipline Do we lose hope if answers delayed. Shouldn t do Greater joy when God answers after delay 23 God seeks our good at all times He hears every prayer Not that God unwilling to give Not that need to gain victory over God He sees and notes every tear A single prayer has more effect on God than all the requests to unjust Judge 24 V7 And will God not bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? 25 It will not be indefinite PROMISE There will be a day of reckoning Answer to your prayer is guaranteed Noah promise of rain/ ark yrs before it rained Exodus Israelites cried out for deliverance for 400 yrs Why the delay GRACE

6 26 V8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.. There is the guarantee!! Period of grace may be - but then justice 27 V8 However, when the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth? 28 A difficult verse probably best understood as A warning God is faithful At 2 nd coming will we be still faithful and believing it? Waiting for Gods judgement and justice Challenge to our faith 29 Are we still expectant? 30 Sometimes we need to know how great our need is then God answers 31 Characteristic of believers is they pray daily OT Day and night 32 Thought: new cars assessed by MPH or MPG l/km 33 We should asses our spiritual life by our Prayers per Hour Prayer life must be greater than it is / increase Prayer meetings should be full no empty seats 34 Another thought Talking to the disciples Jesus may have been preparing them as the church is a widow bridegroom departed in heaven Warning that Church appears weak / no justice / targeted unfairly / hurt / down trodden / looks defeated YET IT ISN T 35 Assurance that one day the Bridegroom will return and restore the Bride Unblemished beauty and power Radiant for Christ

7 The trials and tribulations forgotten Exalted most beautiful bride for Christ 36 Final Thoughts 37 Pray without giving up / Pray expectantly Prayer is not for coercing God to do or give what we want 38 But is a process of us recognising His power and plan for our lives and yielding to it 39 We pray because we need Him not because He needs us. ***************