Knocking on. Heaven s Door

Transcription

1 Knocking on Heaven s Door Mountain Life Church/Life Pack/September 28, 2014

2 Knocking on Heaven s Door Sermon Notes September 28, 2014 I. Background A. The Lord s Prayer (Luke 11: 1-4) 1. Followed by the parable of the Friend at Midnight 2. Followed by the teaching about asking, seeking, knocking B. What s My Motivation? 1. Jesus wants me to know I can ask God shamelessly for what I need 2. Jesus wants me to know I will be rewarded for persistence and praying specifically 3. God is my father 4. God gives good and perfect gifts C. Middle-eastern Hospitality 1. Lavish 2. More food than enough to eat communicates warm welcome 3. Most families borrowed from one another often D. Judean Homes & Travel 1. Everyone typically slept in one room 2. The animals were brought in at night during the winter 3. Most travelers did so early in the morning or after 4pm II.The Friend At Midnight A. The Friend 1. Persistent 2. Shameless 3. His love for his traveling friend B. The Neighbor 1. Not moved by friendship 2. His reputation matters 3. Shamelessness 4. A purposely weak picture of God responding to us we are to be persistent in prayer. Elements of the parable The Jewish home and hospitality of the day. A man has just received a traveler and has no bread to give him. Here is a major problem for the host. The traveler is tired and hungry. He cannot simply explain away his lack of bread with a shrug or a wave of the hand. He is constrained by the rules of hospitality to move heaven and earth to get some food for his friend. The town is small, and the host would be aware of who had baked that day. He puts that knowledge together with his emergency situation and decides to forego any compunction he may have had and make the midnight call upon his neighbor. A midnight arrival not unusual. The traveler came at midnight, but we should not think of this as an unusual event, and certainly not attach any eschatological significance to the time given. Because of the heat and its effects on both man and beast, Judean travelers in that day and age would find it very convenient to depart for their destination later in the day, planning on an early evening arrival. The dark house of the friend. The door is shut and locked and the master of the house is in bed with his children. The house we may envision is a one-room home with the children and parents all on mats or on a raised platform bed. When he says, My children and I are in bed he means it literally. To get up would be a major inconvenience disrupting everyone. However his friend has already disrupted everything and probably everyone in the small house is now awake. The hassle factor here is really more than the neighbor should be expected to bear. Persistence The Chinese [gardeners] plant the bamboo seed, water and fertilize it, but the first year nothing happens. The second year they water it and fertilize it and still nothing happens. The third year again they water and fertilize [it] and still nothing happens. The fourth year they water and fertilize [it], and yet nothing happens. But in the fifth year, in a period of roughly six weeks, the Chinese bamboo tree grows roughly 90 feet. The question is obvious: Did it grow 90 feet in six weeks or was it 90 feet in five years? A little reflection will make the answer obvious: It was five years, because had there been any year when they did not water and fertilize it, there would have been no Chinese bamboo tree. (Zig Ziglar) 2 19

3 The Friend at Midnight Parable By Pastor John E. Dubler Luke 11: 5-13 The model prayer is followed immediately by the Parable of the Friend at Midnight. The model gives us major areas for which to pray daily and the parable teaches us to be persistent in prayer. The Parable of the Friend at Midnight is one of two major parables on prayer the other being the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge from Luke 18: 1-8. It is found only the Gospel of Luke. Meaning of the parable If persistence can obtain three loaves of bread from a reluctant neighbor at midnight, then certainly our earnest prayers will receive our Father s complete attention and His answer at the perfect moment. The parable reveals God s character of a loving Father who hears and answers, and our need of persistence in prayer. Understanding the Parable Contrast vs. Comparison. Some parables are meant to compare one figure with another to give us understanding. For example the parable of the treasure hidden in the field, (using the comparison word like ) compares the kingdom with a treasure. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field which a man found and hid again. And from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field, Matthew 13:44. A parable offering contrast is what we have here. God, in His goodness is not like the unwilling neighbor, but infinitely more willing. He is not like the unrighteous judge who is in danger of being worn out by the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), but completely loving and earnestly attending to our prayers. Therefore, God, in this parable is contrasted to a reluctant neighbor. The neighbor is reluctant to answer his friend and give him what he s asking for, but because the neighbor is persistent he will capitulate and give him the bread which he requests. God, by contrast, is far more willing. We do not have to twist His arm; He is ready to answer us when we pray. If even the unwilling neighbor will answer, we can be very certain that God will answer us. Thus, 18 III.Ask, Seek, Knock A. The Greek Implication 1. Ask, and keep asking 2. Seek, and keep seeking 3. Knock, and keep knocking B. The Promise 1. Everyone who keeps asking shall receive 2. Everyone who keeps seeking will find 3. Everyone who keeps knocking will have the door opened IV.The Father Heart of God A. Ask Specifically 1. Good fathers give what is asked for if it is in their power 2. Your heavenly Father loves you with much greater love B. God s Motivation 1. To give us the greatest gift - the Holy Spirit 2. He longs to give us anything we need - specifically 3. When we receive what we ask for specifically, we know who gave it to us! 3

4 Life Group Questions for September 28, 2014 Message = Knocking at Heaven s Door Ice Breaker: Tell about one of the most surprising non- Christmas gifts you ever received. Read Luke 11: What stands out to you about this passage? 2. How does this parable compare and contrast with the parable we looked at last week in Luke 18: 1-8? 3. Luke 11: 8 says this: I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. In the Greek, the word persistence is defined shamelessness. Have you ever thought of being shameless before God in asking for something? Talk about what this may mean. 4. As you think about people who approached Jesus, can you think of anyone who was shameless in their approach to him? In each of these cases, how did Jesus respond? 5. Have you ever asked God for something persistently and specifically and received it? Tell the group about it. Did you ever receive something else other than what you requested? Tell the group about that too. 6. Tell what you think verse 13 means. Discuss it as a group. 7. Pray for one another. IV.And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors A. Acknowledge my sin and thank God for forgiving me through Jesus sacrifice on the cross B. Forgive and release others for their sins against me 1. Acknowledge that someone sinned against me and hurt me 2. Give the memory of the violation to God 3. Cut them loose from all debt they owe me 4. Acknowledge that bitterness has NO HOLD on me 5. Lavish love on them and pray for God to bless them V. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil A. Put on the whole armor of God (Put on the Lord Jesus Christ) 1. The belt of truth (Mentally accept God s truth over lies I have been hearing) 2. Breastplate of righteousness (Thank Jesus for giving me His righteousness which enables me to boldly enter His presence) 3. Shoes of preparation (readiness) of the Gospel of peace (Take time to digest the scriptures - committing them to memory) 4. Shield of faith (Step out on God s truth for my situation) 5. Helmet of salvation (Thank God that He has saved me and remember that I am different than the world. Satan has no power over me except the power I give him by believing lies.) 6. Sword of the Spirit (Apply the Word to the lies I hear, and the situations I find myself in today.) B. Run to the Lord for protection (You are my refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!) 1. I set my mind on things above, not on things of the earth 2. God has set His love upon me 3. He knows my name and will never leave me or forsake me VI.For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever A. Make your faith declarations B. Return to praise 4 This outline inspired by Henry Blackaby & Larry Lea 17

5 Prayer Guide I. Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name A. Picture Calvary and thank God you can call Him Father by virtue of the blood of Jesus B. Hallow (lift Him above everything in your life) the names of God corresponding with the five benefits in the New Covenant and make your faith declarations Benefit Sanctify Spirit Soundness Success Security Name Jehovah-Tsidkenu Jehovah-M Kaddesh Jehovah-Shalom Jehovah-Shammah Jehovah-Rophe Jehovah-Jireh Jehovah-Nissi Jehovah-Rohi Meaning Jehovah our righteousness Jehovah who sanctifies Jehovah is peace Jehovah is there Jehovah heals Jehovah provides Jehovah my banner Jehovah my shepherd Personal Devotion Pages The following pages are designed to help you enjoy a regular time alone with God. We have divided up the curriculum to help us grow wherever we are at in our relationship with God and in our knowledge of His Kingdom. LEVELS: Since we are a Colorado church, we use skiing imagery to communicate the different levels of intensity and time involved in relating to God. BEGINNER: If you are new in your relationship with God, we encourage you to try the exercises under this symbol: INTERMEDIATE: If you have walked with God for some time and would like a little more challenge and more time involvement, try the exercises under this symbol: II. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done (God, what are you doing? How can I (others) get in on what You are doing?) A. Myself Give me awareness of how to meet others needs today I choose to take the initiative to love others B. My family (spouse, children, other family members) C. My church (pastor, other leadership, faithfulness of people, the harvest) D. My nation (city, state, and national political and spiritual leaders, the harvest) III.Give us this day our daily bread A. Believe that God desires to provide for me B. Be specific C. Be tenacious D. Talk openly about my worries and give them to Him E. Today s needs - Tomorrow will care for itself ADVANCED: These exercises are for people who have walked with God for some time and display maturity in their relationship with Him. These exercises provide a practical way to encounter God and His truth on a regular basis. There are no rules here. Please don t hurry through the process. Slow meditation and memorization seems to soak in better than cramming. Enjoy! 16 This outline inspired by Henry Blackaby & Larry Lea 5

6 Day One 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Slowly read Luke 11: Write down your deepest prayer request here. Take time to bug God about it all week. Day Five If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. ~Luke 11:13, NLT Jesus lays down His final contrast in this closing sentence of the paragraph. Mortal and sinful parents gladly give what they can to their children. How much more is your heavenly Father desirous of giving perfect gifts to His children? James, the half brother of Jesus, learned this concept well. He says this of the heavenly Father: Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow (James 1: 17). Memorize Luke 11: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of this verse. Memorize Luke 11: 9-10, 13. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of these verses. Memorize Luke 11: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into the meaning of these verses. Jesus says something interesting in the end. Until now, He has been talking about food, He now changes the subject to the Holy Spirit. What? Why mention the Holy Spirit as a perfect dish? As a master of hyperbole, Jesus uses such exaggeration to show that there can be no greater gift than the Holy Spirit. We can ask for a loaf or a fish, but the greatest thing we could ever expect is to receive the Holy Spirit - and the Father is even gladly willing to lavish the Spirit upon us! Anything outside of the Holy Spirit is a little gift - no big deal - for the loving Father! Have you come to the realization that God desires to give you good and perfect gifts? There can be no greater revelation, for when I understand this, I understand the awesome goodness of God our Father! Father, thank You for every good and perfect gift! 6 15

7 Day Five 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Meditate (ruminate on it, ask questions of it, think about it) on Luke 11: Day One Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this illustration: Suppose you went to a friend s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would say to him, A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat. He would call out from his bedroom, Don t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed. I can t help you this time. ~Luke 11:5-7, NLT This story has many similarities to the one we read last week about the widow and the unjust judge. Both stories make us a little nervous. Let s face it, pesky people are... well, they re annoying. What s worse, Jesus encourages us to be a pest to God. People who refuse to stop bothering God actually honor Him - He sees their persistence as faith. 3. Take time to pray God to show you what He is doing today and ask Him how you can get in on what He is doing. 4. Finish your Bible memorization today. The friend in this story reminds me of myself. I m an early to bed, early to rise kind-of-guy. If I had a friend come to my door at midnight, I would have already been in Neverland for a couple of hours. A passionate knock at the door would shock me to consciousness. Here s where it gets tough. I think Jesus has a hidden message here. He wants us to consider bothering God at night. He yearns for us to think of Him so often and so much, that when we sometimes awake in the middle of the night, we can worship Him, and then ask, seek, and knock. Sleepless nights typically increase as we age. I wonder if these are Holy Spirit appointments He has arranged in order to fellowship with us. I have found prayer in the middle of the night to be sober, quiet, and extremely peaceful. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! ~Psalm 139:

8 Day Two 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Slowly and carefully read all of Luke 11 today. 3. As the Holy Spirit confirms to You that your motives are right in asking, begin thanking God for the things you are praying for - believing that you ve already received them. 4. Pray for your loved ones and family. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you specific requests for each one. 5. Continue memorizing and meditating on the scriptures for this week. Day Four You fathers--if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! ~Luke 11:11, 12, NLT Now that Jesus has thoroughly amazed us with His teaching about persistence and the reward we receive for pursuing it, He adds the concept of praying specifically. Again, he contrasts earthly fathers with the Heavenly Father. Earthly fathers, for the most part, love their children deeply. They desire to give their children the best. Jesus asks the fathers in the crowd two rhetorical questions. As loving fathers, they don t play sadistic jokes on their children when they ask for something they need. If a child asks for a fish, dad doesn t give him a snake instead. If a child asks for an egg, dad doesn t give a scorpion instead. Here s your breakfast, son! Notice first that the child s request is not an outlandish one. The child is asking for something to eat. They re not asking for a new Porsche. Then, notice that the father does not give something dangerous to the child, like a snake or a scorpion. Earthly fathers, says Jesus, love to provide for the specific needs of their children. Jesus talks about God as a father, something rarely if ever we see in the Old Testament. This is a new paradigm for the Jewish audience. They know God as Creator, Judge, Counselor, Lord, and the one true God. But most of them have never looked at God as a loving father. Do I see God as my loving Father, who desires to give me good things? 8 13

9 Day Four 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Read slowly through Luke 11: Take time to thank God for things you are praying for - believing in advance that He will provide an answer. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. Day Two But I tell you this--though he won t do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what you want so his reputation won t be damaged. ~Luke 11:8, NLT Like the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, Jesus uses the friend at midnight as a vivid contrast. The judge grudgingly helps the widow because she pesters him endlessly. The friend gives to his neighbor, not because he is a friend, but because the neighbor, too, pesters him endlessly. In both cases, the character of God is contrasted with that of mortal, weak people. Jesus motive is to reveal the awesome, loving character of His Father who hears our prayer the moment we utter it, yet yearns for us to push into Him with importunity in order to grow in faith. Jesus teaches us that persistent requests get results even with mortals. He places persistence on a pedestal in order to teach us that it is preeminent in our relationship with God. God so dearly loves us that He knows what we ask before we pray, yet desires us to have such seriousness about it that we attack the gates of Heaven in order to obtain an answer. Such persistence changes me, possibly changes my request, and helps to align me with the purposes of God. Persistence grows my faith. Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice. ~Psalm 55:

10 Day Three 1. Take some time to praise the Lord for who He is and enjoy thanking Him for what He has done in your life lately. 2. Slowly read over Luke 11: Read it over and over 5 times. 3. Bring at least three friends or loved ones to the Lord and ask Him to bring them to repentance and faith. Ask Him to show you how you can boldly love them and speak the words of Jesus into their lives. 4. Continue meditating on and memorizing the scripture for this week. Day Three And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks. ~Luke 11:9, 10, NLT Jesus has attached this teaching about persistence on the end of the Lord s Prayer, helping us understand that the Prayer is not just a formula, but a blueprint to help us pray without ceasing. After the story about the friend at midnight, Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock. The Greek language implies persistence. It more appropriately says, ask, and keep asking and asking, seek, and keep seeking, knock, and keep knocking. Such persistence gets grand results! Look at the blank check Jesus writes at that point! For EVERYONE who asks, and keeps asking, RECEIVES. Everyone who seeks, and keeps seeking, WILL FIND. And everyone who knocks, and keeps knocking, will FIND THE DOOR OPENED TO THEM. Such grand words are spoken by Jesus of Nazareth, the Word of God, the one who has never, ever lied. His words cannot be broken. He means what He says! Our greatest liability at this point is believing such an outlandish promise. What if we all took this seriously? What if Jesus told us that one billion dollars was buried in a public field? Would we pursue it at all costs? Yet, when we hear this, can we truly swallow the profound nature of it s reward? Father, teach me to ask, seek, and knock without ceasing